You'll explore the origins and evolution of Western theatre from ancient Greece to Shakespeare's England. The course covers major playwrights, theatrical conventions, and performance styles of each era. You'll analyze classic plays, study the role of theatre in society, and learn about the development of theatrical spaces and technologies over time.
It's not the easiest course, but it's definitely manageable. There's a fair amount of reading involved, mostly plays and historical texts. The trickiest part is remembering all the names, dates, and cultural contexts. But if you're into theatre or history, you'll probably find it pretty interesting, which makes the work feel less daunting.
Introduction to Theatre: This course provides an overview of theatre as an art form. You'll learn about different aspects of theatre production and gain a basic understanding of theatre history.
World Literature I: In this class, you'll read and analyze literature from various cultures and time periods. It often includes works that influenced or were influenced by theatre.
History of Theatre II: Modern Era to Contemporary: This course picks up where History of Theatre I leaves off. You'll explore theatrical developments from the 17th century to the present day.
Ancient Greek Drama: Dive deep into the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. You'll study the cultural context and lasting influence of Greek tragedy and comedy.
Shakespeare and His Contemporaries: Focus on the works of Shakespeare and other Elizabethan playwrights. You'll analyze their plays in the context of Renaissance England.
World Theatre: This course broadens your perspective by examining theatrical traditions from various cultures around the globe. You'll learn about different performance styles and cultural influences on theatre.
Theatre Arts: Students learn about all aspects of theatre production, including acting, directing, and design. The program often includes hands-on experience in stage productions.
Classical Studies: This major focuses on the languages, literature, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. Students gain a deep understanding of the foundations of Western civilization.
English Literature: Students analyze and interpret various forms of literature, including plays. The program develops critical thinking and writing skills while exploring different literary periods and genres.
History: Students study past events, societies, and cultures to understand how they shape the present. The program often includes courses on specific historical periods covered in theatre history.
Theatre Historian: Research and write about the history of theatre for academic publications or museums. They may also work as consultants for theatre productions or film adaptations of historical plays.
Dramaturge: Work with theatre companies to provide historical and cultural context for productions. They research and analyze plays to help directors, actors, and designers understand the work more deeply.
Theatre Educator: Teach theatre history and related subjects at high schools, colleges, or universities. They may also develop educational programs for theatres or cultural institutions.
Arts Administrator: Manage the business side of theatre companies or cultural organizations. They often use their knowledge of theatre history to inform programming decisions and audience engagement strategies.
Do I need to be a theatre major to take this course? Not at all! It's often open to students from various majors and can fulfill general education requirements.
Will we perform any plays in this class? Typically, this is more of a lecture and discussion-based course, but some professors might incorporate short performance exercises to illustrate concepts.
How much reading is involved? Expect to read several plays and historical texts throughout the semester. The amount varies, but it's usually manageable if you stay on top of it.