Syllabus  THEA 7342 Director/Designer Collaboration II

Fall 2009 Monday 9:00 – 11:45 SOTD Conference Room

Professor Kevin Rigdon – 142A COM

Phone: 713.743.2816 E-Mail:

Office Hours: M 12:00-2:00. TTH 1:00-2:00

Professor Steven Wallace – 133 CWM

Phone: 713.743.3003 E-Mail:

TEXT AND MATERIAL

Rev 10/22/181

Materials and text as assigned

OBJECTIVES

This class explores the essence of the artistic collaborative process.The class uses various texts and styles of texts to explore the nature of artistic collaboration and communication. Beginning with the artist, the class pushes students to question who they are as artists and as collaborators. Both as individuals and in groups, the students encounter artistic challenges that demand a successful collaboration. Emphasis is placed on the unique role each collaborator plays at each step of the creative process.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduate students with a concentration in design and directing will demonstrate professional expertise.

Methods

The last forty-five minutes of each class (11:00 – 11:45) will be devoted to discussing the production needs of the show currently in production.

Students will participate in a series of workshops and projects that will explore the collaborative process.

Assignments

The class will be dived into three teams of directors and designers. Each team will audition and cast a company of actors and rehearse a scene (to be assigned) and performed. Each of the four rehearsals will be assigned a site-specific location which the directors, designers and actors will adapt their rehearsal and concept to. There will be two of these projects, one Shakespeare, one Tennessee Williams. Rehearsals will occur during class time. The teams will not discuss this project with each other until they are presented.

Professional performance

You will need to attend several plays over the course of the semester. These plays will be the basis for in class discussion on the collaboration between director, designers and performers that we observe through attending the production. The required performances are as follows:

Hubbard stage - Mrs. Warren’s Profession 1/25 RSVP by 1/21

Neuhaus stage - Eurydice 2/01 RSVP by 1/28

Hubbard stage - The Man Who Came to Dinner 2/22 RSVP by 2/18

Hubbard stage - Mauritius 4/12 RSVP by 4/08

Optional:

Neuhaus stage - Rock ‘n’ Roll 5/3 RSVP by 4/29

Hubbard stage - The Farnsworth Invention 6/07 RSVP by 6/03

RULES:

1. Each graduate student may get one ticket for themselves to Eurydice and Rock ‘n’ Roll (since the Neuhaus is smaller). They can purchase additional student tickets for $13.50.

2. Each graduate student may get two tickets for themselves and a guest for Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Man Who Came to Dinner, Mauritius and Farnsworth Invention.

3. Please email BRANDY ROBICUAU at o later than 12:00 noon by the Wednesday before the performance (exact dates indicated above). Mark your calendar, set an alarm or whatever you have to do to RSVP on time – no excuses – NONE!

4. Not showing up is BAD. VERY BAD. If you cannot attend you MUST contact Shelley at 713.228.9341 ext. 556, . It might not be a bad idea for you to program her number into your cell phone right this minute. Stop now get your phone and do it!

Class Schedule

1/20 (Tuesday 9-12)Script Analysis Workshop (location TBD)

1/26Understanding Shakespeare’s Characters

2/2Viewpoints workshop

2/9Collaboration exercises

2/16Elements of design workshop

2/23Shakespeare rehearsal

3/2Shakespeare rehearsal

3/9Shakespeare rehearsal

3/23Shakespeare rehearsal

3/30Shakespeare performance

4/6Williams rehearsal

4/13Williams rehearsal

4/20Williams rehearsal

4/27Williams rehearsal

5/4Williams performance

POLICIES

Late material will not be accepted.

Attendance

School of Theatre & Dance attendance policy will be strictly enforced.

Grading

Class participation1000

Shakespeare project1000

Williams project1000

Grading Scale

A3000 - 2820

A-2819 - 2700

B+2699 - 2610

B2609 - 2520

B-2519 - 2400

C+2399 - 2310

C2309 - 2220

C-2219 - 2100

D+2099 - 2010

D2009 - 1920

D-1919 - 1800

F1799 - 0

Rev 10/22/181