Towards (A Theatre Of) Empowerment

This one-semester SYNCHRONOUS course includes lectures, discussions, two field trips as well as practical work. The course aims to open ways to recognize the power structures within artistic creation and the functioning of the artistic outcome. In all cases, these structures mirror societal mechanisms that are often hidden and embedded in our daily lives. Looking at them through a performative perspective, these power mechanisms can be recognized and analyzed.

Together with the students, we will find ways to deconstruct the power structures. This process will lead to what we will define as theatre of empowerment. The Eastern-European perspectives highlighted within the course point out that the power structures and the hierarchical mentality are still visible and palpable more than 30 years after the Iron Curtain fell in these parts of the world. And this tells us important things about the nature of power in society.

The North American examples of possible ways of embodying the theatre of empowerment are presented based on the experiences of a UC Berkeley Fulbright research semester, two directorial artistic residencies in Chicago IL, and relevant bibliography.

This course is particularly designed for the students in the Master of Arts in Social Change but is also open to other students and community members. No prior theatre experience is required.

Related to Thresholds: 8. Embodied Wisdom and Beauty, 2. Prophetic Witness and Work and MFC competency: 4. Social Justice in the Public Square.

Enrollment Max: 15. Auditors excluded.