Class Calendars

WRI 111:
https://sakai.wfu.edu/portal/site/bb39d488-da8d-49bf-95c6-
c920ed94d4c9/tool/6c6bca68-1ede-41c8-ad7c-653da25e1101

Greek and Roman Comedy:

Directing I:
If you have not completed and turned in all written
assignments made before Spring Break, they are still
expected.
Assignments Going Forward
1. Response to Staging Choices
2. Prompt Book – 1st, 2nd, 3rd sections
3. World of the Play presentations
4. Response To Production (If you responded to Ever In
the Glades, then you have already done this. If you
were anticipating responding to Into the Woods you
may choose a video taped production (not a movie)
and respond to it. You have access to Digital Theatre
Plus from ZSR.
5. Final Personal Reflection Paper

1. Response to staging choices.

I will choose a taped production from Digital Theatre Plus
and you will watch it paying specific attention to the staging.
You will write a 2-3 page paper responding to, with
specific examples from the production:
a. The basic ground plan/s for the set
b. Power dynamics revealed in actor positions and
movements.
c. Beat shifts emphasized by movement.
d. Tempo and rhythms of movement.
e. Focus clarified by where and how characters are arranged.
f. Too much/too little movement.
g. Especially striking visual moments.
h. Anything else related to the blocking that you observed.

2. Prompt Book – Same as the prompt I emailed you. Let me

know if you need the prompt again. Remember that
whatever play you choose, the scene from that play that you
use in your prompt book will be the first scene that you
direct in Directing II.
 3. World of the Play Presentations – So, the plan is to still
do these presentations for each other in a Zoom class. Here
is what I heard from Ryan.

Me: Is there a way that students can show class thei power
point presentations if we are all in a virtual class together
such as on Zoom?

Ryan: Yes.  Anyone in a zoom meeting can share their

screen.  When you are in the menu there is a green "share
screen" button and you can select whether to share your
entire screen or just an application that is running, such as
powerpoint.

You all are aware of what a Luddite I am, so if we can’t make

this work, you can just talk to the class about your world of
the play and send your power points via email to me and the
rest of the class.
WORLD OF THE PLAY PRESENTATION: Using your prompt
book scene prepare a 10 -15 minute presentation that
communicates to the class the “world of the play”. Think of it as a
first presentation to the designers where you want to provide
them with sounds and images and ideas that stimulate them to
see and hear and feel the world as you want it portrayed. For
instance, say you want to update the essentially romantic West
Side Story to reflect the harsher even more violent realities of
urban youth. You could look for film clips or documentaries or
contemporary works of art or news articles or advertising, etc.
that illustrate how you see these young people and the world they
live in. You might play music that you feel captures the mood and
energy of the world of the play; you might bring in samples of
colors and textures that you see in the set and lights. Maybe
there is a poem that evokes the kind of fear and anger and
prejudice these kids feel. Show and Tell whatever you have at
your disposal that illuminates for your audience what the world
that your play takes place in is like. Your presentation should be
no more than 15 minutes so I remind you again, you need to
be prepared and precise.
As I evaluate your presentations, I will be considering the
following:

 Sounds and Images, etc. that allow us to see and hear and
feel this world. Don’t be afraid of the literal (pictures of what
the actual neighborhood might look like) but don’t shy away
from the metaphorical or more abstract. Perhaps there is a
picture or painting that “feels” like the world of your play.
Bring it and show it to us and articulate why this picture
speaks to your play.

 The depth of ideas/themes articulated by the presentation.

 Level of preparation and effectiveness of communication.

