DRMA 101 Syllabus

Introduction to the Theatre : Fall 2010

Instructor: Tammi (Tammis) Doyle

E-mail:tammi.doyle@bellevuecollege.edu        Phone: 425-564-2319        

Office location: E100a  

Office Hours: M -  F 2:30-3:30 and as scheduled

Course Information

Course Outcomes

1.            Understand and analyze the relationship between culture and theatre.
2.            Identify a process of analyzing theatre to become a more critical audience                            member.
3.            Analyze the script, directorial concept, design elements, and acting styles of a                                   variety of plays.  
4.            Describe the process in which a play goes from "page to stage," becoming a                                     fully produced organism.
5.            Evaluate theatre as a potential lifelong interest as an audience member, or                            professional or amateur theatre artist.
6.            Identify and analyze the objectives of theatre including education,                                            entertainment and enlightenment.          
7.            Understand and experience the group process that leads to theatrical                                                 collaboration. 

How Outcomes will be met

This class uses a variety of tools to present material and enhance your ability to learn.  These tools range from take-home questions to play reviews, films and tapes, lectures, play readings in and out of class, student presentations, written analysis, and the final.  You must bring your Anthology to class each day.

 

From the first day, the presentation of material (and your understanding of it) will rely on what has been covered before.  In order to do well in this class you must attend regularly and exhibit a willingness to participate.  A further note about the text.  The Text is used to supplement the play readings and lectures.  We may never go over what is in the text.  But you will need the information in order to write your papers and to take the final.

           

Grading

You must attend this class each and every day.  This is not strictly a lecture class, it involves your participation.  Arrive each day prepared and ready to participate in the day’s topic or class presentation.

 

 If you are late, you will be marked “tardy”.  If you are habitually late, I will consider it a disruption of class and it will affect your grade.  Five marked absences will cause your final grade to automatically be lowered one whole grade.  Ten marked absences will cause you to fail the class. 

 

All assignments and tests due on the date assigned!  Late papers accepted for three days with a grade mark down. (“A” grade not possible.)

 

Later assignments might be accepted and will be graded down as arranged with Instructor.

Reading the Text: The Theater Experience

Reading three-four plays outside of class with more readings during class

 

Class participation (Includes attendance)                                                    15%

Attendance at Blood Relations at BC with written critique                       10%

Papers on text chapters and plays assigned                                                 15%

Short Quizzes on the plays                                                                                     5%

An acting scene with written support material                                             10%

A design project with written support material                                             10%

Production assignment:  (Chosen with the instructor)                                  10%

            Ten hours of work in the shop

            Front of House work:  House managing/box office/concessions

            Crew work backstage on a show (this gives you extra credit)

            5-7page analytical paper on an aspect of production agreed upon with                            the instructor

Final project                                                                                                             15%

Final exam                                                                                                               10%

TOTAL                                                                                                                         100%

           

Books and Materials Required

Wilson: The Theatre Experience (Latest edition)

Gwynn: Drama: A Pocket Anthology by Penguin Academics (Latest edition)

 Blood Relations by Sharon Pollock

 

 

 

Terms/Ideas/Tools/Projects

AIR

The important cycle of Analysis, Imagination and Research that you need to undertake any theatre assignment.  AIR / RAI / IRA / ARI…

 

SCHEEP

Society, Culture, History, Education, Economics, Politics

SCHEEP is a research tool enclosed by Time and Place.

 

You will receive specific information about these projects as they come due:

 

ACTING PROJECT

With your partner:  Chose a scene from an American full length realistic drama or comedy.  You must choose a play that has at least 6 characters so that you may use the play for both your acting and design projects. Your Acting Project will include a 5-7 page paper that includes the theme and plot of the play and scene, a character autobiography, SCHEEP research for your character.  You must memorize the lines and bring some rehearsal props and rehearsal costumes with which to perform on your appointed day. 

 

DESIGN PROJECT

You may use the Same Play you used for your Acting Project.   You must decide to design either the sets or the costumes.   You may work with a partner or alone.  Your project will include a two-three page paper discussing how the theme and plot of the play relates to your concept of the design elements, your Central Metaphor and Guiding Image for your design, SCHEEP research for your design needs (as opposed to your much more specific acting needs,)  a detailed list of all needs for the set and each costume for at least 6 characters.  You must Include pictures of your ideas/concepts/choices.   You will put all your work into a binder for presentation.

 

PRODUCTION ASSIGNMENT

Theatre is a collaborative art form.  We would like you to understand that first hand as you work with the BC Drama Department on a project.  You may choose which Production Assignment you will complete.

1)    You must complete at least 10 hours of production work for the Drama Department in the scene shop, with costumes or props or on a lobby display (different shows have different needs.) 

2)    Work Front of House as the House Manager, Box Office Assistant and Concessions for a weekend of performances.

3)     Crew work backstage on a show.  This will automatically get you extra credit.

            3) Write a five-seven page analytical paper on a topic decided with the instructor.

 

 

FINAL PROJECT

For the Final Project you will devise your own theatre company.  You will show that you have knowledge of how a theatre works, use your imagination and create the cast, designs, PR and staff for the opening show of your new company.

 

FINAL

The Final exam will include material that from the text, the plays, the play you wrote or acted or designed, plays you’ve seen this quarter, videotapes you’ve seen in class, or discussions I’ve initiated.      

