Particularly dynamic and attractive, the Performing Arts department has a lot to teach us about itself, its practices and its disciplines, which we don't always know for what they are.
Interview by Camille Chaffardon, Human Resources Manager.
The teachers' point of view
Asked about the evolution of separtement,
Didier CoureauUniversity Professor of Film Studies, head of the Master's program in Artistic Creation and Film Studies, and head of the Cinesthéa component of UMR 5316 Litt&Arts, was candid in his response:
"When I arrived in 2002, theater was beginning to take its place, but cinema only existed through two cross-disciplinary options. Then theater and cinema came together. I could talk more specifically about the evolution of cinema. Starting with the options, I first succeeded in creating specialized film studies courses at bachelor level. Similarly, at master's level, I was initially able to transform the "European Theatre Performing Arts" specialization (master mention Lettres et Arts du spectacle at the time) into the "European Theatre Performing Arts - Film Studies" specialization. Film studies helped solidify the department, attracting a large number of students. In the NOF, I was able to set up the Master's degree in Artistic Creation, which today comprises three courses: two directly linked to the performing arts ("Performing Arts", "Film Studies"), and one co-organized with the ICM (Creative Documentary M2). The name "Arts de la scène" (Performing Arts) more accurately reflects the activities of my colleagues (since it includes theater, dance and other performing arts). I started out as the only film teacher, and there are now five of us (1 PR and 4 MCF). The number of teachers-researchers in the performing arts has also increased, and there are now 7 full professors (including 1 PR and 6 MCF). There are now 12 teacher-researchers in our department (none of whom were there when I arrived in 2002).
The "research" component has also grown at the same pace, with the creation of the Cinesthéa component within EA Traverses 19-21, then within what has become UMR Litt&Arts. The prospects opened up by the Maison de la Création and the Est will complete the extremely rich character of training and research in the Performing Arts: a bachelor's degree that is now complete, a master's degree that is among the best on offer nationally (with a clear increase in master's workshops and residencies). The team is characterized by a strong spirit of cooperation, dynamism and commitment, which means we are able to combine teaching, research, multiple teaching responsibilities and partnership responsibilities to bring the training program to life in relation to the region's cultural and artistic institutions (Grenoble, agglomeration, Valence). The price of our success is that we are still short of members to carry out all our missions with the necessary serenity, even though our numbers have grown steadily over the years.
"Pierre JaillouxThe size of the team is inversely proportional to the number of students, so we have to come to an agreement to share our numerous teaching loads fairly, reconcile our research activities, and divide up the administrative tasks, which are essential to the smooth running of the course, and in which everyone plays their part. As co-director of the Department myself since the start of the 2016 academic year, and as such involved in various missions (budget, timetable, recruitment, etc.), I appreciate how necessary everyone's participation is, in an organization as lively as the Performing Arts!
The dynamic team is bubbling over with initiatives and innovative projects, both in terms of research (organization of study days, colloquia, etc.) and teaching (I'm thinking in particular, since the NOF, of the consistent development of practical workshops, in both the performing arts and cinema, involving a major investment in audiovisual and computer equipment). All our staff are committed to bringing together theoretical and practical approaches, historical knowledge and contemporary experimentation, the academic dimension and openness to the professional world (which is reflected in the active participation of numerous outside contributors from the entertainment industry, who enrich the students' careers).
I should add that this work is carried out in close collaboration with all the UFR's administrative staff, without whom we would be unable to accomplish all these missions.
My personal experience of the department is like being part of a lively family, full of character(s), which you enjoy meeting despite the inevitable differences, because everyone is pulling in the same direction: to serve the ever-increasing number of students who choose our training, to open up new prospects for them, and to keep thinking in the field of entertainment alive".
Raquel ScheferATER in the Performing Arts department since September 2016, confirms the words of the "alumni": she declares that she has been "very well received by the teaching team and school administrators". For her, "the working atmosphere is pleasant and constructive. There's a real team spirit that's very stimulating at both pedagogical and academic levels."
It's hard to talk about the department without mentioning its school administrators!
Bernadette Nsengiyunva, B322's "tenor", says: "The NOF had a bit of a difficult time at first (the new model was unfamiliar and a bit unbearable!). But after working on the model, I got into some new habits, and now everything's running smoothly! I took my time to explain the OFC principle to the students (and sometimes even to a few teachers). Students often have difficulties with ADE, and the lack of visibility of OFC on the timetable. I really appreciate the relationships I have with the teaching team, who are very collaborative, and the students, who react well to these changes."
For
Aurélie ParentAs a new school administrator, things are also going well. Every day I learn something new, and it's very interesting: I'm able to help the teachers to stabilize the number of students in the TD groups, and to arrange the students to avoid overlapping courses". Empathetic as she is, she also enjoys handing back papers to students, and thus "sharing a little of their pain and joy, depending on how their grades turn out"...!
