Theatre and Social Change (341-0-20)

Instructors

Elizabeth Won-Kyung Son
847/467-0513
70 Arts Circle Drive, 5th floor, room #174
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1-3pm

Meeting Info

Wirtz 240 Seminar Room 2: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

This course explores how artists harness the power of theatre to incite social and political transformation. The first part of the course focuses on seminal movements and companies that have shaped theatre for social change in the United States, including the Black Arts Movement and El Teatro Campesino. Building on these histories, the latter part of the course examines the practices and theories of contemporary theatre artists in dealing with issues such as im/migration, HIV/AIDS, racism, incarceration, gender-based violence, and disability, among others. We will study plays such as The Laramie Project and The Yellow Boat; theatre projects led by artists such as Ping Chong (Undesirable Elements Project) and Rhodessa Jones (Medea Project: Theater for Incarcerated Women); and productions by local community-based ensembles such as Albany Park Theater Project. Readings of theatre history, plays, and criticism will be complemented by live and video viewings of performances.

Class Materials (Required)

Course packet, ~$40