I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Directing for the Theatre

2. Course Prefix & Number:
THTR 2441

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course is an introductory course in the fundamentals and methods of directing that includes choosing a script and analyzing and blocking it, in preparation for rehearsals and the final production.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Articulate an informed point of view in discussions.
Demonstrate written communication skills	Analyze a play script using a critical framework.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Glean essential information and insight from reading a script.
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills	Work with others (actors, designers) on a project as the lead person in that project.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

Expected Outcome	MnTC Goal Area
Students will be able to critically analyze a play script for its value as a possible performance piece.	6
Students will be able to visualize a performance strategy, and communicate that strategy to other individuals involved in the performance process.	6
Students will be able to effectively guide the efforts of others in achieving a unified performance.	6

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. The director’s function

2. The director and play analysis

3. Five fundamentals of play directing

A. Composition B. Picturization C. Movement D. Rhythm E. Pantomimic dramatization

4. Working with the actor

A. Expression, body, voice, and role B. Auditions and casting

5. Directing the play

A. Preliminaries to staging the play

B. Rehearsing and staging the play

6. Guiding the work of others        A. Designers        B. Stage managers        C. Production staff