A new specialization in performance creation

A very modern renaissance is afoot in Concordia's Department of Theatre.

At its heart is the new Specialization in Performance Creation designed to address the 21st-century realities of the field.

"What we've seen over the past decade is a growing number of theatre and performance professionals who don't exclusively identify themselves as either directors or playwrights or dramaturges,” says Ted Little, chair of the department. “Rather, they see themselves as performance creators. These are artists with multidisciplinary knowledge, training, expertise and interests."

The Performance Creation specialization responds to this changing landscape and gives students a unique educational option.

"We're pretty proud that we're first off the mark with this," Little says.

The Theatre and Development specialization will now be absorbed into Performance Creation, as will the current majors in Theatre and Playwriting. Aspects of all three will inform a new emphasis on collaboration.

"If someone knows they want to focus on playwriting, this program will help them see their craft in context by having them work in an ensemble and learn to communicate effectively with other performance creators representing different disciplines, like designers and actors," Little says.

While it replaces the groundbreaking Theatre and Development specialization, Performance Creation will maintain the mandate to employ drama to empower communities for political and social ends.

This sense of social mission is reinforced by updates to the department's undergraduate curriculum, including seminars on socially engaged and post-colonial performance, and the role of gender and sexuality on stage.

"These new courses will up the theoretical ante in order to provide students with the kind of basis they really need to conceptualize intelligent work together," Little says.

Ursula Neuerburg-Denzer, an assistant professor in the department who helped develop Performance Creation says its dual focus on theory and practice aims to challenge and expand students' understanding of themselves and society.

"In the first year, for example, students will be invited to perform somewhat autobiographical inspired solo pieces to look at who they are in terms of race, gender, sexual identity, class and society at large."

A strong interdisciplinary factor will also help to prepare students for opportunities outside the dramatic arts, in professions like teaching, journalism and community organizing.

"Many of our students will go on to do any number of things that apply the theatrical imagination, and we're recognizing that shift," Little says.

The university’s reputation for collaboration and experimentation makes it an ideal home for the Performance Creation program,” says Neuerburg-Denzer. "Concordia is on the cutting edge in many areas and is certainly engaged in exploration and interdisciplinary work between performing arts, dance and music.”

The municipality’s cultural scene also plays a key role, she adds. “Montreal allows students to enter into a variety of performance situations that may not be possible in other cities. People here like to see this type of performance — there's a critical field that goes beyond the university.”

Second-year student Isabella Donati-Simmons welcomes the new program's expanded curriculum, increased performance opportunities and new focus on collective creation.

"Collaboration is everything. It's vital,” she says. “You can only benefit from people sharing their knowledge and expertise.”

Little believes this new understanding will improve his students’ success in the world of theatre, and beyond.

"The people that really make it today in the professional world are not so much the defined specialists we saw before, but are rather performance creators. It's more of a renaissance in a way — they're doing it all."

Find out more about the Department of Theatre’s Specialization in Performance Creation.