SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

THEATRE 128A
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE
Winter 2014
Instructor: Prof. Ric Roberts

Office: C 187

Class Texts

Required Texts: Wilson, Edwin. The

Theatre Experience, 12th ed.

Office Hours: Tuesday 8:00 am - 8:30

Scripts:
am and 11:30 am 1:30 pm, Thursday
8:00 am - 8:30 am and 2:30 pm 3:30 pm
and by appointment if necessary
Chekhov, Anton. Cherry Orchard
Molier. The Imaginary Invalid
Office Phone: 964-4912
+ one other for group project
E-Mail: rbrobert@svsu.edu

Course Description: This class introduces you to the elements of the theatre and
examines how theatre happens. We study play production and performance,
important artists, dramatic literature, and theatre history. Subject matter is
explored in a variety of ways, including readings, lectures, discussions, and
activities. Opportunities to develop an appreciation for and to make critical
responses to the art form are offered. You will experience theatre through study,
practice and live performance.
Course Objectives: Successful completion of this course should afford the
student:
1. Opportunities to develop his/her aesthetic growth through appreciation of
theatrical
events.
2. Opportunities to practice audience etiquette, view filmed theatrical events
and analyze and evaluate theatrical experiences.
3. The opportunity to study various theatre artists and discover how each
artists contribution relates to the total theatrical event.
4. The opportunity to explore theatrical genres and the artists who have
shaped the theatre in the 20th century.
Class Notes:

Attend class regularly and arrive promptly. If you are late, make sure your
attendance is recorded in the grade book.

Complete all readings and class work on time.

Follow directions on assignments and submit these when due.

Late assignments are penalized at 25% per class session. If, for example,
you have an assignment
due on
Tuesday and you submit it on Thursday, 25% of
your score is deducted. If you turn it in
on the following Tuesday, 50% is deducted and
so forth. No assignments will be taken more
than two class periods late. Assignments
turned in between classes are still subject to the 25%
penalty


of class.

Make the required commitment of time and energy, both during and outside

If you need an extension for an assignment or exam: (1) contact the instructor right
away; (2) document your special circumstances and; (3) schedule a new time to
complete the work. Please remember that extensions must be approved and are not
automatic upon request. If you have an extension, be sure to complete work by the
new due date.

If you cannot complete an assignment or take an exam, contact your

instructor right away. Be
prepared to produce proof of your emergency. Assessed work
may not be made up without the instructors permission.

Participate in all graded and non-graded activities. If your absence or

unsatisfactory involvement creates a problem for classmates, your grade will reflect that.
It is unlikely that you will be able to complete missed work or to present poorly prepared
work.

Take class commitments seriously. If, for example, you are scheduled to present and
you do not come to class, you may lose your opportunity and may not be able to
complete missed work. Please let classmates and/or the instructor know if you must
be absent on a presentation day. If you are working with others, they may decide to
present their work as scheduled. If they wait for you, expect that points will be
deducted from your score.

Academic Honesty: The Theatre Department adheres to all policies and procedures
specified in the SVSU Code of Conduct with respect to academic honesty. Your work
should be your own. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated and
will result in serious penalties.
Grading: Your grade is based upon the following:
Class participation and assignments - 25 points
Post Production Quiz (2 @ 25) 50 points
Plays & Playwrights form (2@ 25) 50 points
Play response (2-3pages) -- 50 points
Creative Project - 100 points
Production Hours 75 points
Midterm examination - 50 points
Final examination - 100 points
TOTAL 500 points
Grades and Points
A

= 500 - 465 points

Grades and Points

A- = 464 - 450 points

B+ = 449 - 435 points

C+ = 399 - 385 points

C = 384 - 350 points

= 349 - 300 points

= 299 - 0

points

= 434 415 points

B- = 414 - 400 points

Grades and Points

Grades and Points

You must have at least

300 points in order to
pass this course.
The instructor maintains the right to raise or lower grades. Please see him if you
have questions or need assistance.

