Feminist Theater

The course is designed for students who want to investigate what is specific to a play or a performance that may make it “feminist,” and who want to analyze the intersections between theater and feminist theory: namely the ways in which feminist theories are dramatized and embodied in performance to dismantle society’s patriarchal, sexist, and racist attitudes and practices. The focus is on artists living and working in the United States. The selection of plays and performances we are reading this semester address gender, race, class, and sexual oppression; theories of social construction; gender performance and performativity; the intersections of various -ISMS of domination, power, and privileges; gender violence; and questions of feminist epistemology.

As we read and discuss the plays we will keep in mind:

1. Content and “burning issues” about gender, race, sexuality, and class
2. Feminist theories and ideas as performed and embodied on stage
3. Forms, structures, and theatrical techniques employed by the playwrights.

This course is also a practicum, thus students are invited to participate in: basic theatrical exercises at the beginning of class; short collective dramatizations; and a group project at the end of the semester.