Performances or performance-based experiments are intended to be constructed to illustrate material we have been studying. Clearly you can not transport us to ancient Greece and create an "authentic" reproduction. The same goes for the other sections. But you can construct a performance or performative exercise inspired by what we are studying. Most groups should not necessarily chose a script to act out in the classroom, but if you do choose a script (such as Medea or Sakuntala) then show some true production choices and MEMORIZE YOUR LINES. In fact, those working on Greece might want to try out a scene from Themophoriazusae in order to illustrate something you have gleaned from the reading (see me about which scene). Those working on India will use the Natyasastra as a guide --what kind of piece might arise out of "rasa"? You can feel free to use a creative imagination regarding that and let yourselves be inspired by the ancient theory -- simply be able to discuss how that theory is at the basis of what you present after you present it. Similarly, what do the basic elements of African ritual performance prompt, as gleaned from your reading? The same goes for other groups. You will decide in your group what to construct based on additional study in the area. Your piece should ideally be no more than 10 minutes and you should plan to collectively explain your process, draw on outside reading sources, and engage in discussion afterward. In all we will take 20-30 minutes of class time for these presentations. Please meet with the Teaching Assistant or myself in advance of your assigned date to discuss your plans and do not leave this until the last minute.
FOR SCHEDULE SEE SYLLABUS
Group One: Ancient Egypt. Make a piece inspired by one or more aspects of ancient Egyptian ritual performance that you learn about. You can choose to mount part of the Triumph of Horus.
Group Two: Ancient Greece, a piece inspired by the material we read on Greece. For this group I highly recommend a scene from Thesmaphoriazusae in which a man, infiltrating the woman's council, tries to persuade the women he is just like them.
Group Three: Ancient India. Please make a piece inspired by the Natyasastra in some way. You can use some text from Sakuntala, or chose something else. Please have spent some time with the links on the blogabus, watching and learning about Kathakali, Odissi dance, and other Indian forms before you make your piece. You will not be able to make a Kathakali scene, of course, but if you can take some aspects that strike you regarding the physicality involved, that might be very interesting. In the past, some groups have tried to make a piece emphasizing their interpretation of rasa.
Group Four: Yoruban traditional performance. Make a piece inspired by pre-colonial African traditions as gleaned from the readings, or, chose a scene from The Colored Museum and stage it in such as way as to underscore connections to the ancient material as you see it.
Group Five: Two Medeas. For this I usually recommend staging Euripides's version of the child murder and then the same scene from Seneca so that the class can see and discuss the differences between them as embodied.
Group Six: European Medieval -- Make a piece that stages a scene from the bible, or from what you would take to be a Brown University sacred text. Explore what processional theatre might be. Or, using the same material, make a piece that explores the carnivalesque. Another option would be to take the class on a "mumming" excursion.
FOR SCHEDULE SEE SYLLABUS
Group One: Ancient Egypt. Make a piece inspired by one or more aspects of ancient Egyptian ritual performance that you learn about. You can choose to mount part of the Triumph of Horus.
Group Two: Ancient Greece, a piece inspired by the material we read on Greece. For this group I highly recommend a scene from Thesmaphoriazusae in which a man, infiltrating the woman's council, tries to persuade the women he is just like them.
Group Three: Ancient India. Please make a piece inspired by the Natyasastra in some way. You can use some text from Sakuntala, or chose something else. Please have spent some time with the links on the blogabus, watching and learning about Kathakali, Odissi dance, and other Indian forms before you make your piece. You will not be able to make a Kathakali scene, of course, but if you can take some aspects that strike you regarding the physicality involved, that might be very interesting. In the past, some groups have tried to make a piece emphasizing their interpretation of rasa.
Group Four: Yoruban traditional performance. Make a piece inspired by pre-colonial African traditions as gleaned from the readings, or, chose a scene from The Colored Museum and stage it in such as way as to underscore connections to the ancient material as you see it.
Group Five: Two Medeas. For this I usually recommend staging Euripides's version of the child murder and then the same scene from Seneca so that the class can see and discuss the differences between them as embodied.
Group Six: European Medieval -- Make a piece that stages a scene from the bible, or from what you would take to be a Brown University sacred text. Explore what processional theatre might be. Or, using the same material, make a piece that explores the carnivalesque. Another option would be to take the class on a "mumming" excursion.
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