The designer's, actor's, and director's responsibilities are explained and demonstrated. By working behind the scenes students are exposed to the process that creates theatre. By evaluating the expectations and role of the audience in the creation of theatre students gain an understanding of the conventions of the art form and the evolution of these conventions. Introduction to Theatre is a course that constantly questions the role of theatre in a culture. From the outset theatre is exhibited as a phenomenon that addresses a variety of needs for its participants.
Students see that as the needs of the participants change, the theatre experience changes.
A critical evaluation of theatre forms can provide a telling guide to the important ideas and questions of a particular audience or society. The ultimate goal of this course is to create informed and critical theatre goers. Students learn the components of theatrical art and how to evaluate and appreciate those components. The theory content of the course allows students to develop an understanding of how the art of theatre works and to critically compare the many forms of drama and the many productions that we hope they will enjoy in their lifetime.