our alumni

Aletia M Badenhorst  

An Imaginative Reworking and Performative Manifestation of The Richard Demarco Archive 
Image of people standing in front of an umbrella

Aletia M Badenhorst

"My PhD is in archival performance. I used a performative research approach to perform the documents of ephemeral events in the Richard Demarco Archive. The methodologies I created, including using verbatim (from qualitative interviews) as song lyrics, can be applied universally in archival performance making. As a result of my PhD, my interpretation of ‘the archive’ evolved to signify personal archives and seeing our memories as well as our bodies as our archives. In this way, my research ventured into the areas of applied theatre and mental health awareness.  

I recently achieved my Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. My current research interests are in the role of creativity in Higher Education teaching, and the interplay between performing arts and teacher training. My main performance output is in the realm of Immersive-Participatory Cabaret. I am writing a journal article about Performance Activism that is due for publication in October this year. I am a convenor for TaPRA (The Theatre and Performance Research Association) Performer Training Working Group, and I am developing an online course where I help people discover and develop their authentic creativity."

Image credits: Martin Pope (masked hijab looking to the side.)

Wojtek M. Wilczynski (WMW Pictures): (green dress on red chair)

Research degrees

Research student support

Study for a research degree at Leeds Beckett and you'll join a thriving academic community in an inspiring and supportive environment.

other links
Clock tower at Leeds Town Hall
Image of a male student sat down