ANN ARBOR—In the last half of the 20th century, the nature of performance art and theatre itself began to change. The “happenings” of the 60s and 70s, street theatre, performance art, and video installation expanded and transformed our definitions of live and time-based creative work.

To establish an interdisciplinary educational opportunity for the growing number of students who want to create original work that draws on skills and traditions ranging from acting to video installation, from play writing to costume design, and from set design to animation, the University of Michigan has defined a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program entitled Interarts Performance.

A collaboration between the School of Art & Design and the Department of Theatre and Drama in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, the U-M program is the first known of its kind in the country among major universities. U-M is now reviewing applicants for fall 2009 admission.

Interarts Performance capitalizes on the strengths of the School of Art & Design’s programs in performance art, visual art and design, sound works, video installation, and animation; and the Theatre and Drama Department’s programs in costume, lighting and set design, acting, directing, playwriting, movement, and voice.

The program will be led by acclaimed performance artist Holly Hughes, U-M associate professor of art and design; and veteran director/actor/performance artist Malcolm Tulip, U-M assistant professor of theatre and drama.

“The less compartmentalized and more multi-disciplinary way of working that is a hallmark of the Interarts Program is, in fact, the way the professional world operates,” Tulip said. “It offers students an important introduction to real world practices.”

Students will work closely with faculty to develop a tailored program aimed to address their goals, said Hughes. “While the program is for people interested in creating performance pieces, it’s also for students interested in costume design, site specific public art pieces, social activism, and comedy.”

The four-year Interarts Performance degree will balance required and elective courses from the U-M School of Art & Design and the Department of Theatre and Drama. Students will also complete courses from colleges and departments across the University. A significant international experience is highly encouraged.

“We have developed a curriculum that prepares students to be both disciplined?mindful of tradition?and inventive,” said Mary Schmidt, associate dean for academic affairs and undergraduate education of the U-M School of Art & Design.

“In partnership with the Department of Theatre and Drama, we have created an exciting range of courses that combines studio, performance, and academic work,” she said.

“With our world-class faculty, students will be inspired to find their unique artistic voice,” said Gregory Poggi, chairman of the Department of Theatre and Drama. “By encouraging students’ exploration of established and experimental approaches, we’re building the foundation for students’ life-long journey of discovery.”

For more information on the Interarts Performance program, visit:

http://www.art-design.umich.edu/pr_ugrad_curriculum.php??aud=u&menucat=pr

Interarts Performance program