DIRECTING I
TH 352
SPRING 2000
Bob Yowell
Creative Arts Room 108
523-2279

Robert.Yowell@nau.edu
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 T/Th
Course Meets: MWF 12:40 – 2:40 – Studio Theatre

Purpose: This course introduces the student to the fundamental concepts of play direction. Students will learn theory and practice of the basic techniques of directing.

Specifics: 1. Play selection and analysis
2. Five Fundamentals of Play Direction
3. Techniques of working with the Actor
4. Management of the rehearsal procedure
5. Mounting the production

Requirements:
1. All reading as assigned
2. Class Projects (in class work)
3. Five-Minute Creative Scene
4. Production Concept (Paper)
5. Director's Notebook and Journal
6. Final Five Minute Scene and Evaluations of all Scenes

Required Text: Directing For The Stage, Terry John Converse
Meriwether Publishing, Ltd.

Evaluation:
1. Production Concept 25%
2. Quality of First Directed Scene 10%
3. Director's Notebook and Journal 20%
4. In-Class Exercises -Improv Work 15%
5. Quality of Final Directed Scene 30%

Total: 100%

Attendance: Student attendance requirements are the official NAU requirements as set out on page 55 of the NAU Undergraduate Catalog 1997. Attendance is required.

Production Concept:

The student director is at liberty to choose any good play. The director will research the play (e.g., its history and critical commentary) and develop a Creative Production Concept. A four to eight page paper including footnotes and bibliography will be submitted.

First Directing Scene:

The director will create a contemporary 2-person scene. Two actors will be cast and the student will rehearse this scene at least 4 hours. This need not be a memorized scene. The emphasis is on the Director’s creativity.

Director's Journal

In preparation for the Final scene the director will prepare a journal/notebook that will be turned in by April 21st. It will include:

1. Copy of play/scene
2. All blocking notes
3. Production concept
4. Rehearsal schedule
5. Journal entries

Final Scene Project

During the final weeks of the term formal class meetings will cease and directors will begin rehearsing "final scenes." This scene will be a five to eight minute scene with minimum of two or three actors. These scenes will be rehearsed a minimum of 15 hours and a rehearsal schedule will be submitted to the instructor. The instructor will attend at least one rehearsal (his discretion) and discuss progress with the director. The Final Scene will be presented during "reading week." Final Scenes will be open to the public.

CLASS SCHEDULE

1-19 Introduction to Directing
1-21 Open
1-24 Silent Scenes – Read Chapter 2
1-26 Silent Scenes
1-28 Silent Scenes
1-31 Silent Scenes
2-2 Justified Movement Scenes – Read Chapter 3
2-4 Justified Movement Scenes
2-7 ACTF –No Class
2-9 ACTF – No Class
2-11 ACTF – No Class Production
2-14 Justified Movement Scenes
2-16 Justified Movement Scenes
2-18 Ground Plan Scenes - Read Chapter 4
2-21 Ground Plan Scenes
2-23 Ground Plan Scenes
2-25 You direct an "open" scene using outside actors
2-28 You direct an "open" scene using outside actors
3-1 You direct an "open" scene using outside actors
3-3 You direct an "open" scene using outside actors
3-6 Mid-Semester Break
3-8 Mid-Semester Break Mid-Semester Break Ground Plan Scenes
Individual meeting with Instructor – submit draft of Production Concept Paper – Turn in your written evaluation of the "open scenes."

3-15 Open Scenes - Read Chapter 5
Individual meeting with Instructor & submit draft of Production Concept Paper