Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Contact Information
Upon successful completion of this course…
1. The student will be able to comprehend the director's role as an artist, the art of communication, and the
theories of textual analysis.
2. The student will be able to apply analytical methods and how these methods apply to the direction of a
play.
3. The student will be able to choose and analyze a play and work with a cast of actors.
4. The student will be able to apply the theories of stage direction when directing a play.
5. The student will be able to demonstrate a disciplined attitude, a requirement for a successful director.
6. The student will be able to comprehend the importance of working and communicating with other
theatre personnel.
There is no text to purchase for this class. All materials will be provided.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, each student will be able to:
•Apply a common vocabulary to the directing process, showing understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the director as an artist and collaborator.
•Use concepts explored and discussed in class to direct pieces of varying lengths and diverse requirements.
•Analyze scripts and connect textual analysis and research to directing choices.
•Evaluate their own work and the works of others thoughtfully and respectfully in order to give clear and specific quality feedback.
•Clearly articulate and shape a concept/vision while making space for the creativity of other stakeholders.
Tentative Schedule: Subject to change during the semester. Adequate notice of changes will be given. Please see below.
| Week 1 | 1/13 ------ 1/15 ------ 1/17 | M:Syllabus, Classroom Community, Assignment explanation, Assign Play Days to students.
W: Working in class on beats, blocking, stage picture for scene.
F: Discuss EF's Visit & Play Day Example: Evaluation of material example & Discussion.
|
| Week 2 | 1/20 ------ 1/22 ------ 1/24 | W: Blocking & Stage Picture Presentations
F: Quickly Discuss reading. Play Day 1: Student-led with evaluation & discussion.
|
| Week 3 | 1/27 ----- 1/29 ----- 1/31 | M: Building a Promptbook & how to use it. (3) We will work in class to create your book.
W: Discuss reading. Go over Color coding, left page & right page F: Play Day 2: Student-led with evaluation & discussion |
| Week 4 | 2/3 ------ 2/5 ------ 2/7 | M: Simplicity is Complexity: Viewing & discussing Jane Eyre National Theatre. Bring promptbook examples to class to feedback. W: Simplicity is Complexity: Viewing & discussing Jane Eyre National Theatre. F: Play Day 3: Student-led with evaluation & discussion. |
| Week 5 | 2/10 ------ 2/12 ------ 2/14 | M: Simplicity is Complexity: Viewing & discussing Jane Eyre National Theatre. Final Day of discussion of directing & design choices.
W: Guest Directors visiting today. F: Play Day 4: Student-led with evaluation & discussion.
|
| Week 6 | 2/17 ------ 2/19 ------ 2/21 | M: Bring One-Act options to class. Work through decision making process, cast needs, show needs. Publicity of Auditions (who?) W: Performance Rights, copyright, responsibilities in marketing & advertising (who?). Send off for rights. F: Play Day: Final choices solidified. Audition packet preparation (who?). Audition disclosure, character info, audition organization planned.
|
| Week 7 | 2/24 ------ 2/26 ------ 2/28 | M: Working on director's Promptbook, research, analysis in class.
W: Guest Directors visiting today.
F: NO CLASS: This class period is offered in exchange for you seeing a live production this semester. ***YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEE THE WC THEATRE PRODUCTION FOR YOUR CRITIQUE. Shows are Thursday (27), Friday (28), and Saturday (1) at 7:30pm in HGHT. |
| Week 8 | 3/3 ------ 3/5 ------ 3/7 | M: AUDITION PREPARATION Finalizing plans for shared time & space. W: AUDITION PREPARATION Auditions begin today! Look at rehearsal schedule must haves for the group. F: Casting Decisions made today. Cast lists will go out by 2:00and scripts distributed before Spring Break.
|
| SB Week | 3/10 3/12 3/14 | NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK |
| Week 9 | 3/17 ---- 3/19 ------ 3/21 | M: Class Meeting: Decisions on Scene Design, Props, Costuming, Sound, Lighting, etc. We should invite all members of the Production Team. W: FLEX CLass: Reciprocal time for rehearsals outside of class. Bryan will schedule viewing those rehearsals.
