THEA 5 INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS Fall 1999
Instructor: Rosemary McLaughlin BC 201 2:40pm - 3:55p
Office: Commons 110 Hours: Tue. 1:30 - 2:30 or by appointment
email: RMCLAUGH@drew.edu Phone: 973/408-3678
Homepage: http://www.users.drew.edu/~rmclaugh/
Class Email: thea5_001@courses.drew.edu
Course Description: THEA 5 provides an introduction
to the history, theory and practice of the arts and crafts of the theatre:
acting; directing; playwriting; producing; designing; stage managing and
critiquing, by means of combining background and theory for each discipline
with related "hands-on" projects.
Please look over the following requirements carefully,
noting dates of tests, papers, etc. to see if you will need to make any adjustments in your schedule. If you are on a team with "away" games you need to submit that schedule asap in order to be excused from class.
This is a labor-intensive class,
requiring not only readings but collaborative work, rehearsal time outside of class, attending performances, etc.
If you find that your work, play or other obligations will interfere
with your class attendance, preparation or participation,
you may wish to take this class at another time.
Please keep track of this syllabus--
a copy will be available online. Exchange phone numbers with people in this class to arrange study groups, compare notes, etc.
Most important, if you have questions about anything in this course,
please ask-- in person, by phone or e-mail.
Welcome aboard!
REQUIRED TEXT:
The Creative Spirit, An Introduction to Theatre, Stephanie Arnold
Required Shows:
First four DUDS sets (inexpensive subscription series available)
One Professionally Produced Play: in NY, NJ or your choice of state.*
NB: If you plan ahead you should be able to find low cost performances. Sometimes it's possible to arrange for a free ticket WITH ADVANCE PLANNING. In any case, this is a requirement, same as your textbook.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
New York Times (esp. Sunday Arts & Entertainment section); Star Ledger; American Theatre.
TESTS:
Five short Quizzes based on readings, class discussions and DUDS plays: 9/14; 10/5; 10/26; 11/19; 12/2). There will be no make-up tests.
CLASS PARTICIPATION & CLASS PROJECTS:
Prepared and thoughtful discussion, questioning, arguing, etc., is essential as is conscientious and punctual class attendance.
Class Projects required
On any FOUR of the FIVE required plays.
One Acting Project
One Writing/Directing Project
One Design Project
One Choice of Project
BEFORE presentation, each group hands in one copy of the Project Title, Description, Objective (what group is trying to accomplish regarding the play), Listing Group Members & their Proposed Job Descriptions.
The day AFTER the presentation, EACH MEMBER of group hands in an evalutation of her/his own work and that of his/her group. Be specific about what worked, what didn't and why.
PLAY ATTENDANCE & REVIEWS:
A. DUDS SHOWS: Students must attend and write reviews for each of the four DUDS productions. For each, a typed, 350 word review, focusing SPECIFICALLY on one or two aspects (only!) of the show. Attending post-production discussions (ppd's) following last Saturday night performance is highly recommended.
DUDS REVIEWS ARE DUE the first class following the last performance.
B. One PROFESSIONAL Production
You must see a show at a Broadway, off-Broadway or Regional professional theatre.
A 1200 word review is required: typed, proofread & stapled.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW DUE Tue. 11/23.
Please keep in mind that this Review is in lieu of a final exam.
The paper should reflect what you've learned this semester.
*Students concerned about ticket cost are advised
to seek out discount opportunities ASAP!!
These include ushering at local theatres; attending an off-off-Broadway play (prices usually in $10 range); going to Duffy Square TKTS Booth in midtown Manhattan & World Trade Center; using "Two-fers" available in Theatre dept. office.
Tue. 9/28 Hand in Professional play possibilities; include Name of Play/s, of
Theatre; Location; Phone number; Ticket availability and Price.
Tue. 11/2 Hand in final choice of Play that you are going to see. Give brief
summary of what you know about the play, why you're interested in it.
Make SURE you have the tickets PURCHASED or RESERVED by this date.
Don't take a chance on getting in last minute.
Tue. 11/23 Professional Play Reviews are due. Late papers, if accepted, will be marked down one full grade for each day late.
REGARDING EMAIL & THE INTERNET:
You are responsible for picking up your EMAILand VOICEMAIL messages regularly. Often, notices will be sent out regarding this class. You should also familiarize yourself with Net sources such as Theatre Central and newsgroups such as Rec. Arts. Theatre. Plays.
