This class is designed to gain a “window” into the mind of the director and develop the ability to think critically about both the collaborative theatre process and artistic point-of-view.

Thinking Like A Director by Michael Bloom

10 Minute Play of your choice

The instructor may distribute additional reading assignments to you throughout the semester via Canvas.

• Explore a myriad of techniques that a director uses in their role as storyteller and collaborator.
• Gain hands on experience directing individually and in small groups.
• Through Michael Bloom’s Thinking Like A Director students will have a jumping off point for class discussions about the various challenges faced by the stage director in today’s world.
• To strengthen your professionalism within the theatre industry and understanding of the importance of collaboration through participation, commitment, attitude, attendance, and punctuality.
• The final project for this course will be the direction of a 10-minute play of your choice that reflects your point of view as an artist.
• After taking this course, you should be able to confidently undertake the analysis, preparation, and direction of a play, and articulate your point of view about a work of theatre.

Your grade in this course will be based on the following assignments and activities. Each project is designed to evaluate your achievement of the course learning outcomes, focusing on skills in play selection, analysis, staging, collaboration, and directing technique.

Assignment Submission Requirements

All written assignments must be:

• Typed in 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar)
• Include a proper heading with student name, course name, date, and assignment title
• Written in complete paragraphs with clear, complete thoughts
• Proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation before submission

Failure to follow formatting and writing guidelines may result in point deductions.

Total Points Possible: 1000

Grading Scale

Grades will be calculated by dividing the total points earned by the total possible points (950).

Play Submissions Details (50 points total)

You will submit options for your Ten-Minute Play using the following format:

Your TEN-MINUTE PLAY must be approved by the Instructor. It must be a published play. Your play must be from the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Actors Theatre of Louisville publishes a series of ten-minute plays every year. Please look for plays that have clear dramatic conflict, a single location, and dialogue that can withstand an investigation into character motivations. Your play should have only two characters. Read at least ten plays before making your choice. You will spend a great deal of time with this text, so make sure you are “fired up” about it.

When submitting your top three play options you must include the following:

• A list of 3 plays in order of preference
• Each full script in pdf format
• A brief, three sentence description of each play
• A list and brief description of the characters
• A list of where each play was procured, including the year each play was published

Theatrical Productions presented within the SUU School of Theatre and Dance: You are required to attend all mainstage productions and strongly encouraged to attend student productions.

Assignments and Points

Professional Decorum

It is your responsibility to come to class and be an active participant. This means:

• Coming to class fully prepared as assigned.
• Showing respect for every member of the group.
• A complete commitment and focus to the work each class period. This means paying attention to everyone’s work and the discussions that transpire. If you happen to fall asleep in class, you will be asked to leave the class for the day and you will be charged with one absence.
• Saying YES to feedback!

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI

The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities:

• Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
• Fine tuning your research questions;
• Checking grammar and style.

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:

• Impersonating you in classroom contexts.
• Writing a draft of a writing assignment.
• Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments.

You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification. Remember, unacceptable use of AI undermines your own artistic value.

Attendance and Participation

The first 30 percent of the grade is composed of attendance, participation in class discussions and writing workshops, genuine engagement with course materials, and respectful interaction with other students. At the start of every class, attendance will be taken. In addition to attending class, students are asked to come prepared with having read the course materials, having questions and critiques in mind, and being ready to speak in class. While students have different approaches to learning, and not everyone likes to be vocal in the space of a classroom, you should be prepared to speak up a minimum of one time during each class in an engaged and respectful way.

Attendance/Class Participation Policy

It is expected that you come to class and that you be on time. You should also be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to work.

You are allowed a total of 3 absences during the semester. Please note: If you are going to miss class, it is expected that you e-mail PRIOR to class to explain your absence. This is true whether it is your first absence or your sixth absence.

Acceptable Excuses to Miss Class:

• Running a fever, contagious or extremely ill.
• If you are ill, you should go to Health Services and be seen by a doctor.
• A note from Health Services will excuse an absence.
• Family emergencies such as death. (Please note that if you lie to your teachers about a family emergency, you are in violation of the University ethics policy and may be suspended.)

I understand that in any given semester you may become ill or have a family emergency. However, after 3 absences your grade will be lowered without exception. We also expect that you make it a top priority to keep yourself healthy through rest, exercise, hydration and healthy eating. Also, understand that if you miss an in-class rehearsal or presentation, your grade will be more severely impacted.

Number of Absences Grade IF doing “A” work:

2 LATES = 1 Absence      Any LATE of 20 minutes or more counts as a Full Absence