Las enseñanzas superiores de arte dramático en el sistema educativo español: mirando al pasado para construir futuros

Abstract

The first proposal to establish a Higher Theatre Education in Spain dates from 1769, although it was necessary to wait until 1830 for the creation of the Royal Conservatory of Music of María Cristina. One year later, in 1831, the Declamation studies were organized within it, and since then Higher Education in Dramatic Art has experienced multiple vicissitudes, associated with its progressive implantation and social presence, with advances and setbacks of different nature and scope. Trying to place ourselves in some of its past circumstances, we will consider its state of the art in the historical period that elapses from the first years of the 19th century to the present. We will do so by putting an emphasis on the applicable normative and legislative framework and also on the socio-political coordinates in which Dramatic Art Education is incardinated, without forgetting –with a comparative perspective– some main hallmarks related to its status, organization and development, in the Spanish, European and world contexts. After a review of literature and document analysis, besides answering some key issues, we will appeal for levels of training and professionalization in order to provide Higher Education in Dramatic Art with the recognition that its scientific status and artistic practices require. Its historical trajectory demands to build more and better futures.