Fall 2005 Semester

THTR 408A Section 002: Advanced Study in Design and Scenography

(Graduate Students register as THTR 547A: Directed Studies)

 

Course Title: Mediative Bodies/Mediative Space

Class Times:  Saturdays 10am – 2pm, Wednesdays 6pm – 9pm

Location: Conference Room and Black Box Studio, Great Northern Way Campus

Instructors: Colleen Lanki and Sachiyo Takahashi

Class Size limit: 24

 

 

 

 

 

About the Course:

This course combines the exploration and manipulation of space with the movement of the physical body in space.  Students will all participate in physical exercises developing kinesthetic response; visual and aural explorations in site specific design; as well as in exercises that investigate the aesthetic principles of Japanese n™ theatre.  The course will culminate in a public presentation using ïta Sh™g™Õs play The Water Station (Mizu no Eki), a contemporary Japanese script with no spoken lines – only descriptions of people moving through a landscape. Participants will be challenged to create characters and environments using a unique combination of methodologies, and to explore aesthetic concepts involving time and space rarely used in North America.

 

Topics covered:  Physical Characterization, N™ Movement Techniques, Space and Relationship, Site Specific Scenography, Performance Environmental Design, Sound Design in Live Performance, Interactive Scenography, Body and Space, Body and Objects.

 

This course is open to students from all institutions connected to GNWC (UBC, SFU, BCIT and Emily Carr).  It is open to students of theatre, design, music, visual arts, and film who have an interest in interdisciplinary performance.  Registrants are requested to send a personal biography and statement of interest to the instructors.

 

Texts/Equipment: 

No required text, but students will be expected to find/purchase/make various objects and clothing for use in the final presentation.  Please dress for movement and for working in various kinds of environments at GNWC.

 

Course Schedule:

September 6 – November 6, 2005

First meeting is on Wednesday, September 6, at 6pm in the Conference Room

 

September 10,17, 24, October 1: Saturdays 10am – 2pm

October 5 – 26: Wednesdays 6pm – 9pm, Saturdays 10am – 2pm

October 29 – November 6: Extensive hours TBA.

Final Presentation: November 6, Black Box Studio

 

Course Location:

Conference Room and Black Box Studio, Great Northern Way Campus, 555 Great Northern Way.

 

Grading:

Students will be evaluated on participation, class input, and ability to put principles into practice.  Students are expected to attend ALL classes and to perform in the final presentation.  Graduate students (THTR 547A) will also be required to submit a written evaluation of their work on the project.

About the Instructors:

Colleen Lanki is a professional actor and director interested in movement-based theatre and intercultural performance practices.  She lived in Tokyo from 1995-2002 where she studied nihon buy™ (Japanese classical dance) under FUJIMA Yžko and n™ (traditional Japanese theatre) chant and dance under master Kita school actor ïMURA Sadamu.  She is also the founder and artistic producer of Kee Company, through which she has worked on multilingual, collaborative performances in Japan, Hawaii, Australia and Canada.  She is currently teaching acting and movement in Vancouver, directing contemporary Asian plays, and creating new dance and theatre works based on various traditions. <www.keecompany.net>

 

Sachiyo Takahashi is a performance/installation artist, composer, visiting scholar at Media and Graphics Interdisciplinary Centre (MAGIC), UBC. She is an interdisciplinary artist exploring human senses, communication and participatory design.  Her work ranges from electro-acoustic composition to new media art. She studied n™kan (flute of the n™ theatre) for ten years with Master ISSO Yukimasa.  She lived in Belgium from 1996 to 2002 where she worked with Jan FABRE, studied electro-acoustics from Annette VANDE GORNE, and directed performances.  She is now living in Vancouver developing artwork and performances. <http://www3.telus.net/action>

 

Contact:  <:http://www3.telus.net/action/mediative>

Colleen Lanki                                                          Sachiyo Takahashi

lanki@shaw.ca                                                        taksaci@telus.net