If your computer isn't working, borrow one.
RE: "The computer ate my homework"....
and other sad stories.
Deadlines and "Curtain times" are to be taken seriously.
Instructor is allergic to excuses.
Please keep them to yourself. Bonafide medical excuses are of course permissible with valid doctor's note specifying nature of illness/injury.
Be sure the work you hand in is your own,
that all sources are conscientiously cited in the body of your paper.
In the case of suspected plagiarism the burden of proof
will be on the student to provide evidence of original work,
so please hold onto your notes, including Internet info, etc.
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1. TUE 8/31 Intro; What is Theatre? How to Read a Play?
How to Audition?
Auditions for First Set are Wed & Thur nights!
2. THUR 9/2 VIDEO: Fires in the Mirror
3. TUE 9/7 Discuss Part One & Ch 1: The Nature of
Theatre; The Impulse to Perform; & Form groups to do JOE TURNER projects;
Exchange phone #'s to plan collaboration; JOE TURNER'S COME & GONE
4. THUR 9/9 Discuss Part Two: Nature of the Dream; Ch 3 Playwright's Vision, Sources, Historical Contexts; Discuss Ch 11: The Project (p. 361- 369); Confer with group members. Write up project title, objective; list members of group with job description for each.
5. TUE 9/14 JOE TURNER PROJECTS; QUIZ # 1
6. THUR 9/16 Discuss Ch 2: Theatre & Society; The
Power of Theatre; Theatre & Religious Festivals; VIDEO: excerpt Lysistrata
GO TO Library ASAP! Go through listings & find possible
professional plays to see; check on ticket availability, etc.; write this
up to hand in. Also, Plan AND THE SOUL SHALL DANCE projects. Due Tue. 9/28
TUE 9/21 MONDAY classes will be held. Go figure!
7. THUR 9/23 Discuss Ch 4 Expressing a World View Through Style: Realism;
And the Soul Shall Dance; VIDEO: Excerpts The Little Foxes;
8. TUE 9/28 HAND IN "SOUL" project plans &
***Professional play possibilities. [Reminder: No late work accepted.]
First Set: September 29 - October 2, 1999 Commons Theatre, 8 pm
R E T H I N K I N G C H A R M I N G by Emily Dunbar, Directed by Brian Smallwood,
and F I N D I N G T H E S U N by Edward Albee Directed by Sandy Burhouse
9 . THUR 9/30 Discuss Professional Theatre; Beijing Opera & Elizabethan theatre; Waiting for Godot; VIDEO excerpts.
10. TUE 10/5 QUIZ # 2; *** First Set Reviews DUE;
Voices Carry excerpts.
THUR 10/7 READING DAY
11. TUE 10/12 AND THE SOUL SHALL DANCE PROJECTS; Discuss
Part Three: Nature of Performance; Ch 8 Art of the Actor
Second Set: Oct. 13 - 16, 1999 Kirby Theatre, 8 pm with Family Weekend matinee, Sat. Oct. 16 @ 2 pm
V O I C E S C A R R Y by Rosemary McLaughlin, (CLA Faculty)
Directed by Joe Patenaude, (CLA Faculty)
12. THUR 10/14 Discuss Ch 5 Expressing a World View through Style: Theatricalism
VIDEO: Excerpt Angels in America
13. TUE 10/20 ANGELS IN AMERICA project plans
*** Second Set Reviews
14. THUR 10/21 Discuss Ch 9 The Director
15. TUE 10/26 QUIZ # 2; ANGELS IN AMERICA PROJECTS
Third Set: October 27 - 30, 1999 Commons Theatre, 8 pm
C A L I F O R N I A B Y N I G H T by Darin Wooolpert, Directed by Kristi Ferland &
