Research project on traditional Japanese Theatre

Length of written documentation:1000-words

Task:

Student will prepare and submit a written/visual exploration of a theatre piece based on one of the following Japanese performance traditions: Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki or Bunraku. Students will approach the project from the perspective of director, designer and actor. This project must include appropriate historical and academic documentation, as well as a 1000 word written articulation of process and research. Students may focus on one character for their analysis within an overarching examination of the selected performance genre. Additional documentation should include visual representations: sketches, photos, etc. There is no physical performance component to this assessment.

Assessment Criteria:

• Ability to fulfill the requirements of the role. 25%
• Historical accuracy and/or commitment to vision. 25%
• Ability to clearly articulate your process/participation with regard to the assigned project. 30%
• Depth/quality of research and documentation. 20%

Length of performance project: One Commedia dell'Arte scenario of up to 10 minutes to be performed in Week 9 during class time

Length of written documentation: 500 - 750 words

Task:

Students will, in assigned groups, present a Commedia dell' Arte Scenario. Each member of your group will take on an assigned role: director, designer (set, costume, lighting, props, sound etc.) and every student in the group will perform. Exceptions may be made for directors. The goal of each project is to create a historically informed presentation of the selected text with respect to the performance conventions of Commedia dell' Arte including: accurate portrayal of stock Commedia characters relevant to the scenario, use of masks and appropriate costumes, incorporation of lazzi, and moments of improvisation. In-depth research is essential to the project. Each student will also submit a 500-750 word analysis of their assigned character including: specific character traits, mask design, physical representation and use of lazzi, as well as a reflection on what purpose the character serves within the world of Commedia. The written assessment must be accompanied by appropriate historical and academic documentation. Students must also submit a peer review through Moodle on the day of the presentation.

Distance Learning:

In the case of distance students, the individual student will prepare and submit a written/visual exploration of a scenario as director, designer and actor. This presentation must be accompanied by appropriate historical and academic documentation, as well as a brief written articulation of process. Students will choose one stock Commedia character to analyze. See above for required length of documentation. Additional documentation may be submitted in the form of sketches, visual representations, etc. Internet links to Commedia scenarios will be made available on Moodle.

Assessment Criteria:

• Ability to fulfill the requirements of the role. 20%
• Historical accuracy and/or commitment to vision. 25%
• Participation in process. 10%
• Ability to clearly articulate your process/participation with regard to the assigned project. 30%
• Depth/quality of research and documentation. 15%

Write a 2000-word research essay on the following topic:

The Resurgence of Ritual and Mask in 20th Century Theatre

• In the 20th Century many theatre practitioners turned away from Realism and Naturalism and began to experiment with masks, puppetry, and ritual, often inspired by traditional and non-Western performance practices. These art forms were adopted for the creation of avant-garde work and as a tool for actor training. Choose two of the following theatre practitioners: Alfred Jarry, Jacques Copeau, Peter Brook, Jerzy Grotowski, Peter Schumann, or Ariane Mnouchkine and compare and contrast their use of mask or puppetry in their creative and training processes. Include examples from specific productions. Discuss their influences and inspirations, cultural appropriation, and re-engagement with ritual in the creation of new theatre and the re-imagination of classic texts. You must include primary source materials (specific productions) to support your argument as well as secondary sources, e.g. Academic analysis and contemporaneous critique and discussion.

N.B.: This is an academic paper. Do not rely solely on web-based sources. On-line research sources obtained from peer reviewed journals or academic databases are acceptable. Any internet sources used must be scholarly and accredited. Citations from Wikipedia, Sparksnotes, or similar web-sites are not to be used under any circumstances. Inclusion of these sources will be penalized.

• This assignment is to be saved as a Word document and submitted online through the course website.
• Use 12 point Times New Roman font.
• This paper must be double-spaced.
• Sub-headings may be used as appropriate.
• All excerpts from primary sources, including diagrams and pictures should include an in-text reference, and full details included in the Reference List.

Reference List:

• Every assignment should include a reference list. This reference list can include the textbook as well as other readings you may have used.
• The Reference List is an important part of your assignment and must be presented correctly. It should include all book, journal articles (including electronic journal articles from databases), newspaper articles, scores, scripts, music recordings, video recordings and references from electronic sources.
• The referencing style is the APA Style, 6^th Edition.
• The CQU library website has sections of referencing using this style.

Before you submit your assignment:

Please make sure your name and student number is clearly marked on the assignment.

Assessment Value: 100%

Final Weighting: 40%