ENGL 349(S) Contemporary Drama and Performance (Same as Comparative Literature 355 and Theatre 345)

THEA 345(S) Contemporary Drama and Performance (Same as English 349 and Comparative Literature 355)
As Gertrude Stein once remarked, "The hardest thing is to know one's present moment." What is going on it today's theatre? What are the hot topics? Who are the writers and directors of our recent past and present moment? This survey course will consider both experimental and mainstream drama and performance from the past twenty years, focusing on topics such as: auteur-directors, new realism, identity theatre, environmental theatre, performance art, cyber-plays, and the "virtuosic theatre" of the new century. Artists to be considered may include: The Wooster Group, Richard Foreman, Robert Wilson, Edward Albee, Sam Shepard, David Mamet, Rachel Rosenthal, Caryl Churchill, Mac Wellman, Tony Kushner, David Henry-Hwang, Suzan-Lori Parks, Sarah Kane, Richard Maxwell, Christoph Marthaler, Naomi Iizuka, Rinne Groff, Zakiyyeh Alexander, and others.
Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on written and dramaturgical-based assignments as well as in-class discussions
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 15 (expected: 15). If overenrolled, preference given to Theatre majors.
Hour: HOLZAPFEL