.MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY COURSE SYLLABUS
SEMESTER/YEAR: Spring 2009, 2nd half of the semester,
weekly
CLASS: ENGL/HUM 360.1M (4 cr) Theatre in St.
Louis
PREREQUISITE: ENGL 101
MEETING LOCATION FOR THE FIRST CLASS 12 MAR ONLY:
Reid 2314
**** Check the Course Calendar **** Meeting times
and locations vary ****
MEETING DATES AND TIMES: 12,19,26 Mar; 2,16,23,30
Apr
Course information is posted on the Desire2Learn system
http://learn.maryville.edu. Use your Maryville email name and password
on D2L to access course information and submit work.
This syllabus is also posted on the web:
http://accweb.itr.maryville.edu/schwartz
INSTRUCTOR:
Leah Schwartz, Ph.D., Professor of English
OFFICE: ABAC 3206 PHONE: 314-529-9409
VOICEMAIL: 314-529-9201 + 9409#
FAX: 314-529-9965 (College of Arts and Sciences office)
EMAIL:
lschwartz@maryville.edu
WEB:
http://accweb.itr.maryville.edu/schwartz
REQUIRED TEXT: Tom Markus, Linda Sarver.
Another Opening, Another Show, 2nd ed. Mayfield
Publishing Co., 2005. ISBN 0-07-256260-9 paperback.
Please note:
- Not all meeting times are the same. Curtain times vary, and at some shows
LATECOMERS ARE NOT ADMITTED.
- Only the first class meeting, Thursday 12 Mar 2008, begins at 6:00p. at
Maryville, Reid 2314. For all subsequent meetings, students meet the teacher
to sign in and pick up their ticket in the theatre lobby AT LEAST 20 minutes
before curtain time.
- The productions generally run 2-3 hours.
- Students provide their own transportation to the theatres. URLs for online
maps are provided in the Course Calendar.
- The ideas, costumes, language, and acting of most commercial and
educational theatre productions are appropriate for mature, adult audiences.
This syllabus may be altered to meet
student or instructional needs.
TEACHER’S OFFICE HOURS 09/sp in ABAC 3206: M,W
10:30-12, 1:40-3
TEACHER’S CLASS SCHEDULE 09/sp
TTh 1:40-2:55p FPAR 210.01 Performance Workshop I, Huttig Chapel
Th 3:30-5:30p EDUC 579.01 Teaching English Secondary, Parkway South High
School
Th 6p ENGL/HUM 360.1M, Reid 2314 12 Mar; other locations through 30 Apr
MW 12:15-1:30p SPCH 110F.F1 Oral Communication, Reid 2317
MW 3:05-4:20 FPAR 205H.1H Writing and Performing the 10-Minute Play, Huttig
Chapel
COURSE GOALS:
To increase students’ knowledge of theatre
To show students the variety of theatre available in St. Louis
To encourage students to become informed critics of theatre
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Student will experience various types of theatre
productions at various venues.
Measurement: attendance at entire performance of the productions.
Student will demonstrate ability to discuss the
productions with a peer group.
Measurement: participation in the online discussions of performances
by volunteering thoughtful comments about the productions and supporting
their opinions about aspects of the production.
Student will demonstrate understanding of theatre
terminology.
Measurement: appropriate use of theatre terminology in written
assignments and online discussions. Written analysis of items in the text.
Student will demonstrate ability to write
meaningfully about theatre.
Measurement: online discussions, analysis of items in the text,
independent learning experience.
Student will demonstrate ability to think clearly and logically.
Measurement: online discussions and written projects in which ideas
and opinions are presented coherently and supported with details.
Student will demonstrate ability to write clearly
and logically.
Measurement: written projects and online discussions in which ideas
and opinions are presented coherently and are supported with details, using
standard grammar, usage, and punctuation.
Student will demonstrate aesthetic appreciation.
Measurement: showing, in online discussions and written projects,
understanding of how the art of theatre works, plays, and conveys meaning.
COURSE POLICIES:
Written
work should be clear, coherent, and unified.
Standard spelling, usage, and grammar must be used. If sources are used
or quoted, provide an appropriate and consistent system of crediting the
sources through internal notes, footnotes, or endnotes and provide a list of
sources.
Plagiarism
policy:
Any instance of plagiarism will result in a course grade of “F.”
All instances of plagiarism are reported to the dean of the College of Arts
and Sciences,
who informs other appropriate University offices.
Students must show the teacher copies of any print or electronic materials
used for class projects, if requested.
For definition and examples of plagiarism, see
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
Attendance
policy:
Missing 2 of the 7 performances will result in a course grade of “F.”
