Fundamentals of Directing

Siobhan Bremer Th 2101

Office: HFA 105D TTh 10:00-11:40

Phone: 6245

bremers HFA 125

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: The Director’s Vision by Louis E. Catron

Candida, Bernard Shaw

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.

Candida assigned scene 35 pts.

10 min. play 40 pts.

4. Quizzes (2 @ 20) 40 pts.

5. Production attendance and critical comparison 20 pts.

Grading Scale: 250-238 pts. = A 199-192 pts. = C+ 237-225 pts. = A- 191-183 pts. = C 224-217 pts. = B+ 182-175 pts. = C- 216-209 pts. = B 174-163 pts. = D+ 208-200 pts. = B- 162-150 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 Behmler 309 for activity participation excuses and family emergency excuses. Health excuses will not be accepted. You are allowed two absences before your grade is lowered. After two absences your grade will drop 10 pts for every day you are absent. Each three days you are late will be marked as an absence.

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. 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: (25 points) 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 Person Scene: (30 points) You will select and direct a 3-4 minute scene. Paperwork will include a promptbook and performance evaluation.

3. A 3 Person Scene: (35 points) from Candida by George Bernard Shaw which has been selected for you. (5-6 minutes)

4. A One-Act Play: (40 points) You will select and direct a 10 minute complete play. There should be 2-3 actors in the play.

Paperwork will include a promptbook and performance evaluation. The final performance will be open to the public. Actors must be available during the Directing Class time for rehearsals and public presentation. Intro students are generally eager to get involved.

Quizzes: The quizzes are on the daily schedule. 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 Directorial Critique: You are required to attend the Fall University Theatre Production. You can attend the production for free by volunteering your services as an usher. You will write a 2-3 page paper discussing the directorial choices of the show.

Assigned/Written Work: ALL ASSIGNED WORK MUST BE HANDED IN ON TIME OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All written work MUST BE TYPED (double-spaced with 12-point font, 1-inch margins and the header for personal info. Including name and title) 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. I do not accept technology as an excuse for late papers. If written work isn't handed in at the start of the hour the day it is due your grade on that assignment will start at a C.

Reasonable accommodations: will be provided for students with physical, sensory, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. Contact the instructor about your disability along with Disability Services. 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.