Beginning Theatre is a beginning survey of the theatre arts, a starting point toward a general appreciation of the dramatic form and theatrical process. The course explores the historical significance of this oldest of art forms and its contemporary relevance in all of its modern day forms. Students will actively participate in several theatrical activities in the roles of production teams, actors, and designers. This is a one semester course that covers: Theatre history, intro to script writing, beginning acting, and intro to technical theatre.
Course Objectives:
To demonstrate the unique synthesis nature of the theatrical process exploring how all disciplines and elements of all the arts combine to create great theatre
To develop an understanding of and appreciation for the diverse roles required in the production process
To develop the student’s creative and expressive voice and skills in the areas of production, acting, and theatrical design
To answer the question “Why is theatre still important in today’s changing world?”
To examine the cultural and historical significance of theatre throughout history, including a look at the master playwrights and major innovations in style & design
To further enhance an awareness of the cultural and ethnic diversity reflected in the New Theatre
To develop student play analysis skills, both verbal and written, with discipline informed appropriate vocabulary Texts
To examine and analyze a performance through experiencing it as a participant and observer
Dramatic works that we will be reading in part or as a whole:
Antigone by Sophocles
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
Juliet and this Guy Romeo by Don Zolidis
Alice adapted by Lindsay Price from Lewis Carroll
Into the Woods by James Lapine
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard