66-332 Elective Seminar: The Theater of Politics

12 units, Carnegie Mellon University

NOTE THIS COURSE IS FOR CMU WASHINGTON SEMESTER STUDENTS ONLY. Over the years, this course has canvassed the Washington theater scene and discovered a wealth of politically and socially attuned material on DC stages. Washington has, rather surprisingly, emerged as the second most vibrant theatrical city in the nation, surpassing Chicago and Los Angeles in number of performances offered, audience in attendance, and union actors appearing in Equitycontracted productions. The city now boasts some of the finest classical flagship and culturally specific theaters in the country. This advent of a robust theater scene planted in the seat of power has created a unique cultural profile that of an artistic force able to speak truth to power. Yet oftentimes, theatrical institutions are constricted by the divided nature of the audience they play for, or the critical community that critiques them, or differing notions about the purpose of theater. What kind of portraits are emerging from area theaters in this politicized capital What are the practical politics within these institutions that seek to engage and entertain their patrons In addition to introducing students of the wonders of consistent theatergoing with dynamic postperformance discussions with the artists who make the art, our focus will concern politically oriented works.

Prerequisites: none listed

Courseweave needs JavaScript to show sections, workloads and planning tools.