Hardship option: Attend another production if you must miss a
scheduled one or choose not to see a scheduled one; hand in a brief critique
+ program + ticket stub of that substitute production (the only instance of
“hard copy” for this course—all other written work must be submitted online,
on time, at the course D2L site).
Our group tickets are not usually exchangeable for alternate dates.
Students establish attendance at the play productions
by signing in with the teacher at the beginning and at the end of each play
performance.
Arrive in plenty of time (at least 20 minutes before curtain time) to pick
up your ticket from the teacher and be seated.
Some venues will not seat latecomers.
Students
are responsible for
Materials in the course syllabus and any amendments posted on the D2L
site or announced in the class meeting 12 Mar;
and for retrieving Maryville email messages related to the course.
Submitting work on time; missing work:
Work must be submitted on the D2L site by the deadline for each item.
Missing work will receive not a zero grade but a negative grade.
If the independent learning experience project is not turned in, the
course grade will be “F.”
COURSE CALENDAR
Session 1 12 Mar
6:00p class in Reid 2314; 7:40 sign-in at theatre; 8:00 curtain time
*** Assignment: Read the text to prepare for the 16 April assignment
“Analysis of ideas in the text” and support for your contributions to the
online discussions of the first 3 performances***
Euridice, a drama by Sarah Ruhl based on the Greek myth of
Orpheus and Euridice, produced by The Orange Girls
http://www.orangegirls.org/index.html, performed in the Anheuser-Busch
Black Box Theatre at COCA, 524 Trinity Ave, U City 63130.
There will be a discussion with the cast after the 90-minute show; stay if
you wish.
Directions from Maryville for our drive to the theatre after 6p class:
I-64 EAST to I-170 NORTH
Exit I-170 to Delmar EAST
Drive almost to the U City Loop, turning RIGHT on
Trinity just after you pass through the big pillars with lions on top. There
is parking behind the COCA building at 524 Trinity 63130 + a little street
parking.
Map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=University+City&state=MO&address=524+Trinity+Ave&zipcode=63130-4314&country=US&latitude=38.655883&longitude=-90.311218&geocode=ADDRESS
Session 2
19 Mar 7:40 sign-in for 8:00 curtain time
*** Assignment due today: online discussion of Euridice***
Glengarry Glen Ross, a drama by David Mamet, produced by HotCity
Theatre
http://www.hotcitytheatre.org/, performed at the Kranzberg Arts Center,
501 N Grand 63103, 314-289-4060, 314-289-4063 (box
office). Warning: adult language.
Map:
http://maps.live.com/?q=501+north+grand+63103&mkt=en-US&FORM=BYRE
Kranzberg Arts Center, just south of the Fox, is at the corner of Grand and
Olive. Street parking is available as well as parking in lots on Washington.
Session 3 26 Mar 7:40
sign-in for 8:00 curtain time
*** Assignment due today: online discussion of Glengarry Glen Ross
***
Souvenir, comic, based on a true story, by Stephen
Temperley, produced by the Repertory Theatre of St Louis
http://www.repstl.org/, performed at the Loretto Hilton Center on the
campus of Webster University 130 Edgar Road 63119, 314-968-4925.
The performance is mounted in the Emerson Studio Theatre, lower level of the
Loretto Hilton Center, accessible from the main lobby of the Loretto Hilton.
The Emerson Studio is a black box theatre space—a room in which stage area
and audience seating may be arranged in any configuration that suits the
show, black so costumes and set attract your attention. Since the house
seats only 125, you’ll have a close view of the action.
Seating is general admission (no assigned seats).
The Rep website has good information.
Directions: In Webster Groves, just south of Big Bend and just west
of the Y intersection of Big Bend and Lockwood. From I-44, exit at Elm and
drive north to Big Bend (first intersection, has a traffic signal). Turn
right on Big Bend and drive a mile or so to Edgar (traffic signal). Continue
on Big Bend for 50 feet to the driveway on the right into pay parking—or
continue another 300 feet and try your luck with free parking behind Nerinx
Hall High School. The Nerinx lot adjoins the Loretto Hilton parking lot.
Just walk across.
Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-29,GGLD:en&q=130+edgar+road+63119
Session 4 2 Apr 7:40 sign-in for 8:00 curtain time
*** Assignment due today: online discussion of Souvenir***
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a drama by Jeffrey Hatcher, produced by
the Repertory Theatre of St Louis
http://www.repstl.org/, performed at the Loretto Hilton Center on the
campus of Webster University 130 Edgar Road 63119 314-968-4925.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is an adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson
novel. It features an ensemble of 7 actors playing various roles. The
performance is mounted in the Browning main auditorium of the Loretto Hilton
Center. The space has a thrust stage, so there are no bad seats in the
house; there is, however, precious little leg room.
