Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Directing I (Face-to-Face)

THEA 3613-01

Course: THEA 3613-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 11959

Course Description

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.

Required Texts


REQUIRED TEXTS: 
The Director's Craft by Katie Mitchell
10 Minute Play of your choice
The instructor may distribute additional reading assignments to you throughout the semester via Canvas.



Learning Outcomes

Course Objectives
  • 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.

Course Requirements

Assignments & Late Work 

Written Assignment Submission Guidelines
Written assignments may have differing submission criteria and/or deadlines depending on the needs of the assignment. You should be diligent about following instructions and checking the individual deadlines. Unless otherwise specified by the instructor, all written assignments should be typed and submitted on Canvas.

Late Submissions
Written assignments turned in after the deadline will be penalized 10% per day (not class period) that they are late unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor before the assignment deadline.

Performance Expectations
Performance dates are hard deadlines. When they occur you are expected to be present and prepared. Do not make the mistake of thinking that “getting through it” or that remembering all of your lines is enough. It is not. 

Missed Performances
The rescheduling of a missed performance due to an unexcused absence will be evaluated on a case by case basis. As a result potential grade lowering may occur and will be entirely at the discretion of the instructor. 

It is no small thing to miss a performance, do everything you can to avoid this. If you cannot, speak to the instructor beforehand so an appropriate plan can be made.
Assignments
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.

Assignment | Description | Point
Play Submissions | Submit three potential ten-minute plays for instructor approval. Must include: full PDFs of each play, brief descriptions, character lists, and publication information. Plays must have clear conflict, a single location, and two characters. | 10
Play Analysis – “World of the Play” | In-depth written analysis of your chosen ten-minute play, examining world, tone, themes, and dramatic structure. Details will be provided in a separate handout. | 10
Mainstage Reflective Essay | A reflective essay responding to the department’s mainstage production. Focus on directing choices, design integration, and thematic clarity. | 10
Final Scene Presentation | Direct and present your approved ten-minute play. Includes all rehearsals, actor work, and final performance. | 20
Composition in Motion | In-class staging exercise exploring picturization and movement. | 5
First Creative Memory Project | Think of your first creative memory when you were a child. Perhaps this was coloring on the wall, playing an instrument badly for the first time, or a quest with an imaginary friend. Recall the memory by thinking about how it sounded, felt, tasted, smelled, or what you saw. Create a small, hand-made 3D viewfinder collage that recreates a moment from your first creative memory. Use found materials, paper, images, text, or objects to create depth and point of view. Include no more than 50 words of text, integrated into or attached to the piece. Projects will be shared in a brief in-class gallery walk; focus on specificity, intention, and care rather than artistic skill. | 5
Silent Scene | Partner scene work with no dialogue, emphasizing physical storytelling and subtext. | 10
Scored Script & Ground Plan | Annotated script with conflict statements, beats, titles, and a clearly designed ground plan. | 10
Pitch Project | Present your directing vision for your final scene, including concept, thematic justification, and visual approach. | 20

Total Points Possible: 100
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. 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. 



Course Outline

Instructor will present weekly course learning on the first day of class.

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

Professional Decorum
All acting classes will be run as a professional working situation. This means: 
•  Coming to class fully prepared as assigned
•  Showing respect for every member of the artistic ensemble.
•  A complete commitment and focus to the work each class period.
•  Saying YES to coaching and feedback!
•  No chewing gum, eating, or drinking in class (except water).
•  Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing suitable for complete freedom and range of movement.
•  When working or presenting scenes, wear appropriate rehearsal clothes and shoes for the scene.

Professional Decorum Statement 
The exercises you will be asked to complete in class may challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. This means that in class you may be exposed to new, different, and controversial ideas, language, and issues with which you may fundamentally disagree, which may even offend you in some manner. It is fine to respectfully disagree or point out how something might offend you and why. However, the recognition that controversy is at the heart of debate does not encourage or condone gender, sexist, racist, ethnic, or religious slurs, or any form of slander or hate speech. As always in our classes, these forms of speech will not be permitted. However, if you are still offended in any way by ideas and/or language that are different from your own, please contact the instructor.

Every effort will be made to ensure your physical and emotional safety, while also providing and holding a “brave space”. It is important to embrace the idea that acting is not comfortable. Much like the work one does with a trainer at a gym, you will be asked to stretch yourself. You will be asked to go beyond where you expected to go. Within boundaries you will learn to trust the difference between a trigger and something that is unfamiliar and may feel scary.

Content Statement
This course focuses on diverse storytelling while maintaining physical and emotional safety boundaries. Because all material will reflect a wide range of human perspectives, you will likely encounter characters and situations that fall outside your personal lived experiences. You are expected to approach these narratives with an open mind and to respect your peers' work. If any script or exercise challenges your personal comfort level, please speak directly with your professor immediately so we can establish appropriate boundaries or discuss arranging alternative material. 

Declining Material
Whenever you are assigned acting material you will always have the option to decline if you see fit. You will then be asked to find comparable material as determined by the instructor within a timely manner so as not to disrupt your performance assignments. If no alternative material can be found in a timely manner, the original material will be used.  

Phones & Electronics
Phone, laptop, or tablet usage is not permitted during class. All note-taking should be done by hand and on paper or scripts. Once class begins, all electronics should be turned off or set to silent and left in bags/backpacks for the duration of class. 

Students continuously checking phones or devices during class time may be asked to leave and marked absent for the day.

Artificial Intelligence
The use of AI in this class is not permitted. If it is found that an assignment has been generated using AI, the assignment will be marked as a zero.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI

The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, 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 or final draft of any 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.

Canvas 
This class will utilize Canvas. Through Canvas you will find information concerning assignments, readings, announcements, grades, etc. It is your responsibility to check Canvas frequently and it is strongly encouraged to check often as information can be added or announcements and reminders made through Canvas. This will be extremely important when you are absent so you can stay on top of your work.


Attendance Policy

Attendance
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel or religious exemption. You are allowed 4 unexcused absences for the entirety of the semester. Each absence after 4 will result in a 33.333 point deduction in your attendance and participation grade. If you negate your total attendance and participation grade, your final grade will continue to decline by 1/3 of a letter grade as per the TDAA Student Handbook. 

3 Tardies = 1 unexcused absence, see Tardiness policy below.

Tardiness
If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered “tardy.” Leaving class early unexcused will also count as tardy. Four instances of tardiness will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. 

Students who are habitually late to class will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Illness
In the performance industry rehearsal time is precious and cannot be replaced. The success of the production depends on the health and well being of the entire ensemble. Masking is often the best middle ground for performers who need to continue working but who also must protect their health and the health of their c0-workers. We will abide by those same standards in this class.

If you are feeling under the weather but are able to work safely, please wear a mask and join us.

If you are ill and are unable to work safely, please stay home. Contact the instructor and any scene partners beforehand and let them know so that an appropriate plan can be made to make up for the missed work.


Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.