Theatre & Politics

Course Description

The course examines the depiction of political issues such as colonialism, totalitarianism, controversies concerning US domestic and international policies, and terrorism in twentieth- and twenty-first-century theatre. It also aims to discuss the role that theatre might play as a form of cultural intervention in these issues. The exploration of theatre and politics is based on an introduction to principal styles and genres of modern theatre that contemporary playwrights may use to address their themes, such as naturalism, epic theatre, and the theatre of the absurd. Influences of these styles will be traced in recent European, American and Latin American plays, and will be followed by a discussion of new theatrical genres, for instance, the monologue play or verbatim drama. Classes will be complemented by the screening of extracts from productions and other visual material, and by optional attendance at any available theatre productions.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Comprehend and have a clear understanding of how contemporary drama and theatre interacts with political reality;
• Understand the basics of principal modes of modern theatre, such as naturalism, epic theatre, and the theatre of the absurd, and be able to trace their legacies in the work of contemporary playwrights;
• Place in context and lend perspective to the work of principal European, North American, and Latin American playwrights;
• Improve the skills of critical thinking, close reading, oral presentation, academic writing, and independent research.