4. Response to Production
If you responded to Ever In the Glades, then you have already
done this. If you were anticipating responding to Into the
Woods you may choose a videotaped production (not a movie)
and respond to it. You have access to Digital Theatre Plus from
ZSR.
Reflective response to Production – Directing One – (Ever in the
Glades or Into the Woods)
It will be really helpful if you can see at least twice the production
you choose to respond to. You are attending specifically to the
direction – a learning director looking closely at the choices made
by the director of the production you are reflecting on. Be sure to
use specific examples from the production to clarify, illuminate
and support your observations.
Consider:
Spectacle/design choices – set, costumes, props, lights, sound.
How was the space used? How did the staging support the story,
the theme, the ideas in the play?
Casting – What about the casting seemed particularly effective?
Were you surprised by any of the casting choices? Look at this
question objectively…rather than from the perspective that you
might personally know the actors.
Acting - What choices in acting style, that one presumes were
guided by the director, were particularly effective? It is the
director’s job to tell the story as clearly and fully as possible.
Allowing for the reality that actors are coming from different skill
levels, how clear were the characters objectives and actions?
Rhythm and pacing.
How clear were the ideas in the play?
Were there any surprises? If so were they effective?
Any other elements, moments, choices,that stood out for you.

In a 2 page reflection paper it would be impossible to effectively

address all of the above so feel free to thoughtfully and carefully
narrow the focus of your paper.

5. Final Personal Reflection Paper

Here is the prompt for your first Personal Reflection Paper in case
you don’t still have it.
Director’s Initial Reflection

This paper is an opportunity for you to reflect on where you are in

relation to the characteristics and abilities that often exist in good
directors. We all bring strengths and weaknesses to this role and
as you work in this class to understand and strengthen the
qualities and skills required to direct, it is useful to have a sense
of where you are coming from initially.

Write a 2-3 page narrative considering the points listed below.

This is not an English paper so stream of consciousness writing is
fine. BUT, do be specific and thoughtful. To say, “I’m not good at
this” is not enough. Really examine your strengths and
weaknesses and write about them honestly with compassion for
yourself and with vision for how you can grow.

At the end of your narrative, articulate one example of a clear

directorial choice that you have either made, experienced as an
actor, or witnessed as an audience member.

1. A broad understanding of the theatre

2. An eclectic interest in other arts

3. Open mindedness and curiosity

4. Insightful observation

5. Adventurousness

6. Collaborative spirit

7. Imagination

8. Communication skills

9. Patience and centeredness

10. Leadership ability/Comfortable authority

11. Ability to live with anxiety

12. Willingness to take responsibility (the buck stops with you)

Now, look back over what you wrote before and write a 2-
3 page paper reflecting on how you have and/or have not
grown or changed.

Calendar
Th 3/26 – Zoom meeting! – Regroup – How are we? Just touch
base with one another. Guestions about new syllabus/calendar.
Tu 3/31 – Zoom -Ten Pictures Exercises – Red
DUE: Prompt book 1st third
Th 3/2 – Zoom -Ten Pictures Exercises – Yellow
Assignment: Watch assigned production from Digital
Theatre Plus and write Response to Staging Choices
paper.
Tu 4/7 –Zoom - TBA
Th 4/9 – Zoom Discuss Staging (Blocking) Choices in videoed
production
DUE: Response to Staging Choices paper
Tu 4/14 – ZOOM World of the Play presentations - Yellow
Th 4/16 - Zoom World of the Play presentations – Red
DUE: Prompt Book 2nd third
Tu 4/21 – ZOOM TBA
Th 4/23 ZOOM TBA
DUE: Prompt Book Complete
Tu 4/28 – ZOOM TBA
Th 5/7 – TBA (This is our exam block – 2-5) – Since we can’t do a
showcase we might just have a virtual party!!!

Auditions:
What to do "In What to do after
Date Topic
Class" class
Read find monologue
3/24 Taped Video Auditions
pages/articles possibilities

-work on resume
-select
monologues &
begin working
3/31 Resumes & Headshots Read links them
-take a sample
headshot
 

record self taped

4/7 Audition Pieces Work on pieces
audition

-Give feedback on
Watch taped discussion board
4/14 Taped audition showing
auditions
-work resume

4/21 Audition pieces -record final

Work on pieces
version of self
Comment on taped audition
 practice
headshots

Watch taped -Give feedback on

4/28 Final taped audition showing
auditions discussion board

5/8 Final Reflection Paper Due