THTR T100 Sec. 4158 C. Railsback

Introduction to the Theatre

9:05a-11:00a TR 4 cr. hrs.

Open to Theatre Majors only. Other Majors see Undergraduate Advisor in TH230 for authorization.

Fulfills AHLA Requirements

If the class is closed, interested students should add themselves to the electronic waitlist, attend the class, and emphasize to the instructor their interest in the class. Electronically waitlisted students who make the effort to attend and contact the instructor will be given priority for admittance into the course.

This course is concerned with the art of entertainment called theatre. This includes drama, dance, musical theatre, and the technical skills used in film, television, and the living stage. The basic objectives of the course are to examine foundations of contemporary theatre, and the elements of theatrical production and the contributions of the western theatre heritage. As the foundation course in the Theatre and Drama curriculum, Introduction to the Theatre aims to equip the student with a common vocabulary and concepts utilized in the study and collaborative work of the theatre.

TEXTS:

Wilson and Goldfarb. Theatre: The Lively Art.

Guare. Six Degrees of Separation.

Moliere. The Miser. Adapt: Miles Malleson.

Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Trans. H.D.F. Kitto

Williams. A Streetcar Named Desire.

REQUIREMENTS:

ASSIGNMENTS: The student will read in the above texts and will view live and film theatre available during the semester. Some additional readings may be distributed and some may be put on Library Reserve. A large share of the content of the course will be found in the course lectures, video, and other visual presentations.

PAPERS: The student will write three (3) papers of at least 600 to 800 words (3-5 pages) each. The papers will be to evaluate a theatre performance witnessed during the term.

EXAMS: At least three (3) tests over assigned reading, lectures, films, and other viewings. All tests prepared with class content in mind. Also, there will be occasional quizzes. The tests will be both objective and essay. The final exam will be comprehensive.

Attendance and class participation are essential to success in this course.