American Theatre History

1 AMERICAN THEATRE HISTORY THE384 Instructor: C.L. Wittwer Office: H202 Fine Arts Building Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 12:30-1:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Class meets: Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 -10:45am in Fine Arts Building room H201

Welcome to Theatre History 384, American Theatre History. This class is centered on reading, research, reflection, writing and discussion. . Course focuses on the actor, staging and the early and sharp portrayals of stock, type and stereotype characters developed on the American Stage. Selected readings of Plays and handout materials form one leg of structure of the course format; we’ll also have Student and Instructor classroom presentations of researched materials as Dramaturgy Projects.

Course Description and Goals:

Origins and development of American theatre from the wilderness to the contemporary Broadway and off-Broadway stage, including the evolution of the musical play. Analysis of special contributions made by the grassroots movement, the university theatres, the Federal Theatre Project, and the regional theatre movement. (Lec. 3) --URI Catalogue

General Education Categories: Objectives and Outcomes

Humanities (Full Coverage):

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:  Understand and describe the historical development of American theatre from its origins through the present day  Identify facts, vocabulary, definitions, terms, concepts, and people relevant to the history of American Theatre  Analyze play texts (using representative plays) for their relationship to relevant social, artistic/intellectual and political developments  Identify the key changes in the American theater’s role and form  Identify and Discuss key people and their contributions to the historic vitality of the American stage  Research and Write argumentatively on American Theatrical/Historical issues  Identify facts, vocabulary, definitions, terms, concepts, people  Recognize concepts or tools relevant for application to a task  Ask questions or frame hypotheses relevant to the task 2

 Analyze: Apply concepts to address the task  Writing (Full Coverage)

 Demonstrate consideration of audience and style o appropriate to analyses and arguments about dramatic texts and performances  Construct and present claims (synthesis, analyses, critiques, explanations, arguments) with qppropriate textual evidence and/or credible sources.  Achieve organization and coherence through careful attention to logic, plausibility and persuasiveness within and among claims, arguments, evidence, and conclusions  Adhere to rules of writing about dramatic texts: for example. correct formal citation.  Adhere to formal and informal rules of syntax, grammar, mechanics, and usage appropriate to Standard Written English.

Academic Honesty

There is a ‘Community Standards of Behavior’ section in your student handbook which outlines University policies and regulations regarding honesty, plagiarism and cheating etc. in academic work. Please refer to this in for a detailed description of what is expected and what is not acceptable with regard to academic honesty. In this class, tests and written assignments have to be your individual work.

In the classroom: format and etiquette

Class Format

Presentations, most often with visual (PowerPoint) support, by Instructor and Students. I regard my presentations as ‘teaching moments’ and I expect you to adopt a ‘teaching’ approach in your presentation to the class. Presentations are the basis for tests and the final exam.

Class discussions on reading.

Short ‘reaction & reflection’ writing

Attendance: this is a class that requires your attendance and participation. Each of you is expected to contribute by  showing up for each class  reading assigned texts prior to class  presenting your dramaturgy project, participating in “cold” script readings selected from our play reading list and freely engaging in class discussion  Observing a few tenets of academic etiquette. What ‘etiquette’? you may ask. Here are a 3

few crucial etiquette tips essential in maintaining a civil, respectful environment in which we can teach and learn with joy in our hearts and confidence in future endeavors:  come to class on time  Once class has started, remain until class is dismissed. Do not compromise focus and attention by strolling out of class during someone’s presentation….not only is this very distracting, but it shows disregard for the work of your instructor and other students in the class... If you know you must leave a class early, sit close to an exit to minimize the disturbance of your leaving  Please turn off cell phones, ipads, laptops and other such devices during class so you may contribute your views during discussion….not those you’ve hurriedly searched on the mac.  You are strongly encouraged to take written notes during presentations, especially to ensure your understanding and recall of relevant concepts, definitions, personalities and events appropriate to an understanding of theatre history  During class, please refrain from ‘side conversations’ especially those related to departmental production work or private matters unrelated to our work in theatre history  Always feel free to ask questions, contribute your insights and factual findings, your interpretation of our readings, etc.  If you stop to think about it, Academic etiquette: is basically not much different than old fashioned Good Manners, which is rooted in consideration for others, in this case, for your instructor and your fellow students.

