This hands-on, workshop-style course will explore performance making from an embodied perspective, drawing on Hope Mohr's recent book Shifting Cultural Power: Case Studies and Questions in Performance. Class meetings will be divided into four parts: (1) an accessible movement warmup (no movement experience or training required), (2) viewing and discussing works of performance, and (3) lab time to workshop ideas.Coursework will primarily be done in class, with the exception of a final project. For final projects, students can choose either to make a time-based performance work in their chosen medium (ie video, film, performance, puppetry, dance, sound, etc) or write a paper that engages with class themes. This class emphasizes the benefits of cross-disciplinary exchange, and is designed for students from all disciplines.Classes will meet in the film production stage and begin with an accessible movement practice to guide students through exploring artistic interests through the body. Our practice will explore landing in your own body, moving in community, recognizing power and difference in the studio, moving in an uncomfortable body, moving our relationship to time, working on and off message, practicing and honoring refusal, and connecting to joy and resilience.We will move through the many phases in the lifecycle of a performance or cast project , including creating intentional beginnings with an ensemble, co-creating group agreements, navigating collaboration, building ensemble, physical research through improvisation scores, composing bodies in space and time, performing process, and giving and receiving feedback.We will study different approaches to collaboration, ensemble, and improvisation by watching experimental theater, dance, performance art, social practice, and performance lectures. Artists studied will include Ralph Lemon, Okwui Okpokwasili, Anne De Keersmaeker, mayfield brooks, jumatatu m. poe, Jonathan Burrows, Taylor Mac, Rosy Simas, Julie Tolentino, Judson Dance Theater, Wooster Group, Elevator Repair Service, Merce Cunningham, Anna Halprin, and Simone Forti, among others.

Visit Workday to view this information.