Jackson Community College Lisd-Tech
PlayBill
JACKSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE @ LISD-TECH
PRESENTS
Introduction to Theatre
116.71
Spring 2013
Syllabus
Theatre 116.71
Spring 2013
Wednesday 6:00-8:54
JCC@ LISD-Tech Room 131
3 credits
Introduction to Theatre
Instructor: T. S. Hindes
e-mail: (preferred) Mailbox: LenCen Staff Lounge
Building Phone: 517-265-5515
“To fail to prepare is to prepare for failure”
This is your map for success.
Welcome to JCC@LISD- Tech’s Introduction to Theatre, under the direction T.S. Hindes; I’d ask you to sit back, take notes and enjoy, but that’s not the purpose of this class. I want you learn about theatre by participating, by attending, by involving yourself in theatre…because that is the only way that one truly understands and appreciates the work and dedication that is involved in theatre.
At this time I’d like to remind you to turn off cellphones, pagers and other electronic devices.
Theatre is a world of make believe and pretend, where we explore the world and the consequences of human folly in a safe environment. Theatre is also the hard cold realities of life. This is not a hard class, but by no means is it an easy class. Theatre is blood, sweat and tears – it is the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint – it is an escape from reality and reality smacking you in the face in ways you never thought about.
We will learn by doing many of the practical parts of theatre – the directing, acting, tech work and we will learn about the world because theatre is a reflection of society. Does art reflect society or does society reflect art? A question you’ll have to determine for yourself. Theatre is influenced or influences – religion, economics, society values and history. Theatre is a collaborative art pulling from the world of art, music and dance into the art we call theatre.
My hope for all of you is that you learn to appreciate all of the work that goes into producing a play and what we can learn from it. My dream for all of you is that you will continue in theatre in some way – either by attending plays or by making theatre a hobby or a career. May this semester be an exciting journey of discovery.
JCC catalog description of course: (from Catalog and complete with prerequisites): A survey of Western theatre and drama. Appreciation of theatre through the understanding of historical development and societal function. Theatre architecture, production, costuming, acting styles, and the artists who create them.
Associate Degree Outcomes (ADOs)
The Board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in the college. The following associate degree outcomes are addressed in this course:
ADO 6 understanding and appreciating aesthetic experience and artistic creativity
A Student in this class:
Develops an understanding and vocabulary of theatre, capable of identifying and knowing theatre, its components, and the societal./historical context whereby it is created.
Understands the methods of analysis of what constitutes theatre and those who create it. Uses discipline-specific language to comprehend what constitutes” good” theatre.
Engages in prompted discussions and “theatre games’ in the creative contexts demonstrating various components within which an theatre and it participants work and the artist’s resulting creative choices
Understands and Identifies the components and of theatre, those who create it, the aesthetic standards used to make critical judgments in how theatre reflects society l
Approaches a theatrical work of collaborative creative work with comprehension, the requirements to do theatre, and a greater appreciation of theatre as an art form
ADO 7 Critical Thinking
Demonstrates interest in learning.
Recognizes need for questions.
Identifies emotional impact from character and theme development in a theatrical production and dramatic script
Distinguishes between reality and theatrical reality.
Identifies criteria for “good” theatre.
Identifies bias in dramatic scripts, productions, and audience perceptions
Recognizes how theatre reflects society
Understands how theatre is created.
How a theatre experience develops from concept, script, stage design, blocking to production.
A list of specific departmental course goals and objectives is available to you.
Course Texts:
Gainor, J. E., Garner Jr. , S. B., & Puchner , M. (2009). The Norton Anthology of Drama. (Vol. 1). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
ISBN 978-0-393-93281-2
Content and Methods: This course will be a combination of reading, lecture, discussion and written or practical projects involving theatre. The class meetings will be devoted largely to activities designed to aid in the learning and understanding of the course material. These activities may include class or small group discussions, in class writing, group or individual projects, lectures, field trips, videos and guest speakers.
There will be frequent reading assignments from the book and other materials. Be prepared for a quiz over the material covered in the readings and the notes from class on a daily basis. This is your notification of quizzes. There will be no makeup quizzes, tests or presentations.
Class Responsibilities: You will come to class on time and ready to participate with all needed materials. If you are running late, quietly enter the classroom with the least amount of disruption. Try not to draw attention to yourself by greeting classmates or interrupting me to tell me why you are late.
