DTS3000 - Theories of directing

Leader(s): Peter Snow

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

Theatre Directing will take as its premise the profound and reciprocal influence that directors have had on the theory and practice of theatre. We will follow three principal lines of inquiry. Students will make a presentation on a work of a selected C20 director, taking into account their productions, rehearsal strategies and social and performance contexts. We will explore aspects of directing practice such as preparing a text for production. And we will read and discuss some key, contemporary issues concerning directing such as theorising the actor, rehearsal methodology, intercultural theatre and performance aesthetic.

Objectives

Upon successfully completing this subject students should be able to:

1. Follow the processes by which directors prepare a theatre production.

2. Understand the relationships between directors, actors, other theatre practitioners (eg designers) and spectators.

3. Research and make a presentation on the rehearsal strategies and productions of selected historical directors in their social and performance contexts.

4. Carry out some of the practices of a director, such as preparing a text for production.

5. Explain some key, conceptual issues concerning directing such as action, rehearsal methodology, mise-en-scene and performance aesthetic.

6. Describe and theorise some of the processes of directing in confident, oral presentation as well as in clear and cogent writing.

Assessment

Essay (3000 words): 60%
Presentation (1500 words): 30%
Seminar participation: 10%

Contact hours

3 hours (1 x 3 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

A second-year sequence in Drama and Theatre Studies