Gender, Violence and Theater Activism

This course is open to all students interested in researching and learning about theater initiatives that raise awareness and challenge gender-based violence and systems of oppression (racism, sexism, etc). The terms “gender-based” include sex discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, sexual/street harassment, human trafficking, sex slavery, mass incarcerations, rape, and other oppressive practices that systemically dehumanize individuals and entire communities. Some of the initiatives and projects discussed in this course include: One Billion Rising/V-DAY initiative, The Medea Project with incarcerated women, the Theater of the Oppressed Lab/TOPLAB, Girl Be Heard, Honest Accomplice Theater (HAT) and Slut: the Play.

In addition, students will read and analyze dramatic works/monologues by Kimberle Crenshaw, Edwidge Danticat, Rhodessa Jones, Sarah Jones, Anna Deavere Smith, Lynn Nottage, Carmen Rivera, Tobias Davis, Promo Afro Homos and Eve Ensler who use theater and performance as a tool for social activism. Students will also study a number of theoretical lenses–such as the intersection of gender with race, class and sexuality—through which they can analyze and begin to make sense of the systemic manifestations of violence.