Missing class, arrive late or leave early : If you miss class, it is up to you to get notes from a classmate – not me. There are NO excused absences – this includes appointments with doctors, meetings, romantic dinners, NCIS and hangovers. Plan such events around your class schedule. In the event you must be absent from class and an assignment is due it is your responsibility to find a way to submit that assignment to me on time. It is not fair to other members of the class for you to have additional time to complete your work. This class runs for just under 3 hours – yes we will stay until the very end.
Classroom Courtesy: Please treat me and your fellow students with common courtesy and respect. This is a workshop environment so opinions will be freely exchanged and conversation will be on-going, but when I or someone else is addressing the class, please give that person your attention. You do not have to agree with them, but you do have to respect them and allow them to speak as is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. If you continually talk throughout the class you will be asked to leave for the day and it will count as an absence. If talking continues to be a problem, you will be dropped from the class.
Electronic devices: Turn them off. If your friends/family needs to get a hold of you while you are in class, give them the number to the building office (265-5515) and a staff member will deliver the message to you. If I find you texting/using your computer I will lower your FINAL grade by 10 points each time I catch you. Don’t DO IT!
Theatre is live and in the moment. It is expressing ideas face-to-face. If you need to record class – see me to make arrangements. I know this sounds harsh, but in the workforce, you can and will lose your job. Now is the time to practice job skills. If you attend theatre, you will not be allowed to use these devices either and will be asked to leave.
Threats, bullying and disruptions from anyone will NOT be tolerated and will lead to your immediate dismissal from the class. Please note student guidelines in the handbook regarding this issue.
Attendance: This class is designed as a workshop. Your attendance is necessary for your success as well as for others. All paperwork to be signed will be done at the end of the class. I will not sign unemployment or other forms unless you have been in class for the full time so please don’t ask. Just a reminder - if you’re absent – no matter the reason – assignments must be turned in ON TIME .
I subscribe to the OTIF policy – On Time and In Full. You receive 2 points for being on time and 2 points for being there at the end. You must be in your seat and ready to begin when class starts. This doesn’t mean you are there until I take attendance and then leave to go to the bathroom. You will lose a point. If you arrive late or leave early you lose your points. If you leave class excessively, more than once or are gone for an excessive amount of time, or you fall asleep, you will lose points. There are no makeups. You must be in class when the quiz/test is handed out to be able to take it. Papers/projects can be turned in early. Attendance is 10 percent of your grade.
Papers and Projects: There will be several small projects/papers due throughout the semester. All papers must be typed in a professional format: proper spacing, punctuation, spelling, grammar, etc. Papers must use MLA format. I will NOT accept any papers that are not typed, unless I specify otherwise. Papers will be marked done for excessive mistakes, improper citations, and lack of content. Papers with no citations will result in a failing grade. Late papers and presentations will be graded down .5 letter grade for each day they are late. More than a week late is a failing grade. There are no do-overs. You should be turning in your very best work.
Quizzes – 10 points each – 100 points
Take home quizzes – 5 points each 50 points
Homework 5- 10 points each – 100 points
Attendance – 6 points per day for the first 8 weeks and 7 points last 7 weeks = 100 points
Tests – 3 tests – 50 points each 150 points total
Mid-Term – 150 points
Final Exam – 150 points
Project – 100
Activities - 100
Total - 1000
Grading Scale:
940 - 1000 - 4.0
860 - 939- 3.5
780 - 859 - 3.0
710 -779 - 2.5
660 -709 - 2.0
610 -659 - 1.5
560 -609 - 1.0
510 - 559 - 0.5
509 and below is an 0
Examine the grading point carefully. There is no reason why you should not earn a good grade if you apply yourself, complete the assignments and participate in class.
Food and Drink – There is NO eating in class –you will lose your participation points for eating during the class period. Capped drinks are permitted.
Other sections of this class may have other standards, assignments, etc. Please respect all instructors and the way they choose to conduct their classes.
College and Departmental Policies
Academic Integrity/Cheating/Plagiarism: Dishonesty on examinations and /or written assignments, illegal possession of examinations, the use of unauthorized notes during an examination or quiz, obtaining information during an examination from another student, assisting other to cheat, and alteration of grade records are instances of cheating. If you are caught cheating I will fail you on the material you are cheating on. If you are caught cheating a second time – I will fail you in the class.
