This course aims to offer a general overview of theatrical forms from the ancient times to the present day, by means of the study of theatre venues, dramaturgical and acting models, and the actor-spectator relationship. Then, among the contemporary theatrical forms, the practice of English immersive theatre will be investigated, focusing in particular on the works of the Punchdrunk company.
Expected learning outcomes:
At the end of the course the student will be expected to:
1) Knowledge and understanding: To join the knowledge of the main historical events with an awareness of the different forms, meanings and functions that "theatre" and "performance" have assumed in ages, places and various cultures, and to understand their diachronic development; to be able to recognize and to comprehend the relationship established, time after time, between the primary textual/projectual component, whenever present, and the stage/performing one (the pragmatic dimension of the performance, which can be analyzed into its multiple elements: dramaturgy, actor and acting, stage space and scenery, actor-spectator relationship, etc.).
2) Applied knowledge and understanding: to be able to analyze the history of theatre and performance in its documentary forms and to carry out research on the sources examined through the sociosemiotic methodology adopted in the course.
3) Autonomy of judgement: to be able to provide autonomous judgements on the course topics.
4) Communication skills: to be able to appropriately communicate what has been learnt, presenting the results of one's own readings integrated also with one's own research and in-depth studies.
5) Ability to learn: to be able to fully understand and interpret performatic phenomena related to forms of theatre and performance, focusing in particular on the shift from dramatic to post-dramatic forms.