Experiments in the Future of Performing

Catalog description

The purpose of this workshop is to expose students to forward-thinking ways to conceive of creative approaches to performing. As the traditional global recorded music economy has diminished over the last two decades, live performance and touring has become an increasingly important and primary source of income for recording artists. As a result, the twenty-first century finds us on a new horizon with regard to the vanguard of contemporary performance. This course will allow participants the opportunity to explore the cannon of cutting-edge contemporary performance, from the avant garde foundations of the twentieth century expressions in theatre, performance, and music, to the latest advances in current popular performance presentation. The class focuses on building new forms for live music performance: students will work with their instructor to take creative risks and experiment toward developing new techniques for presenting original music. Accompanied by lectures that weave together performance history, somatic awareness, contemporary music politics, and new technologies, students will be required to present in-class "works in progress" presentations that challenge the conventions of live music performance. In-class performances will be followed by group dialogue and critique, evaluating each students ability to take risks, challenge themselves, and incorporate new ideas into their practice. Students will consider the value of incorporating somatic tools and emergent technology into their performances, as they conceptualize and contextualize their work in larger narrative arcs that create cohesive story for their songs, exploring visual elements through live video manipulation of appropriate found imagery. The course will conclude with a final concert performance for the general public that demonstrates creative growth and risk-taking that has been investigated…