ASIA 264 - Asian Theaters: Tradition, Continuity and Change

Cross-Listed as THDA 264

This course introduces students to the rich heritage, theories, and practices of traditional and modern Asian theatres. Asian theatres challenge us with very different concepts about the nature of the theatrical event, performance styles, and the role of theatre in society. The main study focuses on an examination of selected theatres from India, China, and Japan. A study of each country’s traditional theatre requires that we understand something of the cultural context in which the specific theatre form was created: their history, religious beliefs, and social mores. An important aspect of the course is our look at the impact of Western culture and modern representational theatre on the indigenous theatrical traditions. Additional time outside of the class hours may be necessary for viewing videotapes and/or workshop sessions. Alternate years. (4 Credits)