Topics in Theatre:
Courses offered by resident and visiting faculty on specialized topic areas, including theatre history, dramatic literature, dramatic theory, film and theatre performance practices.
1 unit — Davis, Rollins, Sanchez, Sriram
Previously Featured Offering
Naked States of Being explores how space/time is not a white canvas that stands alone and empty. The course utilizes Delicious Movement, an experiential and experimental practice led by Eiko Otake, dancer/choreographer and interdisciplinary artist.

Delicious Movement is an experiential and experimental course taught by Eiko Otake, dancer/choreographer and interdisciplinary artist. This course combines the "Delicious Movement Workshop" with the study of postwar Japanese arts. Through the study of movement, readings, videos, and films we will learn that space/time is not a white canvas that stands alone and empty. Here and now are continuous parts of a larger geography (space) and history (time) and as such are dense with memories, shadows, and possibilities. We will see art works and films from postwar Japan as examples of artistic representations of despair and perseverance. What is it to forget, remember, mourn, and pray? How do we transcend violence and loss? How does being or becoming a mover or dancer affect our emotional rigor, seeing/learning, and creativity? These are some of the many questions we will explore. This is not a dance class, nor is it geared toward performers. We will learn some movement together, but we encourage you to think about movement as a way to access human experiences, to nurture imagine, and to build knowledge. To learn more about the instructor, please go to eikoandkoma.org.
From the bilingual flatbed truck actos of Luis Valdez to the rhythmic coffee house choreopoems of Ntozake Shange, this course focuses on theatrical styles cultivated by the American marginalized (post WWII) with a significant part dedicated to fostering students' own playwriting ability.

This course is designed to expose you to important contemporary North American playwrights representing a diverse range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We will examine how they unpack the complexities of their background, personally and politically, in both form and content. In addition to the reading and discussion of plays, you will draw from your own background to create original work. This course is equal parts historical analysis and creative writing workshop.
Offerings
Term | Block | Title | Instructor | Location | Student Limit/Available | Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 2022 | Block 1 | Topics in Theatre: Philosophies of the Body: Bodies and Power Topic Details | Pallavi Sriram | Cornerstone Art Center 302 | 25 / 3 | 06/07/2023 |
Fall 2022 | Block 4 | Topics in Theatre: The Nakedness of Being Topic Details | Eiko Otake | Cornerstone Art Center 130 | 25 / 4 | 06/07/2023 |
Spring 2023 | Block 5 | Topics in Theatre: Brazilian Culture: Ritual and Experimental African and Afro-Brazilian Theatre | Feva Omo Iyanu | Armstrong Hall 315 | 25 / 20 | 06/07/2023 |
Spring 2023 | Block 6 | Topics in Theatre: Black Women and Diasporic Theatrical Expression Topic Details | Lisa Marie Rollins | Cornerstone Art Center 301 | 25 / 24 | 06/07/2023 |
Spring 2023 | Block 7 | Topics in Theatre:Being Seen: Acting and the Camera Topic Details | Monica Sanchez | Cornerstone Art Center 130 | 25 / 18 | 06/07/2023 |
Spring 2023 | Block 7 | Topics in Theatre: Rogue Objects: Creative Research and Art-Astrophysics Practice Topic Details | Janani Balasubramanian | Cornerstone Art Center 308 | 25 / 6 | 06/07/2023 |
Spring 2023 | Block 8 | Topics in Theatre: Biohacking 101: Kitchen Sink Science and Theatre Topic Details | Ryan Platt, Sara Hanson | Cornerstone Art Center 301 | 32 / 4 | 06/07/2023 |
Fall 2023 | Block 1 | Topics in Theatre: Philosophies of the Body: Bodies and Power Topic Details | Pallavi Sriram | TBA | 25 / 1 | 06/07/2023 |
Fall 2023 | Block 2 | Topics in Theatre: Fall Theatre Production | Lisa Marie Rollins | TBA | 32 / 32 | 06/07/2023 |
Fall 2023 | Block 3 | Topics in Theatre: Moving Together: The Power of Art, Health & Wellbeing Topic Details | TBA | 25 / 8 | 06/07/2023 | |
Fall 2023 | Block 4 | Topics in Theatre: Hidden Theatre: Translating Place Topic Details | Monica Sanchez | TBA | 25 / 9 | 06/07/2023 |
Spring 2024 | Block 7 | Topics in Theatre: Spring Theatrical Production | Marie Davis | TBA | 25 / 25 | 06/07/2023 |
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Last updated: 06/07/2023