Theatre History I

Upon completion of the course, successful students will be able to:

1. Discuss the distinct elements of theatre as an art form.
2. Discuss variations in what is performed (script, scenario, plan), how it is performed, and why it is performed.
3. Articulate the way text, performance and audience are interrelated.
4. Identify the individual and collective processes that result in a theatrical event.
5. Describe how different audiences can play a vital part in the creation of theatrical art.
6. Discuss how the structure of a theatre building can be adapted to meet the changing needs of artists and audience members.
7. Discuss the way theatre reflects paradigm shifts in cultural values, ideas and philosophical questions.
8. Discuss how critics in different historical periods have evaluated the theatre of their own times.
9. Discuss how theatre of other times and places can be made meaningful to contemporary audiences, with particular reference to Greek, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance Theatre.
10. Develop a criteria for evaluating live theatre based on knowledge and experience.
11. Demonstrate how social, cultural, political, religious and economic forces shape theatrical art.
12. Demonstrate how theatrical conventions are reflected, rejected or combined over time by successive generations of artists.
13. Recognize the use of historical theatrical devices in contemporary theatre.
14. Use the vocabulary of theatre history with accuracy and precision.
15. Rise to the challenge of reading dramatic language aloud with minimal preparation time.
16. Demonstrate increased skills in recording and summarizing the verbal comments of peers in a discussion setting.
17. Demonstrate tolerance for critical views that may be different from their own.
18. Demonstrate increased skills as receptive and engaged audience members.
19. Write theatre reviews that are balanced, insightful and specific.
20. Utilize library resources for theatre history study.
21. Undertake challenging reading assignments with an awareness of studying a text as an ongoing creative process.
22. Value the instinctive responses and questions that emerge in the initial reading of a dramatic text.
23. Value the contemplative responses and detailed questions that emerge with close study of a particular scene.
24. Value the responses and questions of other students to a script or performance, and show a willingness to see through others’ eyes.
25. Value coherence and specificity in written work, and show a willingness to revise a written response to strengthen coherence and specificity.
26. Engage with a dramatic text in a creative way, envisioning original design concepts and fresh directorial ideas for the work.