Course Orientation
(Syllabus)
Course Orientation (Syllabus)
THEA 1013 - Introduction to Theatre
Course Description
A dynamic introductory course which examines theatre analysis, history, dramatic structure,
outstanding dramatic literature, and the various roles in theatre production including the playwright,
actor, producer, director, the design team, production staff, and dramaturgy. Utilizes lecture, film
review, play reading, live theatre attendance, individual projects, and group projects.
Required Materials
Text/Reference: Theatre in a Teacup
by Isaac Walters. Great Rivers Technology. 1st Edition, May
1, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-61549-673-0
This online textbook may be purchased from the UVU Bookstore or by going to the Great River
Technology website. Step-by-step instructions to purchase the text online can be found here
Actions
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How This Course Works
Each week students will participate in online course materials by reading, viewing, discussing,
working within groups, and submitting assignments.
Two of your seven papers will require attending two live theatre events in your area during the
semester, so please plan ahead to meet your deadlines. While many different types of activity
may be considered performance not all are actually “theater” Therefore, please confine
yourselves to actual scripted plays when doing your Performance Papers. These include
musicals, comedies, dramas etc. but do NOT include music concerts, dance concerts,
performance art, Thriller, ice skating shows, The Blue Man Group, street musicians and many
other performance modes. The point of the class is to help you learn about theater and these
other forms of entertainment, while enjoyable and often of high quality do not accomplish that
end. Desert Star Playhouse in Salt Lake City is operated by dear friends of mine and is
entertaining and enjoyable but is primarily parody of other scripted works. You may choose to
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Develop a deep and abiding appreciation for and understanding of theatre as an art form.
2. Actively participate in four of the essential areas of the theatre: playwriting, acting, design, and
analysis.
3. Develop critical thinking about theatre as a product.
4. Understand the periods of theatre history and their relationship to playwriting.
5. Think critically about and write a knowledgeable analysis of theatre presentation and dramatic
structures.
6. Appreciate the process of theatrical creation.
attend there for one Performance Paper only. For those who enjoy Opera that form may serve
as the matter for one Performance Paper.
If you live on the Wasatch Front there many venues for live theatre. These include:
UVU Department of Theatre Arts (Awarded best collegiate play, director, actress, costume and set
design in the nation by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/American College Theatre
Festival in 2013. So you are sitting on a goldmine and probably ought to attend a play here, if
possible, and see why.)
BYU Media Arts, U of U Theater Dept. Weber State Dept. of Theater and Dance, The Covey Center
for the Arts (Provo). Capitol Theater (SLC), Pioneer Theater Company (SLC), Sundance Summer
Theater, The Echo Theater (Provo), The Hale Center Theater (Orem and Salt Lake), The Scera
Theater (Orem), The Zion Theater Company (Utah Valley), The Castle (Provo), Pleasant Grove
Players (Pleasant Grove), and others. Local high schools also do performances of plays and musicals
but are generally not the level of quality of the others. You may attend these if you like however. For
those of you living outside this area please try to see the best quality work you can. There is a lot out
there to choose from.
One of the options for your individual culminating project requires the assignment to be video recorded, posted to a
web hosting service such as YouTube or Vimeo, and then the link to the video needs to be submitted via the
assignment. It is highly recommended that you register with a video Web hosting service and become
familiar with editing and uploading your video well ahead of the deadline. Use whatever video recording
technology you have readily available. The instructor is NOT expecting professional videography. Your best effort of
submitting a representative video of your assignment will be sufficient.
Communication
The best way to communicate with the instructor is through the Canvas Inbox. If you have a question
about the course, chances are that other students will have the same question. The instructor will
regularly monitor the Inbox and respond as quickly as feasible.
Additionally, there is a "Students Helping Students" discussion. This discussion is a place for
students to help each other through the course.
If you are having technical difficulties, please contact the Distance Education help line. The
instructor or teacher's aid cannot help you with technical issues:
Distance Education Help
Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm
Phone: 801-863-8255
Toll Free: 1-888-425-4412
E-mail: [email protected]
Grades
Grading Scale : This scale represents your percentage of total points
Assignment Details
All assignments are to be completed and submitted online. This course has regular deadlines throughout the
semester.
Major Assignments - These assignments will require students to spend significant time outside of the course
thinking and participating in the activity. Additional people may be required in order to complete the
assignment.
Minor Assignments -These assignments should be able to be completed within the context of the course
relatively quickly. Minor assignments include the Dramatic Structure Quiz, the Assumptions activity and the
Theatre Productions wiki and assignment pages.
A
=
100-94%
B-
=
83-80%
D+
=
69-67%
A-
=
93-90%
C+
=
79-77%
D
=
66-64%
B+
=
89-87%
C
=
76-74%
D-
=
63-60%
B
=
86-84%
C-
=
73-70%
E
</=
59%
Assignments
Percent
Major Assignments (2 @ 30 points each).
10
Minor Assignments (3 @ 5-10 points each).
5
Discussions (11@ 5 points each)
20
Culminating Individual Project (1 @ 50
points)
30
Major Papers (4 @ 30 points each)
30
Minor Papers (3 @ 10 points each)
5
Total
100
Discussions - For each of the discussions, respond to the initial discussion prompt and check back to follow
up on any further prompts that may develop in the discussion. It is important to respond by Wednesday of
each week with your initial posts and follow up later in the week with your responses to fellow classmates to
benefit from the full discussion. Posts to the discussion should be respectful and include supporting materials
for your positions. It is okay to disagree. In fact, much learning occurs when participants disagree WHEN
handled appropriately.
Culminating Individual Project - In lesson three, you will begin working on the assignment that will culminate
with your finished project at the end of the semester.
Major Papers - These papers will require students to use evidence to support a position. They will require a
thesis statement and should provide a cohesive argument. Major papers will include the two Script Analysis
papers and three Performance Analysis papers. Major papers are expected to be 2-3 pages long, double
spaced, maximum of one inch margins and 12 point font, and should use proper grammar and spelling.
Minor Papers - These papers will be opinion-based and should justify their position. Minor papers are
expected to be 1-2 pages in length, double spaced, maximum of one-inch margins and 12-point font, and
should use proper grammar and spelling.