Mid Term Prompts

YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE THESE PROMPTS
You are encouraged to create your own. However, if you are stuck, perhaps these might help.


Analytical:
Intimately engaging with Boal’s text, discuss the progression of the spectator/actor from the initial dithyramb to the contemporary state of theatre as it is today, as defined by you.

Using concrete examples from Boal’s text and from cultural history, examine the concept of the spectacle and its relation to power politics and economic stability.

What is Boal’s most effective theatrical technique, theatre as language (Forum, Image etc.) or theatre as rehearsal (newspaper, invisible etc.)? What would Aristotle and Hegel argue against these techniques?

Creative:
Assuming the role of set and costume design, describe in detail for your “director” how you would represent both Hegel and Brecht’s idealization of theatre in two isolated scenes of the same dialogue. You must choose scenes that are common to a contemporary audience, such as Hamlet’s grave digging scene or Faust’s laboratory. A response paper is necessary.

Choose a topic of social import (sexual assault, gender equality, biodiversity etc.), choose an audience, choose a space, and choose a time period. Write two different “one act plays” using the embedded theories of Aristotle, Hegel, Brecht and Boal using class and outside texts. In a response paper engage with both of these scripts, and form an argument as to why one method is more or less effective in addressing said topic.

The last day I will look at drafts is: Tuesday the 17th

You are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to at least start an email conversation with me on your topic. It's unfortunate, but sadly once the papers are turned in misunderstandings cannot be worked out. I've seen many students, good students at that, taken by surprise when they did not go and meet with their professor. It's great to learn that early.