Theater: Directing IV
Instructor - Doug Finlayson
Spring 2013
Class: Wed. 1:00-2:30
Office: Theatre 39
Office Phone: 968-6935
E-Mail: finlaydo@webster.edu
Tue. 4:30 (ET)
Course Syllabus
OUTCOMES:
The student will:
• Be able to identify the basic technical differences of staging for proscenium, thrust and arena;
• Teach a class using the stylistic approach of a renowned director of their choosing;
• Create a concept for a Shakespeare play of their choosing;
• Deepen their understanding of the process of directing, by:
o Preparing a written analysis and research packet for a 15-25 minute play;
o Creating an organized and artful promptbook;
o Conducting an open audition, casting their projects, and rehearsing the play;
o Presenting the work to the performance faculty and students.
• Hone their ability to identify the work of the director by critiquing other productions.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. DIECTING STYLE (Choose a partner)
Grade 10%
Create a Typed Outline of your presentation and a Bibliography of Sources (to be handed in). With a partner, research the
work of a director’s style and apply that style to a scene using actors from class or lead the class in an exercise that
demonstrates that director’s work.
Example: Meyerhold’s Biomechanics; Anne Bogart’s Viewpoints. Grade 10%
2. EXECUTION OF PLAY ANALYSIS/RESEARCH of ET PRJECT.
Grade 15%
3. PROMPT BOOK for ET PROJECT.
Including:
Units (beat work)
Pre-blocking
Rehearsal schedule/Rehearsal Journal
Properties
Grade 15%
4. PRESENTATION OF A SCENE -ET PROJECT
One run-through for Instructor
15-25 minutes
25 Hours of Rehearsal maximum
5. SHAKESPEARE CONCEPT PROJECT
Grade 20%
Grade 15%
WRITTEN – A three (3) page typed description of your concept, including play’s themes, central visual metaphor (ex:
Richard III: Theme-Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely; Visual Metaphor-The Crown), An explanation of sets,
costumes, lights and music/sound.
VISUAL SUPPORT – Images from art, photographs, drawings that articulate the essence of your concept
ORAL PRESENATION – 5-7 minutes. Imagine this as a persuasive presentation for a directing slot in front of an Artistic
Board of Directors.
Visit http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/index.html for everything Shakespeare.
6. ATTEND ON REHEARSAL OF THE SHOW YOU ARE CRITIQUING
Grade 5%
7. ET RESPONSE
Grade 10%
8. PREPARATION AND PARTICIPATION IN CLASS
Discussions, Critiques, Assisting at ETS, and Class Activities
Grade 10%
Rehearsals
Rehearsal Time - limitations placed on rehearsal time for ETS is important to follow. Each ET
may rehearse 25 hours maximum. Just as in a professional situation, as a director you will be
limited by unions, the repertory and actor’s schedules. Embrace the time constraints as a skill to
learn.
ET Strike and Cleanup
After each ET, there will be a strike to return the space to it’s original condition. ALL directing
students are expected to participate. ALL individual directors are expected to put away any thing
they have brought out during their ETS
ATTENDANCE:
Review the Conservatory Handbook for attendance policy.
DUE DATES
ALL WORK IS DUE ON TIME. Any work handed in after the due date will be reduced a letter grade each day it is
late.
CALENDAR - DIRECTING IV
(Calendar subject to change)
JANUARY
Wed. 16
Wed. 23
Wed. 23
Wed. 30
Wed. 30
FEBRUARY
Wed. 6
Wed. 6
WEEK ONE
Handout Syllabi, Present ET Project Ideas, Discuss Analysis/Research Proposals
ASSIGNMENT - Read “Acting with Style” (handout)
WEEK TWO
Casting Pool ET #1 – Noon in Doug’s Office
Discuss Acting Style/Dramatic Structure/Finalize ET Schedule
ASSIGNMENT - Begin work on ET Promptbook, Analysis and Ground plan
Read “Shakespeare” Handout
WEEK THREE
Casting Pool ET #2 – Noon in Doug’s Office
Shakespeare Project Discussion
ASSIGNMENT - Hodge, “Choice of Stage” (handout)
WEEK FOUR
Casting Pool ET #3 – Noon in Doug’s Office
Thrust & Arena Staging
ASSIGNMENT – Select a play by Shakespeare for which you will create a
concept and directorial approach.
