JAN 204 - Devising Defiance: An Introduction to Devised Performance for Social Change

Instructor(s):  Davis, Shannon R.
Email:  srd16@stmarys-ca.edu

“Devised theatre” is a process of creating a performance collaboratively. This devising course is designed to provide students from all backgrounds with the basic principles of creating a performance communally with the intent of furthering social change. Including, but not limited to: creative community building, making inspirational imagery, improvised movement and speech, collaborative scene building, and devised dialogue basics. Students will accomplish this through analysis of Ursula K Le Guin’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, intuitive movement, vocal and acting exercises, and practical integration of our source material. This class builds upon the foundation of the Stanislavski acting system, and delves into a myriad of culturally-specific devising methods including Theatre of the Oppressed. Through exploration and interrogation of these systems, using a range of modalities, students will engage and explore work from a rich diversity of genres, styles, and backgrounds that go into devising an original performance piece. 
 
 Any student from any department can devise artwork for the stage in this class. Mediums typically included in a devised performance: dance, movement, song, sound, monologues, dialogue, poetry, performance art, physical artwork, video, mixed media, interactive experience, etc.

Prerequisites & Notes
None

Credits: 3-CU