Foothill CollegeApproved Course Outlines
Fine Arts and Communication Division
THTR 7INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTINGSummer 2013
3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.4 Units
Total Quarter Learning Hours: 72 (Total of All Lecture, Lecture/Lab, and Lab hours X 12)
 
 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 3 Lecture/Lab:
 Note: If Lab hours are specified, see item 10. Lab Content below.
Repeatability -
Statement: Not Repeatable.
Status -
 Course Status: ActiveGrading: Letter Grade with P/NP option
 Degree Status: ApplicableCredit Status: Credit
 Degree or Certificate Requirement: AA Degree
 GE Status: Non-GE
Articulation Office Information -
 Transferability: BothValidation: 2/8;12/09;12/10;11/26/12
1. Description -
The qualifications of the director; the choice of plays for production; auditions and methods of casting; preparation of the play script; building the rehearsal schedule; fundamentals of composition, movement, stage business and characterization as applied to the directing of plays.
Prerequisite: THTR 20A.
Co-requisite: None
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in DRAM 7 or 52.

2. Course Objectives -
The student will be able to:
  1. understand the relationship of the director to the total production.
  2. choose plays to direct in a multicultural world.
  3. prepare a script for production.
  4. audition and cast a play.
  5. direct the production of a play with an understanding of the process from rehearsal to production.
3. Special Facilities and/or Equipment -
  1. Textbook.
  2. Access to library, printed, audio visual research materials and video recording material.
  3. Three-ring binder for prompt book.
  4. Large flat rehearsal areas such as the auditorium stage.
  5. Appropriate rehearsal furniture.

4. Course Content (Body of knowledge) -
  1. Identify and define the role of a director in a theatrical production
    1. Study the historical development of the director, analyzing how the role has changed from past to present.
    2. Interpretation and vision.
    3. Responsibilities to the production team in the overall process.
    4. Communication tactics and effective, constructive collaboration.
    5. Individuality of style.
  2. Develop criteria for choosing a play for production.
    1. Analyze elements of technical complications.
    2. Casting demands and community standards.
    3. Emphasis in the importance of selecting scripts that represent a wide range of cultural, social, racial and sexual backgrounds.
  3. Study script analysis and develop the process of script preparation for rehearsal and performance.
    1. Structure, plot, theme interpretation.
    2. Character.
    3. Language and dialogue structure.
    4. Notation and building a prompt book.
  4. Understand efficient audition and casting processes.
    1. Casting of type vs talent.
    2. Process of auditioning, callbacks and final casting.
    3. Awareness of non-traditional casting (multi-ethnic, cross-age, etc.).
  5. Direct scenes with a focus on the communication of script elements.
    1. Communicate cohesive directorial concept and how it translates into production.
    2. Stage composition.
    3. Stage movement and business.
    4. Unity and style.
    5. Characterization.
    6. Develop and use rehearsal schedules.
    7. Rehearse from a prompt book.
    8. Acquire production experience.
5. Repeatability - Moved to header area.
 
6. Methods of Evaluation -
  1. Directing projects will be observed and graded.
  2. Auditions, casting, blocking, laboratory rehearsals, performances will be observed and graded.
  3. Lighting, settings, costumes, sound and other technical aspects will be observed and graded.
  4. A midterm and final examination will also be given.
7. Representative Text(s) -
Hodge, Francis and Michael Mclain. Play Directing: Analysis, Communication and Style. 7th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2009.
Ahern, John. A Director's Eye: A Comprehensive Guide for Directors and Actors. Colorado Springs: Meriwether Publishing Ltd., 2001.

8. Disciplines -
Theater Arts
Stage Craft
 
9. Method of Instruction -
  1. Lecture
  2. Discussion
  3. Cooperative learning exercises
  4. Oral presentations
  5. Laboratory
  6. Demonstration
  7. Field trips
 
10. Lab Content -
  1. Field research through attending live performance.
  2. Development and rehearsal of student performance presentation projects.
 
11. Honors Description - No longer used. Integrated into main description section.
 
12. Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing and Outside of Class Assignments -
  1. Noted director research oral presentations with supporting written analysis.
  2. Reading quizzes and discussion presentations.
  3. Post performance analysis and summation.
  4. Live performance critique.
13. Need/Justification -
This course is a required core course for the A.A. degree in Theatre Arts.

Course status: Active
Last updated: 2013-04-17 09:19:16
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