Plays in Play

Fall 2012

Plays in Play: The Ensemble and the Playwright

Listed in: Theater and Dance, as THDA-242

Faculty

Ron Bashford (Section 01)

Description

In this course, students conduct a semester-long rehearsal investigation into the work of a particular playwright, and explore ways in which coordinated action renders distinctive writing in theatrical form.  We will examine selected plays, background material, and study theatrical conventions related to the selected playwright, and we will  practice ensemble techniques of close textual investigation, acting and staging.  Emphasis is placed on the means and practical advantages of developing a shared vision, and on the analytical and performative ways of communicating required to do so.  While primarily geared toward students interested in acting and directing, the course is designed to develop a collaborative model of the functions of acting, directing, designing and dramaturgy.  All students should expect to act, co-direct, conduct research, and explore basic design implications together.  The course will culminate in a workshop-style performance.  This course may be repeated once when the playwright/topic is different.  The chosen playwright for fall of 2012 is Molière. 

Requisite: A prior course in THDA or permission of the instructor. Not open to first-year students. Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Professor Bashford. 

If Overenrolled: Interested students should come to the first class. An ensemble appropriate to working with the material will be chosen based on artistic considerations and a mix of student backgrounds.

Course times and locations

THDA 242 - L/D

Section 01
Tu 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM WEBS 19
Th 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM WEBS 19

Textbooks

ISBN	Title	Publisher	Author(s)	Comment	Book Store	Price
	The Actor and the Target: New Edition [Paperback]	Theatre Communications Group; Revised edition (September 1, 2006)	Declan Donnellan	Needed by 9/4	Amherst Books	TBD
	One-Act Comedies of Moliere: Seven Plays (Actor's Moliere Vol. 4) [Paperback]	Applause Books; Revised edition (June 1, 2000)	Moliere; Albert Bermel	Do not substitute; Needed by 9/4/1	Amherst Books	TBD
	The Misanthrope and Tartuffe [Paperback]	Mariner Books (October 20, 1965)	Moliere; Richard Wilbur	Do not substitute; Needed by 10/1	Amherst Books	TBD
	The Misanthrope [Paperback]	Broadway Play Pub (March 30, 2004)	Constance Congdon; Moliere	Do not substitute; Needed by 10/1	Amherst Books	TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2012, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016