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Course Objectives: In this course we will look at the principles, techniques, history and literature of the theatre.  You will read theatre, attend live theatre, and create theatre.  The goal is to develop methods of evaluating and appreciating theatrical art and its history, and to begin to understand what goes into creating it.

This class is part of the Learning Community titled “Stages of Communication: Theatre and the German Language”.  It is linked with Professor Koerner's German 101 class. We will occasionally be coordinating assignments, and I will often attend Dr. Koerner's class.

Course Requirements: 2 tests, and several projects, both inside and outside of class.  You are also required to see three Theatre department productions.  You will write performance reviews of these plays, as well as write two responses to plays we read for class. Each due date, time will be allotted to discuss the play seen.  There is also a Final Project, for which you will create a piece of theatre.  For other requirements, see “Evaluation” below.

See the “Review/Response Paper Guide” online for my policy on late papers.

Course Texts: All the plays listed on the syllabus are available at the bookstore, except for Peer Pleasures, which will be online.  Our textbook is The World of Theatre, by Felner and Orenstein.  Class notes will be accessible at our web page.

Evaluation:
2 Exams                                               20%            (10% each)           
Final Project                                         15%                       
Class Participation                               15%                       
6 Play Quizzes                                     12%                       
2 Response Papers                               14%                       
3 Play Reviews                                    15%                                               
1 Character Anal.                                 3%                       
Homework                                           6%

Grading Scale

Attendance Policy: You are permitted 3 absences. Each subsequent absence will lower your final grade by two points. Eight or more absences, whether excused or unexcused, will result in a grade of WA (equivalent to an ‘F’).  I do not count absences as excused or unexcused, so if you know that you will be absent for auditions, etc., budget your time accordingly.  In the case of a flu outbreak, we will accommodate appropriately.

Absences (starting with the second) in the synthesis seminar with Jessica McClellan will count as an absence in this course or in German 101 with Dr. Koerner.

Honor Code: I am aware of and will abide by the Honor Code of the College of Charleston.  You can find the details of the Honor Code at https://studentaffairs.cofc.edu/general_info/honor_system/

Course Schedule

Week 1
W Aug. 26 – Introduction/What is theatre? (What is art, liberal arts)
F Aug. 28 –  What is theatre’s place in the arts/in the world? Read: Felner, Chapter 1.

Week 2
M Aug. 31 – Greek Theatre Read:  Felner, pp. 85-91 – through Greece and Rome Last day of drop/add
W Sept. 2 – Read: Antigone
F Sept. 4  - more Greek theatre – theatre’s role(s) in society Read: Felner, Chapter 2.

See Comedy of Errors Aug 27 – Sept. 8.

Week 3
M Sept. 7 – Theatrical structure, writing about theatre.  Read: Felner, Chapter 3
W Sept. 9 – the elements of drama, the language of theatre
F Sept. 11 – realism vs. nonrealism; presentational and representational, stage directions, etc.; writing about the theatre, discuss reviews/analysis papers Read: Felner, Chapter 15

Week 4
M Sept. 14 – Acting.  Read: Felner, Chapter 7. 
W Sept. 16 – the actor
F Sept. 18 – Playwriting/the playwright  Read: Felner, Chapter 6.

Week 5
M Sept. 21 – Playwrighting
W Sept. 23 – Read: Felner, pp. 91-93  the Elizabethan theatre – pleasing the populace
F Sept. 25 – Read: Comedy of Errors

See The Memory of Water.  Oct. 1 – 6.

Week 6
M Sept. 28 – Response to Comedy of Errors due more Elizabethan
W Sept. 30 – theatre and institutions
F Oct. 2 – Read: Felner, Chapter 16 through p. 421

Week 7
M Oct. 5 – Read: exam review
T Oct. 6 – Last day withdraw from classes with a W
W Oct. 7 – test #1
F Oct. 9 – Discuss The Memory of Water

Week 8
M Oct. 12- FALL BREAK
W Oct. 14 – Directing  Read: Felner, chapters 8 and 9 Response to Memory of Water due
F Oct. 16 – Directing

Week 9
M Oct. 19 - Brecht
W Oct. 21 - Read: Threepenny Opera
F Oct. 23 – Directing project

Week 10
M Oct. 26 –  Present Directing projects, begin Absurdism
W Oct. 28 - Read: The Visit
F Oct. 30 – Absurdism

Week 11
M Nov. 2 – Design, Read: Felner, chapters, 10 and 12  Spring Registration begins. Response to The Visit due.
W Nov. 4 – Costume design projects
F Nov. 6 – more design, work on projects

Week 12
M Nov. 9 – Present design projects
W Nov. 11 – Theatrical spaces Read:Felner, chapter 11
F Nov. 13 – Read: The Underpants

See The Last Days of Don Juan Nov. 12-17

Week 13
M Nov. 16 – Theatre design Read: Felner, Chapter 13
W Nov. 18 – Read: Peer Pleasures (e-copy)
F Nov. 20 – Theatrical Realism, discuss Last Days of Don Juan Response to Don Juan due.

Week 14
M Nov. 23 –Stage management, etc. Read: Felner, Chapter 16, pp. 422 - end
W Nov. 25 –Thanksgiving Break
F Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Break

Week 15
M Nov. 30 – work on final projects
W Dec. 2 – catch-up, review for test 2. Final response paper due.
F. Dec. 4 – test #2

Week 16
M Dec. 7 – Last day of classes Character analysis due

The Final Exam will be where your final projects are performed.  It’s the first day of exams, and you’ll have to be there, so plan for that now.
Final exam: 12:00 – 3:00, Wednesday, December 9th