Fundamentals of Directing

Th 2101

This course introduces the student to the study, art and craft of directing for the stage. We will probe the practical components of the director as artist, teacher, and collaborator. The goal is to provide the communicative, analytical and performative skills necessary to explore the role of the director. Our focus is on the craft of directing modern realistic dramatic literature through text analysis, communication of concepts and stylistic techniques.
Note: This course requires significant rehearsal time outside of class.

Text: Creative Play Direction, Cohen & Harrop, 2nd ed.
Requirements:
1. Class attendance, discussion, participation and acting.
2. Production Pitch.
3. Directing Projects.
4. Quizzes.
5. Production attendance and critical style comparison.
6. Readings in the text and handouts.

Grading:
1. Class attendance/participation/acting 40 pts.
2. Production Pitch 20 pts.
3. Directing Projects: Monologue 25 pts.
2-3 person scene 30 pts.
4-5 person scene 35 pts.
One-Act 40 pts.
4. Quizzes (2 @ 20) 40 pts.
5. Production attendance and critical comparison 20 pts.

Grading Scale:
250-225 pts. = A
224-199 pts. = B
198-173 pts. = C
172-147 pts. = D
146- 0 pts. = F

Students taking the course S/N must receive a C in order to pass.

Class Attendance/Participation/Acting: Attendance in class is mandatory. Directors are group leaders who must mirror good attitude, active participation and appropriate communicative examples for their casts; they must be responsible and accountable. Participation and discussion are integral to this course. You will also perform as an actor in TWO of the four directing projects (monologue and ONE scene). You are required to be prepared for and be an active participant in class.

WRITTEN Chancellor excuses will be accepted but the student remains responsible for the work missed, including rescheduling of projects, make-up assignments, etc. See Carrie Grussing in Behmler 309 for activity participation excuses and Melody Veenendaal in Behmler 309 for family emergency excuses. Health excuses will not be accepted. You are allowed one absence before your grade is lowered. After one absence your grade will drop 10 pts for every day you are absent. More than four missed days will result in a failing class grade.

Production Pitch: You will be required to search and select a one-act play for your final scene. You will develop a presentation, explaining the merits of the play, your creative vision/concept, and the justification for a production budget. The more detailed you get, the better. As theatre artists, we are often required to "sell" ourselves and our ideas; think of this assignment as you would a job interview. Additional information will be provided.

Directing Projects: You will be required to mount four performances for class. All texts must be published, reflect the modern realistic style and be approved by me before rehearsals begin. Unless noted, you must obtain actors yourself, either through auditions or recruitment. All performances must be memorized and polished. Production values (costumes, props, set lights) are NOT a part of this assignment. Paperwork for each performance is due prior to the scheduled performance time. Additional information will be provided for each assignment.

1. Monologue: You will select and direct a fellow classmate in a 1-2 minute monologue. Paperwork will include a promptbook and performance evaluation.
2. A 2-3 Person Scene: You will select and direct a 3-4 minute scene. Paperwork will include a promptbook and performance evaluation.
3. A 4-5 Person Scene: You will select and direct a 5-6 minute scene. Paperwork will include a promptbook and performance evaluation.
4. A One-Act Play: You will select and direct a 10-15 minute complete play. There should be no more than 8 actors in the play. Paperwork will include a promptbook and performance evaluation. The final performance will be open to the public.

Quizzes: The quizzes will always be announced. If you are absent of the day of a quiz, you will receive a '0' for that test. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP quizzes GIVEN without proper Chancellor's excuse.

Production Attendance and Critical Style Comparison: You are required to attend the University Theatre Productions of Medea and The Boys Next Door. Performance dates for Medea are Thursday – Saturday, October 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are usually available the week of the Production. Performance dates for The Boys Next Door are Thursday, November 8 – Saturday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 10 at 2 p.m. You can attend either production for free by volunteering your services as an usher. You will write a 2-3 page paper comparing the directorial choices of the two shows.

Assigned/Written Work: ALL ASSIGNED WORK MUST BE HANDED IN ON TIME OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All written work MUST BE TYPED or IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All papers should be free of spelling, grammatical and typographical errors. The grade of the paper will suffer if it is not properly proofread. For your own protection, be sure to make copies of everything you turn in.

Academic Honesty: Any student found guilty of cheating on a quiz will forfeit the grade for that quiz. Any student found guilty of plagiarism, passing off someone else's ideas, work, or words as your own, will receive an F in this course. All incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported and acted upon.

Extra Credit: No extra credit will be given to any students.

Incompletes: There will be no incompletes given for this course.

Policy: No smoking, eating or gum chewing is allowed in class. Beverages, such as water, are encouraged.