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Provocative Performance

ENGL 356.401
instructor(s):

What is “feminist theatre?” This course will examine a wide array of performance pieces by and about women, designed to provoke social, political, and personal change. Ranging from the serious to the hilarious (and sometimes outrageous) our readings will center on plays and performance art; we will also study live and filmed pieces, and incorporate contextual material on feminist theatre theory and history. In the spring semester of 2012, we are fortunate that two prominent artists will be visiting Penn’s campus: the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, and the controversial writer-performance artist Karen Finley. Our theatre-going is likely to include Body Awareness at the Wilma Theater, written by Obie Award-winning playwright Annie Baker; Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, to be performed by students on Penn’s campus; and Little Gem by Irish playwright Elaine Murphy in a Philadelphia premiere. The class will include conversations with women working in the professional theatre.

fulfills requirements
Elective Seminar of the Standard Major
Sector 6: 20th Century Literature of the Standard Major