Course Syllabus

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Southern Utah University

Fall Semester 2025

Directing II: Methods Approach (Face-to-Face)

THEA 4613-01

Course:	THEA 4613-01
Credits:	3
Term:	Fall Semester 2025
Department:	TA
CRN:	30672

Course Description

This course builds upon the fundamentals of directing with a deeper focus on point of view and shifting audience perspective. Students will learn how to develop, articulate, and realize their point of view through in-depth script analysis, staging techniques, and classroom projects. Students will also develop tools and strategies for understanding one's audience and creating opportunities for conversation and community engagement.

Required Texts

Activities, films, and readings may be added as the course progresses, and will be considered part of the required reading for the course. Please note that elements of the syllabus might alter as the course develops. You will need to acquire the following full texts for this class (we will discuss cost effective strategies for doing so in the first week of class):

The Director's Craft, A Handbook for the Theatre by Katie Mitchell, 2009

Learning Outcomes

learn to analyze a play in preparation for directing.
Develop writing and speaking skills, after taking this course you should be able to confidently articulate your point of view about a work of theater
Explore a myriad of techniques that a director uses in their role as storyteller and collaborator. Explore directing techniques, including the study of Realism, Viewpoints, Brechtian, and Grotowski devices.
Hone an intersectional understanding of artists having a sociological, political, and aesthetic impact on their work.
Experience directing individually and in small groups with classic texts.
Develop a point of view as a visionary in the arts.
Apply rehearsal tools and apply physical exercises with actors. Through Katie Mitchell’s book students will have a jumping off point for improvisations with actors.
Expand possibilities for lively imaginations and a passion for exploring the human condition.

Course Requirements

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.

Assessment, Evaluation, and Grading

Student achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through written assignments, class projects, presentations, and practical directing work. Grades will be based on the following:

Total Possible Points: 750

Grading Scale:
A = 94–100%
A- = 90–93%
B+ = 87–89%
B = 84–86%
B- = 80–83%
C+ = 77–79%
C = 74–76%
C- = 70–73%
D+ = 67–69%
D = 64–66%
D- = 60–63%
F = 59% and below

Assignment Notes

All written assignments will be handed in via the online platform. Performance based assignments will happen in class. All assignments should be double-spaced and typed, in 12 point Times Roman font with 1” margins unless otherwise specified.

Play Submissions Details (50 points total)

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

Your One Act 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

Assignment | Description | Points
Analysis Paper: World of Play | A written analysis for your chosen one-act play. Include your reasons for selecting the play, initial impressions, and the unifying idea you wish to express. Clearly outline the given circumstances and describe the “World” of the play. The paper should be carefully composed, proofread, and spell-checked. 12-point font, typed, with proper heading, paragraph structure, and complete thoughts. | 100
Mainstage Production Review | Attend and critically review a mainstage production, focusing on directorial choices, design elements, and overall storytelling. | 50
Class Project 1: Artist Tree | Identify three artists who have influenced you and present how they have shaped your directing style or creative perspective. | 50
Class Project 2: Treteau Exercise | In small groups, recreate a popular play in 10 minutes using only your bodies and a taped 4x8 space. Must demonstrate clear storytelling using levels, planes, and physical exploration. | 100
Class Project 3: One Act Point of View Video | Create a 60-second narrative video that reflects a clear point of view. Must include 2 locations, 2 sound effects, music, a film shot list, and storyboards (turned in before filming). Presented in class. | 100
Scored Script & Ground Plan | Submit an annotated script with conflict statements, beats, titles, and a clearly designed ground plan. | 50
Pitch Project: Directors Approach | Deliver a 3–5 minute “first day address” to your hypothetical actors and designers for the play of your choosing. Include themes, “Why this play now?”, personal connection, and design curiosities. | 50
Participation & Engagement | Active participation in discussions, workshops, peer feedback, and rehearsal processes. | 50
Final One Act Performance | Direct and present your final One Act for a live audience. | 200

Course Outline

Date	Weekly Learning	Reading	Assignments Due	Lab
Th 8/28	What is Directing Review / Syllabus	Assign Artist Tree
Tu 9/2	Present Artist Tree	Artist Tree	Present Artist Tree
Th 9/4	Review Staging	Ch. 1 Discussion	Staging Application
Tu 9/9	World of Play Analysis	Discuss Pipeline	Application of Pipeline
Th 9/11	Chapter Discussion	Ch. 2 & 3	Watch National Production or USF
Tu 9/16	Developing an Approach	Treteau
Th 9/18	Assign Point of View Video	Ch. 4 & 5	Play Selection Due	Treteau
Tu 9/23	Casting, Non-Traditional Casting	Treteau
Th 9/25	Chapter Discussion	Ch. 6 & 7	Ground Plan Due	Treteau
Tu 9/30	Staging Intimacy & Violence	Treteau Performance
Th 10/2	Chapter Discussion	Ch. 8 & 9	Point of View Video	Present Point of View Video

(View Department Production of Comedy of Errors: Sept. 26, 27, 29; Oct. 2, 3, 4 – High School Shakespeare Festival)

Tu 10/7	Auditions	In-Class Auditions	Auditions
Th 10/9	Discussion of Auditions / Cast Lists	Begin Rehearsals
Tu 10/14	Fall Break – NO CLASS
Th 10/16	Chapter Discussion	Ch. 10–12	World of Play Analysis Paper Due	Rehearsals
Tu 10/21	Pitch	Pitch Presentations	Pitch Presentations
Th 10/23	A Leader in the Arts	Ch. 13, 14 & Appendix	Rehearsals
Tu 10/28	Week 2 of Rehearsal	Rehearsals
Th 10/30	Rehearsals
Tu 11/4	Week 3 of Rehearsal	Rehearsals
Th 11/6	Rehearsals
Tu 11/11	Week 4 of Rehearsal	Rehearsals
Th 11/13	Rehearsals
Tu 11/18	Week 5 of Rehearsal/Tech	Rehearsals
Th 11/20	Rehearsals
Tu 11/25	Thanksgiving Break – NO CLASS
Th 11/27	Thanksgiving Break – NO CLASS

(View Department Production of Pippin: Nov. 21, 22 [matinee & evening])

Tu 12/2	Performances	Production Review Paper Due
Th 12/4	Performances

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Engaging with Each Other

We must treat every individual with respect. In this class we will be watching each other’s work. Think about the following as you engage with your peers’ work:

Instead of critiquing each other’s work, we want to approach it with the willingness to help each other develop as directors and learners.
If you are discussing difficult matters in your piece such as mental health, abuse, or trauma please provide a heads up for others.
Disagreement is part of learning but we want to approach each other with respect, even when we disagree.
Please be mindful of the space you occupy in the class: if you tend to speak often consider leaving space for others to speak, if you tend to be silent, you are invited to contribute something to the group in each class.

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.

Assignment Deadlines

If you need an extension, you must request this BEFORE the due date.

Cell Phones and Laptop Computers

As a general rule, cell phones are to be turned off and left in your bag during class. Laptop computers may be used during class for course-related work only unless otherwise specified. If you use a laptop please be conscious of how to continue to attend actively and participate in class activities.

Attendance Policy

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:
0-3 = A
4 = B
5 = C
6 = D
7 or more absences = F

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

Course Fees

There are no course fees for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

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