DR/DA100-History of Performance
Block I: Tom Lindblade, DR/DA100, History of Performance
Block II: Joanne Zerdy, DR/DA100, History of Performance
The course as a whole meets Critical Perspectives: The West
in Time (2 units).
This class surveys performance in Western Tradition, starting with the beginnings
of sacred ritual and ending up with cutting-edge performance art. The class
will proceed chronologically, thematically, and theoretically, covering Greek
theatre and Roman spectacle, the medieval performance tradition of masque
and revelry, the combination of Lully's ballets with Moliere's plays, and
Renaissance burgeoning of public forms of performance. Further, we will consider
the notions of class, genre, industrialization, and expression represented
in 19th century traditions of dance and drama, including the birth of realism
and revolt against established forms. The late 19th and early 20th centuries,
respectively, introduce the elements of technology, reproduction, and multimedia
forms as central to the history of performance. As a result, we will consider
film, installation, and early performance art as critical additions to performance
in general. Creative projects and field trips augment the course.
A two-block course with one instructor in each block; one grade will be given
for the course as a whole.