The Rep website has good information.
Same directions and map as last week’s production.
Session 5 16 Apr NOTE THE EARLY CURTAIN TIME
6:40 sign-in for 7:00 curtain time
*** Assignment due today: Analysis of ideas in the text ***
My Secret Language of Wishes, a drama by Cori Thomas, produced by
the Black Rep
http://www.stlouisblackrep.com/ at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel
Square 63108, 314-534-3807. The stage has a modified
thrust, but the portion of the stage beyond the proscenium is frequently
heavily used.
Directions: Grandel Theatre is on Grandel Square, a little
street that runs west from Grand Blvd. between the Fox (west side of Grand)
and Powell Symphony Hall (east side of Grand). The theatre is a converted
stone church. It is separated from Grand only by a large grassy space. The
long-vacant (but lighted) Sun theatre is across from it on Grandel Square.
Parking: There are pay parking lots on
Washington west of Grand. There is also street parking on Grandel and other
side streets east and west of Grand.
Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=3610+Grandel+Square,+63108
Session 6 23 Apr 7:40 sign-in for 8:00 curtain time
The Good Person of Setzuan, a drama by
Bertolt Brecht, produced by the St Louis Actors’ Studio
http://www.stlas.org/ in cooperation with the St Louis University
Theatre Department, at the Xavier Hall University Theatre, 3733 West Pine
Mall Blvd (which is NOT a street for cars), a half block east of Vandeventer.
Parking: Laclede Parking Garage on Laclede between Grand and Spring
or street parking on Vandeventer or Lindell
Map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Saint+Louis&state=MO&address=3733+W+Pine+Mall+Blvd&zipcode=63108-3305&country=US&latitude=38.636729&longitude=-90.237683&geocode=ADDRESS
Session 7 30 Apr
7:40 sign-in for 8:00 curtain time
*** Assignment due today: Independent Learning Experience ***
Return to the Forbidden Planet, a musical by Bob Carlton, produced
by New Line Theatre
http://www.newlinetheatre.com/ at the Wash U South Campus Theatre
(former CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road 63105,
314-773-6526.
The musical is a take on the 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet and
Shakespeare’s Tempest. The New Line website has good information.
Parking: Ample parking in a lot on the west side of the building.
Map:
http://www.newlinetheatre.com/directions.html
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS OF THE COURSE WORK:
- 10% of course grade
Attending the entire performance of all 7 plays
No credit in this category for attending fewer than 7 complete plays.
Establish your attendance by signing in with the teacher before and
after the performance.
Hardship option: Attend another production if you must miss
a scheduled one or choose not to see a scheduled one; hand in a brief
critique + program + ticket stub of that substitute production. (Or
attend another performance of the play the rest of the class attended
and submit program + ticket.) This is the only item that may (and must)
be submitted in hard copy during this course. Latest date to submit: 30
Apr.
- 50% of course grade
Analysis of ideas in the text - due 16 Apr
Analysis of ideas in the text to show understanding of theatre
principles
Directions:
Show your understanding of what you have seen in the theatres and what you
have read in the text by discussing a concept in any 10 of the 17 chapters
as you witnessed the material in the chapter used (or abused) in one (or
more) of the productions we have seen so far this semester.
For each of the 10 entries:
-
choose a different chapter
-
give the chapter number and title
-
show your understanding by identifying and discussing the concept you
have chosen and using specific examples from the productions to support what
you think—and appropriate brief quotations from the text (with page numbers)
-
draw relationships, whenever pertinent, with other things you have
learned or observed about theatre and other arts—and with the rest of the
chapter
-
use coherent, effective, economical writing—with standard grammar,
usage, punctuation
Suggested length of each of the 10 entries: 2-3
paragraphs, 200-300 words
A sample entry:
Chapter 8 The Designers’ Vision
Design is a concept important in all arts. The pleasure of examining a
painting or hearing a musical piece comes at least in part from the
perception that the parts create a unified whole. The chapter on design in
the text treats the physical aspects of production: scenery, costume,
lighting, and sound. And these, surely, form a daunting group of parts that
must be created individually but ultimately all work together to form an
effective unit: the mounted production.