F: Class Meeting: Discuss reading and how it relates to the pieces you are working on now or have worked on in the past. |
| Week 10 | 3/24 ------ 3/26 ------ 3/28 | M: Class Meeting: Progress on Scene Design, Props, Costuming, Sound, Lighting, etc.. W: FLEX CLASS: Reciprocal time for rehearsals outside of class. Bryan will schedule viewing those rehearsals.
|
| Week 11 | 3/31 ------ 4/2 ------ 4/4 | M: Dry Tech preparation. What do directors need? What can b e flexible?
W: Dry Tech during class for shows 1 & 2. All students are expected to attend. F: Dry Tech during class for shows 3 & 4. All students are expected to attend. |
| Week 12 | 4/7 ------ 4/9 ------ 4/11 | M: Meeting as a class to discuss Tech Week preparation, processes, and predicting any problems. W: FLEX CLASS: Reciprocal time for the evening of WC Theatre Production, Thursday & Friday F: FLEX CLASS: Reciprocal time for the evening of WC Theatre Production, Thursday & Friday |
| Week 13 | 4/14 ------ 4/16 ------ 4/18 | M: Set & Costume Strike Day. Each diretor will be responsible for their own props, sets, costumes.
W: Discuss Kalvan article. How does it relate to seasons we see? Look at seasons of theatres brought in. Planning & Communication: Go over Season Selection Pitch assignment expectations. F: NO CLASS: GOOD FRIDAY |
| Week 14 | 4/21 ----- 4/22 ------ 4/24 | M: Working on Season Selection Pitch.... the whys and the hows.
W: SEASON SELECTION PRESENTATIONS DUE. Presented in class today. F: Viewing piece from National Theatre (View from a Bridge.) Discuss directing choices.
|
| Week 15 | 4/28 ------ 4/30 ------ 5/2 | M: Continue viewing National Theatre piece & discussion. W: Final day for viewing National Theatre piece & discussions. F: Last day of class. Promptbooks handed back with suggestions & feedback. Prepare for Jury. |
| Exam Week | 5/7 | 10:15-12:15pm Directing Jury. Each student will be given 30 minutes to discuss and defend their one-act directing choices and research. |
The grading scale will be as follows:
| Percentage | Letter Grade | Percentage | Letter Grade |
| 94.5-100 | A | 77.5-80.4 | C+ |
| 90.5-94.4 | A- | 74.5-77.4 | C |
| 87.5-90.4 | B+ | 70.5-74.4 | C- |
| 84.5-87.4 | B | 67.5-70.4 | D+ |
| 80.5-84.4 | B- | 60.5-67.4 | D |
| 0-60.4 | F |
Course Assessments: TOTAL: 500 points possible
Class Activities & Exercises (75 points total): Throughout the semester, students will engage in discussing and experimenting with directing techniques and theories. This can include, but is not limited to, homework, scene work, group work, discussions, and reading/researching. It will also include participation—mainly, contributing as an active and positive member of this classroom community.
3-Person Scene Breakdown & Blocking: (25 points): Using what they have learned about blocking and stage pictures/picturization, students will rough block a scene from an established play. Students will present the blocking by working with classmates to go through the blocking after the scene breakdown and blocking has been planned and written.
One-Act Auditions & Planning: (50 points): Directing 2 students will work with all who attend the One-Act auditions. The planning, collaboration, and use of resources will be key to this assignment. Directors should also include thoughts on this process in their reflections.
Director’s Promptbook (100 points): Using Ferreira’s method, students will create a promptbook of practical information for a piece of theatre. It will serve as an organized collection of material that would be useful to a director. There will be a copy of script with information, research, plot/structure, character, music/spectacle, ground plan, scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, properties, audition materials, rehearsal schedule, rehearsal reports, production meetings, business, goals, and journal.
One-Act Play (100 points): Students will work with actors to present their final directing projects on April 10 & 11. Along with the director’s Notebook and Directing Journal, this assessment will look at stage composition, movement, storytelling, and execution of directorial elements.
