Ecodrama: An ecocritical reading of Caryl Churchill and Edward Albee's plays

Ecocriticism is a critical approach that focuses on the relationship between the human and the nonhuman world.This correlation includes gender, race, class, physical environment etc. which arethe origins ofmany cultural and social rules. In this study, certain criticalaspects of ecocriticismare applied on theatre. The stage and the interactions of audience with the play are thereasons why theatre is ecocritically conspired. Therefore, ecotheatre generates people to be more aware of their ecological identities both as individuals and also as groups. Ecodrama can bring about attention to the ecological concerns of a distinct region or even can lead the audience to resolve deeper issues. Accordingly, the Theatreof the Absurdattacks social norms and makes audience think about their way of life and nonhuman world. That is why, the Theatre of the Absurd and Ecodramaare interrelated because both are awakening human consciousness. Furthermore, in this study,ecoidentity, ecophobia, ecoconsciousness,ecofeminism and absurd ecology are defined and explored deeply. Especially, in the works of Edward Albee and Caryl Churchill,the traces of alienation and the lostidentityof human beings are highlighted and analyzedthrough the lenses of ecocriticism. Absurd ecology and ecological consciousness in Seascape, interspecies performance and the alienation of human beings in The Goat or Who is Sylvia?are discussedin Albee's drama. In the following chapter, the dystopic nature in Far Awayand posthumanism in A Numberare studiedin Churchill's ecotheatre.Key Words: Ecocriticism, Ecodrama, Ecotheatre, Ecofeminism, Edward Albee, Caryl Churchill