106-091 Writing for Performance

Usually 25 points of first year English, see Prerequisites, including completion of first year creative writing prerequisites.

This subject is designed to give writing students, from all generic specialisations, the chance to reflect upon, experiment with, and enhance the performative potential of their writing. Through lectures on aspects of performance writing and practice, and in workshops, students will explore the range of skills involved in writing for performance and in developing effective performance practice in terms of their own work. On completion of the subject students should have encountered aspects of performance theory; demonstrated a heightened sense of the performative potential of writing; exhibited, in the writing and performance of their own texts, a range of skills and strategies for making writing an event in a performance space; gained an appreciation of contemporary performance practices. Students will be required to publicly perform the 10-minute piece that they have written during the subject.

Class participation, the required performance, and written work totalling 4000 words or its equivalent as negotiated with the coordinator.

A subject reader will be available.