Course Description
Students will create a company to produce an original interdisciplinary performance. Students demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts of the business of the performing arts by fulfilling all requirements of production and performance including creation of original material, planning and execution of the performing arts by fulfilling all requirements of production and performance including creating of original material, planning and execution of technical elements, marketing, booking, budgeting and financial management. Each cohort will create a unique performance production. Students will be involved in planning, including individual projects, programming and overall technical design elements; budgeting and revised planning; rehearsal, technical preparation, and development of marketing strategies; application of marketing strategies; performance(s) and debriefing, assessment, and evaluation.
Course Content
This project-based course will consist of a creation and development period in preparation for a fully-realized performance of an original interdisciplinary work at a professional arts venue. The cohort will undertake creation and performance projects as assigned, receive critical feedback from peers and instructors, and refine their work accordingly.
The structure of BPAC 4007 will be as follows:
- Planning – including individual projects, programming and overall technical design elements
- Budgeting and revised planning
- Rehearsal, technical preparation, and development of marketing strategies
- Application of marketing strategies
- Performance(s)
- Debriefing, assessment and evaluation.
Learning Activities
Lecture and studio leading to rehearsal and performance
Means of Assessment
Typical Activities and Weighting (in %)
| Artistic excellence: |
20% |
| Collaborative Skills: |
20% |
| Journals (10% / 10%): |
20% |
| Post-production reflective essay: |
20% |
| Participation/professionalism: |
20% |
| Total: |
100% |
Artistic Excellence
- Quality of work & appropriateness of contribution to the project
- Diligence in the application of the work
- Curiosity and willingness to explore
- Balance between pushing boundaries and knowing your strengths
- Setting and achieving realistic goals
Collaborative Skills
- Active listening
- Working well with others
- Ability to delegate
- Communication skills
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing realities
Journals
- 10% for completion of journals and handing them in on time
- 10% for ability to observe & be articulate about your own artistic process and that of the cohort leading to public performances, as well as about your artistic aspirations beyond this program
Post-production Reflective Essay
- A reflective essay about the artistic process of the cohort throughout the rehearsal and performance weeks of BPAC 4007 detailing approaches used in rehearsal, production and performance, personal involvement, as well as an analysis of the results
- Grading will be based on the ability to observe and be articulate of the results
Participation/Professionalism
- Attendance & punctuality
- Timely notification to instructors as well as class members that will be affected of absences, lateness, illness, etc
- Appropriate participation in class discussion (i.e. balanced combination of speaking and listening)
- Willingness to participate in class exercises and assume responsibilities
- Consistency of application to projects
- Ability to meet deadlines and fulfill responsibilities
Evaluation includes individual portfolio comprising a detailed journal from inception to completion as well as all appropriate documents created for the performance production including but not limited to: budgets, advertising samples, ad copy, program copy, design comments and/or drawings, research materials, personal copy of the original production text, etc.
This is a mastery course. To achieve mastery the students must receive a mark of 70% or greater over all.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have the ability to:
- Demonstrate competency in the critical aspects of producing and performing interdisciplinary productions which may utilize at least one of the performing arts disciplines: music (vocal, instrumental, electronic), theatre, acting, musical theatre, dance, arts administration, technical theatre or production design;
- Conduct research across the performing arts disciplines and use results to effectively inform performing arts works;
- Analyze the history and socio-economic, political and cultural context of the performing arts;
- Apply conceptual, administrative and technical skills to diverse performing arts projects;
- Communicate about the performing arts and their own work in oral and written form;
- Present work effectively in group settings;
- Participate in self-assessment and respond productively to critique of work;
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of professional ethics;
- Employ project management skills and apply analytical, quantitative, conceptual and problem-solving skills to the performing arts;
- Conduct research into and make informed decisions about career choices in the world of the performing arts;
- Apply the managerial skills and knowledge of business practices required to work as a self-employed individual or administrator in the performing arts field;
- Work collaboratively to plan and produce an interdisciplinary performance production;
- Create or participate in the creation of an interdisciplinary performance production;
- Perform an interdisciplinary performance piece;
- Participate in a marketing strategy for an interdisciplinary performance production;
- Prepare and understand a budget related to an interdisciplinary performance production.
Textbook Materials
Text and resource materials acquired in other BPAC courses will be used as primary and secondary sources in BPAC 4007.