READING CALENDAR

WEEK

READINGS

WEEK 1 - 1/14/14

Introduction to course/Pre-Test/Tour

WEEK 1 - 1/16/14

Chapter 1

WEEK 2 - 1/21/14

Chapter 2

WEEK 3 - 1/23/14

Show Business - Video

WEEK 3 - 1/28/14

Show Business Video Contd & Discuss

WEEK 4 1/30/14

Chapter 3

WEEK 4 2/04/14

Chapter 4

WEEK 5 - 2/06/14

Chapter 5

WEEK 5 - 2/11/14

Chapter 6

WEEK 6 2/13/14

Chapter 7

WEEK 6 - 2/18/14

Chapter 8

WEEK 7 2/20/14

No Class - Attend SVSU Play

WEEK 7 2/25/14

Discuss Cherry Orchard

WEEK 8 2/17/14

Midterm Exam - Online

WEEK 8 3/11/14

Chapter 9

WEEK 9 3/13/14

Chapter 10

WEEK 9 3/18/14

Chapter 11

WEEK 10 3/20/14

Chapter 12

WEEK 10 - 3/25/14

Chapter 13

WEEK 11 3/27/14

Introduction of Creative Project/Seminar

WEEK 11 4/01/14

In Class Creative Project Work

WEEK 12 4/03/14

In Class Creative Project Work

WEEK 12 4/08/14

Round 1 of Creative Project Groups A & B

WEEK 13 4/10/14

NO class, SVSU Play

WEEK 13 4/15/14

Discuss The Imaginary Invalid

WEEK 14 4/17/14

Round 2 of Creative Project Groups C & D

WEEK 15 4/22/14

Round 3 of Creative Project Groups E & F

WEEK 15 4/24/14

Final Exam Review

WEEK 16 4/29/14

Final Exam - Online

Class activities may not always parallel these readings.

Disability Services Statement
Students with disabilities that may restrict their full participation in the course activities are
encouraged to meet with the instructor or contact the SVSU office of Disability Services, Curtis
112 for assistance.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Your participation is not only encouraged, but required! If you miss class, you cannot
communicate. You class participation points will also be effected.
You may miss one class during the term without it effecting your grade. On therd second absence,
your final grade will be reduced 10%, a failing grade will be assigned upon the 3 absence.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (REQUIRED ATTENDANCE!) *
February 20 Cherry Orchard SVSUs Malcolm Field Theatre - Tickets $7.00
April 10 The Imaginary Invalid SVSUs Malcolm Field Theatre - Tickets $7.00
Please buy your tickets at the Box Office in Groening Commons or via the phone reservation lines
at 989-964-4261. You must show SVSU student ID to get student price.

PRODUCTION HOUR REQUIREMENT

Winter 2014 THEATRE CLASSES

s a part of your course work, you are expected to participate in SVSU Theatre, either as a
cast or crew member. Being involved offers you an opportunity to acquire firsthand
knowledge about theatre production. Prior experience isnt necessary and you shouldnt be
afraid to try something new to satisfy this requirement. Specific production opportunities will be
available shortly.
Mainstage Productions - Sign up sheets for tech are posted in the Theatre Department on the
silver double doors and on the costume shop door. If your work is technical (i.e., building a set or
constructing a costume), you will be provided with instructions for completing jobs. Each time
you report to a shop, bring your log sheet with you. Make a complete entry and have it signed.
Grading is based upon satisfactorily completed hours.
If ushering opportunities are available, they will be posted on the Theatre Department office
window. Once you have made a commitment, please do not erase your name. Although slots
usually fill quickly, please do not add your name if all slots are taken. If earning hours ushering,
you may be asked to attend an orientation meeting.
For credit, submit your completed log sheet to your instructor with your hours added. All
information must appear on the sheet. Have the sheet signed by a member of the theatre faculty,
Jerry, Kelly, a designated shop assistant, or a crew head. Please remember that unsigned hours
will not count. If you have been promised multiple hours (i.e.,double time for strike), verify that
your instructor counts this.
If you sign up but fail to show up when expected, faculty may subtract those hours from time
earned. If you do not honor a performance obligation, you risk failing both the assignment
and the class.
Keep in mind that productions have deadlines and people are counting on you. Some production
work is time intensive just prior to and during the run of a show. Other assignments are less
concentrated and extend throughout the semester. Please give serious consideration to your
personal schedule when committing to tasks. If you work with a crew head, be certain to keep in
contact with him or her. Let the appropriate faculty know if you encounter problems
Production Points - Points are based upon the following satisfactorily completed hours. Work
quality (as determined by faculty, staff, and/or crew head) and hours earned determine points.
HOURS
5 hours
4 hours
3 hours
2 hours
1 hour

POINTS
75 points
60 points
45 points
30 points
15 points

0 hours

0 points

Please see your instructor if you have any questions regarding this assignment. Remember
to complete your hours before our theatre season ends.

SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE
Production Work-Hours Log
THIS FORM MUST HAVE ORIGINAL SIGNATURES - NO XEROX COPIES!
Students Name: ______________________________ Class: __________________________
DATE

TOTAL
HOURS:

TIME
IN

TIME
OUT

PRODUCTION

PROJECTS

FACULTY
SIGNATURE