Theatre in Context: Analysis & Research (140-2-21)

Topic

Performance & the Environment

Instructors

Alex James Hartzell Knapp

Meeting Info

Wirtz 240 Seminar Room 2: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

In our contemporary moment of climate change and biodiversity collapse, theatre practitioners, performance artists, and activists are exploring the dynamics between humans, nonhumans, and their ever-changing "environments." This course surveys plays about petroleum and pollution, eco-performance art, Black ecologies, Indigenous perspectives on creating eco-art, eco-feminisms, and animal ""performances"" to explore the relationships between art-making and ecologies from international, intersectional, and interdependent perspectives. We will seek answers to various questions: Can theatre and performance adequately address climate change? How does class, race, gender, and location influence the making of eco-art? What are the ethics of using animals on stage? What is Broadway's carbon footprint?
In this course, you will engage theatrical "texts," performance art, photography, painting, and sculpture to refine analytical skills that apply both to academic work and rehearsal rooms. Through investigating eco-art's historical, social, and political contexts, you will develop strategies in cultural critique and critical thinking that will aid in researching, drafting, writing, and editing an original research paper rooted in textual and performance analysis.

Class Materials (Required)

None

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is reserved for Theatre Majors only.