Studying at York
Theatre Texts & Contexts - TFT00002I
Module summary
This module is designed to introduce you, practically and theoretically, to a range of case studies within the context of a particular theatre or performance tradition or style (e.g. feminist theatres, site-specific practices, physical theatre, monologue plays etc). It will equip you to work with deep knowledge and understanding of the given tradition/style across performative and analytical contexts, and will enable you to apply these skills to your ongoing work at the intersections of text and performance.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
The module aims:
- to explore the generic, cultural and historical diversity of performance styles via a series of case-studies of contrasted moments of high achievement in a particular mode (e.g. feminist theatres, site-specific practices, physical theatre, monologue plays etc).
- to assist you to develop the analytical techniques apt to the investigation of the scripts and performances relevant to the performance style(s) and/or tradition(s) under investigation, and the notational skills needed to analyse the techniques, vocal and physical, of relevant performers and performance makers.
- to conduct practical experiments testing and illuminating the performance potentiality of scripts and performances relevant to the performance style(s) and/or tradition(s) under investigation
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, you should expect:
- to have acquired knowledge of the generic, cultural and historical diversity of the performance style(s) and/or tradition(s) under investigation.
- to have gained skills appropriate to the analysis of relevant scripts and performances, in historical and contemporary contexts, and via discursive and written avenues.
- to have had experience of ambitious practical work on demanding scripts and performances.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 75 |
| Practical | 25 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Formative essay-related task (Week 6); formative group performance and viva in Week 9 or 10.
*For summative assessments, students will lose 3 marks per workshop, seminar or practical missed for this module.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 75 |
| Practical | 25 |
Module feedback
You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.
You will receive written feedback on all assessments and reassessments. This will happen in a formative manner in practical workshops and seminars, and in a summative manner in feedback sheets on practical assessment and written tasks.
Indicative reading
For a sample module on British feminist theatre traditions, an indicative bibliography could include:
Plays
Mojisola Adebayo
Moira Buffini
Caryl Churchill,
Sarah Daniels,
Andrea Dunbar,
Gay Sweatshop
Theoretical material
Elaine Aston and Gerry Harris, (2012) A Good Night Out For The Girls
Sue-Ellen Case, (2008) Feminism and Theatre
Sharon Carnicke, (2008) Stanislavsky in Action
Jill Dolan, (1988)The Feminist Spectator as Critic
Jill Dolan, (2013) The Feminist Spectator in Action
Penny Farfan and Lesley Ferris (eds.), (2014) Contemporary Women Playwrights: Into the Twenty-First Century
Lizbeth Goodman, (1993) Contemporary Feminist Theatres
Emer O’Toole, (2015) Girls Will Be Girls
Kim Solga, (2016) Feminism & Theatre