A O N E - A C T P L A Y Directed by Kirsten Finberg
16. THUR 10/28 Discuss Ch 6 Choosing a Genre: Comedy;
Dog Lady
17. TUE 11/2 Discuss Ch 7 Dramatic Structure; Hand in DOG LADY project plans
***Hand in final choice of Play that you are going to see.
***Third Set Reviews due.
18. THUR 11/4 Discuss Ch 10 Designers
Fourth Set: Nov. 10 - 13, 1999 Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, 8 pm
V A N I S H I N G A C T by Richard Greenberg Directed by Michael Osinski,
A N E W P L A Y by David Faris, Directed by Andrew
DuFresne,
19 TUE 11/9 Quiz # 4 & DOG LADY PROJECTS
20 THUR 11/11 Discuss BURIED CHILD
21 TUE 11/16 Fourth Set Reviews due
Discuss American Musical Theatre p. 348-359;
Hand in plans for BURIED CHILD or Alternate Project
22 THUR 11/18 MORE Discuss American Musical Theatre p.
348-359
23. TUE 11/23 MORE Discussion of American Musical Theatre p. 348-359
***REVIEW OF PROFESSIONAL PLAY DUE
THUR 11/25 THANKSGIVING
24 TUE 12/2 FINAL PROJECTS
5th Set: December 1 - 4, 1999 Commons Theatre, 8 pm
A N N U A L F A L L D A N C E C O N C E R T
Directed by Lesley Powell, (CLA Faculty)
25 THUR 12/2 Quiz # 5 FINAL PROJECTS
26 MONDAY!! 12/6 LAST DAY; Discuss Fifth Set (no written
review necessary)
Reservations for DUDS shows can be made by calling 408-3030
between 5:00 & 7:00 pm beginning the Monday (for subscribers)
and Tuesdays (for the general public) of the week of production.
Admission to all productions is $4.00 on Wed., Fri. & Sat., $3.00 on Thur.,
or see all 15 productions for $25.00 Subscription.
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PROJECT EVALUATIONS
EACH MEMBER of group hands in an evalutation of her/his
own work and that of their group. Be specific about what worked, what didn't
and why. This is a sample of what you should consider.
STUDENT NAME:
GROUP MEMBERS:
NAME OF PROJECT: DATE PRESENTED:
DESCRIBE OVERALL PROJECT, INCLUDING:
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
WORK PROCESS
CONTENT OF PROJECT
INTERPRETATION/ILLUMINATION OF SOURCE MATERIAL
EVALUATE HOW WELL YOUR GROUP WORKED IN TERMS OF:
CREATIVITY
COMMUNICATIONS
WORK ETHIC/PREPAREDNESS/RESPONSIBILITY
CONNECTING WITH AUDIENCE
DESCRIBE PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROJECT INCLUDING:
WHAT RISKS DID YOU TAKE?
WHAT WAS EASY FOR YOU IN THIS?
WHAT WAS CHALLENGING?
DESCRIBE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHER GROUP MEMBERS:
WHO EMERGED AS LEADER/S?
DID THE BALANCE OF WORK SEEM FAIR?
DID CONFLICTS EMERGE?
HOW WERE THESE RESOLVED?
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR PARTNERS?
IN PRESENTING YOUR PROJECT, WHAT ELEMENTS SEEMED MOST EFFECTIVE?
WHY?
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER?
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
WHAT WILL BE A GOOD THING FOR YOU TO FOCUS ON NEXT TIME?
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WHEN DOING PLAY REVIEWS
Please keep the following in mind:
ALWAYS include:
TITLE OF PLAY
AUTHOR
DIRECTOR
(DESIGNERS, ACTORS)
THEATRE DATE of performance; DATE of review.
1. Consider:
The Theatre/Company
Professional
Amateur
Student
One's own theatre background
How much professional theatre you've seen.
How many plays you've read or performed in.
How does this production compare to what you're familiar with?
Is it accessible/understandable?
Is it challenging? Difficult?
How so?
2. DO INCLUDE 1-2 paragraph plot summary.
3. CONSIDER:
The Script
Characterization
Dialogue
Plot
Genre
Comedy
Tragedy
Musical
Etc.
The Direction
Casting
Blocking
Shape and tempo
The Acting
Leads
Minor characters
The Design elements
Set
Costume
Lighting
4. Compare, if possible, with other work you've seen by
this playwright, director, etc.
5. If reviewing DUDS show, discuss 1-2 elements; if reviewing
professional show, discuss 3-4 elements.
6. Write using the THIRD person. Avoid hype (extravagant
praise) or speaking on behalf of the entire audience. Do not discuss the
actors' facial expressions. Find more effective ways to describe what you
saw, what you felt. Feel free to criticize. In all cases, back up what
you say, using SPECIFIC references.
7. Check the NY Times or Star Ledger (available online)
for model reviews.