Department of Fine Arts Theater Program

DIRECTING II: STUDIES IN STYLE

Rutgers University–Camden, Spring 2018
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:35-10:55, FA-136

Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Elliott

Course Number: 50:965:321
Email: kenneth.elliott@rutgers.edu
Office: Fine Arts 205
Office Telephone: 856-225-6244
Office Hours: T/TH 11:00-12:00, or by appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on the process of directing plays of various styles and genres.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the semester, the student should be able to
 Communicate effectively with actors and the production team using a working
vocabulary of theatrical terminology.
 Organize rehearsal time efficiently.
 Identify the characteristics and understand the conventions of multiple theatrical
genres.
 Make directorial choices appropriate to specific genres.
 Research the background and context of plays to inform the directorial approach.
 Analyze a play in terms of given circumstances, dialogue, and dramatic action.
 Prepare and direct plays.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll’s House, trans. Frank McGuinness. London: Faber and Faber, 1996.
Ney, Charles. Directing Shakespeare in America: Current Practices. London: Bloomsbury Arden
Shakespeare, 2016.
Shakespeare, William. Measure for Measure. New York: Simon and Schuster Paperbacks, 1997
Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. New York: Dover Publications, 1990.

Any other required materials will be posted on Sakai

COMPONENTS OF THE FINAL GRADE:

Excellent attendance is essential for success in this class!
15% Production analysis (3)
10% Rehearsal Studio
30% Scene presentations (2)
20% Prompt book and analysis paper
25% Attendance, participation, and miscellaneous assignments
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

Students are expected to do their own work. While some classroom activities necessitate group
collaboration, the bulk of the work required in this course—including quizzes, exams, and
writing assignments—must be completed by each student without assistance. Academic
dishonesty is a serious offense and can take many forms: cheating on an exam, helping
someone else cheat, committing plagiarism, or submitting the same assignment for two
separate courses without prior permission. Please refer to the Rutgers web page for further
details on policies regarding academic integrity: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/

 PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES AND LAPTOPS.

 NO EATING OR DRINKING IN CLASS OTHER THAN WATER.

 STUDENTS WITH A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY SHOULD CONSULT WITH THE

INSTRUCTOR TO ARRANGE FOR ACCOMODATION.

COURSE SCHEDULE (Please read assignments before the scheduled class):

This is an approximate outline of our work together, and subject to change.

Week 1
TUE 1/16 Course introduction

THU 1/18 Reading: Brook, “The Deadly Theatre” from The Empty Space

Week 2
TUE 1/23 Text Analysis
Reading: Ibsen, A Doll’s House
Please bring this script with you to every class through 2/6

THU 1/25 Rehearsal Studio: Ibsen

Week 3
TUE 1/30 Rehearsal Studio: Ibsen

THU 2/1 Rehearsal Studio: Ibsen

Week 4
TUE 2/6 Rehearsal Studio: Ibsen

THU 2/8 Text Analysis

Reading: Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Please bring this script with you to every class through 2/27
Week 5
TUE 2/13 Rehearsal Studio: Wilde
Be sure to see our department production of Becky Shaw this week!

THU 2/15 Rehearsal Studio: Wilde

Week 6
TUE 2/20 Rehearsal Studio: Wilde
Becky Shaw analysis paper due

THU 2/22 Rehearsal Studio: Wilde

Week 7
TUE 2/27 Rehearsal Studio: Wilde

THU 3/1 Scene 1 Presentations

Week 8
TUE 3/6 Scene 1 Presentations

THU 3/8 Scene 1 Presentations

SPRING BREAK 3/10 – 3/18

Week 9
TUE 3/20 Text Analysis
Reading: Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
Please bring this script with you to every class through 2/27

THU 3/22 Directors and Their Aesthetic Values

Reading: Ney, pp. 25-33, plus individual assignments

Week 10
TUE 3/27 Preparations for Rehearsal and Production
Reading Ney, selections, pp. 89-178

THU 3/29 Rehearsing Shakespeare

Reading: Ney, selections, pp. 181-289
Week 11
TUE 4/3 Rehearsal Studio: Shakespeare

THU 4/5 Rehearsal Studio: Shakespeare

Week 12
TUE 4/10 Rehearsal Studio: Shakespeare
Be sure to see our department production of Avenue Q this week!

THU 4/12 Rehearsal Studio: Shakespeare

Week 13
TUE 4/17 Scene 2 Presentations
Avenue Q analysis paper due

THU 4/19 Scene 2 Presentations

Week 14
TUE 4/24 Scene 2 Presentations

THU 4/26 Finale

PLAYS FOR SCENE PRESENTATIONS:

You are not expected to read all of these plays; however, you should read closely and
completely any plays you choose for your scene presentations.

PLAYS, GROUP 1

Anton Chekhov: The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Uncle Vanya

Henrik Ibsen: An Enemy of the People, Ghosts, Hedda Gabler

August Strindberg: Miss Julie

PLAYS, GROUP 2

Noel Coward: Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever, Private Lives

Kaufman and Hart: The Man Who Came to Dinner, You Can’t Take It with You

Moliere, Tartuffe

Brandon Thomas: Charley’s Aunt

William Wycherly: The Country Wife

PLAYS, GROUP 3

Ford, ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore

Marlowe: Edward II

Shakespeare: Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Macbeth, Twelfth Night