3040.001 WORLD THEATRE after 1700
Spring 2013 – Dr. Andrew Harris
T/TH 2:00 – 3:20 PM
Campus Phone: X- 2306
Office: RTFP 223
General Information
Name / Email / Office Hours*Professor / Dr. Andrew Harris / / TR 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Graders / Kerry Goldmann / / MW 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Klarice McCarron / / MW 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
***Office Hours*** If you are unable to make any of the office hours listed above for the professor or graders, you can email any of them and schedule an appointment.
This course satisfies the cross cultural, diversity, and global studies requirement of the University’s Core Curriculum.
This course considers the concepts, facts, and activities relevant to the practice of theatre and drama after 1700 around the world, with particular focus on Europe and the United States. Students explore the significance of classical works in our own culture and our own consciousness.
TEXTS
· Stages of Drama, [SofD] ed. Carl H. Klaus, et al. Paperback: 1490 pages, NY: Bedford/St. Martin's; ISBN: 031218333X; 4th edition (1999) or 5th edition (2003) OR Norton Anthology of Drama, vol. 2
· Living Theatre, A History, [W&G] 5th ed. by Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb
· Mother Courage by Bertolt Brecht
· Long Day’s Journey into Night, by Eugene O’Neill (Included in Norton but NOT Stages)
· A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen (Included in Stages of Drama but NOT Norton)
ON RESERVE or ONLINE
School for Scandal(http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1929/pg1929.html)
London Merchant (http://www.archive.org/stream/londonmerchanto00lillgoog/londonmerchanto00lillgoog_djvu.txt)
Marriage of Figaro (http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com _staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=1563&Itemid=27)
CLASS SCHEDULE
***NOTE: All assignments are due the next time class meets unless otherwise indicated.***
Readings from Living Theatre, Norton Anthology of Drama, and Stages of Drama will be abbreviated and formatted as:
W&G = Living Theatre by Wilson and Goldfarb
NAD = Norton Anthology of Drama, Vol. 2
SofD = Stages of Drama
Week 1
Tue, Jan 15 Introduction. Hand out pre-assigned presentation list. Discuss syllabus, projects, assignments, essays, theatre reviews, quiz policy. Review 17th Century.
Assignment: Read Chapter 11. Read The London Merchant online.
Thu, Jan 17 Begin Ch. 11 “Theatres in the Eighteenth Century.” Discuss The London Merchant.
Assignment: Continue Chapter 11. Read School for Scandal (SofD, p. 477-519) OR online.
Week 2
Tue, Jan 22 Discuss School for Scandal. Continue Ch. 11.
Assignment: Read: Marriage of Figaro online.
Thu, Jan 24 Quiz #1. Finish Chapter 11 & discuss Marriage of Figaro.
Assignment: Read Chapter 12.
Week 3
Tue, Jan 29 Begin Chapter 12: “Theatres from 1800-1875”.
Assignment: Read Woyzeck (SofD, p. 529-545) (NAD, p. 93-110).
Thu, Jan 31 Quiz # 2. Discuss Woyzeck and continue Chapter 12.
Assignment: ----
Week 4
Tue, Feb 5 Continue Chapter 12.
Assignment: Read “The Technical Novelty in Ibsen Plays” handout.
Thu, Feb 7 Finish Chapter 12. Discuss “The Technical Novelty in Ibsen Plays” Assignment: Read A Doll’s House (SofD, p. 550-588 or purchase at bookstore). Read Chapter 13.
Week 5
Tue, Feb 12 Begin Chapter 13 “Theatres from 1875-1915.” Discuss A Doll’s House.
Assignment: Read The Cherry Orchard (SofD, p. 663-691) (NAD346-386).
Thu, Feb 14 Quiz #3. Discuss Chapter 13 & The Cherry Orchard
Assignment: Read handout - “Direction and Acting” – Konstantin Stanislavski.
Week 6
Tue, Feb 19 Quiz #4. Discuss Stanislavski’s essay finish Chapter 13.
Assignment: Read Chapter 14.
Thu, Feb 21 Begin Ch 14: "Theatre from 1915 to 1945"
Assignment: Read Mother Courage – Bertolt Brecht. (purchase at bookstore)
Week 7
Tue, Feb 26 Continue Ch 14. Theatre of War documentary film screening. (About Mother Courage.)
Assignment: Read “The Theatre for Pleasure or for Instruction” - Bertolt Brecht handout.
Thu, Feb 28 Continue Ch. 14.
Assignment: Go see Picasso and write a review, it is required!!! Outline for theatre reviews is attached to syllabus
Picasso at the Lapine Agile
By: Steve Martin
Directed by: Marjorie Hayes
February 28 and March 1, 2, 7, 8 @ 7:30 PM
March 3, 9 @ 2:00 PM
University Theatre
*****WOYZECK ESSAY DUE NEXT WEEK!!!!!!*****
Week 8
Tue, Mar 5 Quiz # 5. Finish Ch. 14 and catch-up day. Review for midterm.
