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/read the 5-10-minute piece that they have written during the semester.

An 8-10 minute performance script of 4000 words 70%, performance/public reading of this script 20% (due at the end of semester) and class participation 10%. Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of workshops in order to qualify to have their written work assessed.

A subject reader will be available.