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THD 104

I. TITLE:The Theatrical Experience

II. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Critical analysis of the theatre as an art form.  Emphasis is on the play in production, not the play as literature.

III. PURPOSE OF COURSE: The student will be involved in practical studies and experiences which will give an understanding of the theatre art form and its unique collaborative nature.  The student will receive information on trends from the past and how it will affect the future of the theatre.  The student will learn and demonstrate the roles of the performer (vocal work and physical work), designer (model making and sketching) and playwright (writing a short play).  The student will learn how to watch theatre and become a critical viewer for his/her lifetime.

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES: The student will understand the theories of performance, design as well as theory and criticism.  The application of the information, through technology, will ensure students have a basic knowledge of the theatre.  The student will become an informed audience member.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE AND INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES: The content outline of the course will fluctuate between the independently taught sections and the team-taught sections.  All courses will conform to the following outline:  Each student will be exposed to nine class sessions(or the time equivalent of...) of performance theory and application, nine classes of design theory and application, and nine classes of  theatre criticism/theory and application.  In the performance area, the student will learn to move about the stage in conjunction with the geographical stage areas.  Also, the student must learn how the performer’s body can be positioned.  Vocal work for the performer will be studied by the student.  The student will learn the process for creating a character on the stage and how that character must interact with other performers.  Scenes will be chosen from the shows Bathers and Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music.  The portion of the class dedicated to design must be approached by the student in a different fashion.  The student will learn to recognize the technical areas of the theatre and how they impact a production.  The student will learn the various duties of the theatrical designers (scenic, lighting and costume) and will create a scenic design and a costume design for the show Bathers.  Both designs must be created on a computer program such as CAD or MacDraw.  In the Theory and Criticism section the student will learn how to write a play by analyzing a script and discussing the functions of playwriting.  In this section, the student will write a 5-6 page play based on an experience the student (or group of students) has had in his/her life.  This short play must meet the guidelines that include:  the Aristotelian elements of drama, a genre or classification and the use of a scenario.

In all instructional activity, the projects discussed above also count towards the final grade.  Creativity on the projects will be the highest factor in determining a grade.  Each section of study will culminate in an exam covering that area.  Creativity is not the most important factor on the exams.  The exams will be taken on computerized forms.    There is a comprehensive final exam that all students must take in order to pass the class.

VI. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: The student will be required to view at least two (2) live dramatic performances over the course of the semester.  These will include university theatre productions and can include outside events if pre-approved by the instructor.

VII. TEXT: The student will  be responsible for the information from a textbook.  Foundations of Theatre will be the required textbook.  The student will be required to have access to the text.  Access to the play Bathers is required.

VIII. RESOURCES: The students will have the opportunity to use the facilities of  Johnson Theatre and the studio theatre.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES: Grading of the projects and other materials will be based on creativity, acquired knowledge and relative skill increase.  Exams would be graded on the 10% scale.  Each section (performance, design and theory) would be scored at 25% leaving the final exam to be 25% for a total of 100%.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students will be expected to be prompt and regular in attendance.  Three absences will be accepted.  Beyond three, the grade will be altered.  Excessive tardiness will result in a lowered grade.  Amounts of points taken off for absences and tardiness will be at the discretion of each instructor and will be stipulated in the syllabus.

Last updated February 14, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo