Erica R. Mott

This critique course is offered for students who do not speak English as their first language. Students build competence in giving critiques, participating in class discussions, and giving presentations. Students make artwork to present to the class. They learn and practice the vocabulary of visual and design elements and use these to analyze and critique their own and their classmates' works. Students practice a variety of critique formats by using formal, social-cultural, and expressive theories of art criticism. They discuss and critique works both verbally and in writing.

In this intensive winter seminar, students will dive into the art of puppetry and object-based storytelling, mastering hands-on skills in puppet creation, animation, and performance. This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to collaborate with renowned national and international artists both on-campus and at some of Chicago¿s iconic art venues. Over three weeks, students will attend live performances, participate in skill-building workshops, and engage in community and academic discussions on the evolving field of international puppetry. With a rich itinerary that includes artist talks, seminars, and workshops in partnership with Chicago¿s International Puppetry Festival, students will gain a comprehensive perspective on the art form.

The course begins by exploring historical and contemporary object manipulation techniques in performance, where students will learn foundational exercises focused on bunraku, or group coordinated manipulation of an object and develop their own unique stories. Next, students will delve into toy theatre, creating miniature worlds and stories using small-scale objects. Finally, guided by visiting international artists, students will build large-scale spectacle puppets, culminating in a site-specific performance that showcases the transformational power of puppetry in storytelling.

This course delves into cabaret as a provocative and dynamic form of performance art, tracing its origins from 19th-century Paris to today¿s global reinterpretations. Through examining cabaret's evolution¿its roots in political satire, subversion, and social critique¿we will explore how cabaret has influenced theater, music, and performance art across diverse cultural landscapes. We¿ll analyze iconic works from the Weimar era, drag cabaret, and modern-day immersive performances, pairing discussions with hands-on workshops in storytelling, sound, movement, and improvisation. This course invites students to craft their own performance pieces, embodying cabaret's spirit of innovation, resistance, and transformation.