THEA G135: Classical Play Performance 1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Eff Term | Fall 2026 |
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 03/18/2025 |
| Top Code | 100700 - Dramatic Arts |
| Units | 1,2 Total Units (; Lab/Other Units 1,2) |
| Hours | 54,108 Total Hours (Lab Hours 54,108) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Total Student Learning Hours | 54,108 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Open Entry/Open Exit | Yes |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
Course Description
This course provides instruction and participation in the rehearsal and performance of plays from classical Greece to 1800 presented to the community at an introductory level. The student will explore the social and moral attitudes and customs of historic theatrical periods. The actors will be selected through the audition/interview process and is recommended for theater majors. ADVISORY: Audition/interview. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: THTR 191.C-ID: THTR 191.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Interpret historical styles, attitudes, morals, and customs for classical acting at an introductory level.
- Demonstrate an understanding of style, attitude, morals, and customs of historical periods at an introductory level.
Course Objectives
- Analyze a classical play script for rehearsal and performance at an introductory level
- Apply basic acting skills to perform a classical role on stage at an introductory level
- Identify the individual and collaborative process required to produce a live classical theatrical production at an introductory level
- Use basic technical theater production elements to create a classical play at an introductory level.
Lab Content
- Rehearsal and performance procedures
- The actor’s responsibilities
- The director’s responsibilities
- Production staff responsibilities
- Historical and thematic elements of the play
- Author’s intentions
- Political, social, philosophical and moral agenda of the play
- Interpretation and evaluation of the historical period
- Script evaluation
- Scoring
- Prior circumstances
- Time and place requirements
- Character development
- Tenets of classical acting
- Relationship work with the other actors
- Behavioral life of the character
- Emotional life of the character
- Needs of the character
- Staging of classical plays
- Working with the director
- Justifying physical action
- Creation of character behavior
- Rehearsal
- Use of given circumstances to justify dialog
- Use of voice with projection and clarity of speech
- Creative collaboration with other actors
- Warm-up exercises and preparations
- Integration of production elements with performance
- Props
- Scenery
- Lighting/sound
- Costumes
- Special effects
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lab (04)
Instructional Techniques
Lab/Studio/Activity
Reading Assignments
Play Scripts
Writing Assignments
Written critique of classical theatrical production presented
Out-of-class Assignments
N/A
Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended
0
Methods of Student Evaluation
- Written Assignments
- Report
- Projects (Individual/Group)
- Problem Solving Exercises
- Oral Presentations
- Skills Demonstration
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
A. Historical research relevant to the acting assignment to critically analyze and interpret the author’s intentions and the play’s political, social, philosophical, and moral themes. B. Oral group discussion of the text. C. Rehearsal with director and dramaturg.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
A. Use of foundational acting skills, including character development, analysis of prior character circumstances, and adherence to time, place, and historical period constraints to critically interpret the author’s intentions and the play’s political, social, philosophical, and moral themes. B. Oral group discussion of the text. C. Rehearsal with director and dramaturg
Resources Subscreen
- Other: . . ().
Eligible Discipline(s)
- Drama/theater Arts: Master’s degree or Master of Fine Arts in drama/theater arts/performance OR bachelor’s degree or Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama/theater/performance AND master’s degree in comparative literature, English, communication studies, speech, literature, or humanities OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.
- Theater arts: See drama/theater arts Master's degree required.
