In this course, students of performance and performance studies will have the opportunity to work with a visiting artist for a 5-week session during the fall or spring semester, and for the remainder of the semester on (1) studying the work of the visiting artist and other relevant work prior to the visit, and (2) developing relevant performance and/or critical work of their own. This class will consist of lectures, seminars, studio work and studio visits. May be repeated for credit with new visiting artists; Performance and Performance Studies MFA students are required to take three semesters.

This class is designed to introduce students to theater and dance companies in New York City performing in a wide range of international styles and traditions. The course is meant to offer students wide knowledge-- across a range of cultures and communities-- of what performance is. We will look at traditional forms as well as contemporary work. Most classes will feature lectures and demonstrations by guest artists. We will watch samples from their work, hear about their process and be led in some embodied work of our own. Students will participate in workshops and complete weekly readings and independent projects.

Community-based theater includes a variety of theater-making practices defined by their interaction with the communities from which they grow, including theater performed in or for communities other than the self-selected audience that comes into a theater. In this class, we will look at histories and theories of community-based work as well as projects on the contemporary landscape. The class will consist of viewings, weekly readings, and discussion as well as embodied work. We will learn and practice exercises to create a sense of trust and openness in community work, gathering approaches to collecting stories and strategies for working collaboratively. We will pay particular attention to the power dynamics involved in community-based art practices. What does it mean to be a professional working with community members, and what strategies can we use to negotiate the challenges of being an outsider in a leadership position? This course also serves to prepare students for internships in community-based theater.

Mentorship Study is an elective of the graduate P+PS MFA program. Through weekly meetings (1 hour each) over the semester the Mentorship course gives students one-on-one contact with their mentors (prestigious expects in the field of performance and performance studies); the goal is for mentors to act as guide, ally, advisor, and knowledge-resource to a given student and their scholarly work and/or creative process. The primary goal of the mentor-mentee relationship will be to prepare the student for their academic and performance presentations during the semester or for their culminating work at the end of the graduate program. Throughout the semester the student will work closely with their mentor to set up meetings and to coordinate the mentor's presence and support for the students' presentations.

This class is designed to introduce students to theater and dance companies in New York City performing in a wide range of international styles and traditions. The course is meant to offer students wide knowledge--across a range of cultures and communities--of what performance is. We will look at traditional forms as well as contemporary work. Most classes will feature lectures and demonstrations by guest artists. We will watch samples from their work, hear about their process and be led in some embodied work of our own. Students will participate in workshops and complete weekly readings and independent projects.

Community-based theater includes a variety of theater-making practices defined by their interaction with the communities from which they grow, including theater performed in or for communities other than the self-selected audience that comes into a theater. In this class, we will look at histories and theories of community-based work as well as projects on the contemporary landscape. The class will consist of viewings, weekly readings, and discussion as well as embodied work. We will learn and practice exercises to create a sense of trust and openness in community work, gathering approaches to collecting stories and strategies for working collaboratively. We will pay particular attention to the power dynamics involved in community-based art practices. What does it mean to be a professional working with community members, and what strategies can we use to negotiate the challenges of being an outsider in a leadership position? This course also serves to prepare students for internships in community -based theater.

In this course, students of performance and performance studies will have the opportunity to work with a visiting artist for a 5-week session during the fall or spring semester, and for the remainder of the semester on (1) studying the work of the visiting artist and other relevant work prior to the visit, and (2) developing relevant performance and/or critical work of their own. This class will consist of lectures, seminars, studio work and studio visits. May be repeated for credit with new visiting artists; Performance and Performance Studies MFA students are required to take three semesters.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to performance studies and theory. We will develop basic theoretical, critical, literary and performance skills that will improve understanding of creative work in performance studies and cultural studies. We will put theories into practice by presenting performed work every other week. This class is foundational for the Performance and Performance Studies program.

This class explores the art, play, technique and rigorous fun involved in bringing a strong presence to the unique space of performing. The class begins with a focus on physical and vocal training, moving through improvisation, generating material, and working with prepared material. Time and timing, space, tenderness, chaos, intention, perception, lying, and the imaginary are examples of the kinds of ideas we will be using as tools to move us into exploratory spaces.

In this course, we will examine and practice the analytical, critical, and writing skills needed to compose essays suitable for publication. In workshops we will engage in writing exercises, peer evaluation, revision, and editing with a focus on completing one review essay and journal article for publication. We will learn how to create pressing arguments, to integrate textual and other evidence, and to engage in sustained reflection. We will review relevant readings in Performance Studies in order to participate in current debates within the field. By doing so, we will learn how to make important disciplinary Interventions in the field of Performance Studies through writing.

This course will help students prepare for the production of a final projector thesis. The class will be run as a workshop for student work, facilitated by a faculty member. Students will engage with readings relevant to their topics; examine relevant critical texts; select a thesis advisor; assemble an annotated bibliography, a precis and literature review; prepare outlines and preliminary or preparatory statements of purpose, and begin the work at hand. Instructor and peers will respond to work in progress and help the student reach the point at which they can take the project or thesis to fruition during the current or following semester.

This course enables Performance and Performance Studies MFA students to work closely with a faculty mentor while preparing and completing their final performance project and written thesis.

This course is designed to enable students to explore special topics in performance studies in a concentrated way. See PPS website for descriptions of topics being offered in a given semester. Students will learn contemporary theories and methods via an in-depth exploration of the topic at hand. May be repeated for credit as topic changes.

This course is designed to enable students to explore special topics in performance practice in a concentrated way. See PPS website for descriptions of topics being offered in a given semester. May be repeated for credit as topic changes.

This course allows Performance and Performance Studies MFA students to work as interns in venues relevant to their studies and career paths. and for the internship to appear on their transcripts. The proposed assignment and a specific program of hours and supervision have to be approved by the Internship Coordinator.

This course allows Performance and Performance Studies MFA students to work as interns in venues relevant to their studies and career paths. and for the internship to appear on their transcripts. The proposed assignment and a specific program of hours and supervision have to be approved by the Internship Coordinator.

This course allows Performance and Performance Studies MFA students to work as interns in venues relevant to their studies and career paths. and for the internship to appear on their transcripts. The proposed assignment and a specific program of hours and supervision have to be approved by the Internship Coordinator.

This course allows Performance and Performance Studies MFA students to work as interns in venues relevant to their studies and career paths. and for the internship to appear on their transcripts. The proposed assignment and a specific program of hours and supervision have to be approved by the Internship Coordinator.