Aesthetics of Diodrama in Student Performances: An Applied Study in the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Jordan

This study examines the aesthetics of diodrama in the performances of students in the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Jordan, situating the work within the applied humanities and theatre education. Diodrama, or duet theatre, is a performance form built on the confrontation between only two actors, whose continuous dialogue and interaction sustain the entire dramatic structure. The artistic success of this form depends on the actors’ capacity to embody their characters, represent psychological transformations produced by dramatic escalation, and manage the accompanying physical and vocal expression; the failure of either actor risks collapsing the whole performance. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the study investigates three student productions staged in 2024—Waiting for Godot, Time, and The Bull Female—to analyze how directing strategies, text selection, actor training, and performance space shape the aesthetic and pedagogical outcomes of diodrama. The findings indicate that diodrama offers a particularly effective laboratory for developing advanced acting skills, focus, and partner responsiveness, while also encouraging minimal scenography and a heightened reliance on language, gesture, and rhythm. The study has two key implications. First, for applied humanities and theatre practice, it demonstrates how diodrama can function as a low-cost, high-impact form for exploring character depth, ethical conflict, and relational dynamics. Second, for educational studies and curriculum design, it suggests that systematically integrating diodrama projects into drama programs can enhance students’ performance competencies, collaborative skills, and critical engagement with dramatic texts, making it a valuable model for theatre training in university and conservatory settings.