Drama and The Theater

Catalog description

Drama and theatrical productions are one of humankind’s most enduring art forms. Though the theater has always played a strong role, today the artform is seeing a resurgence (evidenced by, for example, the wide popularity of certain Broadway-style musicals). This course allows students to engage with the moment by exploring both the enduring relevance of stage plays and the experience of the contemporary theater. In this introductory course, students read dramatic works as literature and study plays as performance (recorded stage productions, film adaptations, and live shows). The course first surveys the history of the theater and drama. Students read and/or view works by diverse playwrights from different times, leading into a focus on US theater and current local productions. Students take part in a communal audience experience by attending one or more live performances, thereby gaining an introduction to Milwaukee’s performing arts scene. In addition, students are introduced to the theater as a constructed space, learning about the engineering involved in today’s live productions. Students thoughtfully write and present on these course topics and learn terminology that supports their skills in creating such responsive texts.