HMS-360A The New Circus

3 Credits

• HMS-360A-01

  Tuesday

  2:00 pm – 4:50 pm

  North Hall, 210

  • Jennifer Miller

In this class we will combine practical skills with a study of the historical and theoretical issues involved in the evolving new circus movement. Practical skills include, juggling, slack rope walking, object puppetry, basic partner acrobatics, and clowning. We will explore performance styles ranging from Judson influenced improvisation to clown schtick and the grand circus Ta-Da. We will look at traditional circus history, history of the sideshow, pageantry, political theater, writings on freaks and otherness, contemporary performance art, and clowning. We will also collaborate on an end-of-semester show.