INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE - Chesapeake College

THE 172: INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE
SPRING ’08
MON & WED 11:30-12:45
H-103
INSTRUCTOR: ANITA TECCE
OFFICE: H-109
PHONE:
410-822-5400, X278
E-MAIL: atecce@chesapeake.edu
TEXT:
Theatre: The Lively Art by Wilson and Goldfarb, 6 th ed.
COURSE CONTENT: This 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:
• 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 in November and one
additional full-length 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;
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 theatre 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 7 th section: Brief Plot Summary
Your review 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
Mon., April 7th and the second on Mon., April 28th. There are no make-ups for the
oral part of review! 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 (including non-class days). 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 but points will be lost.
FINAL PROJECT (20 points):
You have 3 choices for a final project. You have until Feb. 13 th to decide which one you
would like to do and let me know in writing. Here are your choices:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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:
• 3-4 pages of text
• photos, illustrations, charts, etc.
• video or Power Point (optional)
• at least 5 sources
• a handout for all members of the class summarizing your
report
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. Power Point is highly
recommended.

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 spring 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!

PEAKE PLAYERS
FALL PRODUCTION DATES
Auditions:
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Wednesday, January 30th
Thursday, January 31st
4:00 P.M.
Todd Performing Arts Center
Performances:
March 28 th , 29 th , 30 th
April 4 th , 5 th , 6 th
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 P.M.
Sundays at 2:30 P.M.
Todd Performing Arts Center
General Admission: $12
Students: $6
Chesapeake College students: FREE
FINAL GRADE CALCULATION:
The number in parentheses is the number of possible points
you can ea rn for that assignment. (100=10 points, 95=9½,
90= 9, etc.) Keep t rack of your progress throughout the
semester so that yo ur final grade does not come as a shock to
you.
Grading key: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C,
60-69=D, below 60=F.
Grade
Points
Class participation: (10) _____ _____
Play reviews: (20)
_____ _____
Tests: (40)
_____ _____
Quizzes/homework: (10) _____ _____
Final project: (20) _____ _____
Extra credit (80): _____ _____
TOTAL:
GRADE:
_____
_____
_____

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
WEEK 1 1/23 Course overview
WEEK 2 1/28-30 Introductions
Nature of theatre
Elements of theatre
Theatre vocabulary
Chap. 1
Chap. 1
WEEK 3 2/4-6 The Audience
Chap. 4
The Actor Chap. 5
WEEK 4 2/11-13 The Playwright
Dramatic Genres
FINAL PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE
Chap. 6
Chap. 7
WEEK 5 2/18-20 The Director and the Producer
Chap. 8
Theater Spaces Chap. 9
WEEK 6 2/25-27
Designers: Scenery and Costumes Chap. 10
Designers: Lighting and Sound Chap. 11
WEEK 7 3/3-5 The House
Profile of a Production Chap. 12
TEST #1
WEEK 8 3/10-12
Greek Theatre Chap. 13
Roman Theatre
Chap. 13
3/17-19 SPRING BREAK
WEEK 9
WEEK 10
3/24-26 Asian and Medieval Theatre Chap. 14
Renaissance Theatre in England Chap. 15
3/31-4/2 Renaissance Theatre--Italy, France, Spain Chap. 15
Restoration Through Romanticism Chap. 16
WEEK 11 4/7-9 FIRST PLAY REVIEW
Early Modern Theatre Chap. 17
th
WEEK 12 4/14-16 20 Century Diversity Chap. 18
WEEK 13 4/21-23 Contemporary Trends
TEST #2
Chap. 19
WEEK 14 4/28-30 SECOND PLAY REVIEW
BEGIN FINAL PROJECTS
WEEK 15 5/5 CONTINUE FINAL PROJECTS
FINAL EXAM DAY (5/7)
COMPLETE FINAL PROJECTS

RESEARCH PROJECT TOPICS AND SIGN-UP SHEET
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
Wednesday, February 13th. Your project is due the last class week of
classes.
I. The role of one of the following in theatre, the development of one of the following
throughout the centuries, etc.:
Audience
______________________________
Director
______________________________
Playwright
______________________________
Acting
______________________________
Types of theater spaces ______________________________
Scene design
______________________________
Costume design
______________________________
Stage makeup
______________________________
Lighting design
______________________________
Sound design
______________________________
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 Thea tre ______________________________
Shakespearean Theatre ______________________________
Hamlet
______________________________
Othello
______________________________
Commedia dell’arte ______________________________
Melodrama
______________________________
17 th century French Theatre ______________________________
Moliere
______________________________
Tartuffe
______________________________
Realism
______________________________
A Doll’s House
______________________________
Naturalism
______________________________
American musical theat re
Theatre of the absurd
______________________________
______________________________
African-American theatr e
Latino Theatre
______________________________
______________________________
Death of a Salesman ______________________________