Homework #4

Have fun with this one! Let yourself dream BIG.

On page 12 of the text, several different theatre crafts are explored: Producing, Directing, Acting, Designing, Building, Crewing, Stage Managing, and House Managing. If you were to pursue a career in theatre, which area would you choose? Why? Feel free to use your imaginations and fully explore the possibilities!
(If you need a creative springboard, some questions you might want to consider are: What kind of shows would you work on? What other artists would you like to work with? What intrigues you about the craft you chose? What intimidates you? Who are your favorite artists in that craft?)

Your response should be typed, and is due in class on this Thursday, October 2nd. Spelling, grammar, and content are all important. If you have any questions about what these crafts entail, Kristen and I will be more than happy to discuss them with you!

Please do not ask me, "How long does it need to be?" It needs to be long enough to get your point across; one paragraph may be enough for some, while others might need more than a page. I won't measure your paper's length; I'll measure its content!

Bring your scripts! Callbacks: Tuesday 9/30/08

Hi everybody! I hope you all had a fun and fulfilling weekend :)

Please be sure to bring your scripts to class on Tuesday, as you may be asked to read a selection from High Stakes as a callback. (A callback is like a second round of an audition, where people are asked to present something from the show. It gives a director a clearer idea of how a performer would be in a certain role.)

Callbacks will go something like this:
Tommy says, "Carl, Tonya, M.J., Laurel, and Ben, please look at MARTY's monologue on page 7." A few minutes later, these five would take turns reading the monologue.
Tommy says, "Jackie, Marc, Isabelle, Javier, Joanna, and Brayden, please look at THE STRANGER's monologue on page 23." A few minutes later, they take turns reading it.

The callbacks are nothing to be nervous over. All I ask is that you try! And not to worry; this cannot hurt your grade, it will only help.

Homework #3

In the book, the author mentions 4 key elements to theatre as an occupation. They are:

• Work - it is strenuous, demanding of you physically and emotionally
• Art - it is more than perfecting skills (science), as there is aesthetic and emotional pleasure (art)
• Impersonation - one person (the actor) takes on the guise of another (the character)
• Performance - it is done for others' benefit

First, read this section of the text if you haven't (pages 11-18), because the application of these terms to the theatre is not what you might expect. Then, pick one that is relevant to your field of study and identify how you will use it in your career. If you are undeclared, you may pick any field that interests you.

Your response must be typed, and should include:

Your name (first & last)
Theatre 100
Tommy Iafrate
Your major

A paragraph (3+ sentences) explaining how your field can also sometimes involve _______ (work/art/impersonation/performance).

Spelling, grammar, and content are all important.
If you have questions, you know how to contact me :)

Extra Credit opportunity: Since so many people did not do Homework #2, here is a chance to make up for it. Extra credit is available by applying all four of these elements to your career field.
Note: If a certain element just does NOT fit your area of study whatsoever, then you may apply three elements to your career, and apply the fourth element to another activity you enjoy (be it soccer, playing violin, cooking, etc.).

Chapter 1 Review Questions

Guided Review Questions - Chapter 1:
1) What is the origin of the word "theatre"?
2) What is the origin of the word "drama"?
3) The work of the theatre is divisible into 8 crafts. Be able to define those crafts.
4) How does impersonation separate theatre from other art forms?
5) What are the two general modes of performance and how do they differ?
6) Be able to explain Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "willing suspension of disbelief".
7) How would Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard of Star Trek fame) respond if his live theatre career were terminated?

A little disappointed...

I'm a little disapointed that it's currently 12:20 and there are only 13 comments on the blog!! Though I'm pretty much preaching to the choir since the 13 people who will see this have already commented! I'm going to check before class in the morning... I hope I see more. It's not enough to look at the blog, but you have to comment with your first and last name to get credit!!

Come on guys this is easy!!!!!

Kristen

The box office

The box office will open October 1st. Vouchers will only be sold through the last performance of Small Tragedy. After that, students are responsible for single tickets to Oklahoma.

If you have any questions, please ask :)

Homework #2

Hey, you found it!

If this is your first time visiting, then welcome! If this is a subsequent visit, then kudos to you for taking the initiative yourself before I told you!

This is another easy one homework assignment - don't get too used to it! Just leave a comment in response to this post (not one of the earlier ones!) on the blog. Again all you have to do is include your name (first and last) - although again, any of your comments, queries, or jokes are completely welcome!

The reason for this assignment is to make sure that everyone knows how to check this blog. It's probably a good idea to add it to your favorite places, and check in regularly - at the very least, do so after every class, as all future homework assignments will be posted here. This way, if you happen to be absent from class, you can still find (and eventually get credit for) that day's homework.

Also, here's a quick, friendly reminder that we will be discussing Chapter 1 of the text in class this Thursday, September 25, so please read the chapter before then. :)

Thanks, everybody!
~tommy

Homework #1

This one's an easy one... just e-mail me. You can ask me a question about the class, or tell me a joke, or just say hello... but the one thing that your e-mail must include is your name (first and last). This way, (a) I can give you credit for the assignment, and (b) we can contact each other if the need arises later on during the semester.

If you somehow managed to lose the syllabus already, my e-mail address is here.

I'm glad to have all of you in my Theatre 100 section!

Thanks,
~tommy

Welcome to the blog!

I look forward to a great semester with all of you!
~tommy