Dramatizing History I

Catalog description

How does the dramatist bring alive an historical epoch to enliven a theatrical work? What elements are essential to create a compelling narrative? Is the artist’s primary responsibility to truthfully retell every aspect of the historical event, or is it enough to find a small, personal story among those facts? Can (and should) one document history as it happens? What ethical issues are raised in such decision making? In this arts workshop students will embark on a journey to bring alive and shape stories that hold personal significance. Whether the tales are connected to family, culture, gender or ‘race’ memory, there are certain steps that may enhance the creation and development of dramatic work based on historical information. The goal, based on the student’s work, is to fully develop the outline of the story. Readings may include texts by David Henry Hwang, Lynn Nottage, Luis Valdez, Pearl Cleage, and Wole Soyinka, among others.