Course Experience Level: All
Course Description: Have you ever wanted to do a close reading of a live performance? This is a hands-on interactive experience that arms you with the tools to watch burlesque acts critically. After taking this class, you will be equipped with skills to help you pick up on every little piece of an act, which will enhance your ability to thoughtfully create and consume burlesque. Let's Get Critical pulls key tactics from Força's theatre and performance PhD studies and delivers them to you. This classes will introduce students to methods for critical analysis inspired by scholarly performance studies theory. Together, we will apply methods of critical analysis to videos of performances in order to develop your ability to identify effective elements of these acts and what they communicate, reflect on our personal biases and reactions, and learn from one another! You will leave the class with an easy-to-use-worksheet so that you can continue to apply these concepts in your ongoing journey.
Drawing her name from her Portuguese heritage, Força the Lady-King is a woman on fire. Dubbed Tkaronto's (Toronto's) 'force of nature', her acts are as changing and unpredictable as the elements.
Força has graced some of the largest burlesque stages worldwide. In 2019, she was invited to perform in the "Best Debut" category at the Burlesque Hall of Fame! A trained actor, director, designer, and scholar, she is an award-winning performer who is sure to leave your heart racing. Both brains and beauty, Força is presently pursuing her PhD, where she writes about feminist knowledge production in burlesque! Her research has been featured in the Canadian Theatre Review and at conferences across North America.
