As part of my second year undergraduate English and Comparative Literary Studies at Warwick University, I've written this blog as a reflective journal in support of my Practical Examination for the module Drama, Performance & Identity. The module was created and is currently being conveyed by Dr Nicholas Monk. The aims and objectives of the module are described as follows:
This module will ask to students to think of the many ways in which “drama”, “performance” and “identity” are connected and intertwined in late 20th/early 21st century culture. The module would seek to illuminate notions such as the nature of individual identity broadly, national identity, bodily identity, gender identity, racial identity, and spiritual identity. The more recent material would be used to reflect both upon the increasing prominence of consumer, hybrid, border, and marginal identities, and the notion that identity can shift, that it can be fragmented, and that a variety of identities can exist simultaneously. Students will be required to read a minimum of 1 play per week alongside relevant critical material. Students should also be prepared to work in CAPITAL’s studio or rehearsal room in a practical way that embodies their knowledge. No acting skills are required, however, and students with no “theatrical” experience at all are welcome to join. The first term’s work will involve 9 x 2-hour sessions in CAPITAL’s spaces, and the second term will involve independent guided studyAs described above, the second term of independent guided study consists of a group project to devise a work in progress performance piece, whether this be a piece of performance art or a more scripted style of drama, the one and only main requirement is that its focused on some aspect of Identity. It's for this project that this blog is in support of.
The purpose of this exercise is to show a depth of understanding of some or several aspects of the material presented and discussed on the module. The task is intended to be intellectually demanding rather than an examination of any acting, directing, or artistic skills.In my group is the Ben Canning, Jack Kelly, Kwaku Mills-Bampoe and Jessie Vickerage, and without them none of this project would have been possible. It's been a brilliant experience working with these guys, stimulating, hilarious, exhausting and exhilarating! So a MASSIVE thank you to my group for their dedication to support and again to Nick for creating a superb module! Also thank you to Jonathan Heron, Rob Batterbee and the CAPITAL Centre for their ongoing support.
For more information on the module itself, how it's been created, the success of the module and Nick's on research into Open Space Learning please visit http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/capital/about/people/academic/monk where you can find contact details and more information.
