Challenge of Sofico Comes to GITIS

Why does the CIA use Stanislavski’s system when training its operators? How can we manage our emotions in the modern-day world that is obsessed with fast dopamine? What do scientists and artists have in common? Moscow’s Russian Institute of Theatrical Art (GITIS) recently hosted the filming of a new episode of ‘Challenge of Sofico,’ an intelligence show created and moderated by Sophie Shevardnadze. This time, she was joined by VYZOV Prize Laureate, neurobiologist Raul Gainetdinov and GITIS Rector Grigory Zaslavsky. 

“Something both scientists and artists share is creativity: we are all creators. When I’m working on a big research article, I often get this feeling that I am like Leo Tolstoy writing his ‘War and Peace.’ I’m personally very fond of literature, theatre and classical music. Experiencing art gives you something like a reboot for your brain,” said Raul Gainetdinov. 

“In Russia’s cultural tradition, scientific intelligentsia has always been close to the great theatre and great music. Interaction between scientists and artists is a mutually rewarding process for all of us. An expert neurobiologist can offer many helpful tips for theatre directors and actors, explaining the neurochemical process behind a certain emotion,” Grigory Zaslavsky pointed out. 

The show’s guests discussed whether theatre can compete with modern-day digital content, why serotonin is not really the ‘happiness hormone,’ and how the trial-and-error method helps both actors and scientists excel and achieve results in their respective professions. 

“For me, this conversation proved what I had thought and felt intuitively, namely that theatre provides something of a dopamine therapy for the human brain. This turned out to be not only a very insightful discussion, but also an entertaining one,” said Sophie Shevardnadze.

 

Episode One of ‘Challenge of Sofico’ will be available in October on social media platforms such as VK and Odnoklassniki, and from START online streaming service. The show is produced by the Vyzov Foundation with support from the Institute for the Development of the Internet. 

Ссылка на источник