Syllabus  THEA 7342  Director/Designer Collaboration II
Fall 2009  Monday 9:00 – 11:45  SOTD Conference Room
Professor Kevin Rigdon – 142A COM
Phone: 713.743.2816 E-Mail: krigdon@uh.edu
Office Hours: M 12:00-2:00. TTH 1:00-2:00
Professor Steven Wallace – 133 CWM
Phone: 713.743.3003 E-Mail: swwallace@uh.edu
TEXT AND MATERIAL
Materials and text as assigned
OBJECTIVES
This class explores the essence of the artistic collaborative process. The class uses various
texts and styles of texts to explore the nature of artistic collaboration and communication.
Beginning with the artist, the class pushes students to question who they are as artists and as
collaborators. Both as individuals and in groups, the students encounter artistic challenges that
demand a successful collaboration. Emphasis is placed on the unique role each collaborator
plays at each step of the creative process.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduate students with a concentration in design and directing will demonstrate professional
expertise.
Methods
The last forty-five minutes of each class (11:00 – 11:45) will be devoted to discussing
the production needs of the show currently in production.
 Students will participate in a series of workshops and projects that will explore the
collaborative process.
Assignments
The class will be dived into three teams of directors and designers. Each team will audition and
cast a company of actors and rehearse a scene (to be assigned) and performed. Each of the
four rehearsals will be assigned a site-specific location which the directors, designers and
actors will adapt their rehearsal and concept to. There will be two of these projects, one
Shakespeare, one Tennessee Williams. Rehearsals will occur during class time. The teams will
not discuss this project with each other until they are presented.
Rev 6/21/16
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Professional performance
You will need to attend several plays over the course of the semester. These plays will be the
basis for in class discussion on the collaboration between director, designers and performers
that we observe through attending the production. The required performances are as follows:
Hubbard stage - Mrs. Warren’s Profession 1/25 RSVP by 1/21
Neuhaus stage - Eurydice 2/01 RSVP by 1/28
Hubbard stage - The Man Who Came to Dinner 2/22 RSVP by 2/18
Hubbard stage - Mauritius 4/12 RSVP by 4/08
Optional:
Neuhaus stage - Rock ‘n’ Roll 5/3 RSVP by 4/29
Hubbard stage - The Farnsworth Invention 6/07 RSVP by 6/03
RULES:
1. Each graduate student may get one ticket for themselves to Eurydice and Rock ‘n’ Roll (since the
Neuhaus is smaller). They can purchase additional student tickets for $13.50.
2. Each graduate student may get two tickets for themselves and a guest for Mrs. Warren’s Profession,
Man Who Came to Dinner, Mauritius and Farnsworth Invention.
3. Please email BRANDY ROBICUAU at bmrobich@central.uh.edu no later than 12:00 noon by the
Wednesday before the performance (exact dates indicated above). Mark your calendar, set an alarm or
whatever you have to do to RSVP on time – no excuses – NONE!
4. Not showing up is BAD. VERY BAD. If you cannot attend you MUST contact Shelley at
713.228.9341 ext. 556, shelleys@alleytheatre.org. It might not be a bad idea for you to program her
number into your cell phone right this minute. Stop now get your phone and do it!
Class Schedule
1/20 (Tuesday 9-12)
1/26
2/2
2/9
2/16
2/23
3/2
3/9
3/23
3/30
4/6
4/13
4/20
4/27
5/4
Rev 6/21/16
Script Analysis Workshop (location TBD)
Understanding Shakespeare’s Characters
Viewpoints workshop
Collaboration exercises
Elements of design workshop
Shakespeare rehearsal
Shakespeare rehearsal
Shakespeare rehearsal
Shakespeare rehearsal
Shakespeare performance
Williams rehearsal
Williams rehearsal
Williams rehearsal
Williams rehearsal
Williams performance
2
POLICIES
Late material will not be accepted.
Attendance
School of Theatre & Dance attendance policy will be strictly enforced.
Grading
Class participation
Shakespeare project
Williams project
1000
1000
1000
Grading Scale
A
3000 - 2820
A2819 - 2700
B+
2699 - 2610
B
2609 - 2520
B2519 - 2400
C+
2399 - 2310
C
2309 - 2220
C2219 - 2100
D+
2099 - 2010
D
2009 - 1920
D1919 - 1800
F
1799 - 0
Rev 6/21/16
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