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Academic Year 2003/2004


Solo Performance
THEA 286 SP

Solo Performance is an advanced acting course that introduces students to the research, writing, and performance techniques of world-class solo performers like Anna Deveare Smith, the African American Macarthur Fellow, whose works cut across the boundaries of history, sociology and theater, and Dario Fo the actor, playwright and Nobel laureate who complements his verbal virtuosity with cinematic techniques of gestural montage. After learning to dramaturgically analyze and perform the techniques of master solo performance artists, each student will create their own solo performance piece based on research into primary historical sources (diaries, letters, memoris, autobiographies, etc.). It is suggested that students come to the first class with a subject for a final project that they would be interested in researching and performing. Subjects can be contemporary artists, writers, politicians or public figures as well as individuals from periods of history that are of particular interest to the student. This course is restricted to seniors, and possibly some juniors, who have already taken at least one acting course.

MAJOR READINGS

TWILIGHT by Anna Deveare Smith
MISTERO BUFFO by Dario Fo

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Each student will be responsible for memorizing and performing a short solo piece at each class meeting. Final performance projects embodying a contemporary or historical character will be accompanied by an extensive paper analyzing the critical choices made in the selection, editing, and acting of the text.

COURSE FORMAT: Performance

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA THEA    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: THEA245 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004


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