The Theater Course Syllabus

The Theater, Spring 2010

T005B : Wed 4:10-6:00 pm, Room E197
Course Support Number: 1313-6062

Instructors

Shannon Scrofano: sscrofano@gmail.com
Chi-wang Yang: chi-wang@mysteriously.org

Teaching Assistants

Marina McClure: marina.l.mcclure@gmail.com
Brian Tichnell: briantichnell@alum.calarts.edu

Purpose

To encounter the productions of the CalArts season in text and performance; to develop critical vocabulary and practices; to engage in conversation with the makers of the work; to conduct, evaluate and represent contextual research; to respond to art as artists; to practice critical writing; to gather sense on who we are as a community (in the School of Theater and in the Institute), as makers, co-makers and witnesses to art.

Students will be writing critically and creatively, on-line and in hard-copy, considering what they are seeing and what they are showing, in a language that helps show artists their own work and audiences their world. We will consider theater presented in a number of contexts (readings, workshops, productions) and in a range of media.

The Theater class will be highly interactive. Each session will be structured around the massive artistic energy brought forth by the School of Theater and REDCAT productions. Students will engage in direct conversations with the collaborators involved in creation of the shows, including students, faculty and guest artists.

Requirements

Attendance: More than two unexcused absences and the student receives an NX for the semester. If you cannot make it to class for any reason, you must notify the instructors in advance otherwise it will automatically be considered unexcused. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what happened and to make up any work that was assigned. Arriving to class late, or returning from breaks late will count against your participation grade.

Theater School Productions: Students are required to see all School of Theater season productions (see complete list below). Seating is often limited so it is your responsibility to reserve tickets early before the shows are sold out.

In order to receive credit for seeing the required performances, you must turn in the program from the show with your name and date of attendance clearly written on the front. Programs will be returned to you via your student boxes.

Off-Campus Productions: Students are also required to see at least 2 of the off-site productions listed below, i.e. at REDCAT. You must turn in your program with name date to receive credit for these productions as well.

All-School Meetings: Attendance at all All-School meetings is required.

Response Papers: A total of 5 short response papers will be assigned throughout the semester. Papers must be printed out and left in Shannon Scrofano's faculty mailbox (located near the theater school offices) to receive credit.

Due Dates: All assignments are due by the dates and times specified. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Readings: All required texts must be read before the specified class meeting.

Final Paper: Reflects your measured critical reaction to text (where relevant), context (research), and performance.

Grading

Participation, 25%
Attendance, 25%
Response Papers, 25%
Final Paper, 25%

Class Schedule

• Feb 3 - Machine Orchestra - Guest artists Michael Darling, Ajay Kapur & Team
• Feb 10 - Henry V - Guest artists Mary Lou Rosotto & Team
• Feb 17 - Wooster Group (Response Paper 1)
• Feb 24 - Adam and Eve - Guest rtists Lily Whitsitt & Team
• Mar 3 - Company - Guest artists Poor Dog Group (Response Paper 2)
• Mar 10 - Kenwood Wilderness
• Mar 17 - Playwrights Laboratory (Response Paper 3)
• Mar 24 - [Spring Break]
• Mar 31 - Words & Sentences
• Apr 7 - Bitter Tears of Petra Van Kant
• Apr 14 - Opera (Response Paper 4)
• Apr 21 - Poesia Negra: Race, Sex and the Myth of the American Mytopia (Response Paper 5)
• Apr 28 - Sun: A Poem for Malcolm X Inspired by his Murder
• May 7 - Final Papers due (Typed, printed, and put in instructor box by 5 pm)

Production Schedule

• January 19 - 23, REDCAT: Grupo de Rua: H3
• January 27, REDCAT: SCREAM Festival, KarmetiK Machine Orchestra
• February 10 - 21, REDCAT: The Wooster Group: North Atlantic
• February 19 - 21, Getty Villa: Big Dance Theater, Euripides' Alkestis
• February 24 - 27, REDCAT: Teatro en el Blanco: Diciembre
• February 26 - March 1, Henry V, Directed by Mary Lou Rosato (Faculty)
• March 3 - 12, Adam and Eve, Directed by Lily Whitsitt (MFA3)
• March 18 - 27, REDCAT: Rosanna Gamson/World Wide: Tov
• April 7 - 17, Kenwood Wilderness, By Peter Jensen (MFA3 Wrtier)
• April 14 - 18, REDCAT: John Jasperse Company with ICE: Truth, Revised Histories, Wishful Thinking, and Flat-Out Lies
• April 22 - 24, REDCAT: Carl Hancock Rux: Poesia Negra: Race, Sex and the Myth of the American Mytopia
• April 23 - 24, Opera (with the School of Music)
• April 26 - 30, Sun: A Poem for Malcolm X Inspired by his Murder, Directed by DanRae Wilson (MFA3 Puppetry)
• April 28 - May 4, The Bitter Tears of Petra Van Kant, Directed by Zoe Moore (MFA2 Director)
• May 14-16, Getty Villa: Proyecto Azteca (CalArts Center for New Performance)

In Class Etiquette

No laptops
No cell phones or headphones
No food

Course Support Fee

If you are new to the class, you must pay the $5.00 course support fee. Please go to Accounting, the Cashier’s Office, on the second floor and pay $5.00 (check or cash) into the course account (1313-6062). Then take your receipt to Barb Edwards in the Theater School Office. All course support fees MUST be paid by the end of add-drop.