Chinese Theater Beyond Stage

3 units

This course explores the aesthetics and politics of Chinese theater from the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) to the present. By focusing on three pivotal themes-media, gender, and politics, students will familiarize themselves with the ways in which theater and performance inform and fashion self, society, and history in China and beyond. Through an in-depth examination of dramatic literature, audio-visual recordings, and films, the course asks: How do various medium forms, such as onstage performance, print, cinema, and animation, shape Chinese theater, and vice versa? In what ways do theatrical productions reflect and challenge gender norms through playwriting, role-playing, and cross-dressing? How does theater and performance negotiate diverse political agendas about China across time and space? The overarching objectives of this course are two-fold, 1) to develop a critical comprehension of major Chinese theatrical traditions and their modern and contemporary transformations, and 2) to discuss, write, and foster creative responses concerning the significance of Chinese theater, both domestically and within the changing global context. All readings will be provided in English. Fulfills premodern or modern elective for EALC major.