I wonder whether the designer of [name of play seen in
this course] did what is mentioned on p.139 and stopped there: “My best work
is my doodles on paper napkins in Italian restaurants.” The text describes
multiple meetings and redos and intricate coordination of all the supporting
design elements. In [name of play seen in this course], however, I saw
furniture that seemed chosen for availability rather than appropriateness to
the period of the play or the color scheme on stage (gold velvet Victorian
sofa on stage left with 2 black Eames chairs stage right). And when the lead
female character [name] sat on the sofa for most of Act 2, I was grateful
for at least her mellifluous voice and witty delivery. Without the vocals, I
wouldn’t have been able to spot her, for her blond hair and warm yellow gown
made her nearly invisible on the similarly colored piece of furniture. At
some point in the design or rehearsal periods, these issues should have
identified and addressed.
- 15% of course grade (5% each play)
Participation in the online discussions of each of the first 3 plays–
due by the dates specified in the Course Calendar section and the
Calendar Table of this syllabus
Contribute, meaningfully, to the discussion of each of the 3 plays.
(200-300 words)
Entries will be evaluated on the basis of the quality (remarks about
aspects of the production, the script, the venue supported by specific
examples, logical discussion, comparison with other productions).
Don’t simply reiterate or contradict someone else’s contribution; if you
refer to others’ discussion points, give reasons you agree or disagree,
supporting your opinion with specific examples, logical discussion, etc.
Use the background you’ve absorbed from the textbook to inform your
discussion. Talk about at least some of the following: genre (Ch 3),
style (Ch 4), scenery, costumes, lighting, special effects, kind of
stage, use of the stage, acting, directing.
Write your contribution in Word so you can check grammar, usage,
punctuation; then copy and paste to the D2L discussion.
- 25% of the course grade
Independent Learning Experience
8-page report on the life of the theatre – due 30 Apr
Format choices: essay, Q&A with analysis, journal including
analysis, as appropriate.
Sample choices:
The list is not meant to exclude other ideas; check your off-list
topic with the teacher before you do too much work on it.
- Interview a theatre actor, director, producer, company head, house
manager, or technician of sound, lights, properties, or costumes; do
other appropriate research on the chosen topic.
- Attend 12 hours of play rehearsal and record events and your analysis;
do other appropriate research on the chosen production or theatre
company or form of theatre.
- Research a theatre company in St. Louis or elsewhere through interview
(required) + print or electronic sources. (You may research a theatre
building—but not the Fox).
- Research a form of special-use theatre such as drama therapy, creative
dramatics in the classroom, improvisation, street theatre, pantomime,
comedy club, historical reenactment. Interview of at least one
practitioner is required.
- Read 3 plays by a single playwright. Analyze and discuss the scripts.
Don’t write pages of plot summary. Use plot summary only to support
your analysis and discussion of the plays.
- Read one of the plays we have attended. Analyze the script;
research the author and the performance history of the play.
CALENDAR
TABLE
|
DATE |
SIGN IN TIME |
CURTAIN TIME |
THEATRE
ADDRESS |
PLAY |
COMPANY |
ASSIGNMENT
DUE |
|
12 Mar |
Meet at 6:00 Reid 2314 |
8:00p
(Sign in by
7:40p) |
A-B Black Box Theatre COCA 524 Trinity
Ave UCity 63130 |
Euridice, optional discussion w/ cast
after the 90 min show |
The Orange Girls |
Read text |
|
19 Mar |
7:40p |
8:00p |
Kranzberg Arts Center 501 N Grand 63103 |
Glengarry Glen Ross
|
HotCity Theatre |
Discussion entry on Euridice
D2L |
|
26 Mar |
7:40p |
8:00p |
Loretto Hilton Center Webster U 130 Edgar Road
63119 |
Souvenir
Emerson Studio Theatre |
Repertory Theatre of St Louis |
Discussion entry on Glengarry Glen Ross
D2L |
|
2 Apr |
7:40p |
8:00p |
Loretto Hilton Center Webster U 130 Edgar Road
63119 |
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Browning main auditorium |
Repertory Theatre of St Louis |
Discussion entry on Souvenir
D2L |
|
16 Apr |
6:40p |
7:00p |
Grandel Theatre 3610 Grandel Sq 63108 |
My Secret Language of Wishes |
Black Rep |
Analysis of ideas in the text
D2L Dropbox |
|
23 Apr |
7:40p |
8:00p |
Xavier Hall Theatre, St Louis U, 3733 W Pine
Mall Blvd |
The Good Person of Sezuan |
St Louis Actors’ Studio w/ St Louis U |
|
|
30 Apr |
7:40p |
8:00p |
Wash U South Campus Theatre 6501 Clayton Road
63105 |
Return to the Forbidden Planet |
New Line Theatre |
Independent Learning Experience D2L Dropbox |
GRADING
The grade on each assignment is based on evidence of reaching the COURSE
OBJECTIVES in the process of satisfying the directives specific to each
assignment.
