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Course Syllabus

THEA 2140 Directing

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Theater Arts
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 4
  • Prerequisites: THEA 2033 or THEA 2403 or instructor
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2022
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
  • End Semester: Fall 2027
  • Optimum Class Size: 14
  • Maximum Class Size: 16

Course Description

This course is an analysis and laboratory application of theories of stage direction. It examines directing as art and craft, with emphasis upon the director as an interpretive artist, acting coach, and administrator/manager for professional, civic, and educational settings.

Justification

This course satisfies a lower-division recommended core requirement for undergraduate theatre majors with equivalent courses at four-year institutions in Utah and elsewhere. It fills a major requirement for theatre arts majors and otherwise satisfies elective credit criteria.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand Composition, Picturization, Movement, Rhythm, and Pantomimic dramatization.
  2. Apply the theoretical, aesthetic, and practical tasks of a director as artist and craftsperson.
  3. Apply acting theory and technique essential for the success of a director as an acting coach.
  4. Utilize and develop skills as a manager of people and apply the director's media through the application of the elements of time (schedules/deadlines); and space (proscenium, thrust, arena stages).
  5. Synthesize and apply critical evaluation to performance tasks.

Course Content

Through the weeks, this course will cover topics such as play selection, production concept, inspiration, approaches to material, collaboration, casting, working with actors, rehearsal management, scheduling etc. The following is a framework covered in the class:1. Script analysis: a. Circumstances (time, setting, locale) b. Plot (action: linear, circular, episodic) c. Character (background, motivation, relationships) d. Obstacles and Effects e. Language (poetry, prose, thought, interruption of silence) 2. Director-actor relationships and visual tools: a. Communicating b. Visual perception and visual coordination c. Ground plans, composition and picturization d. Gesture and improvisation e. Movement dynamics 3. Speaking a play: Oral and visual balance4. Designing and staging a play: a. Symbolization and synthesis b. Types of stage space c. Scenery, properties, lighting d. Costume, makeup, sound 5. Audience composition and dynamics6. Production styles: a. Actor b. Playwright c. Director d. Modern plays e. New works f. Musicals/Opera g. Historical plays Performance content in this course is flexible and student-selected. Allowing for the exploration of scenes and plays by playwrights of all backgrounds. Directing examples used in the class include productions from around the world, by various group of playwrights, directors, and companies.