Do you enjoy evenings at the theatre but want to know more about what you are seeing? Have you ever wondered if knowing about the historical context of a play, a theatre company, or a style would help you better enjoy a production you see? If so, this is the class for you! Through a series of readings and guided discussions, we'll educate ourselves as audience members for three productions put on by three different local theater companies.
One week we'll read a play or the source material and explore it from a literary, dramatic, and historical point of view. We then will see the production on our own, and in the following week's class session we will explore what we saw, considering performance style, technique and production values. Discussions of the plays and the productions will be facilitated by an instructor trained in theatre history and dramatic theory, and experienced as a director and dramaturg. There will also be an "extra" week to discuss theatre history or production in general.
This course requires attendance at the three plays. Students are responsible for securing their own tickets to the following productions: ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL at Shakespeare Theater (see between 10/5 and 10/10); THREE SISTERS at the Kennedy Center (see on 10/19 or 10/20); and OKLAHOMA! at Arena Stage (see between 11/9 and 11/14).
Handouts & Links:
handout - resources & glossary terms (.pdf)