DUE: ANALYSIS & GROUNDPLAN - ET#1 & ET#2
Wed. 13
WEEK FIVE
Casting Pool ET #4 – Noon in Doug’s Office
Wed. 13
Working with Designers/Guest Dottie Marshall Englis/Discuss ET 1
DUE: ANALYSIS & GROUNDPLAN - ET#3 & ET#4
Wed. 20
Wed. 20
WEEK SIX
Casting Pool ET #5 – Noon in Doug’s Office
Discuss Directing Style
ASSIGNMENT – Pick your Shakespeare Play and be prepared to discuss the
play’s important themes in next class.
February 20 UNCOMMON WOMEN AND OTHERS
WEEK SEVEN
Tue. 26
First ET
Wed. 27
Casting Pool ET #6 – Noon in Doug’s Office
Wed. 27
Discuss of ET 1/Shakespeare Project Update/Plays and Themes
ASSIGNMENT – With a partner, select a well-known director (someone who has
written about their process) and prepare an in-class presentation. Next week you
will schedule a Directing Style slot. You and your partner will teach a workshop
using techniques made famous by the director you have chosen.
DUE: SHAKESPEARE PLAY CHOSEN, THEMES ARTICULATED
MARCH
WEEK EIGHT
Tue. 5
Second ET
Wed. 6
Discuss ET 2/Set dates for Spring 2 Style Workshops
DUE: PARTNERS AND DIRECTOR FOR STYLE WORKSHOPS
MID SEMESTER BREAK MARCH 11-15
Tue. 19
WEEK NINE
Third ET
Wed. 20
Casting Pool ET #7 – Noon in Doug’s Office
Wed. 20
Discuss ET 3/Discuss Shakespeare Concept Projects
DUE: ANALYSIS & GROUNDPLAN - ET#5, #6 & #7
Tue. 26
WEEK TEN
Fourth ET
Wed. 27
Discuss ET 4/Directing Style
MARCH 29 THE PIG IRON PEOPLE
APRIL
WEEK ELEVEN
Tue. 2
Fifth ET
Wed. 3
Discuss ET 5/Directing Style
APRIL 5 EURYDICE
WEEK TWELVE
Tue. 9
Sixth ET
Wed. 10
Discuss ET 6/Directing Style
Tue. 16
WEEK THIRTEEN
Seventh ET
Wed. 17
Discuss ET 7/Directing Style
Wed. 24
WEEK FOURTEEN
Present Shakespeare Concept Projects
April 24 LEGALLY BLONDE
MAY
Wed. 1
WEEK FIFTEEN
Present Shakespeare Concept Projects
WEEK SIXTEEN
Wed. 8
NO CLASS/SHOWINGS
DIRECTING IV: ANALYSIS, RESEARCH PROPOSAL
PLAY:
DIRECTOR:
ANALYSIS
Below are some suggestions on how you will develop your Analysis/Research Proposal. Decide what you think needs to be
done by you as the director before you go into rehearsal. All projects require the Promptbook elements listed below.
Given Circumstances (this will exist in a book or poem or song lyrics)
Through Line or Dramatic Action (Create Units even if there is no text; decide what the building blocks of your piece are).
Idea
Themes to be Explored
Meaning of Title
Key Text Elements
What your play is about
Music
Analysis of Lyrics
Musical Themes
How Music Will be Used
The Role of Design in your Project (Props, Puppets, Costumes, Lights, Fabric, etc.)
Approach to Rehearsal
Journaling
Journal of your creative process
Journal of rehearsals
80Pts.
RESEARCH
Research of Primary Literary Sources including music
Author Bios
Information about the world of the play
Reviews (if relevant)
Visual research (include these images in your promptbook)
20Pts.
TOTAL POINTS
PROMPTBOOK
Visual Images: Photographs, drawings and artwork (on each page)
20 Pts.
Unit Breakdown/Titles
10 Pts.
Groundplan
10 Pts.
Prop list
10 Pts
Detailed Rehearsal schedule
10 Pts.
Your approach to Blocking
10 Pts
Organization, Creativity and Aesthetics of your Promptbook
30 Pts
TOTAL POINTS