Thu, Mar 7 MIDTERM EXAM! **Turn in Woyzeck Essay!!!**
Assignment: Read Chapter 15. Read Long Day’s Journey into Night – Eugene O’Neill (NAD, p. 932-1012). Last weekend to go see Picasso!!!!
Week 9 TUE, MAR 11 SPRING BREAK!!! THUR, MAR 17. NO CLASS!!!
Week 10
Tue, Mar 19 Discuss Long Day’s Journey. Begin Ch. 15 “Theatres from 1945 to 1975.”
Assignment: Read The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco (SofD, p. 967-985) OR Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (NAD, p. 849-906).
Thu, Mar 21 Quiz #6. Discuss Ch. 15 & The Lesson & Waiting for Godot.
Assignment: ------
Week 11
Tue, Mar 26 Continue Chapter 15.
Assignment: Read The Dutchman by Amiri Baraka. (Handout.)
Thu, Mar 28 Finish discussion on Ch. 15 & Dutchman.
Assignment: Read Chapter 16
Week 12
Tue, Apr 2 Quiz # 7. Discuss Chapter 16: "Contemporary Global Theatres: The Americas"
Assignment: Read “No More Masterpieces” by Antoin Artaud handout.
Thu, Apr 4 Continue Chapter 16 – Discussion of Jerzy Grotowski & Poor Theatre/Robert Wilson and Theatre of Image and Artaud’s No More Masterpieces - Theories and Influences.
Assignment: Read Death and the King’s Horseman – Wole Soyinka (SofD, p. 1153-1184) (NAD, p. 1048-1097).
Week 13
Tue, Apr 9 Finish Chapter 16 and Death and the King’s Horseman.
Assignment: Read Chapter 17. Read In the Blood – Suzan Lori-Parks (SofD, p. 1624-1652) OR The America Play—Suzan Lori-Parks (NAD, p. 1533-1562)
Thu, Apr 11 Quiz # 8. Begin Ch. 17: "Contemporary Global Theatres: Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Australia" and Suzan Lori-Parks.
Assignment: Read Oleanna - David Mamet (SofD, p. 1449-1474) OR Glengarry Glen Ross-David Mamet (NAD, p. 1257-1292).
The Lady Revealed
By Dr. Andrew Harris
Directed by Sally Vahle
April 11, 12, 13, @ 7:30 PM
April 14 @ 2:00 PM
Studio Theatre
Week 14
Tue, Apr 16 Continue Chapter 17. Discuss Mamet.
Assignment: ------
Thu, Apr 18 Quiz # 9. Finish Chapter 17 – Europe & World Theatre.
Assignment: ------
Week 15
Tue, Apr 23 Quiz #10. Musical theatre.
Thu, Apr 25 Catch-up day.
Assignment: Study for final.
Week 16
Tue, Apr 30 Catch-up day.
Assignment: Study for final.
Thu, May 2 Review for Final.
Thu, May 9. FINAL EXAM: 1:30pm – 3:30pm (Bring #2 pencils to class.)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
There will be 10 quizzes, one essay paper, one in-class presentation, one topic paper (to be turned in at the same time and with your presentation), a midterm exam and a final exam. There is also an optional an extra credit review paper. Your papers will be your opportunity to engage the literature and to develop a style for writing about theatre. Specific essay paper requirements and outlines are listed in your syllabus. The exams will focus on theatre history, but will also include sections on the plays.
You are expected to contribute to class discussions and are responsible for reading the required material the day before it is discussed in class.
MATERIALS
· #2 pencil (available at the University Union bookstore—for use with the scantron)
GRADING
Quiz Average (lowest dropped) - 100 points
Essay Paper –100 points
Presentation – 100 points
Picasso Review - 100 points each
Midterm Exam – 100 points
Final Exam – 100 points
Review of Performances:
*There is one required performance that you must see and review: Picasso. There will be several more opportunities to review shows for up to 20 extra credit points on the lowest quiz grade: The Lady Revealed and Columbinus.
Your grade will be computed as follows:
540-600 points: A
480 - 539 points: B
420-479 points: C
360-419 points: D (Below 360 points: F)
Students entering the Theatre program under the new 2012-2013 Catalog or later are required to earn a grade of “B” or better for department credit.
ESSAY PAPER
***DUE TUESDAY MARCH 5!!!***
NO LATE OR EMAILED PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!!!!
“Romanticism was the prototype of a popular style. First born of democracy, it was coddled by the masses. Modern art, on the other hand, will always have the masses against it. It is essentially unpopular.”
