HONORS: APPRECIATION OF DRAMA
SPRING 2009
Theatre 162-001
Tuesday/Thursday: 8:00am-9:40am
Room: AC/W 18
Instructors:
Kathleen Donnelly
e-mail : donnelly@uwosh.edu
Office: ACW 220 / 424-7127
Office Hours: W 10:20 - 11:20am, Tues/Thurs: 10:00 – 11:00am or by appointment
Roy Hoglund
e-mail: hoglund@uwosh.edu
Office: ACW 103 / 424-7043
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs: 10:00 - 11:30am, or by appointment
TEXT: W.B. Worthen : The Wadsworth Anthology of Drama, 5/e
PLAY READINGS:
August Wilson: Fences
Aristophanes: Lysistrata
William Shakespeare: The Tempest
Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman
GOALS: Based on goals
established by the Theatre program , the goals of this course, for the
student, are: 1. To have a broad knowledge of the processes of
theatrical production; 2. To develop a comprehensive
understanding of the history of the theatre; 3. To make effective
use of the research tools available to the theatre artist, critic and
historian; 4. To develop a commitment to the pursuit of
artistic excellence and integrity.
Theatre is a collaborative creative process requiring a broad knowledge
of the human condition to be successful. The importance of
theatre in society is well documented, and understanding the role it
plays in society contributes to the development of a well rounded
citizen. Theatre, as with all areas of the Liberal Arts, is most
effectively employed when it is built on a broad base of knowledge.
OBJECTIVES:
The goals listed above will be achieved through the following
objectives of this course. The objectives are: to provide a basic
knowledge of theatre from both Western and Non-Western drama; and to
provide basic knowledge of the roles of the artists and technicians who
are involved in the process of creating theatre. The information
will be presented through lectures and demonstrations. The
student’s knowledge will be tested through exams, papers and
projects.
EXAMS:
There will be a Midterm and Final Exam covering the material covered in class lectures and readings.
PAPERS AND PROJECTS:
Paper 1: Fences and the role of the Playwright Due: 3/3/09
The student will be required to attend a performance of Doubt, by John
Patrick Shanley, presented by the UWO Theatre Department, and read the
play: Fences by August Wilson. Both plays are set in the
same time period and deal with segregation and the roles that were
imposed by society/church laws. The student will write an 8-10 pages
paper on the play Fences which will include a synopsis of the play,
brief biography of the playwright, discuss the theme, and dramatic
question. A bibliography of sources relating to the topic and play is
required. This bibliography should include a critical essay relating to
a review of the play when it was first performed. Paper will be graded
on completeness and depth of analysis.
Paper/ Project 2: Lysistrata and the role of the Actor in Greek Plays Due: 3/31/09
The students will read the play Lysistrata by Aristophanes. The
students will be divided into groups and perform a scene from the play
with other students in the class. The student will write a 1-2
page paper analyzing the character they have chosen to perform. Paper/
Project will be graded on completeness of character analysis and
creativity in performance.
Paper /Project 3: The Tempest
and the role of the Designer in
Theatre
Due: 5/5/09
The student will read the play The Tempest by Shakespeare. The
student will create design collages of research for the play and write
a 1-2 page concept statement that relates to their design
collage. The set design collage will contain research for
architectural elements, location, furniture and décor. The
costume collages will be created for four characters in the play and
include: clothing, accessories, and hairstyles. Paper/ Project
will be graded on completeness and creativity.
Paper 4: Death of a Salesman/ Grapes of Wrath and “ The American Theatre” Due: 5/12/09
The student will read the play: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller,
and attend a performance of Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck,
presented by the UWO Theatre Department. The student will write
an 8-10 page paper comparing and contrasting the two plays, characters,
and the common theme of “ The American Dream”. A
bibliography of sources relating to the topic and plays is required.
Paper will be graded on completeness and depth of analysis.
Project 5: Class Projects and Theatre Participation
The student will be required to participate in class exercises related
to the topics covered. The student will also participate in
related Theatre activities to broaden the scope of their understanding
of the production process in Theatre. This includes attending the
performance of the Student Directed One Act Plays. These projects will
be graded based on completeness, and creativity.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Unexcused absences in excess of two will affect the overall grade in
the class. Excused absences require documentation in accordance
with the Dean of Student’s policy on attendance.
GRADING:
(15%) Paper 1
(15%) Paper/Project 2
(15%) Paper/Project 3
(15%) Paper 4
(10%) Project 5
(15%) Midterm Exam
(15%) Final Exam
100%
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SCHEDULE: Appreciation of Drama (Honors)
February
3 Intro to Class.
5 What is a Play? / How to Read a Play.
10 The Structure of Plays/ Fences
12 Plays as Social/Political Commentary.
17 Role of The Playwright
19 Doubt/ Seeing the Play
24 Introduction to Classical Greek Theatre/ Lysistrata
26 Role of The Actor / Casting Lysistrata
March
3 Character Analysis./ Read Thru of Scenes (Paper 1 due)
5 Blocking the Scene/ Rehearse Acting Scenes.
10 Rehearse Acting Scenes.
12 Rehearse Acting Scenes
17 MIDTERM EXAM
19 USITT Conference / Rehearsal time
24 SPRING BREAK
26 SPRING BREAK
31 Present Acting Scenes/ Paper due on Character Analysis. (Paper/Project 2 due)
April
2 Introduction to Shakespeare and Elizabethan Theatre/ The Tempest
7 See film: The Tempest, Designed by Julie Taymor
9 Intro to Design and Technical Theatre /The Scenic Designer
14 The Costume Designer
16 The Lighting/Sound Designer (Guest Lecture by Mick Alderson)
21 Introduction to the Modern American Theatre
23 Death of a Salesman/ The American Dream
28 See film: Death of a Salesman
30 The Role of the Director/ Grapes of Wrath (Guest Lecture by Jane Purse-Weidenhoeft)
May
5 Present Scenic and Costume Design Collages for The Tempest (Paper/Project 3 due)
7 Review for Final Exam
12 FINAL EXAM / (Paper 4 due)
14 Final Class