syllabus

Prior to the first session, participants will receive an initial email with a reading assignment and a practical assignment of a simple public action. They will also be asked to write about some questions concerning their audience. 
 

Week 1: PERFORMER RELATIONSHIPS TO THE VIEWER
Our first session includes a group exercise and discussion to consider the different ways in which we engage with an audience in performance.

Introduction to workshop. Participants introduce themselves. Discussion of public action.
Discussion of reading.
Group exercise, the first of a series of exercises that focus on ways of relating to an audience. Discussion of exercise.
Writing assignment.
What to prepare for second session.
 

Week 2: EXCHANGES
In the second session we consider performances that are designed as an exchange between the artist and the viewers.

Discussion of reading.
Group exercise, the second of a series of exercises that focus on ways of relating to an audience. Discussion of exercise.
Writing assignment.
What to prepare for third session.

Week 3: EVENT SCORES AND INSTRUCTIONS
The third session experiments with event scores and instructions for an audience, in which the artist is not part of the event and may not even witness it.
Discussion of reading.
Participants report on performing event score or instruction. Discussion of exercise.
Writing assignment.
Outline of final project assignment.

FINAL PROJECT: Performance for an audience of one or a small group. 
Participants will create an intimate participatory performance for an informed audience. It can be for an audience of one, or for a small group. Inividual meetings about the project will be scheduled with Marilyn Arsem during Week 3 to discuss design and parameters of the final projects, as well as questions such as how is it documented, what consitutes success and how does one evaluate it, 

Week 4: DISCUSSION OF FINAL PROJECTS OF INTIMATE PARTICIPATORY PERFORMANCES
Participants will have uploaded documentation of their final projects in advance of the session, so that everyone can review the works before this final meeting.
This last session is a discussion of the different approaches that the participants took in designing their actions.
Discussion of projects. Questions and observations. Discussion of reading.
Final writing assignment.