-Jose Ortega Y Gasset
The Dehumanization of Art
Woyzeck, written in the Romantic period, was NOT staged for another 80 years during an age of modern art. From your reading of the script, under which genre would YOU define Woyzeck. Your choices are: Poetic Romanticism, Naturalism, or Expressionism. Your choice will determine how you will stage the play and the audience who will see it. How would you stage it and why? Be sure to include background information on the playwright and events taking place at that point in history that would influence and reinforce your argument. (i.e. If you choose to stage it during the Romantic period, how do you think the audience would react to the writing and staging based on their contemporary society? If you stage it at some another more modern period (tell us which period), how do you think the audience would react to the play. Whatever period or style you choose, tell us what influenced your choices and what impact you want the play to have on your audience. ONE item you will need to decide is: how does the production end. (Note the play was left incomplete at the author’s desks and several schemes for its production have been used by different directors.)
**Optional references [Hint: Although we are making the viewing of these videos optional, you would be well served to view them since discussions about productions choices are enhanced by specific references to an actual realized (mounted) production].
There are three films in the media library which you may want to use as references. They will be on reserve.
· Woyzeck by Werner Herzog DVD2721
· Woyzeck For the Open University MV9074 VHS
· Woyzeck by Janos Szasz DVD7214
Your paper must be 3-5 pages in length typed (double-spaced, 12-point type, one-inch margins on each side.) Spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness are important. Excessive errors in these areas will be penalized.
When you use sources in a paper, you must give the writer credit in a footnote or bibliography. Passing off somebody else’s work as your own is plagiarism and will result in your receiving no credit for the assignment. The same penalty goes for collaboration with another person, including of course, another person in the class. If you receive no credit for an assignment for any assignment, you are not eligible for the extra credit assignment. "I have the right to report any student who engages in plagiarism and/or cheating to the university for violating the Code of Student Conduct."
4 / 3 / 2 / 1Thesis / Thesis is clearly stated and specific enough to be supported by source material / Thesis is stated but is insufficient in its specificity / Thesis is unclearly stated / Thesis is not stated
Source Material / Source material is directly from text and cited clearly, clearly supports thesis / Gives some source material from text but is incorrectly cited or does not support thesis / Gives source material from unattributed text, material does not support thesis / Gives no source material
Conclusion / Conclusion solidifies thesis without resorting to mere repetition / Conclusion is comprised of repeated statements / Conclusion is not related to thesis / No conclusion is stated
Citations / Correctly cites source material in MLA format in both the text and the bibliography / Correctly cites source material in either text or bibliography / Cite source material incorrectly in either text or bibliography / Does not cite any source material and has no bibliography
Sentences / Sentences are structured well, without run-ons or fragments; quotes are properly presented; sentences are punctuated correctly; words are well chosen / Good construction, with some run-ons or fragments; words are well chosen / Fair Construction, with some run-ons or fragments; words are not well chosen and some are misspelled / Poor Construction, with many grammatical errors; words are poorly selected and many are misspelled
Paper Format / Essay is at least three pages in 12 pt. font, double-spaced / Essay is two to three pages with larger font and spacing and some formatting errors / Essay is two pages with larger font and spacing with many formatting errors / Essay is one page or less
THE THEATRE REVIEW: **DUE THE TUESDAY AFTER SPRING BREAK MARCH 19!!!**
Outline for Theatre Review
Information to appear at the top of your review. The name of the play underlined or in italics. The playwright. The director. The designers. The date of the performance being reviewed. Names of leading actors referred to in your review and role played. (The name of the producer and/or the name of the theatre/producing group.) This review needs to be 3-4 pages in length (not including the cover/id page)!
Note: A review is a persuasive document. If you feel the production is significant, you should try to entice your reader to attend. If you feel the production is not worthwhile then the introduction should prepare the reader by telling he or she why you don’t advise attending.
Introductory Paragraph. This paragraph sets the tone for your review. What about this production struck you? (Choose ONE from: The play itself, the production, the actors, the design, the style of the production, the musical settings, the occasion of seeing this play in a specific production venue, etc.) Ask yourself: “Is this an important play and, if so, why?” “Are there other plays (or other literary or artistic creations) that would be useful for your reader to know about?” “Into what general category does this work fit: Is it a comedy or tragedy?”(Hint: You may want to inform the reader of what you expected prior to seeing the play (or give some background about your theatergoing experience.)
The Body of the Review. Isolate what you feel was the director’s interpretation of the play from what the author’s intention was. For instance, almost all historical plays undergo some kind of a change from their initial productions. Theatre has a temporal dynamic. Discuss other well-known productions of this play or plays of this kind if you know of them or they are relevant. You might use films, paintings, music, or other works of art, etc.