THR 116 03 BW 218 INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE Dr M Orlowski T TH 1 00 2 27 REQUIRED TEXT Brockett Oscar G and Robert J Ball The Essential Theatre Thomson Wadsworth ninth edition COURSE DESCRIPTION from Catalog and complete with prerequisites A survey of Western theatre and drama Appreciation of theatre through the understanding of historical development and societal function Theatre architecture production costuming acting styles as well as important dramatists and reading of representative plays COURSE OBJECTIVES 1 To built positive responses to theatre 2 To gain insight into the work of actors directors and designers 3 To understand the difference between reading a play and seeing a performance 4 To learn how to evaluate a performance 5 To learn how theatre from other times shaped the theatre of today The Board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in the college Several of these Associate Degree Outcomes are addressed in this class including Demonstrating an understanding of the basic elements structures and processes of various artistic and creative endeavors and the value of the arts in human experience Demonstrating critical thinking through questioning interpreting analyzing evaluating inferring from and synthesizing information to solve problems in a variety of settings ASSIGNMENTS Readings 1 From the textbook as indicated in the schedule 2 THE DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller 3 HAMLET by William Shakespeare COME TO CLASS PREPARED FOR A QUIZ BASED ON THE ASSIGNED READINGS Written Assignments Two pages typed double spaced 1 A paper based on the play THE DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller Due January 29 2009 2 A subjective critique of a live theatrical production Due March 19 2009 Optional Make masks for extra credit INSTRUCTOR S ATTENDANCE POLICY Regular attendance and participation is expected Failure to attend every day will seriously affect your grade Grading The grade for the class will be determined as follows 25 of the grade will be based on class participation 50 papers tests and projects 25 final exam Schedule January 13 Theatre games Getting to know each other Read THE DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller January 15 THE DEATH OF A SALESMAN Discussion of the play Read Chapter 1 The Nature of Theatre January 20 Film THE DEATH OF A SALESMAN Read Chapter 2 Performance Audience Critic January 22 Film THE DEATH OF A SALESMAN Continued READ Chapter 3 The Playscript January 27 THE DEATH OF A SALESMAN Discussion of the production Lecture The Theatre of Dionysus Read Chapter 4 Festival Theatre Greek Roman and Medieval Theatre Experiences p 57 72 January 29 Lecture The Roman Theatre Read Chapter 4 Festival Theatre Greek Roman and Medieval Theatre Experiences p 72 93 PAPER DUE February 3 PROJECT SUCCESS DAY participate for extra credit February 5 Lecture Shakespeare Film Hamlet Read HAMLET AND Chapter 5 Creating a Professional theatre Elizabethan England Italian Commedia dell Arte and Seventeenth Century France P 95 107 February 10 Film Hamlet Continued Lecture Renaissance Theatre Read Chapter 5 p 107 119 February 12 Hamlet Discussion Theatre Game Commedia dell Arte Bring your masks improvise Read Chapter 5 p 119 129 February 17 Lecture Romanticism Read Chapter 6 From Romanticism to Realism p 133 144 February 19 Lecture Realism Read Chapter 6 p 144 152 PAPER DUE February 24 Theatre Games From Page to Stage Read Chapter 6 p 153 159 February 26 Theatre Games Use your mask use your imagination March 3 Review Chapters 1 2 3 4 5 and 6 March 5 EXAM CHAPTERS 1 2 3 4 5 and 6 Read chapter 7 The Modernist Temperament 1885 1940 March 9 13 NO CLASS March 17 Review of the exam Theatre game What s my Style Read chapter 7 The Modernist Temperament March 19 Film The Streetcar Named Desire Read Chapter 8 Reevaluation Decentralization and Subsidization Page 187 202 Paper due March 24 Film The Streetcar Named Desire Continued Read Chapter 8 Reevaluation Decentralization and Subsidization Page 202 216 March 26 The Streetcar Named Desire Discussion Read chapter 9 Contemporary Theatre and Its Diversity March 31 Theatre game Use your space use your imagination Read chapter 11 Theatrical Space and Production Design April 2 Theatre game You are the playwright Read chapter 12 Playwriting and Dramaturgy April 7 Theatre game You are the director Read chapter 13 Directing and Producing April 9 An Acting Class Read Chapter 14 Acting April 14 Film The American Musical Read Chapter 15 Scene Design April 16 Film The American Musical continued Read chapter 16 Costume Design and Makeup April 21 Film The American Musical discussion Read chapter 17 Lighting April 23 Theatre in Our Neighborhood Discussion April 28 Lecture THE ACTING COMPANY April 30 REVIEW CHAPTERS 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 and 17 May 5 FINAL EXAM CHAPTERS 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 and 17 May 7 Review of the exam