Season Selection Pitch: (50 points) Students will present ideas about a full season (at least 3 shows) they would like to direct. The presentations should focus on the director’s WHY but also the HOW. Presentations could include themes, inspirational items (images, sounds, etc.), metaphors, historical/critical research, or any other information that could be useful in explaining the pieces and their connections to each other, the performers, the production team, and the audience. Visual aids included.
Directing Reflection & Jury (50 points): during the final exam time, each student will be given 30 minutes to meet with a panel of faculty, staff, and guests who are familiar with the one-act plays produced by these student directors. Students are expected to explain and defend choices with information from their Director’s Notebook & research.
Attendance (50 points): Attending class is an expectation of the course. This course works best when all members are present and prepared for class. Attendance will be taken each day of class. Absences, tardiness, and leaving early will impact this grade.
Instructor Course Policies
Course Participation and Attendance:
Along with the WC approved excused absences, each student will be allowed 2 personal days. Any additional absences beyond these will negatively affect the attendance grade. Participation in course exercises and activities is a daily expectation. Not participating is as serious a concern as not attending class.
Attendance (See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Attendance Policy, especially as it pertains to excused absences.)
The College accepts these four categories of excused absences:
•Activities in which the student serves as an official representative of the College (e.g., musical performances, athletic contests, field trips).
•Personal illness, with documentation by the College nurse or a physician, if possible. In relation to students experiencing COVID19 related symptoms or illness, students should be provided an excused absence and should not be penalized for electing not to attend physical classes in these instances.
•Family or personal emergencies.
•When severe weather makes travel to campus dangerous.
Academic Misconduct
Students with academic integrity violations may not be eligible for academic awards and honors (i.e., Academic Honors, Dean’s List/Merit List, Green Key Honor Society, Quaker Impact Award, and other Honorary Societies). See the current Student Handbook for the college's Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is defined as the representation of another’s words, ideas, concepts, research or creative production without proper attribution whether intentional or unintentional. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed about what constitutes plagiarism.
Plagiarism can occur in the submission of one’s own work or in work submitted by a group.
Examples of plagiarism include the following:
•The submission of a paper not one’s own, including turning in a paper that has been purchased from a commercial research firm or obtained from the internet
•Copying word for word information without quotation marks
•Paraphrasing information (that is, the use of one’s own words with only minor changes to the original)
•Use of information not considered general knowledge without proper citation
•Listing of misleading or false sources on a reference page
•The use of a paper or project for one course that was previously submitted for another course, either at Wilmington or at any other institution
There are many university, college and private websites students may consult about how to avoid plagiarism. Sites with particularly helpful suggestions can be found at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize
http://citationmachine.net/index2.php
Course Policies & Technology Requirements
Late Work Policy:
Each late assignment will incur a 10% grade reduction for every day it is late. After five days past the due date, the assignment cannot be submitted for credit. If a student misses an assignment due to absence, it will be due the next class meeting after the absence.
Classroom Etiquette:
When students are meeting face-to-face for class, they are to silence and refrain from using their phones/laptops unless phone/laptop use is helpful to the lesson objectives. This is also true for any other electronic device that may distract students from the lesson at hand. Students should also refrain from wearing headphones, AirPods, or other audio devices during class.
Students who engage in chronic phone or headphone use may be asked to leave and that day will be counted against them for attendance/participation. Students should be sure their synchronous Zoom behavior, dress, and consideration of others matches what would be expected if they were meeting face-to-face. In order to be sure students are physically a part of synchronous Zoom, they should have their video on (but audio muted until time to speak).
Copyright Policy
This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.
Third-Party Software and FERPA Policy
During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you need not make any personally identifying information on a public site. Do not post or provide any private information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose any personally identity-sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your instructor.
Technology Requirements
If you do not have consistent access to a device with these specifications, please be sure to have that in place by the beginning of the semester. Access to a computer with the following specifications are the minimum requirements in order to be able to perform successfully in a hybrid or online learning environment, as well as in many courses offered face to face. Some academic programs may require additional software.
Device Types: Laptops, desktops running Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS are recommended as your primary device. Tablets running Windows may be acceptable if it meets requirements below. Google Chromebook devices are not recommended as your primary device. Devices running Android, Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad) or other operating systems are not recommended as your primary device.
