INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE
THEATRE 1203-001
XXXsemester - yearXXX
Instructor: John O'Connell
Williams Theatre 128A
Phone: 481-6550
Office Hours: Mon thru Thurs. 9:00 - 11:00, 3:00-4:00
Fri. 1:00 - 3:00. Or by Appt.
Web Page: http://users.ipfw.edu/oconnelj/
E-Mail: oconnelj@ipfw.edu
Required Text: Brockett, Oscar G. / Ball, Robert J: The Essential Theatre,
7th Ed., Harcourt Brace, 2000.
Brockett, Oscar G. / Ball, Robert J: Plays for the Theatre, 7th
Ed.,
Harcourt Brace, 2000.
Course Description: This course is an introductory level survey course
intended, through the study of plays and production techniques as well as play
attendance, to provide students with a broad base of knowledge about the
theatre.
Course Objectives
To increase the student’s knowledge of the art of theatre.
To develop the student’s appreciation for the art of theatre.
To increase the student’s awareness of the occupational opportunities involved
in
theatre arts.
To increase the student’s knowledge of play form and structure.
To increase the student’s knowledge of the historical and philosophical
foundations
that influenced theatre
as an art form.
To increase the student’s practical knowledge of theatre as a collaborative
art
form.
Course Requirements and Policies:
It is possible to earn a total of 1000 points in this course; 600 points are
required to receive a minimum credit. Grades are computed according to the
following formula.
Five Quizzes at
50pts.each
250pts
3 Exams at 100pts
each
300pts
1 Final
Exam
100pts
1 Comparative
Analysis
100pts
Group
Project
100pts
Class
Participation
50pts
Attendance
100pts
1000pts
Assignments in Detail:
Comparative Analysis - You are required to see one of the two shows that
the Theatre Department is offering this semester and write a comparative
analysis of your experience with regard to what you are learning in this course.
Note, this is NOT a retelling of the story and it is not a CRITIQUE! These are
due the Wednesday after each performance.
Written material must follow the guidelines listed below:
Papers must be 3-5
typewritten, double spaced pages.
Papers must have a cover page with name and title not
included in 3-5.
One inch margins all around.
Nothing larger than 12 pitch print.
No paper will be accepted late.
Free of spelling, grammar and composition errors.
Specific content
requirements will be discussed in class.
Group Project - You will be assigned to a
group and this group will present to the class their "dream"
production of one of the five plays we are reading in class. All aspects of a
production should be included in your "dream". You will receive a
grade from me as well as each of the participating group members. The
presentation must include visual aids and each participant must present some
aspect of the project to the class. A Q&A must follow each presentation. A
minimum of 15 minutes is required for the total presentation.
Exams - Three exams covering material as
specified in the class schedule. They will consist of both objective and
subjective questions.
Quizzes - There will be a quiz for each
of the 5 plays we are reading in this course.
Final Exam - A comprehensive final exam
will be administered.
Attendance:
Because this is a Major Course for most of the participants, each student is
allowed 4 absences, either excused or unexcused, not the
recommended 6 per the ASU suggested policy. Each subsequent absence will result
in 10pts off the 100 available in this area for overall grading.
Academic Misconduct
:
The performance of and/or involvement in any acts of misconduct will be
addressed as per regulations set forth in the ASU Student Handbook 2000-01.
This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, misrepresentation, and
plagiarism.
CLASS SCHEDULE
WEEK 1 - Aug 21-23
Wednesday
Introduction/Syllabus
Friday
The Nature of
Theatre
Chpt 1 pp. 4-20
WEEK 2 - Aug 26-30
Monday
Performance/Aud. And
Critic
Chpt. 2 pp. 23-36
Wednesday The
Playscript/Aristotle
Chpt. 3 pp. 37-56
Friday
Aristotle (con’t)
WEEK 3 - Sept 2 - 6
Monday
LABOR DAY - HOLIDAY
Wednesday
Festival Theatre:
Greek
Chpt. 4 pp. 60-78
Friday
Greek Cont’d/ OEDIPUS
DUE
PFTT
WEEK 4 - Sept 9-13
Monday
Oedipus Cont’d
Wednesday
Acting
Chpt. 13 pp. 347-366
Friday
Acting Cont’d
WEEK 5 - Sept 16-20
Monday
Festival Theatre:
Roman
Chpt. 4 pp. 79-88
Wednesday Festival
Theatre:
Medieval
Chpt. 4 pp. 89-103
Friday
EXAM I
WEEK 6 - Sept 23-27
Monday
Directing and
Producing
Chpt. 12 pp. 318-345
Wednesday
Directing and Producing Cont’d
Friday
Elizabethan
England
Chpt. 5 pp.106-114
WEEK 7 - Sept 30-4
Monday
Elizabethan Cont’d/HAMLET DUE
PFTT
HAMLET QUIZ
Wednesday
HAMLET - GROUP PRESENTATION
Friday
Renaissance
Italy
Chpt. 5 pp. 119-125
WEEK 8 - Oct 7-11
Monday
Commedia dell’Arte
Chpt. 5 pp. 125-131
Wednesday Scenic
Design
Chpt. 14 pp. 368-390
Friday
Scenic Design/Cont’d
WEEK 9 - Oct 14-18
Monday
17th Cent.
France
Chpt. 5 pp. 136-145
Wednesday
France Cont’d/ TARTUFFE DUE
PFTT
TARTUFFE QUIZ
Friday
TARTUFFE- GROUP PRESENTATION
WEEK 10 - Oct 21-25
Monday
EXAM II
Wednesday
Restoration/18th
Cent.
Theatre Not in Txtbook
Friday
Costume
Design
Chpt. 15 pp.392-413
WEEK 11 - Oct 28- Nov 1
Monday
Costume Design Cont’d
Wednesday
Melodrama
Chpt. 6 pp. 148-161
Friday
Realism
Chpt. 6 pp. 162-169
WEEK 12 - Nov. 4-8
Monday
Realism Cont’d/ A DOLL’S HOUSE DUE
PFTT
A DOLL’S HOUSE QUIZ
Wednesday
A DOLL’S HOUSE- GROUP PRESENTATION
Friday
The Independent Theatre Mvnt
Chpt. 6 pp. 174
WEEK 13 - Nov. 11-15
Monday
Playwriting and
Dramaturgy
Chpt. 11 pp. 304-315
Wednesday
Modernists
Temperament
Chpt. 7 pp. 178-196
Friday
Reevaluation.
Chpt. 8 pp. 206-237
WEEK 14 - Nov. 18-22
Monday
Reevaluation... Cont’d
Wednesday Lighting
Design
Chpt. 16 pp. 415-434
Friday
Contemporary
Theatre
Chpt. 9 pp. 240-277
WEEK 15 - Nov. 25-29
Monday
Contemporary Theatre Cont’d
THE COLORED MUSEUM DUE
PFTT
THE COLORED MUSEUM QUIZ
Wednesday THE
COLORED MUSEUM - GROUP PRESENTATION
Friday
THANKSGIVING BREAK!
WEEK 16 - Dec. 2-6
Monday
Exam III
