ELEMENTS OF THEATRE AND LIVE ART PRODUCTION I

The course is part of the Master's Degree Program in Economics and Management of Arts and Cultural Activities that offers research methodologies and professional approaches to the management of the arts. It provides a basic knowledge of contemporary theatre, dance, and live arts, and introduces to a range of theatre and performance theories and practices and of audience response. Reaching these goals will enable students to widen their knowledge in the field of performing arts and to develop their critical skills. Specific terminology indispensable to understand the texts under scrutiny will be introduced and examined in class.

Students are invited to relate the contents of the course to their entire curriculum and, in particular, to situate theater, dance and live arts in the broader context of the contemporary arts and cultural heritage. Students are expected to be able to take notes in class and to express, in their required final paper, clear and well-argued points the contents of the course using specific terminology.

No prerequisites or basic knowledge of theatre are required to attend the course.

The course provides a basic knowledge of contemporary theatre, live arts and dance as forms of cultural heritage and introduces to a wide range of theatre and performance theories and practices. Each class offers a selection of video-recorded theatre and dance pieces and live arts performances as the starting point to analyze different models of representation and of audience response. Some lessons are dedicated to the programming of contemporary dance and performance art in museums and art galleries and refers to the project supported by Creative Europe "Dancing Museums. The Democracy of Beings" (2018-2021) coordinated at Ca' Foscari by Susanne Franco. For students unable to attend the syllabus is the same and a meeting with the professor is necessary to discuss the bibliography and to understand how to prepare for the final exam.

Christopher B. Balme, The Cambridge Introduction to Theater Studies, Cambridge University Press, 2008 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4).

Paul Allan and Jen Harvie, The Routledge Companion to Theater and Performance (second edition), Routledge, 2006 (see moodle).

A selected list of essays and videos, edited by Susanne Franco (for index and pdf see moodle).

The password to access moodle is provided via email by Prof. Franco.

The final exam, for both attending and non-attending students, consists in a written test that lasts for two hours and includes four open questions based on the suggested bibliography and videography. Some questions require 10-15 line-long answers, while others require a broader historical contextualization and line of argumentation (about 25 lines). Cross-disciplinary observations will be particularly appreciated. To pass the exam at least 3 questions must be exhaustively answered. No use of notes or books or digital devices is allowed during the exam.

Lectures with screenings of images and videos. The course offers an e-learning platform (moodle.unive.it) where the students can find selected readings and links to the videos presented during the classes.

English

written