THET 330 - Play Directing I - Reese

Fall 2002 - Mondays & Wednesday 10-12

Theatre Lab CSPAC

"You have something to say. Something of your very own. Try to say it. Don't be ashamed of any real thought or feeling you have. Don't undervalue it. Don't let the fear of others prevent you from saying it...You have something to say, something that no one else in the world has said in just your way of saying it." Hughes Mearns, Creative Power
 

Course Objective

The role of the director (a relatively recent development in the history of the theatre) has been defined by the work of major artists, primarily from the Twentieth Century. Much of what we define as directing technique has been a result of the experimentation and artistic growth of those figures, and adapting those techniques to their own needs and production situations. The objective of this class is to give you a basic understanding of the directing process. It will involve the study of some fundamental directing concepts such as script interpretation, staging and composition, reading notes, scene breakdowns, fables, scoring, ground plans, and collaboration. The student should come away from this course with a comfortable approach of how to work with actors in a directorial position, as well as the practical knowledge of how to take a play from page to stage.
 

Grading and Evaluation

Evaluation of your work will be individualized and based upon your own demonstrated effort and improvement, in-class discipline, and contribution. 50% of your grade will be based on your scene presentations, and 50% will be based upon your written assignments.

Attendance is extremely important. A leeway of 3 absences during the semester is permitted, however, without affecting your grade. Additional cuts beyond the allotted 3 will result in a drop in grade. For example, if you are an "A" student and you miss 4 classes during the semester your final grade will be a "B". It is also important that you get to class on time. Promptness is a professional courtesy. Every 2 lates are counted as 1 absence.
 
 

Grading standards

A	Excellence, far above and beyond average expectations in both the academic requirements and artistic accomplishment.	200-180 pts.
B	Above average, superior achievement in academic and artistic accomplishment.	179-160 pts.
C	Average, reflects average work, basic completion of assignments.	159-140 pts.
D	Below average.	139-120 pts.

A note on the written work:

Written assignments are to be typed and are due on the Wednesday of the week they are assigned. Late assignments will be lowered one grade for each class meeting they are late.
 

Methodology

The first section of the course will be devoted to play analysis and the physical realization of a play script on stage. During this time you will be expected to decide upon one of the plays that you would like to work on this semester.

The rest of the term will be devoted to in-class presentations of the scenes from the plays you have selected along with exercises and discussions on your evolving directorial process.

A note on the scene work:

Scene 1 -- Choose a 5 minute scene. You will use your classmates as the actors for this scene. For this scene you will be focusing on how to begin a rehearsal, ground plan, given circumstances, activities, picturization and composition. Rehearsals should consist of at least one hour per scene. Do all your preparation before meeting, so you can use your limited time wisely.
 
 

Scene 2 -- For this scene it will be your responsibility to cast (with actors outside of class) and rehearse another 5-10 minute scene from the play you are working on. You will be expected to see that your actors are present for the in-class presentations, and that you have a specific goal for what you want to accomplish with them. For this scene you will be concentrating on PLACE, EVENT, and ACTION. You will have twenty minutes for set-up, presentation and re-working. Think of these presentations as in-class rehearsals of your work in progress. You will hand in your SCENE 2 WORKSHEET BEFORE your presentation. A ONE-PAGE SELF EVALUATION  of your work will be required for your scene as well as a JOURNAL of what was worked on in your rehearsal. The journal should be very specific and include a step-by-step account of your rehearsal process. The EVALUATION and JOURNAL are DUE THE CLASS FOLLOWING YOUR PRESENTATION and contribute to the overall grade you receive for your scene. A minimum of three 2hr. rehearsals are required for this scene.
 
 

Scene 3 -- Choose one of the poems from the selections I have given you. You will use your classmates and workshop the staging of poetry. You will be using this project to workshop the skills you have gained thus far. You will hand in a SCRIPT, FABLE, MUSIC SELECTION and ROUGH REHEARSAL PLAN on the day of your staging.
 
 

Scene 4 -- As in scene two, it will be your responsibility to cast and rehearse another 5-10 minute scene. Follow the same guidelines as scene 2, with the following exceptions. For this scene the actors should be off book and you will have worked on beats. Self-evaluations and journals will be the same as scene 2. You may create an alternate project for this assignment, with the consent of the instructor. A minimum of four 2hr. Rehearsals are required for this scene.
 

READING LIST

Maria Irene Fornes - The Conduct of Life
Richard Greenberg - Eastern Standard
Lorraine Hansberry - A Raisin in the Sun
Steve Martin - Picasso at the Lapine Agile
 

Recommended

REQUIRED WORK