Theater and Dance 230 - Dramatic Diversities

This course offers an in-depth exploration of unconventional theatrical forms, foregrounding diverse artistic voices, including femme, queer, and global majority creators. Through engagement with Suzan-Lori Parks' 365 Plays/365 Days, Caryl Churchill's Love and Information, and Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brothers Size, students examine how contemporary theater disrupts traditional narrative, character, and linear storytelling to interrogate race, identiy, power, and social norms. The course also investigates experimental performance and ensemble-based methodologies through the work of practitioners and companies such as Anne Bogart (Viewpoints), the SITI Company, and Meredith Monk, among others. Emphasis is placed on fragmentation, repetition, spatial composition, vocal experimentation and non-traditional approaches to text as generative strategies for performance making. Through scene work, critical analysis, and ensemble projects, students devleop their own performance methodologies and creative approaches. The semester culminates in sharings in which students present their creative investigations. Requisite: THDA 130 or equivalent introductory college-level acting course or experience, or permission of the instructor. Fall semester. Professor Stills.

How to handle overenrollment: THDA majors given priority. Instructor will choose students based on a balance of interests and class years.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: This course will involve regular attendance and class participation, class discussion, reading, viewing and possible short writing assignments, group work outside of class including rehearsal or other artistic assignments, as well as physical or vocal performance work and/or visual, aural, and physical analysis as applicable. Attendance at rehearsals and performances outside of class may also be required.