The course is primarily set up to: Familiarize the student of drama with the cultural, ideological and aesthetic forces that shaped the experimental theatre of our times Focus upon the most important difference(s) between the traditional avant-garde and postmodernism. Students who register for the course are expected to read a number of plays that cover the period between 1890 through 2010. Each play is designed to give students an overview of the different aspects of theatrical innovation in 20th century. The course’s reading list begins with Alfred Jarry’s much discussed Ubu Roi, quickly travels through the intricate paths of cabaret performance, surrealism, dadaism, futurism, expressionism, to end with the study of contemporary postmodernist works by artists like Megan Terry, Suzan-Lori Parks, Guillermo Gomez- Pena, Adrienne Kennedy, Karen Finley and Charles Mee, among others. Course textbook and outline / list of readings are available. Assessment: Final exam.