Plagiarism entails offering the work of another as one’s own without proper acknowledgement or failing to give credit for quotations or essentially identical expression of material taken from books, magazines, encyclopedias, and other reference works, irrespective of medium (print, film, video, CD, internet) or from the themes reports or other writing of a fellow student. Also keep in mind that while study groups and group activities encourage working together, care should be taken to avoid any possible duplication or violation of this policy.
Sexual Harassment and Content Disclosure: This course will observe the college’s guidelines for avoiding sexual harassment, but courses within Theatre usually deal with works of dramatic literature, both on the page and on the stage. Sometimes the situations, actions and language of these works can be objectionable to some students who might be offended regarding sexual explicitness, violence, subject matter or language. As this class is devoted to the principle of free expression, artistic and otherwise, and it is not our practice to censor these works on any of these grounds, students who might feel uncomfortable by such expressions should strongly consider withdrawing from this class at the start of the term and seek another course.
ADA Policy: If you require special accommodations in order to participate in this course, please contact the instructor. Students should present appropriate verification from the appropriate offices. No requirement exists that accommodation be made prior to the completion of this university process.
Weapons Policy: In theatre productions, on stage and in class, prop weapons are sometimes employed. Weapons of any type, actual or props, toys, etc. are not allowed in class without first receiving permission from the instructor. This also applies to flammables, candles, fireworks, etc. If you have any questions, check with the instructor.
Tamara S. (Frye) Hindes has a B.A. in speech/theatre arts and English from Adrian College. A Master of Arts from Eastern Michigan University in Theatre Arts – Acting and Directing and an Master of Fine Arts also from EMU in Drama/Theatre for the Young with an emphasis on creative drama.
She has taught theatre classes including theatre history, acting and stage makeup at Adrian College; Children’s Drama at Siena Heights University and Introduction to Theatre, Acting I and Voice for the Actor at JCC.
As an artist she has performed world-wide including Norway and Russia; has directed at several area theatres. She just recently directed “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” for the Saline Area Players.
Included in her entertainment resume is a 6-year stint with the Royal Hanneford Circus as assistant production director, boss clown and assistant marketing director. She has written and produced one play and is working on a second play along with a novel that may never get done. In her spare time she spends too much time on social networks, knits, gardens, reads and cooks. Currently she resides in Adrian with her husband Ken who she married rather suddenly four years ago, and two extremely large hairy cats. She has two married daughters and one son– none of whom is following in her footsteps exactly. She recently became a Bubci to Hadley Sophia who is destined for the stage with a name like that.
A theatre, a literature, an artistic expression that does not speak for its own time has no relevance.
DARIO FO, Nobel Lecture, December 7, 199
When you come into the theater, you have to be willing to say, "We're all here to undergo a communion, to find out what the hell is going on in this world." If you're not willing to say that, what you get is entertainment instead of art, and poor entertainment at that.
DAVID MAMET, Three Uses of the Knife
I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.
Oscar Wilde
From the start it has been the theatre's business to entertain people ... it needs no other passport than fun.
BERTOLT BRECHT, A Short Organum for the Theatre
A good drama critic is one who perceives what is happening in the theatre of his time. A great drama critic also perceives what is not happening.
- Kenneth Tynan
The play was a great success, but the audience was a disaster.
- Oscar Wilde
“The theatre, for all its artifices, depicts life in a sense more truly than history, because the medium has a kindred movement to that of real life, though an artificial setting and form.”
George Santayana
Schedule
(subject to change without too much prior notice)
5/1Intro to class, “Creativity; How to Read a play; What is theatre? What is a musical and The Black Crook; What
Homework: Study vocabulary for a quiz; Read pgs. 1-12 (don’t start Roman theatre), 139-185
5/8 Quiz – vocabulary;
Variety shows; musicals 1866-1910; Discuss Greek Theatre, Oedipus the King; What is a producer?
Homework – vocab. Roman theatre – pgs 12-16 NOT Classic Indian Theatre, and 271-316
5/15 Test 1
5/22
5/29
6/5 Test 2
6/12
6/19 Mid-Term
6/26
7/3
7/10
7/17 Test 3
7/24
7/31
8/7Projects Due
8/12Final