Leader: Sue Tweg

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit investigates a range of avant-garde theories, practices and practitioners, in order to stimulate imaginative and investigative possibilities for performance. The emphasis will be on work that challenges conventional boundaries, both between genres and between theatre and other models of performance. An important element in the program will be the practice of performance-makers in Australia who represent significant initiatives of this kind.

Objectives

Students who complete this unit successfully should have developed:

1. A familiarity with some key early avant-garde texts and practitioners.

2. Some awareness of contemporary avant-garde performance texts and stylistics around the world.

3. Understanding of some foundation theories of the European avant-garde.

4. A broad appreciation of the directions of experimental theatre practice, both in Australia and overseas.

5. Confidence to articulate and theorise responses, both written and verbal, to a range of scripts and performance events.

6. The capacity for observation, documentation and critique of non-mainstream performance events.

7. Skills in written analysis and argument to support independent scholarly research for short papers.

8. Skills in the gathering and transcription of first-hand interview material, and its integration into scholarly argument.

Assessment

Two seminar presentations (1,500 words each): 30% +

Short investigative performance work or 2,500-word essay on the work of an innovative contemporary practitioner: 30%
An argumentative essay on selected issues in the development and/or analysis of non-conventional models of performance (3,500 words): 40%

Contact hours

2.5 hours per week

Co-requisites

DTS4000