THE 172: INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE
SPRING 2013
TTh 4:00-5:15
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
PHONE:
E-MAIL:
ANITA TECCE
H-118
410-822-5400, X2278
atecce@chesapeake.edu
TEXT:
Theatre: The Lively Art by Wilson and Goldfarb, 7th ed.
COURSE CONTENT: The first half of this course will study the 7 basic elements of
theatre, one at a time: the audience, the director, the playwright, the play, the actors, the
theater space, and the design elements (scenery, costumes, light, and sound). In the
second half, we will look at theatre through the ages, from the ancient Greeks to the
present, seeing how styles, trends and customs in theatre have changed through the years.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: You are expected to:
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attend all classes and participate in class discussion and activities;
read all assignments and be prepared to discuss them in class;
study for two major tests;
attend and review Chesapeake College’s fall production and one additional fulllength production of your choice;
complete a final project involving either participation in a stage production or a
research project (details to follow);
behave in a polite, respectful, adult fashion at all times;
do a minimum of two hours of work outside of class for every hour in class—
some assignments may require more time.
GRADING:
Class participation
Play reviews
Quizzes/homework
Tests
Final project
Total
10 points
20 points
10 points
40 points
20 points
100 points
ATTENDANCE:
Because of the nature of this class, it is important that you attend all classes or close to it.
If you must be absent (because you are really sick or some other equally dire reason), you
do not need to call me. You do, however, need to contact one of your classmates and find
out what you missed during class and what your assignment is for the next class. Absence
is not a valid excuse for being unprepared and will result in a zero for the assignment.
Important note: If you are scheduled to give an oral presentation and simply do not
show up, you will receive a zero. No exceptions!
EXPLANATION OF GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS
CLASS PARTICIPATION (10 points):
This grade includes both attendance and contribution to
the class. You will lose 5 points (out of 100) from this
grade for each absence beyond the first, which is free. If
you do not participate in class or if your effect on the
class is negative rather than positive, you will also lose
points on this portion of your grade.
PLAY REVIEWS (20 points):
You are required to attend and review two performances this semester, one at Chesapeake
and one additional review of a full-length play at another college, community theater, or
professional theater. (No high school shows, musical revues, children’s shows or
church presentations, please.) Performance dates for the Chesapeake show are given
later in this syllabus. PLEASE ARRANGE YOUR SCHEDULE TO FIT IN ONE OF
THESE PERFORMANCES AS SOON AS NECESSARY. Your Chesapeake review
should consist of 6 sections: Introduction, Acting, Directing, Script, Design elements, and
Conclusion. Your second review will have a 7th section: Brief Plot Summary
Your reviews will be delivered orally. A written version (typed, two page minimum, not
counting the plot summary) will also be handed in. Your first review will be given on
April 16th and the second on April 25th . There are no make-ups for the oral part of the
reviews! Late written reviews may be handed in for a possible 50 points.
TESTS (40 points):
You will have two major tests, one on the elements of theatre and one on the history of
theatre. They will be mostly multiple choice, with one essay question on each. Each test
will count for 20% of your grade. You should take notes on
everything covered in class and be sure to STUDY your notes
and your textbook for both tests. You will not be able to do
well on the test simply by being in class or by osmosis. YOU
MUST STUDY. If you must miss a test, you must contact me
immediately. You will only be given a make-up if you have a
really good, verifiable reason for missing the test and if you
request a make-up. You will lose 10 points for each day of
lateness. Once the tests have been returned and gone over,
there are no more make-ups.
QUIZZES/ HOMEWORK (10 points):
You will have several quizzes and homework assignments
of various types throughout the semester, which will be
averaged to form this part of your grade. Late assignments
will be accepted for half credit.
FINAL PROJECT (20 points):
You have 3 choices for a final project. You have until February 14th to decide which one
you would like to do and let me know in writing. Here are your choices:
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Participate either on-stage or backstage in Chesapeake
College’s production this semester. Remember that this
requires a major commitment and a lot of your time, but it is
also fun and rewarding. After the production, you will be
expected to give an oral presentation to the class, telling us
about your experiences.
