Presented in the historical and social context. Emphasis will be given to the needs of theater production. Focuses on landmark dramatic texts, examining the changing faces of tragic masks and their implications for theatrical practice from ancient Greece to the twentieth century. Focuses on landmark dramatic texts, examining the changing faces of comic masks, their conventions, and their implications for theatrical practice from ancient Greece to the twentieth century. A study of the theory of criticism and of the discrete functions of critic and reviewer.
Students see live performances and practice writing both reviews and criticism.
An introduction to the principles of scenic composition, analysis, concept development, and graphic communication methods used by the scenographer. Practical applications include the conceptualization and designing of production lighting for Proscenium, Thrust, and Arena stages through class exercises. The study of the evolving Stanislavsky system and its American reinterpretations as applied to realism and other dramatic genres and styles. Emphasis will be on scoring of text, exploring the relationships between psychological states and physical action. A study and practice of advanced acting skills, with special emphasis on style and period.