The Theatre of Springs is a programme of practical work.
On the basis of group work, representatives of different traditional cultures come together in the action. There is a tendency to break out of the closed circle of Euro-centrism, which is why importance is attached to the old cultures of the so-called Third World: Asian, Amerindian, Negro, etc. Each of the exponents who engage in this long-term work maintains their own cultural identity and their own system of motivations - philosophical, religious, social and customary - linked to it; however, in practical work, there is a tendency towards elements of action that are so simple and original that they can be realised by all members of the transcultural group, regardless of their cultural differentiation.
It is therefore not a path that aspires to the synthesis of cultures, but one that seeks the simplest points of convergence, which - in some way - precede differentiation. Grotowski encounters each of the members of the transcultural group within their own terrain: in their own cultural and traditional context.
The candidate must have practical dispositions and, in particular, the ability to combine organic processes with the structure of action.
The candidate cannot be detached from his or her native tradition, but must have the desire and the ability to meet culturally conditioned individuals in the work. The transcultural group, formed of such individuals, constitutes the structure of the simple actions, within which each person has his or her own individual line of motivation, but shares with others, or finds together with others, the elements and details of the actions, which function in each person regardless of cultural differentiation is, for the first time, subjected to a practical and non-technical verification, precisely on the basis of the Source Theatre programme.
Each work cycle of the transcultural group is summarised by opening it up to the active participation of participants from abroad, who - in this case - necessarily represent European culture. The action elements found by the transcultural group members are proposed to the participants from outside for practical verification, which constitutes a further test of their university. The technical conclusions resulting from this work are summarised in the course of scientific sessions, conferences, lectures and the like.
Regardless of the cultural and anthropological values of this programme, it constitutes - as practice to date shows - a very strong stimulus for mutual understanding of people formed within completely different traditions.
