AFRS 239 - Topics in Global Performance

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

This course showcases the wealth of theater and performance traditions that exist beyond the Euro-American canon. Taught on a rotating basis by members of the Drama Department faculty, each semester features a different tradition of theater practice. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: Caribbean Theater; South Asian Theater; West African Theater, and Latinx Theater.

Topic for 2023/24a: Introduction to African Diasporic Performance. (Same as DRAM 239) This course surveys the theater and performance traditions of West Africa and other diasporic regions such as the Carribean, and the Gullah environs of the the U.S. South, African works based in America. Beginning with the oral traditions of Nigeria and Ghana, students progress through different regional, classical, and folk performance traditions, including, but not limited to: Yoruba popular culture plays, the Anansi stories of Ghana, works of Ogunde, Ladipo, Osofisan, Ransome Kuti, Gurira, and Corthron. We also consider trends in contemporary performance practice, studying playwrights, directors, and theater companies who have been prominent in shaping West African theater in the post-Independence period. The class involves workshops with artists from featured traditions, where available. Shona Tucker.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Two 75-minute periods and one 2-hour lab.

Course Format: CLS