Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance

Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance is designed to introduce students to different approaches to (the professional field of) dramaturgy, and to actively train the skills that are involved in the practice of dramaturgy within the context of theatre and dance performance: such as dramaturgical feedback, dramaturgical analysis, criticism and forms of programming. Through different assignments and exercises we practice the skills to engage in a productive dialogue with art practitioners about their work, practice and research, to write about performance for professional audiences and to develop ideas and concepts for a festival organisation.

The course consists of 2 working groups. Students choose either one or both.

Group 1: Contemporary Theatre, is designed to introduce students to different approaches to (the professional field of) dramaturgy, and to actively train the skills that are involved in the practice of dramaturgy within the context of theatre and performance: such as dramaturgical feedback, dramaturgical analysis, criticism and forms of programming. Through different assignments and exercises we practice the skills to engage in a productive dialogue with art practitioners about their work, practice and research, to write about performance for professional audiences and to develop ideas and concepts for a festival organisation. Activities that are part of this course range from attending performances, meeting makers, participating in collaborative devising workshops and pitching a programming proposal for the artistic director of What You See Festival.

Group 2: Contemporary Dance: In this group students will develop dramaturgical insights and practices for engaging with the field of expanded choreography. Through attending performances and artistic processes, having talks with dramaturges and programmers, as well as through engaging with conceptual intersections between critical, decolonial theory and dramaturgical practice. The study of theoretical discourses on dance dramaturgy is combined with sessions on practical dramaturgy, which prepare students for different instances of dramaturgical work (e.g. engaged listening, embodied thinking/feeling, formulating questions, naming, responding and giving feedback).