Introduction to Theater and Drama

Introducing the student to theater. Answering the following questions:
What is theater? Why did it start and where? How has theater evolved from its beginnings to the present? How does theater fit into our lives, particularly from an audience point of view? How does one understand and enjoy theater? And finally, how is theater made today? The course will also include insights into the professional world of theater acting, directing, and producing.

Requirements:

Texts: Another Opening, Another Show by Tom Markus and Linda Sarver
Macbeth by William Shakespeare - any edition
The Seagull by Anton Chekhov - any edition

Performances:

You are required to attend a performance of The Glass Menagerie at the Delaware Theatre Company which is located in downtown Wilmington. You may choose the date and the play runs from October 27 through November 21. Tickets cost $13 for THEA 104 students. More information on dates, performance times, and directions will be handed out in class. In exchange for this requirement, there will be no class on Wednesday, November 24, 2004.

Papers:

There will be two written assignments and each will be two to three pages long. The papers are to be word-processed. The first paper will be due Monday, October 4. . The second paper will be due Monday, November 29, and the theme of this paper will be discussed in class and the ticket stub for that play must be stapled to the upper left- hand corner of the paper. Play reviewing will be discussed in detail on Monday, September 27. All work submitted at anytime must be your own.

Paper Grading
Paper 1 Assignment
Paper 2 Assignment

Exams:

There will be three exams: Friday, October 1; Friday, November 5; and Wednesday, December 8. Exams will not be cumulative and they will be true/false and multiple choice.

Attendance:

Mandatory. Student is allowed three absences to use at their discretion. These absences will allow for sickness, emergencies, and pre-planned, excused events. After using the three, any absence will lower grade point by 1/3. The exams will be based mostly on the lectures and some of the exam material will not be found in the required reading. Also, on some in class days , we will have handouts, discussions, demonstrations, videos, and perhaps the asking for the volunteer or two. If you do not attend a class, you are responsible for getting the notes and other material from someone who was in class that day.

Tardiness:

Late arrivals disrupt the class as late arrivals disrupt the performance in the theater. It is also inconsiderate to others who have arrived on time. Please fill in every seat, starting from front to back. Classes will begin promptly with a very brief performance piece and the possibility of students attaining extra credit. Three late arrivals = one absence.

Class Rules:

No eating or drinking.

Grading:

Exam # 1 — 25%
Exam # 2 — 25%
Exam # 3 — 25%
Papers — 10% each
Class participation — 5%

“Participation” is defined as the instructor’s subjective evaluation of the student’s willingness to engage in the discussions and activities of this class.

Added benefits:

The earning of extra credit will be available to every student and will involve each day’s performance piece, a journal, and the opportunity for students to perform a performance piece.

Schedule:

The following gives the proposed schedule for exams, paper due dates, and proposed class and/or lecture topics. All is subject to change, substitution, and/or updating. If exams or paper due dates are changed, the class will be given at least a full weeks notice.

SEPT 1	Introduction and syllabus and extra credit.
3	Chapter 1: Why is theater special and Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Williams.
8	Chapter 2: What is theater? Part I.
10	Chapter 2 & 3: Theater, Part II.
13	Chapter 4: How to go to the theatre
15	Chapter 5: Rules at the theatre.
17	Chapter 6: Business of the theater.
20	Chapter 7: Theatre in America.
22	Chapter 7 & 8: America and musical theatre, Part I.
24	Chapter 8: Musical theatre, Part II.
27	Macbeth reading DEADLINE and Macbeth and reviewing discussion. Video.
29	Review test # 1.

OCT 1	EXAM # 1
4	Chapter 9: Backstage. FIRST PAPER DUE.
6	Chapter 9: Kinds of theatre.
8	Chapter 9: Setting the stage.
11	Chapter 9: Theatre through the ages.
13	Shakespeare and Shakespeare in Love.
15	Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet and Kainoa.
18	Chapter 10: Theatrical styles, Part I.
20	Chapter 10: Theatrical styles, Part II.
22	Chapter 11: Elements and principles of theatrical design, Part I.
25	Chapter 11: Theatrical design, Part II.
27	Chapter 12: Scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound design.
29	Chapter 13: Actors.

NOV 1	Chapter 13: Characters.
3	Review test # 2.
5	EXAM # 2
8	Chapter 14: Theatre directors, Part I.
10	Chapter 14: Theatre directors, Part II.
12	Chapter 15: Playwrights and Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Williams.
15	Chapter 16: Goethe and theatre genres.
17	Seagull reading DEADLINE and Seagull and second paper discussion.
19	VIDEO - Seagull, Part I.
22	VIDEO - Seagull, Part II.
24	NO CLASS
29	Chapter 17: Aristotle and the Greeks, Part I. SECOND PAPER DUE.

DEC 1	Chapter 17: Aristotle and the Greeks, Part II, and Kainoa.
3	Magic according to Kainoa.
6	Review test #3.
8	EXAM # 3