During the course of the semester, I will require you to watch a number of filmed productions of several of the plays we study, some of which are listed on the syllabus, others of which will be announced as the time approaches. I will arrange for these films to be shown in the Micro-media Theater on the 6th Floor of the Central Library. Please note that viewing these films is a class requirement. During the course of the semester, I will divide the class into small groups and ask you to perform a short, 15-minute excerpt from a play. The purpose of this exercise is to help you think about the decisions that directors and actors make during the process of moving from literary text to live performance.
Every dramatic production is an interpretation of a script.
An actor's gesture, a set designer's scenery, and a director's guidance all contribute to the overall effect of this interpretation. This is no less true for our brief class productions than it is for Olivier's Hamlet , and thus a well-considered rationale should inform every decision your performance troupe makes. If the thought of acting in front of your classmates makes you nervous, don't let it. You will be graded on your good-faith effort and your thoughtful approach to the text. As designated by the University, this is a writing-intensive course.