Interdisciplinary Arts 0318 - Sacred Text for Performance

All ancient books which have once been called sacred. will have their lasting place. and those who possess the courage, the perseverance, and the self-denial of the true miner, and of the true scholar, will find even in the darkest and dustiest shafts what they are seeking. -Max M ller, Introduction to the Upanishads Vol. II. In this class, we will explore sacred texts from various histories and cultures for performance. Through an investigation of what has been considered sacred, we will attempt to comprehend the holy and divine's relationship to humanity, traverse the space between the sacred and the profane, and examine the changing or unchanging nature of truth. By applying multiple theatrical forms, we seek to break open this text in order to find anew how theatre is a communal ritual that may enable us to praise god, celebrate life, interrogate everything, and bury the dead.

Multiple Cultural Perspectives In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, and research.