Theatre Arts 234DA - Danger, Rules, and Riots

What and whom is theatre for? How might viewing a performance be dangerous? What rules govern theatre, and who makes them? Who should play what role? In this course we analyze major theoretical and performance texts, explore censorship, and investigate theatrical controversies. Readings (supplemented by video materials) to include both theory and drama, with a particular focus on disputes over what can be said and seen and on the politics of representation. Case studies include the judgment against Corneille's "Le Cid", the "Playboy riots" at Dublin's Abbey Theatre, disputes over race and gender in casting, and the vexed matter of selecting works for high school and college performance.