Assignments and grading

Dramaturgy Project (30%)

Research an approved Modern Theatre topic (see "Dramaturgy Topics and Presentations" on the attached Calendar) and write a brief paper on it, and present your work to the class. The Presentation is given by you with visual support (slides, videos, ‘cold reading” of scenes, etc.). The written part of the project is in the form of a formal researched paper, which will - be about 5 pages long -have proper footnotes and quotation marks for material you are quoting -be written in your words -have an annotated bibliography of books and websites you have consulted -be prepared in consultation (at least two meetings) with the course instructor. -be your own, not some kind of group or webjacked effort, and thus -avoid the hideous Spectre of Plagiarism by really being your own work based on research - is due during the week indicated on the course calendar in consultation with the instructor

Your Dramaturgy Project will be due ON OR ABOUT the week indicated in the calendar attached to this syllabus. Please remain alert to reminders in class about your presentation date. The Dramaturgy Projects account for 30% of your final grade. 4

. Participation (20%) Participation happens during class, where your responses to course content (readings, videos, presentations) are given in our lively, fun, informed & brilliant discussions. Come to class all the time. Share your insights, questions and comments. Be Sure to bring your ‘current play’ to class: our in class readings are participation; you may be cast! It is very difficult for you to ‘make up’ participation responsibilities if you miss class Participation is graded like this: A: Attendance to all class sessions with active, insightful contributions to discussion through the term B: Attendance to almost all class sessions (Two or less unexcused) with substantial contribution to discussion through the term C: Attendance to almost all class sessions (Three or less unexcused) with active contribution to discussion through the term D: Attendance to almost all class sessions (Four or less unexcused) with some contribution to discussion through the term F: More than Four unexcused absences with minimal or no contribution to discussion through the term Participation accounts for 20% of your final grade.

C. Tests and Final Exam (50%) About once a week I give a test either in class or in "take home" form. It will cover such things as  plays and other readings for the week(s) as shown on the calendar  handout materials, videos we’ve watched  lecture/presentations from students and instructor  your work on a mini research/response project

Tests are graded on this Scale:

A 100-90 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59

There will be a Final Exam which is counted twice when averaging your test scores. The Tests and Final Exam account for 50% of your final grade.

Grading Summary

Participation=20%; Dramaturgy Project=30%; Tests and Final Exam=50%

Accommodation for Students with disabilities 5

Any Student with a disability that is likely to affect performance on any or all of the assignments should see me to arrange for accommodations….Please also be in touch with the Disability Services for Students office at 330 Memorial Union 874 2008.

Writing Center help

You can improve your writing skills by contacting the Writing Center (Roosevelt Hall 408). They can offer you one on one assistance with your writing…but you must visit it at WCOnline for a schedule and an appointment. Take your Guide for Dramaturgy Project handout with you when you visit them. Academic Honesty

There is a ‘Community Standards of Behavior’ section in your student handbook which outlines University policies and regulations regarding honesty, plagiarism and cheating etc. in academic work. Please refer to this for a detailed description of what is expected and what is not acceptable with regard to academic honesty. In this class, tests and written assignments have to be your individual work.

In the classroom: format and etiquette

Class Format

Presentations, most often with visual (powerpoint) support, by Instructor and Students. I regard my presentations as ‘teaching moments’ and I expect you to adopt a ‘teaching’ approach in your presentation to the class. Presentations are the basis for tests and the final exam.

Class discussions on reading.

Short ‘reaction & reflection’ writing

Attendance: this is a class that requires your attendance and participation. Each of you is expected to contribute by  showing up for each class  showing up for each class  reading assigned texts prior to class  presenting your dramaturgy project, participating in “cold” script readings selected from our play reading list and freely engaging in class discussion  Observing a few tenets of academic etiquette. “What ‘etiquette’?” you may ask. Here are a few crucial etiquette tips essential in maintaining a civil, respectful environment in which we can teach and learn with joy in our hearts and confidence in future endeavors:  Come to class on time  If you must leave a class early, please sit close to an exit to minimize the disturbance of your leaving  Please turn off cell phones, ipads, laptops and other such devices during class so 6

you may contribute your views during discussions, not those you’ve hurriedly searched on the mac.  Once class has started, remain until class is dismissed. Do not compromise focus and attention by strolling out of class during someone’s presentation….not only is this very distracting, but it shows disregard for the work of your instructor and other students in the class...  During class, please refrain from ‘side conversations’ especially those related to departmental production work or private matters unrelated to our work in theatre history

Assignments and grading

Dramaturgy Project (30%)

