Faculty Syllabus

Our Course

This survey course is designed to introduce you to the world of theatre, and hopefully, light a fire within you to continue your relationship with it outside of our time together. It will simultaneously serve as a foundation for students interested in studying theatre at the collegiate level and instill an appreciation and deeper understanding of theatre for those who intend to encounter theatre recreationally after this course.

In our time together we will wrestle with the big questions of: “What is theatre?”, “Why theatre?”, and “How did we get to Hamilton?” and attempt to move toward answers. We will study theatre history with the intention of gaining an understanding of how the past informs the now. We will immerse ourselves in a variety of theatrical forms and genres through a series of viewings. We will gain an appreciation of theatre and its artists, a critical lens through which we can view it, and vocabulary that allows us to think and talk about it. Finally, we will try our hands at some practical applications. For most of us we will find that getting up in front of one another isn’t so bad; for the rest of us, we will be inspired and invigorated by the practice.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course the student will…

• Understand and appreciate theatre as a complex, multifaceted art form
• Be able to identify the six Aristotelian Elements of Drama
• Be able to generally map the dramatic structure and identify key dramatic components of a play
• Recognize the historical roots of contemporary performance trends
• Be able to distinguish among major types of theatre and genres of drama
• Be able to generally critique a theatrical production though a developed understanding of theatrical concepts and vocabulary
• Be able to identify the three major types of theatrical spaces and explain their differences when dealing with theatrical experiences
• Understand the basics of the theatrical production process
• Be able to describe the work of the actor and major styles of acting
• Be able to describe the roles of the stage manager and director in a contemporary theatrical production
• Be able to Identify the basic practices involved in dramatic writing
• Be able to identify the roles and responsibilities associated with designers (scenic, costume, sound and lighting)
• Be able to identify the next steps for exploration should the student wish to pursue theatre beyond this course

GRADING SYSTEM

Class grades will be posted in Blackboard.  Final grades will be accessible through your MyACC account.

Your course grade will be the total percentage of points you have earned across all assignments, quizzes, assessments, and other projects. 

COURSE POLICIES

Live Event Attendance

Students are required to attend and respond critically to two live theatre productions during the semester. Information for ticketing and scheduled performances at ACC can be found at https://admc.austincc.edu/drama/acc-dramas-current-season/

High School productions will not count for credit. Students may not critically respond to a play they are personally involved with.

Admission fees, transportation, and other costs for these productions are part of the overall materials cost for this course. Many college and professional theatres offer discounts for students. Students may attend college, professional, or community theatre or musical theatre events. Be careful to avoid opera or dance events (unless of course you want to go see them for your own fun and enjoyment!), as they will not count as acceptable events for the purposes of these review assignments. Students must submit with their papers visual proof of attendance – a selfie at the venue where the play is showing is sufficient.

Students are HIGHLY encouraged not to wait to the last minute to get tickets and make arrangements to see these live performances.

Required Reading

• The Essential Theatre; 11th Edition by Brocket and Ball (the 11th Edition is preferred)
• Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (copy available on Blackboard)
• Hamlet
• A Doll's House
• Waiting for Godot
• The Piano Lesson
• Sweat

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR
Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement.