230656 Shakespeare Today (S) (WiSe 2015/2016)

Have you ever wondered why students all over the world are still required to read plays by a writer who has been dead for more than 400 years? Why are Shakespeare's plays considered world literature - if only scholars like to read them?

In this seminar students will explore the meaning of Shakespeare's play Romeo & Juliet in a modern context. To understand the significance of this fourhundred-year-old tragedy today, students will work together on a theatrical performance of Romeo & Juliet in modern dress. Based on the study of performative and literary theory the play will be discussed and performed in rehearsal. The class combines the play's performative potential with its applicability to modern times to enhance the understanding of Shakespeare's relevance today.

Students will be expected to contribute to the final performance onstage as actors and/or offstage in costume design, PR, dramaturgy, or various other tasks. The number of hours you spend on this class will depend on your role on- and offstage!

For further details please come to the first session or contact me via email!

Literaturangaben

Please obtain (and read!!!) a scholarly edition of Romeo and Juliet - preferably the RSC edition but you may also consider Arden, Oxford, or Cambridge.