"Art
is a lie that makes us realize a deeper truth." --Pablo Picasso
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
In theater, it is the director who generates collaboration among
diverse contributors, with a view to turning a play script into
a theatrical production. In Play Directing, individual student's
knowledge of theatrical practice and theory, along with his/her
interpretative acuity and imagination, can find expression, specifically
from a directorial perspective.
COURSE
OF STUDY
Students will build their knowledge of directorial practices by
exploring play texts as "plans for action" and imagining
play scripts from a director's point of view. To this end, students
will develop an imaginative and practicable understanding of the
major elements out of which plays are produced, and an awareness
of the interrelation and interdependence of these elements. In
short, they will explore how, in all relevant specifics,
the script might find expression in theater. The student-director
needs to imagine a play on stage, and to think about he practical
implications of these imaginings. Students therefore will practice
imagining the translation of scenes and whole works from page
to stage. Practical projects for each student include the following:
I. the creation
of directorial notebook for a prescribed play that shows how the
student might bring each play to stage;
your
teacher will provide you with a copy of the play and specific
instructions for the notebook
II. co-directing a key scene
in a prescribed play to bring about a preconceived vision; your
teacher will assign you your partner
III. involvement with ONE of the
following independent projects:
A.
helping mount the Student-Directed One-Act Play Festival for the
general public in late May by
1)
preparing a director's notebook for a 10 minute play or key scene
from a play of your choice,
2)
directing your chosen piece for the festival, AND
3)
working as co-producer of the festival OR
B.
helping mount an in-class, Student-Directed 10 Minute Film Festival
in early June by
1)
preparing a notebook for an original 10 minute movie or movie
scene of your choice,
2)
directing and filming your chosen piece for the festival, AND
3)
working as co-producer of the festival. Students are allowed to
turn a play script into a film script for this project.
NOTE: Since there are a limited
number of slots for each option under III, students with
the highest Directing class average for the 3rd qtr. will get
to choose first.
ADDITIONAL
COURSE WORK
In addition to regular studies, there are several projects that
need to be completed outside of class:
1. Students will respond in their journals to occasional readings
and class activities as assigned. The primary function of the
journal is to help the instructor assess student progress and
to help students prepare for the creation of a portfolio at the
end of the course. It will play a large role in determining quarterly
grades when students are assessed by rubric. (Journals are due
approx. every four weeks)
2. Outside of class, students will view at least two live performances
and type a critical review of each in a format prescribed by the
instructor. (One review due per quarter)
3. For a final exam, students will choose a play from a prescribed
list and justify their directorial approach to the work in an
oral presentation. (Due near final exam day)
GRADING
SCALE
25%: Weekly journals and portfolio
15%: Live Performance Critiques
10%: Oral Presentation
25%: Director Notebook 1
25%: Director Notebook 2
All performances
and assignments will be graded using a rubric listing standards
and expectations tailored to the particular assignment. Students
will receive the rubric when the work is assigned. Generally,
a grade of "C" on a project / performance is an indication
of satisfactory completion of the assignment, both in terms of
preparation and execution. Grades higher than “C”
will be based on those elements of the project / performance that
indicate a high degree of personal investment, thoughtful preparation
(particularly through practice exercises), and a desire to surpass
basic standards.
RETEACHING
/ REASSESSMENT
All assignments graded by rubric can be reassessed. A reassessment
must be requested by the student the same week the initial assignment
is returned. The reassessment will be scheduled within five days
of the return of the initial assignment. The assessment may be
in the original format or an alternate format. Students are expected
to seek additional help and guidance from the teacher outside
of class, preferably after school.
COMMUNICATION
All scores for work--written or performed--will be accompanied
by direct feedback from the teacher, in writing or orally. Scores
will be based a point system with more demanding projects being
assigned more points possible. Anytime you'd like an update on
your progress, check Edline
or schedule a brief meeting w/ the instructor before or after
class to ensure meaningful feedback. Parents wishing to discuss
your progress need only to contact the teacher via email. Otherwise,
the teacher will communicate progress regularly through interim
reports.
ALLOWANCES
AND EXPECTATIONS
Theater Conservatory / IB students are granted a large amount
of freedom and responsibility when making artistic choices; to
prevent any infringement on a student’s choices, additional
help from the instructor, when needed, must be sought.
Also, since
this is a conservatory class, it should also be understood by
students enrolled in this class that all performances will be
critically scrutinized and evaluated; honest feedback by the instructor
(or other students) should be viewed as an opportunity for growth;
it should never be looked upon by a performer as a personal attack,
a judgment of personal worth, or an attempt to undermine confidence.
The critiques are part of the activities and are intended to help
individual students reach very deep within themselves so that
their work can be true.
COMPLEMENTARY
READINGS
1. Bloom, Michael. Thinking Like a Director. New York:
Faber, 2001.
2. Campbell, Drew. Technical Theater for Nontechnical People.
New York: Allworth P, 1998.
3. Gillette, J. Michael. Theater Design and Production.
Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 2000.
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