Writing Radical Performance

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

One of the following subjects

None

CRWI20006 Script for Performance; 106-091 Writing for Performance; 106-236 Script for Performance

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject engages with the theoretical, practical and technical aspects of script writing for performance. Through a rigorous examination of the work of key artists and writing from the 1960s onwards, students will devise concepts for radical performance and enhance their scriptwriting practice. Student will produce a critical essay and two scripts for performance: a solo piece or monologue; and a script for a collective; as well as workshopping their ideas in class.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• A sophisticated understanding of, and the ability to articulate, the conceptual relationship between historical developments and current approaches to radical scriptwriting for performance;
• Engaged with key debates within the area of performance writing and live art to enhance an awareness of the social, cultural and political contexts that underpin their own work;
• The ability to independently devise, draft and develop multiple scriptwriting projects with a rigorous approach to creative writing methods, intellectual honesty and ethical values;
• Demonstrated high-level analysis and close reading of a variety of critical and creative material with an emphasis on contemporary performance;
• Developed an understanding of the importance of workshopping as a creative and vocational tool wherein participants from diverse cultural backgrounds and disciplines communicate and collaborate.

• Attendance and participation: It is compulsory that each student circulates via email a work-in-progress script (equivalent to 250 words) in weeks 7-11. Attendance and participation is also expected in the workshopping of classmates’ scripts (10%)
• A 1500 word essay exploring a key artist and their technical and conceptual innovations in writing for performance, due in week 6 (30%)
• A 5 minute script for a solo performance or monologue (equivalent to 750 words), to be read/performed in class during weeks 9-11 (20%)
• A 1500 word original script for performance, submitted during the examination period (40%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

John Freeman, 2007 New Performance/New Writing New York: Palgrave Macmillan

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Prepare and present their ideas in both verbal and written mode at an intermediate level and in conformity to conventions of academic presentation;
• Demonstrate teamwork through joint performance preparation and participation in discussion and workshopping;
• Enhance their vocational writing skills and knowledge of communication techniques through the design and development of an original work for performance;
• Develop their ability to give and respond to constructive feedback through workshopping and class discussion;
• Research through competent use of the library and other information sources, defining areas of enquiry and effective methods of research;
• Demonstrate time management, independent organisation and planning.

This subject is not available to students who have completed 106-091 Writing for Performance. This subject is available to Bachelor of Arts (Continuing) and Bachelor of Creative Arts students and may be credited towards a major in Creative Writing in either course. Bachelor of Creative Arts students can credit this subject to a major in Theatre Studies.