22 November 2007
IMM studio A 2.24
Ronald Steckel on radio plays
The radio play as an art form has been part of the radio-technology from its very first days on: Pioneer radio plays date back to the 20s. They were called "acoustic reproductions of theatre plays". Soon, the emancipation of the radio play developed itself independently from its epigons in, literally, the speed of sound, always keeping track of the fast pacing evolution of technology: Contemporary international radio play productions feature all sorts of acoustic expressions, from Musique Concrète-Compositions to Shakespeare staged for four microphones. The digitalisation and its impact on the possiblilties of digital sound postproduction opened yet another horizon for the radio play. Think of radio play studios as laboratories, constantly researching new ways of increasing the dramatic acoustic language. Ronald Steckel, born 1945, witnessed the history of the radio play in Germany since the 1980s. Mr. Steckel works in radio play production. He writes/ composes/ directs his plays. The Akademie der Kuenste awarded him a fellowship for his achievements in media arts. His BASECAMP lecture will focus on the range and variety of contemporary radio plays, showcased on his own works.