Drew University Moodle

THEATRE 145 is intended to be a practical introduction to the responsibilities, preparation, rehearsal, and performance techniques of the director. It is an intensive laboratory course. During this course, students will take an active hands-on approach to learning about the physical and analytical aspects of directing. Through class exercises, seminar-style discussions, scene work, and critical readings of texts, students will learn how to lead the creative process of rehearsal, analyze plays and apply theory to performance. Students will have multiple opportunities to create, direct and work collaboratively.


LEARNING OUTCOMES
This class will allow students to:
-Gain a practical understanding of directing techniques.
-Experience basic production aspects of working in the theater.
-Gain experience of the rehearsal process.
-Gain a fuller understanding of the communication skills necessary for artistic collaboration.
-Understand a wide range of contemporary dramatic literature.
-Work collaboratively to accomplish intellectual and creative tasks.

This course is designed to offer a brief and basic introduction to the fundamentals of Stage Combat. In class we will explore these fundamentals through instruction and participation in “Single Sword”, unarmed combat, falls, and rolls. The goal is to provide all class participants with the basic physical and verbal vocabulary to effectively and safely create believable violence on stage, as well as a sense of comfort around and competency with basic stage combat techniques.

During the course of the semester, students will study the craft of directing through the experience of directing a one-act or full-length play for public performance. This class will serve as a place of support and ensemble as students navigate this process. Classroom discussion will focus on works in progress, with special emphasis on the problems of translating a text to the stage; working with actors, designers, and playwrights. By the end of the course, students will have explored and strengthened their process as a director and begun to develop their individual artistic point of view.