Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CA 256 D100

Environments I (3)

Class Number: 4255

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    One of CA 123, 131, 146, 152, 161, 171.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The first of two courses focused on the experiential production of space, Environments I introduces students to contemporary practices, concepts and methods specific to creating site specific and responsive performance.

COURSE DETAILS:

ENVIRONMENTS we will use ensemble processes to create student-led creations in original off-site performances. From site specificity, site-responsive, immersive, site-adaptive and staged ecologies, students will research, experiment and create original works in response or for a specific site.  The course will concentrate on time-based interventions, immersive forms and the body in response to architecture. By activating public space as a venue to explore private and subjective experiences, students will explore how site and architecture can adjust our point of view, influence the structure of the work, or text, by altering the relationships between spectator and performer and questioning what is real or imagined.  We will look to the past, present and projected future of a given site to reveal a narrative both visible and invisible, to observe the everyday occurrences within a location and ask how an audience might navigate through the fiction and reality of a site-responsive, immersive, or site-adaptive work. The course will look at leading site-responsive performances and artists' work such as conceptual artist Sophie Calle, Marina Abramović, Yoko Ono and Janet Cardiff, among others. 

ENVIRONMENTS creates a working laboratory where students can choose to be inspired to work in response to a site, extant plays, new playwrights, a novel, an overheard conversation, an article in the newspaper, collective written text and/or from personal writing. As a collective, we will discuss, question and discover through rigorous exploration the relationship between movement, text, architecture, sound, light, site and design. We will investigate how an audience experiences a given work and how we can translate each project’s concept from a rehearsal room, to the site into a live performance.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Course Learning Outcomes /


  • discuss, analyze, and apply the composition tools: their use and application as both a performer training tool and to create composition for off-site work.
  • attain greater knowledge of working with site and architecture within a real environment.
  • ability to explore, perform, direct, adapt, design and create new devised work for a site-specific location, 
  • utilize a greater theatrical presence through listening skills and heightened body awareness.
  • attain kinesthetic awareness, group listening, strength, flexibility and freeing the physical instrument. 
  • perform various warm-up exercises, stretches, and ensemble training and be able to lead rehearsals and ensembles.
  • experience in working with actors, building a character and physical performance through the use of the training, improvisations, text analysis and research.
  • attain a greater understanding of ensemble work by creating, constructing and writing original material.
  • attain a greater understanding of source material, translating themes, novels and texts to create time-based work.
  • ability to create performance scores, create project proposals and to write clearly about the work generated in class.  
  • the ability to collaborate and conduct rehearsals, delegate and communicate with co-collaborators.
  • experience gained in writing original material, creating devised work, time-management and telling a story through light, sound, text, music, new technology and movement.
  • a greater knowledge of creating, navigating and encouraging a positive working environment made of discipline, rigor and a shared vocabulary of performance.
  • understand the value, discipline, research and focus it takes to create new innovative work.

Grading

  • Participation, attendance, engagement, positive work ethic, knowledge of vocabulary, and collaboration 30%
  • Articulation of research and process / project documentation of scores / project proposal / writing / website 20%
  • Site-Responsive / specific progress showings, collaboration, micro assignments, ability to experiment, adjust and apply constructive criticism within the work and Final Presentations (Three showings: includes research, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, collaboration, performance) 40% (Note: 10% each for 2 Assignments, 20% for immersive assignment)  40%
  • Visiting Artist attendance and participation (3 shows at the Push Festival and one DLS Artist talk. You can also participate in the SCA workshops and or if technical rehearsals become available for a push show that will count as one of your show credits) 1 10%

NOTES:

NOTE FROM INSTRUCTOR: 

Please buy a push youth pass ($20) well in advance of the festival (preferable before the term begins) and book your tickets online. Please see 3 shows and attend any proposed Desire Line Session.  As long as you see 3 shows and the Desire Line Sessions and or participate in one of the workshops (TBD) it will count as your visiting artist percentage of your grade.  

*Please be prepared to rehearse, schedule and book rehearsal times outside of our class time with your ensembles in advance of due dates.

*Please be prepared to have warm clothes, and dress appropriately for winter weather when working on site. 

*Please be prepared to be physical, engage with other students in ensemble practices and in movement compositions as we explore the vocabulary of time and space; Architecture, Topography, Duration, Tempo, Repetition, Shape, Gesture, Kinesthetic Response and Spatial Relations.  

REQUIREMENTS:

 

 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

CLASS FEE /  

Please purchase the PUSH FESTIVAL YOUTH PASS : https://pushfestival.ca 

$20 cad for 4 shows. 3 are required viewing. 

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.