The evaluation of each class assignment or listed portion of the course work
will be specified by a letter grade. The letter grades indicate a
judgment of the quality of the completed assignment. The letter grades
used and their values are listed in the Maryville University catalogue.
The highest grade "A," for instance, marks work of
exceptional quality which shows understanding of the assignment,
understanding of the topic, understanding of the medium, understanding of
the context, understanding of the background; which shows evidence of a
thoughtful organization of ideas, drawing of relationships between ideas,
presenting of concrete supporting evidence and discussion to illustrate
ideas, knowledge of the appropriate broader context of the ideas; which uses
effective and appropriate presentation techniques; which uses effective and
appropriate standard language; which shows insight, inventiveness,
creativity; which shows sensitivity to the current state of knowledge and
information about the topic and contributes to the advancement of knowledge
and understanding of the topic.
The other grades mark work with lesser levels of mastery in the areas listed
above. "B" work is superior, shows some exceptional quality but not in
all areas listed. "C" work is average, may have some exceptional
qualities and some deficiencies. "D" work is of insufficient quality
in some of the areas listed and has little redeeming quality in those areas.
"F" work is insufficient in more areas and has no sufficient redeeming
quality.
CONVERSION
CHART
FOR GRADES ON COMPONENTS OF THE COURSE WORK
Assignments will be given letter grades. (See “Grading”
above for description of expectations for the letter grades.) The letter
grades, though, have to be entered in the Grades section on D2L using
numbers.
To interpret the number recorded for each of your assignments, use this
system:
A = 11 A- = 10 B+ = 9
B = 8 B- = 7 C+ = 6 C = 5 C-
= 4 D+ = 3 D = 2
D- = 1 F = 0
For an assignment evaluated B+ and worth 25% of the
final grade, the B+ value (9) is multiplied by the percentage value for that
assignment (25), so the score for the item is 225.
Total possible score for the sum of all course
assignments (100%) is 1100 (11 x 100).
LINKS TO
ST. LOUIS THEATRE SITES
URL with links to most St. Louis theatre sites
http://www.kdhx.org/index.php?option=com_kdhxevents&type=kdhx_arts_calendar&Itemid=349#Theater
KDHX listing of current productions w/ length of their run
Great source of current information; links to sites of companies with
current shows; reviews
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Individual theatre sites for professional companies
http://edisontheatre.wustl.edu/
Edison Theatre – lists the Ovations schedule but not the Wash U. Performing
Arts productions
http://www.fabulousfox.com/
Fox Theatre
http://www.repstl.org/
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (“The Rep”); main stage and studio theatre
series at Loretto Hilton; Off-Ramp series in the fall at the Grandel Theatre
http://www.stlouisblackrep.com/
Saint Louis Black Repertory Company; does mostly plays by African-American
authors but also mounts other shows
Smaller professional companies
http://www.cocastl.org/
COCA site; lists stage offerings
http://www.hotcitytheatre.org/
Hotcity Theatre – formerly City Theatre and HotHouse Theatre; performs in
Kransberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand, 63103
http://www.newlinetheatre.com/
New Line Theatre; “Daring, provocative, muscular theatre about race,
violence, drugs, religion, sexuality, art, obscenity, the media, and other
important contemporary issues.”
http://www.orangegirls.org/
The Orange Girls; performances at COCA, 524 Trinity U City 63130
http://www.spotlighttheatrestlonline.org/
Spotlight Theatre; performs at various venues
http://www.straydogtheatre.org/
Stray Dog Theatre; performs at Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee Ave. 63104
http://www.uppityco.com/
That Uppity Theatre Company; “social change, civic dialogue, transformative
theatre”
http://www.westendplayers.org/
West End Players Guild; “character-driven, dramatically significant plays”
Educational theatre sites
http://www.webster.edu/depts/finearts/theatre/
Webster University Conservatory of Theatre
http://www.slu.edu/departments/utheatre/
St. Louis University Theatre
http://artsci.wustl.edu/~pad/
Washington University Performing Arts Department
Some St. Louis theatre phone numbers
Edison Theatre, Washington University 314-935-6543
Fox Theatre 314-534-1678
HotCity 314-289-4060; 314-289-4063 (box office)
Kirkwood Theatre Guild 314-821-9956
New Line Theatre 314-773-6526
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis 314-968-4925
Saint Louis University 314-977-2998
St. Louis Black Repertory Company 314-534-3807
Stray Dog Theatre 314-531-5923
Theatre Guild of Webster Groves 314-962-0876
That Uppity Theatre Company 314-995-4600
Webster University Conservatory Hotline 314-968-7128