 

THE PLAY TO SEE

You must see the BC production Blood Relations in StopGap Theatre Nov. 12-13 or 18-20 at 7:30. Tickets are $10 for students and $12 for the general public.  Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com

 

This is an outline and might be changed in order to more fully and imaginatively teach you this material.   Will may not go over the information in the Textbook but you are always responsible for knowing it!

 

ALWAYS BRING YOUR ANTHOLOGY TO CLASS.  You will be marked down for not having it.

Classroom Learning Atmosphere

Instructor’s Expectation

 

A climate of respect is expected.  Prepare yourself for class.  Feel free to express your ideas.  Feel free to disagree with others.  Do these things with an open mind and respectful speech.  You will be reading and seeing theatrical works that will delight and challenge you.  That is great and right and true.  Be ready to think outside your own “box” and to expand your idea of storytelling and theatre and entertainment.  This class is open to all cultural views and “lenses” through which stories are told and interpreted. 

You may feel excited, joyful, appalled, angered, repelled and passionate about this art form and the stories that are conveyed by it.  Be ready to share your thoughts and feelings in an informed way that values the opinions of others.

 

Affirmation of Inclusion

Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination.

We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect. http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp

Division Statements

Cheating, stealing, and plagiarizing is not only intellectually unethical but will result in your failure of the assignment and a discussion of further action.  This action may include a failure in the class, removal from the show and a referral to the Dean of Students.    

 

Information about Bellevue Colleges copyright guidelines can be found at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/lmc/links/copyright.html

 

A good  resource for Plagiarism is the Writing Lab:  http://bellevuecollege.edu/writinglab/Plagiarism.html

 

Student Code

“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College.  Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates.  The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College.  Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.”  The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp

Important Links

Bellevue College E-mail and access to MyBC

 

All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail account.  Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC. To create your account, go to:  https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam .

 

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Computing Services website.

 

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible.

 

If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.

 

The DRC office is located in B 132 or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498.  Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110.   Please visit our website for application information into our program and other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc

 

Public Safety

 

The Bellevue College (BC) Public Safety Department’s well trained and courteous non-commissioned staff provides personal safety, security, crime prevention, preliminary investigations, and other services to the campus community, 24 hours per day,7 days per week.  Their phone number is 425.564.2400.  The Public Safety website is your one-stop resource for campus emergency preparedness information, campus closure announcements and critical information in the event of an emergency. Public Safety is located in K100 and on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/

 

 

 

Final Exam Schedule

 

As posted by BC:

Tuesday Dec. 7 11:30-1:20 

 

Academic Calendar

 

The Bellevue College Academic Calendar is separated into two calendars. They provide information about holidays, closures and important enrollment dates such as the finals schedule.

Course Calendar:   The schedule is subject to change.  The Chapters are from The Theatre Experience

 All other plays are in the Anthology except Blood Relations which you must buy at the bookstore

 

Sun

Tue

Thu

Fri

19

 

WEEK 1

 

The Audience

21

Intro

 

23

Ch. 1

Part I

Ch. 2, 3

Read Trifles in class

 

Callbacks for Blood Relations

24

 

 

Blood Relations

Cast list up

26

WEEK 2

Critique

&

Stage Spaces

28

Ch. 4, 5

Trifles Paper Due

 

 

30

Bring Review of a play or musical for in class assignment

Read Othello scenes  in class

1

 

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

3

 

WEEK 3

Acting

&

Directing

5

Part 2

Ch. 6-8

Read Sure Thing in class

CHOOSE ACTING PARTNERS

7

Star t Death of a Salesman in class

 

8

 

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

 

10

 

WEEK 4

Playwriting

&

Structure

12

Part 3

Ch. 9-11

Finish Death of a Salesman

 

14

Death of a Salesman response paper due

Do Acting Project assignment in class with your partner and chosen play and scene

Get Acting Project rubric

Have your Production Assignment set.

15

 

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

 

17

 

WEEK 5

Tragedy

&

Comedy

19

Ch 12-13

Read The Sandbox in class

 

21

 

Work on Acting projects

22

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

 

Commedia Workshop

2:00-5:00 FREE

24

 

WEEK 6

Acting

26

Work on Acting Projects

28

Present Acting Projects

ALL PAPERWORK DUE

29

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

Sun

TUES

THURS

FRI

31

HALLOWEEN

 

WEEK 7

Design

2

Part 4

Ch. 14-16

4

Read The Glass Menagerie and The Glass Menagerie design paper due

Discuss Design Projects

5

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

7

 

WEEK 8

Production:

Blood Relations

 

 

9

Read

Blood Relations

In class response paper

11

 

Veteran’s Day/ Armistice Day

NO SCHOOL

 

12

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

Blood Relations 7:30

Sat. 13

Blood Relations 7:30

14

 

WEEK 9

 

Theatre Today

16

Present Design Projects with All Paperwork Due

18

Part 5

Ch. 17 and 19

The Cuban Swimmer and I Dreamed Before I Take the Stand in Class

Give Final Project Rubric

 

Blood Relations 7:30

19

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

Blood Relations 7:30

Sat. 20

Blood Relations 7:30

21

 

WEEK 10

 

Musical Theatre

23

 

Blood Relations review Due

Ch. 18

25

 

THANKSGIVING

26

 

NO SCHOOL

 

 

28

WEEK 11

Live Theatre in our Lives

 

30

 

Read Master Harold and the Boys

 

2

Final Project Due and Presented

3

12:30

Stage Fright Meeting

Last Day

Sat. 4

7:30

DIRECTions

5

7:30

DIRECTIONS

7

FINAL

11:30-1:20

Happy Winter Break!