performances is a subject that runs like a thread through the whole program connecting all the separate components. Performances take place in every academic year, whether it be the creation of an own performance or participating in the presentation of a fellow student. Emphasis is laid on innovation and relations between process and product. In addition the student contributes to the production of performances and to the discussions and evaluations of all performances that take place in the study program. The students rehearse the different stages that precede and follow-on from a performance: 1 dry run, 2 technical strategy meeting, 3 building day, 4 cue to cue, 5 technical rehearsal, 6 dress rehearsal/general rehearsal 7 performance 8 cleanup, 9 final discussion (video registration) During Friday Lunch & Lecture, the student is given the opportunity of showing work in progress to fellow students and teachers in order to gauge the desired result. Afterward a discussion will be held with the audience.
adviser – Along side their year group mentor, students choose an adviser for their performance processes from within the sndo staff and guest teachers. Advisers can be obtained from outside of the sndo after discussion and permission from the head of the department.
after the performance, the SNDO performance coordinator, the performance advisor, a teacher in choreography and an ‘outside eye’ assess students. These evaluations result in an advice either to proceed to the following performance stage or to repeat the performance stage already done during the next academic year. If a student does not agree with a decision of the teachers’ meeting, his or her written appeal must be turned in to the kernteam within two weeks of being notified of that decision.
sndo students are expected to: develop a concept / do physical research / manipulate movement material and place that movement in a choreographic format to create artistic product / negotiate and communicate production needs, putting production skills into action / make a ‘statement in action’ and transfer personal vision into a choreographic work, which communicates, to an audience / reflect on personal and performance processes and artistic product, locating these into wider contexts of art and society.
specific evaluation of performances: compositional integration layer: development and selection of material / research areas (movement research, improvisation) / communication of maker with performer
technical – social – organizational layers: use of theatre technical elements (light, sound, set, space, etc.) / ability to prepare cue lists and communicate them to technical staff / communication with other technical crew members / maker’s skills for planning / work organization, schedule making / maker’s skills for publicity organization (program, poster, flyer) / choreographic artist’s attitude as a collaborator in a festival program
sndo 1 and sndo 2 performances students are assessed on their ability to collect, manipulate and score raw material, create image, develop material, edit the material; and make conscious choices during the whole project. They are able to critically look at and discuss how the idea, research and work process developed into performance, and are able to look at the way the performance and feedback relate to the idea and work process. Cooperation and communication within the performance series is an important part of the assessment. In June their performance advisor, the SNDO performance coordinator, and artistic director evaluate students. These evaluations result in an advice either to proceed to the following performance stage or to repeat the performance stage already done during the next academic year. If a student does not agree with a decision of the teachers’ meeting, his or her written appeal must be turned in to the kernteam within two weeks of being notified of that decision.
Note: First and second year students are advised not to perform in higher year students’ performances. This is to avoid problems with time management.
sndo 3 and sndo 4 performances are assessed on their ability to develop a concept, do research, manipulate movement invention into movement material, score and create a ‘theatre world’ on stage. They are able to make a ‘statement in action’ and yet transform a personal vision or statement into ‘universal’ communication. They can set up and direct a rehearsal schedule, negotiate dates, location, tech crew, musicians and designers to performance, use theatre skills. Professional standard should be demonstrated.