Operating system: Windows OS: Windows 10; macOS: macOS 10.15, 10.14
Computer and processor: Windows OS: 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core or greater; macOS: Intel processor
Memory: Windows OS: 4 GB RAM or greater; macOS: 4 GB RAM or greater
Hard disk Windows OS: 10 GB of available disk space or greater; macOS: 10 GB of available disk space or greater
Display: Windows OS: 1280 x 768 screen resolution or greater; macOS: 1280 x 800 screen resolution or greater
Network Connectivity: Wi-Fi capable
Browser: The current version of Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Chrome.
Video calls: Built in or USB Camera, speakers/headphones and microphone.
IMAGES USED
• https://kreattivita.org/en/event/national-theatre-encores-a-view-from-the-bridge-2/
• https://annebogart.blogspot.com/2015/05/bibliography_77.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/03/obituaries/peter-brook-dead.html
• https://culturevore.blogspot.com/2020/06/jane-eyre-recorded-live-from-national.html
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. |
Academic Misconduct - Examples [10/24]
ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT
This policy is directly related to the first Testimony, which is part of the Student Code of Conduct. “I will practice personal and academic integrity.” The initial responsibility for dealing with academic misconduct lies with the individual faculty member in whose classroom or course of study the offense occurs. The responsibility includes determination of the consequences for the offense. The goal is for faculty to confront cheating and plagiarism, to teach ethical behavior, and to provide an appropriate consequence based on the nature of the incident. Faculty are encouraged to explicitly address academic misconduct and its consequences in the course syllabus.
EXAMPLES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
A. Examination offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.Taking unauthorized materials into or out of the examination room.
2.Leaving the examination room without authorization before completing an examination.
3.Talking in the examination room without authorization.
4.Discussing the examination outside the examination room during the course of the examination.
5.Attempting to observe the work of another student.
6.Taking an examination for another person or permitting someone else to do so.
7.Collaborating improperly by discussion, joint research, or joint effort in any way expressly prohibited by the instructor. This includes using a cell phone or other device to access information from another source or another student.
8.Improper knowledge of contents of an examination - No student shall knowingly acquire unauthorized knowledge of an examination or any part of an examination, or solicit, offer, or give information about any part of an examination.
B. Student work offenses include, but are not limited to, the following, which are expressly prohibited in the absence of prior written approval of the instructor or instructors involved:
1.Resubmission of work - Submitting work which has been previously submitted for credit.
2. Plagiarism - Submitting work done wholly or partly by another, including the unattributed copying of all or parts of a published work or internet document. Using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) sources to produce work (when not expressly permitted) is also a form of plagiarism. Some instances of plagiarism are the result of ignorance rather than dishonesty. When plagiarism is encountered, the instructor should be sure that the student knows proper procedures for attributing content.
3.Prohibited sources - Consulting material or persons contrary to the directions of the instructor.
4.Improper collaboration - Engaging in any discussion, joint research, or joint effort of any kind expressly prohibited by the instructor.
5.Deception - Misrepresenting the authenticity of sources, citations, or principles in any written work.
6. Sharing work – Students who share their work with others are responsible for how that work is used. For example, if a student shares a paper with another student to help him or her understand an assignment, and that student submits the work as their own, the author of the paper shares responsibility for the plagiarism committed by the other student.
D. Other misconduct - Engaging in any other improper conduct as specified by the instructor.
E. Lying – deliberately providing false information relevant to academic matters, such as misrepresenting the inability to take an examination because of illness.
F. Disruptive or disrespectful classroom behavior – causing a disturbance in the classroom, interrupting instruction, speaking rudely or threatening students or faculty.
Class Attendance Policy |
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), Wilmington College provides access through reasonable accommodations to students with documented physical and psychological disabilities.
Students who wish to access Services need to meet with the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services and provide verification of their disability. To register with Accessibility and Disability Services, students submit an Application for Services. In addition, the student must provide the Disability Verification form accompanied by current disability documentation from a licensed professional. For more information, contact the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services at accessibility@wilmington.edu or 937.481.2444, 114 Robinson Communcation Center.