Overview of Course

In this highly participatory introductory course, students will explore diverse expressions of the theatrical art form. We will discover what theater is, who creates it, and how it evolves during its collaborative journey from the page to the stage. Course participants will examine theater’s historical role in society; particularly in social transformation through the lens of some of the cultures that we will encounter during our voyage. For example, theater for social change played a major role in dismantling the Apartheid government in South Africa, which we will study.

Students will become familiar with popular genres such as political satire, street theater, puppetry, musical theater, hip-hop theater, devised theater, and dance theater. They will hone their analytical skills through reading and critiquing play scripts. Students will further engage their critical skills through writing about live performances that we attend. Students will also create their own short original monologues and 10 minute plays which will be presented at the end of the course.

No prior theater experience is required.