Studying Race, Class & Gender:
A Graduate Workshop Series on Research Methods Across the Disciplines
Join us on Wednesday, November 10 from 5-6pm EST for a discussion facilitated by Rebeca Barry (PhD candidate, English, UVa), on "Examining Intersectionality in Performance Pedagogy and Considering Cultures of Theater"
The aim of this workshop will be to examine and problematize an existing model of “inclusive” theater pedagogy: the International Baccalaureate curriculum, currently the education model for nearly two million students in 150+ countries. The central question posited for discussion will be one of cultural (especially racial) appropriation vs. appreciation. Specifically, when IB asks students to perform a solo piece from an “international theater tradition” that may not be from the student’s own cultural background, does that constitute a healthy pedagogical attempt at representation, or a problematically limiting act of appropriation? How can we trouble the notion that the theater is already maximally inclusive because directors and scholars can choose to re-imagine (traditionally white, male, aristocratic) scripts as featuring diverse casts and settings? While the primary focus will be to critique IB’s existing framework for its handling of (global) racial representation, discussions about representation of gender and class may also arise given considerations of what constitutes historical “tradition” and “authenticity” in theater, who has access to performance art, and how cultural exchange can either be facilitated or inhibited at three pedagogical levels: those of curriculum design, instruction, and student reception.
Our events are hybrid, free, and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/Df1vBMxuhvaNDfbq6
The Methods Workshop, organized by Susan Abraham and Winnie Pérez Martinez with support from a DDEI grant from the College of Arts & Sciences, is a multidisciplinary forum where graduate students can convene to share ideas and think together about issues encountered while working with methods outside your field for the study of race, class, and gender. The aim is to generate discussions and questions that we may not have the answers to. This initiative will provide an intellectually engaging yet low-stakes environment where students from different backgrounds can learn together and collaborate across departments. We convene once a month on Wednesdays, 4-5pm, in-person and on Zoom. If you are interested in being added to our mailing list, please send an email to Susan or Winnie.
