Intro to Theatre

"Theatre is like a gym for empathy. It's where we can go to build up the muscles of compassion, to practice listening and understanding, and engaging with people that are not just like ourselves. We practice sitting down, paying attention, and learning from other people's actions. We practice caring."

- Bill English, San Francisco Playhouse 

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Instructor 

Shea King

Email: sking@columbiabasin.edu

 

NO MEETING TIME. ALL CONTENT IS ON CANVAS. THIS CLASS IS ARRANGED.

 

Course Summary

An exploration of the many facets of Theatre and the many creative artists which comprise the theatre arts. It is an introductory course that looks at the theatre from the point of view of the artists who create it. The class will employ readings, discussions, exercises, activities, and lectures to introduce the student to this composite format. Emphasis is placed on active student participation.

 

Course Content Notice and Disclaimer

In their work, artists sometimes engage subjects that can be offensive to some people. Words, ideas, and actions we see in class reflect these topics, and so you will read or experience works that might depict violence, sexuality, lifestyles and religions to which you do not subscribe. As in any college-level class, some objectivity is required on your part in the study of the arts.

By remaining registered for this course after reading the syllabus, you agree that, as an adult student, you do not hold the instructor responsible for protecting you from imagery or knowledge that doesn’t conform to your personal beliefs. Specifically, you understand that the instructor will not censor any content.

 

Textbook

Theatre: A Way of Seeing by Barranger  7th edition:  Amazon

  

TESTS and QUIZZES

All tests will be on Canvas.  All tests are timed, so once you start a test the time does not pause if you log off. Please note: sometimes Canvas will mark a ‘correct’ answer as ‘wrong’.  This could be for a variety of reasons (you didn’t capitalize, you added an ‘s’, or you phrased it differently), please do not email me.  I will go over every test and will review all ‘wrong’ answers for just this reason.  After it is fully graded and you have a question then let me know. 

 

A few things for you to consider now that you’re in college:

• You cannot prepare enough.
• Good enough isn’t.
• Let your passion show in the work you do.
• Arrive 5-10 minutes early to everything, because in theatre and life, on time is late.
• Speak your mind with precision and care.
• Have an opinion.
• Demonstrate compassion – to yourself & others.
• Decide to make it all important to you.
• Take responsibility – “I’ll have this to you by 4:00.” And DO it.
• No excuses.
• Take the note and say thank you.
• Hygiene is really important.
• Your word has to be truth.
• Say “YES!”
• Demonstrate joy in the doing, it is all a privilege.
• Figure out how to be a vital member of your community.
• Email/correspond/write carefully.
• Every day is a job interview.
• it is so important to have fun
• and ask for help when you need it.

Text: The Acting Bible by Michael Powell

 

See a play

CBC presents one production each quarter that is free to students. You must go to see ONE performance of the show. Please be aware that if you leave before it is over it does not count. So do not leave at intermission, make sure to stay until the very end. There will be an assignment that goes along with seeing the show. 

 

The Winter Quarter play is:

 Love/Sick by John Cariani

Performances are February 24th, 25th, and 26th @ 7:30pm in the CBC Theatre 

 

 

Grading Scale

Percentage	GPA
94	4.0
93	3.9
92	3.8
91	3.7
90	3.6
89	3.5
88	3.4
87	3.3
86	3.2
85	3.1
84	3.0
83	2.9
82	2.8
81	2.7
80	2.6
79	2.5
78	2.4
77	2.3
76	2.2
75	2.1
74	2.0
73	1.9
72	1.8
71	1.7
70	1.6
69	1.5
68	1.4
67	1.3
66	1.2
65	1.1
64	1.0