A practical introduction to certain techniques and systems of physical movement for the theatre, intended to provide students with a working vocabulary related to theatre movement while also increasing physical flexibility, stamina, and responsiveness. Critical analysis of dramatic structure and the craft of playwriting. Practice of the fundamentals of effective writing for the stage through exercises in monologue and scene work both in and outside of class. Class will culminate with an informal reading of an original one-act, or work in progress, in lieu of a final examination. Does not satisfy general education requirement in Fine Arts.
Material is presented in laboratory and further explored through the applied use in productions.
Scene and monologue work emphasizing psychological realism, select classic styles, and absurdism. Focus on performance-quality readings of literature culled from multiple genres. Assignments include approximately ten professor and peer critiqued readings of multicultural poetry, comedy, drama and prose, including excerpts from novels, letters, diaries, auto-biographies, fantasy and children's literature, as well as a final performance project. Process will include the fundamentals of play direction, readings in directorial practice, scene direction. A survey of the history of theatre from the Greeks to the 17th century, with emphasis on techniques, conventions and performance traditions of major theatrical movements.