THR 330 Violence, Intimacy and Content
Course: THR 330 Advanced Topics in Acting, Module 2
Violence, Intimacy and Content
Term: Winter 2019
Instructor: Nathan Schmidt FRSA
Student: Katherina Stegerman
In this class, I was concerned with creating an environment where we could safely explore the topics of Violence, Intimacy and Content from a place of objectivity and relative safety. My hope was to provide experiences and resources that would allow students to gauge their own levels of comfort with our topics. Ideally, I would like to have wish I could’ve found more hands-on, practical ways to explore these topics. That said, I valued our discussions and I think the conversation was helpful, at least. This course let the students know that difficult subject matter is the bread and butter of the theatre, and that as performers, they have lots of say about what they will or will not participate in, remembering that if you say yes to a show, they are consenting to what will be happening in the script. The students participated strongly, and our conversations were lively and dynamic. There was lots of courage and honesty alive in the room.
I was grateful that Katherina stuck with the class even though it was tough for her. Her journal reveals a lot of push and pull in her work. A struggle between passion and control. Sparing people but wanting to feel powerful. These topics did put a point on the struggle Katherina is in between her artistic and practical sides. I hope she will continue to find her “special/remarkable” presence with the group instead of isolating herself. That she would stay with the messy chaotic people on the ground, suffer with us, be humiliated with us through the experience of play.
GRADING
Attendance Excused Absence Apr. 27 18/20%
Participation 23/30%
attitude (Commitment)
growth (Understanding)
effort (Presence, Curiosity)
Assignments 16/20%
Journal /Workbook 17/20%
Final 7/10%
TOTAL 81/100% = B+
Thoughts: My work in this class came from a place of personal struggle. I had to fight for my space in the room and found acceptance from my classmates as an imperfect person. It may be an asterisk on my training, but this class was deeply significant for me in my own personal development.