Course Syllabus: TFMS 440.01

Directing II

Fall Semester 2007

MW 2:40-4:30 PM, Theater

J. Klein

4 credits

APPROACH: Certain directorial abilities, like those of any artist, are perhaps instinctual, but the craft of directing, like that of any art, must be studied for the sake of both artistic legibility and innovation. This course will build on the fundamentals of stage directing: composition, picturization, movement, rhythm, pantomimic dramatization, script analysis and preparation, ground plans, and rehearsal mechanics. Exercises will explore directorial values in both scripted and non-scripted materials. Because the "principles" of any art form are matters for continual challenge, revision, and effective violation, we shall view them throughout as hypotheses for proving or disproving, and as contingencies that must be always understood, renewed, and adjusted. The course will operate primarily as a practicum in experimental directing, and its particular content will depend to some extent on student choices of performance projects.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Attendance: Course goals and methods necessitate conscientious class attendance. Excessive absences (more than three) or tardiness will adversely affect your final mark.
• Preparation: The quality and alacrity of your participation in classroom discussions, of your preparation of various assigned projects and readings, and of your execution of any in-class exercises will determine 10% of your final grade.
• Presentations: Each student will make two twenty-minute presentations during the semester. The presentations will combine research with an explanation of the student's directorial approach to each of two projects. The quality of both preparation and delivery, as well as the quality of any attendant written work, will be evaluated. See the attached syllabus for dates. Consult the dramaturgy, flow sheet, and production book handouts for guidance. Each presentation will determine 15% of your course grade.
• Projects: Each student is responsible for developing and presenting two directorial projects, each of which should be approximately 20-30 minutes in length. The nature of material is variable, but the student's approach will be modeled on a theatrical movement or theorist for the first project and on a director or performance group for the second project. Together with its rehearsal process and other areas of preproduction preparation (except those which are evaluated separately, such as the presentation and the production book), each project will figure as 20% of your course grade.
• Production Books: Immediately after each performance, students will submit a production book, including all contents described in a separate handout. This assignment will complete the remaining 20% (10%/each) of your final mark.
• Events: Students are required to attend all events included specifically on the attached syllabus. Whenever possible, try to attend other films, performances, or events that are related to the course.
• Readings: In addition to the assigned readings, I shall be pleased to provide recommendations for reading in the areas of directing, dramatic literature, or any other supplementary field upon request.
• Late or Missing Work: If approved in advance, I shall accept late work, but it will be penalized one letter grade. Otherwise, assignments are due during the class period as scheduled. Students must submit all assignments to pass the course.
• Incompletes: Grades of "Incomplete" will be assigned only by approval of a written petition from the student. This petition must explain the reasons for the request, and must be accompanied by documentation of either medical or personal emergency. All "Incompletes" must be converted according to the schedule in The College Catalog.
• Honor Code: Students must abide by the "Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities" in the Student Handbook.

OFFICE HOURS/ELECTRONIC ACCESS:

T 12:00 -- 1:15 PM

W 1:00 -- 2:15 PM

and by appointment

MH 179C; ext. 4251

jrklein@smcm.edu (24/7)

http://www.smcm.edu/users/jrklein/Index.htm

TEXTS:

Bartow, The Director's Voice

Donkin and Clement, Upstaging Big Daddy

Cole, Directors in Rehearsal (optional)

27 Aug

M Course Introduction (**TFMS Open House, T, 8PM, Bruce Davis Theater**)

W Review of Fundamentals

3 Sept

M Labor Day (no class meeting)

W Review of Fundamentals (Assigned exercises due)

10 Sept

M Review of Groundplans (Assigned exercises due)

W Exercise in Combined Fundamentals (Assigned exercises due; first script choice due; first script model - movement or theorist - due)

17 Sept

M The Director's Voice: Discussion of Text (The Director's Voice due; text citations due)

W Discussion of Production Book Formats: Approaches to Mapping the Performance Text

24 Sept

M First Project Presentations/Auditions: TBA

W No Class: Auditions

1 Oct

M Discussion of Auditions and Rehearsals

W No Class: Rehearsal Visitations (attend rehearsals as scheduled)

8 Oct

M Reading Days (no class meeting)

W Discussion of Rehearsals

15 Oct

M Performances and Critiques (due as scheduled; submit production books)

W Performances and Critiques (due as scheduled; submit production books) (**A Midsummer Night's Dream opens R, 8PM, Bruce Davis Theater**)

22 Oct

M Review and Evaluation of Process (Second script choice due; second script model - director or performance group - due)

W Upstaging Big Daddy: Discussion of Text (Upstaging Big Daddy, pp. 1-149 due; text citations due)29 Oct M Upstaging Big Daddy: Discussion of Text (Upstaging Big Daddy, pp. 151-324 due; text citations due)

W Second Project Presentations/Auditions TBA

5 Nov

M Metaphor Day (Metaphors for Second Project)

W Postmodern Performance Experimentation: Some Issues (Whither or Wither?)

12 Nov

M No Class: Rehearsal Visitations (attend rehearsals as scheduled)

W Discussion of Rehearsals

19 Nov

M No Class: Rehearsal Visitations (attend rehearsals as scheduled)

W Thanksgiving Break (no class meeting)

26 Nov

M No Class: Rehearsal Visitations (attend rehearsals as scheduled)

W Discussion of Rehearsals

3 Dec

M Performances and Critiques (due as scheduled; submit production books)

W Performances and Critiques (due as scheduled; submit production books) (**Dancing on the Earth opens, 8PM, Bruce Davis Theater**)

12 Dec

W Final Examination, 2:00 - 4:15PM (post mortem, if necessary)

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