Course Description
The course is an introduction to the art form of theatre, a unique endeavor which is related to but different from television, film, and video. The course will focus on the forms and methods of theatrical creativity and how theatre reflects, challenges, and benefits society.
The format of the class is designed to emulate the production process in the theatre: you will learn basic concepts and implement them in practical theatre work. You will study theatre through play reading, visits to live theater, videotaped performances, critical reflections, and lectures by your instructor as well as by faculty-artists from the University of Tennessee and the Clarence Brown Theatre. The goal of the course is to stimulate your interest in the theatre as a craft, a creative human endeavor and a vital form of entertainment.
The course is required for all students who would like to become theatre majors and satisfies the humanities requirement for the undergraduate degree. It also is a prerequisite for some 300 and 400 level classes in the undergraduate curriculum in the theatre department at the University of Tennessee.
Course Objectives
Course Textbooks
The required textbook for this class is Robert Cohen's Theatre. (4th ed., Mountain View, 1997). You will also be required to read the following plays: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts, and Jose Rivera's Marisol. All books are available through the UT Bookstore. In addition, I have placed several volumes of one-act plays on reserve which will be helpful in beginning the Performance Project, one of the major assignments in class.
Office Hours:
My office is located on the 11th floor of the McClung Tower (next to the library). I will be available to you on Wednesdays, 11:30-12:30, Thursdays, 1:00-2:00, and by appointment. You also can reach me quickly through e-mail: kvandenb@utk.edu.
- 1. Class Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory and expected for the full class meeting. I will check attendance regularly through unannounced quizzes covering the assigned reading and brief in-class writing assignments at the beginning or the end of class. During the semester I will allow you to miss three in-class assignments with no penalty. After three such missed assignments your grade will be lowered one letter grade. Each further missed assignment will result in lowering your final grade by another half letter grade.
2. Performance Attendance You will be required to attend three performances in the Clarence Brown Theatre on campus this spring. You are responsible for scheduling and buying tickets for Ghosts, Midsummer Night's Dream, and Cabaret (for more details see page 5). Hand in your ticket stubs as proof that you attended all three plays. I also will include questions on quizzes and tests to monitor your performance attendance.
3. Lab Hours. You will also be required to complete five (5) hours of lab work for one or several shows in the Clarence Brown Theatre. This laboratory experience will provide for a deeper understanding of the work in theatre and complement the class activities. Lab hours include work in the areas of box office, dramaturgy, marketing, costuming, lighting, and set design. To complete this assignment you need to contact a supervisor in one of the above areas (see list below) who will verify your work on a time card which I will distribute. The time cards are due on the last day of classes.
Please submit a folder with two inside pockets with your name written on the cover to collect writing and creativity assignments.
- I will provide a detailed sheet with instructions for writing a 3-5 page play.
- You will write a review in which you describe your experience attending the theatre and evaluate the performance. When you hand in the paper at the assigned date (see CBT schedule) you must include the ticket stub (or a note indicating that you ushered) for the performance you have attended.
- I will provide a detailed sheet with instructions.