Topics in Theatre (330-0-70)

Topic

Documentary Theatre

Instructors

Joao Pedro Da Silva Queiroga Gomes

Meeting Info

Northwestern Qatar Room G-310: Tues, Su 4:00PM - 5:15PM (AST)

Overview of class

In this practice-based course students will learn the historical and theoretical foundations of documentary theatre. We will investigate how the performing arts as ephemeral cultural forms are employed to revisit history, to offer multiple explanations of an event, or to preserve vanishing realities. Through case studies we'll explore the poetics and politics of the genre by considering issues such as memory vs. history, personal account vs. media portrayal, archive and repertoire, performativity and storytelling, testimony, and witnessing. In order to deepen their understanding of the topic, students will devise their own documentary pieces based on interviews, personal narratives, and archival records of their choosing. The class will culminate with a performance written and directed by the students.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisites: None

Open to Sophomores and above, MIT majors only

MIT Technical-Practical Course

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is reserved for COMM Majors who are Sophomores and above.