Political Theatre: History and Practice

Catalog description

This course studies a range of theatrical ventures throughout history which took up political issues of the day, and the application of various traditional theatre genres to political aims, including the naturalism of Ibsen, Gorky, Hauptmann, Odets, and Lynn Nottage through to more experimental, non-naturalistic cases of Megan Terry, Douglas Turner Ward, Susan-Lori Parks, etc. We will also create our own works over the course of the semester, using both organic and mediatized approaches (weaving video into live performance). In so doing we will consider how taking on political subjects often creates imperatives for novel work methods and forms of collaboration, for breaking down walls of professionalism, and for seeking out unconventional audiences.