Activism and Performance (DRA2087)

30 credits

This module examines the relationship between art, activism and performance. In particular, it explores how activism is performed, and how performance can be utilised as a powerful tool for protest and community organisation. Activism has a rich cultural history, and continues to evolve in relation to economic, technological and social change. A resurgence of social-struggle across the globe in recent years has compelled performance theorists to explore in greater depth the aesthetics and performative dynamics of the phenomenon. By responding to current events and contemporary scholarship, as well as historical intersections of art and activism, this module analyses ‘acts’ of activism as highly organised events, with their own theatrical agendas and parameters. Non-Drama students are very welcome.