Writing (about/on/with/at/the) Contemporary Circus

July 2–12, 2019

Where, who?

Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science is proposing a third contemporary circus-themed International Graduate Summer School taught by Dr. Louis Patrick Leroux. This seminar will be held in collaboration with Montréal Complètement Cirque's International Market of Contemporary Circus.

Description

This interdisciplinary seminar will provide an opportunity to learn, explore and refine research methods in the performing arts with a focus on contemporary circus and physical theatre. We will have discussions of form and discipline, method, hybridity, writing the body, writing from place, strategies and choices and working with or as performers, and developing the tools to discuss the creative process. The seminar will be constructed on the principle of experiential learning and selfreflexivity concerning the creative process. The seminar will run all day, every weekday. Evenings, students will be encouraged to attend performances of Montréal Complètement cirque in order to discuss the work with the group the next day.

Participants

This is a graduate seminar that has also been opened to professional performing arts practitioners wishing to explore the junction of academic and artistic pursuits. Participants have a fascinating variety of experiences, both artistic and intellectual, for the most part they have experience in circus, theatre, music, video art or dance. Given the diversity of experiences and academic background, we’ll encourage an environment of debate and discussion but also of respect. Students will be expected to attend all morning and afternoon lectures and many of the evening performances as well as to contribute to their blog and experiential research project.

Guest Teachers

To be confirmed - Other guest instructors and artistic coaches will be confirmed this spring.

Click the "Academic Team" button below for more information!

Course Objectives

• to offer a space for sustained discussion on research-­creation, practice-as-research and experiential modes of research into the performing arts;
• to explore together successful and more challenging examples of such research design, implementation and dissemination;
• to share experiences, expertise and insights into a variety of international and interdisciplinary practices;
• to encourage research-­action and to create an environment that fosters embedded research and creation;
• to offer an opportunity to articulate a research-creation project or, for students already engaged in a project, to further develop or probe into the complexities of an existing project;
• to create an environment of intellectual and artistic exchange and possibilities that will run alongside a major festival and hopefully contribute further projects and exchanges.

Assignments and Grading

Blog and/or Podcast

You will be expected to write at least 2 blog/reflection entries between the 3rd and the 15th, but are not limited to any number. These blogs/reflections will appear on our class site and will be accessible to the seminar participants. Some (but not all) could be selected for online publication. We will also have access to equipment to record and broadcast podcasts. These could be part of the final artistic or academic presentation or even replace the blogs for students who prefer talking to writing. 20% of final grade.

Some examples of what came out of last years' Summer School:

https://circustalk.com/news/tag/experiential-learning-in-contemporary-circus-practice-seminar-2018

Presentations

On the last two days of classes, students will give a 15-minute presentation on a researchcreation question they have been working with. This presentation can be a performance, a performative talk or a formal academic talk. Time has been set aside every afternoon to work on the presentation. Presentations can be done in groups. 30% of final grade.

Final paper

You will submit a final paper of no more than 10 pages (double spaced) by Friday July 27th, 11:59 p.m. This paper will address a specific issue, theme or production linked to the seminar and draw into its argument appropriate theory and references. The paper can draw upon the in-class presentations, refer to them or be conceived as written extension of the oral performative presentation. Paper topics will be discussed with the professor during the seminar. 35% of final grade.

Participation, attendance and observation reports

An active participation is one based on presence and respectful relationship to others in the seminar. People will be presenting works-in-progress, ideas-in-progress, we want our space to be a safe one for sharing. Participation is considered for morning seminars at Concordia as it does for talks and conferences that will be part of Montréal Complètement Cirque, the MICC and active observation with the dramaturgy research team. 15% of final grade.

This is a very intense and all-consuming seminar. Prepare to be working, exchanging, creating, attending shows and discussion with fellow students from all over the world for a good 12 hours a day.

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