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Form a group of 4 or 5 students and create a scene to perform
for the class at the end of the semester. This will involve
writing the scene, performing it, directing it, gathering
costumes, preparing props and scenery, doing lights, etc. The
scene should be about 10-15 minutes. If you choose to do this one, please see me for
necessary paperwork and due dates. You will be expected to give an oral presentation
to the class after your performance, telling us about your experiences.
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Do research on one of the topics covered in class (see attached list of suggested topics
later in this syllabus) and prepare a presentation. It should include:
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3-4 pages of text
photos, illustrations, charts, etc.
video or Power Point
at least 5 sources
A list of suggested topics is attached. You will present during the
last week of classes or on final exam day, depending on the topic
you choose. Your report should be between 10 and 15 minutes.
Do NOT merely repeat what we’ve already discussed in class or
what is in your textbook. Your job is to ADD to our knowledge
and understanding of your subject. This is a MAJOR project and
should be thorough and well prepared.
EXTRA CREDIT:
If you choose to, you may earn extra credit in two ways:
You can see additional plays and write additional reviews.
Ten points will be added to one of your grades for each
review, up to a total of 3 (30 points).
You may also earn extra credit by participating in any area
of theatrical production. You will receive five points for every hour you spend on the
Chesapeake College fall production. You may do any of the following:
 attend auditions
 play a part as an “extra”
 work with lights or sound
 work on props or set
 serve as an understudy at rehearsals
 assist with set construction
 paint or wallpaper
 watch rehearsals
 sell tickets and refreshments at performances
 assist with load-in and/or strike.
You MUST keep track of your extra credit hours in a journal, along with a brief
explanation of what you did, what you experienced, and what you learned, and have
each entry SIGNED by me or another person approved by me. Each entry should be at
least one hand-written page. If you do not have proper documentation and a signature,
you will NOT receive credit for the work you have done. You will receive 5 points on
one of your grades for every hour you work, up to a total of 10 hours (50 points).
Please understand that extra credit points are NOT added to your final grade. That would
be ridiculous. They are added to ONE of your grades. For example, if you are unhappy
with a test grade of 60, you can spend an hour watching auditions and an hour helping
build the set and bring your test grade up to 70. Another hour spent watching a rehearsal
and one additional play review and your test grade is now an 85.
It takes a LOT of extra credit to make a difference in your final grade. The rule is: 10
extra credit points will add 1 point to your final grade.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You may NOT use the same role in the same production for
more than one of the above assignments. For example, if you serve as Stage
Manager for a show, you may use that experience for your final project, but you
may not use it for extra credit. However, if you serve 2 functions in a production—
for example, if you are the Stage Manager AND also work on painting the set—you
may use the set-painting hours as part of your extra credit hours.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE:
Dishonesty will not be tolerated!
Any student who submits work that is not his own will receive a
zero for that assignment. DO NOT attempt to review a play
that you have not seen! You will be busted and receive a zero.
CLASS CONTACTS:
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
REMEMBER: This is a “fun” class and involves a lot of
participation from class members. Do not, however, make the
mistake of thinking it is a “blow-off” course or an “easy A.” You’ll
receive 3 college credits for this class and you will
have to earn them, as with any other transfer level
course. It is absolutely essential that you study for your tests, hand
in your work, and take your presentations seriously or you will
almost certainly fail. It is very easy to make an A in this class—
however, it is also very easy to wind up with an F! Enjoy this class
and have fun—but go for the A!
Academic Instruction Emergency Management Plan
In the event that Chesapeake College needs to close for an extended period of time due to
a flu pandemic, severe weather event, or other emergency situation, consideration will be
given to the timing and duration of the closure as follows:
1. Closure during the semester for up to one week—there will be an opportunity to make
up work missed without significant alteration to the semester calendar.
2. Closure extending beyond one week (or in situations where classes are cancelled on
the same days/evenings over multiple weeks)—the College may extend the length of
the semester. Depending on the timing of the closure, scheduled breaks, end of
semester dates, and/or the processing of final grades might be impacted.
Students can acquire information about closures on the College website or by calling
410-822-5400 or 410-228-4360. Chesapeake College courses held at off campus sites
will follow the protocol of the host facility.
PEAKE PLAYERS
FALL PRODUCTION DATES
Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling
Auditions:
Monday, January 28th, at 4:00 PM
Tuesday, January 29th, at 7:00 PM
The Cadby Theatre
Performances:
April 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 P.M.
Thursday at 4:00 P.M.
Sundays at 2:30 P.M.
The Cadby Theater
General Admission:
Students:
Chesapeake College students:
$10
$5
FREE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this semester, you will be able to:
1. identify and explain the basic elements of theatre, i.e., actors, director, audience,
text, space, and design;
2. discuss the historical trends in theatre, from the ancient Greeks to the present day;
3. experience theatre first-hand, as an audience member or as a participant;
4. write and present orally a critique of a stage production in regard to all of the
basic elements of theatre.
TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
1/22-24
Course overview
Introductions
Nature of theatre
Elements of theatre
Chap. 1
Chap. 2
WEEK 2
1/29-31
Theatre vocabulary
WEEK 3
2/5-7
The Audience
The Actor
Chap. 3
Chap. 6
WEEK 4
2/12-14
The Playwright
Dramatic Genres
FINAL PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE
Chap. 4
Chap. 5
WEEK 5
2/19-21
The Director and the Producer
Theater Spaces
Chap. 7
Chap. 8
WEEK 6
2/26-28
Designers: Scenery and Costumes
Designers: Lighting and Sound
Chap. 9
Chap. 10
WEEK 7
3/5-7
Visit to Cadby and TPAC
TEST #1
WEEK 8
3/12-14
Greek Theatre
Roman Theatre
3/19-21
SPRING BREAK
WEEK 9
3/26-28
Medieval Theatre
Asian Theatre
WEEK 10
4/2-4
Renaissance Theatre in England
Chap. 13
Renaissance Theatre in Italy, France, Spain Chap. 13
WEEK 11
4/9-11
Restoration Through Romanticism
Early Modern Theatre
Chap. 14
Chap. 15
WEEK 12
4/16-18
FIRST PLAY REVIEW
20th Century Theatre
Chap. 16
WEEK 13
4/23-25
Today’s Theatre
SECOND PLAY REVIEW
WEEK 14
4/30-5/2
TEST #2
BEGIN FINAL PROJECTS
FINAL EXAM DAY
FINISH FINAL PROJECTS
Chap. 11
Chap. 11
Chap. 11
Chap. 12
Chap.17
RESEARCH PROJECT TOPICS
Use the following topics as a “kickoff” for your project. Sign up for
the topic you want and then present to me, in writing, a brief
description of what your project will entail. Your proposal is due on
February 14th. Your project is due on May 2nd.
I. The role of one of the following in theatre, the development of one of the following
throughout the centuries, etc.:
Audience
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Director
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Playwright
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Acting
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Types of theater spaces
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Scene design
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Costume design
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Stage makeup
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Lighting design
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Sound design
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II. A study of one of the following types of play, a detailed study of one or more
examples of the type of play, a detailed study of a playwright, a study of 5-10 different
productions of one of the plays, etc.:
Greek Theatre
Oedipus the King
Roman Theatre
Medieval Theatre
Elizabethan Theatre
Shakespearean Theatre
Hamlet
Othello
Commedia dell’arte
Melodrama
17th century French Theatre
Moliere
Realism
A Doll’s House
Naturalism
American musical theatre
Theatre of the absurd
African-American theatre
Latino Theatre
Steel Magnolias
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