Research an approved Dramaturgy topic (see "Dramaturgy Topic Due” on the attached Calendar) and write a brief (6-10 pages) paper on it, and present your work to the class.  The Presentation is given by you with visual support (slides, videos, ‘cold reading” of scenes, etc.). The written part of the project is in the form of a formal researched paper, which will  be about 5-10 pages long  follow the format presented to you on your “Guide to Dramaturgy Projects’ (attached)  have proper footnotes and quotation marks for material you are quoting  be written in your words  have an annotated bibliography of books and websites you have consulted  be prepared in consultation (at least two meetings) with the course instructor  be your own, not some kind of group or webjacked effort, and thus  avoid the hideous Spectre of Plagiarism by really being your own work based on research  be due during the week indicated on the course calendar in consultation with the instructor

Your Dramaturgy Project will be due ON OR ABOUT the week indicated in the calendar attached to this syllabus. Please remain alert to reminders in class about your presentation date. The Dramaturgy Projects account for 30% of your final grade.

Participation (20%) Participation happens during class, where your responses to course content (readings, videos, and presentations) are given in our lively, fun, informed & brilliant discussions. Come to class all the time. Share your insights, questions and comments. Be sure to bring your ‘current play’ to class: our in-class play readings are forms of participation: you may be cast! It is very difficult for you to ‘make up’ your participation responsibilities if you miss class. You are strongly encouraged to take written notes during presentations, especially to insure your understanding and recall of relevant concepts, definitions, personalities and events appropriate to an understanding of theatre history. Always feel free to ask questions, contribute your insights 7 and factual findings, your interpretation of our readings, etc.

Participation is graded like this: A: Attendance to all class sessions with active, insightful contributions to discussion through the term B: Attendance to almost all class sessions (Two or less unexcused) with substantial contribution to discussion through the term C: Attendance to almost all class sessions (Three or less unexcused) with active contribution to discussion through the term D: Attendance to almost all class sessions (Four or less unexcused) with some contribution to discussion through the term F: More than Four unexcused absences with minimal or no contribution to discussion through the term Participation accounts for 20% of your final grade.

C. Tests and Final Exam (50%) About once a week I give a test either in class or in "take home" form. It will cover such things as  plays and other readings for the week(s) as shown on the calendar  handout materials, videos we’ve watched  lecture/presentations from students and instructor  theatre history research you’ve done

Tests are graded on this scale: A 100-90 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59

There will be a Final Exam which is counted twice when averaging your test scores. The Tests and Final Exam account for 50% of your final grade.

Grading Summary

Participation=20%; Dramaturgy Project=30%; Tests and Final Exam=50%

Accommodation for Students with disabilities

Any Student with a disability that is likely to affect performance on any or all of the assignments should see me to arrange for accommodations….Please also be in touch with the Disability Services for Students office at 330 Memorial Union 874 2008.

Writing Center help 8

You can improve your writing skills by working with the Writing Center (Roosevelt Hall 408). They can offer you one-on-one assistance with your writing…but you must visit the center at WCOnline to schedule an appointment. Take your Guide for Dramaturgy Project handout with you when you visit them, along with your writing sample or paper for which you seek assistance.

Schedule

Attached please see our schedule of readings and dramaturgy topics. Every term, some flexibility in our schedule is required as our pace and focus shifts from term to term. The schedule is therefore not exact. But usually we’ll finish all the topics and get to the end of the course as outlined in the schedule, making changes as needed: I’ll announce precise dates and any alterations to the schedule in class, and talk with you individually also about changes that impact due dates and test times. Our final exam will be held on the time and date as scheduled by the University.

COURSE SCHEDULE 9

WEEK OUTLINE REQUIRED Screenings, other Dramaturgy s READING Project due 1-2 The New World The Indian Test American Meet with American Eden Princess Princess Instructor Native American Annotated encounters Bibliography due New World performances America the Exception Salem witch trials as Performance art

Aztec Spectacle 3-4 The European heritage in The Contrast Test The Contrast Riverboat theatre America system Early touring troupes and Theatres at ‘stars’ Williamsburg First theatres Disney’s Resident company system Pocahantas and le Early American actors and Belle Sauvage their character types Metamora, or, the Last of the Wampanoags by John Stone 5 American Identity Early National Types 6 Ethnicity Uncle Tom’s Test Uncle Tom’s The Gladiator by Slavery and the Minstrel Cabin by Cabin R.M. Bird Show George C. Test Minstrelsy Amos ‘n Andy Legacies of Minstrelsy Aiken Cartoon The star system Stereotypes The Undercover Brother Stephen Foster and Scott Joplin compared

7-8 Melodrama in America The Zeigfeld’s Follies The Melodramatic formula Drunkard by Gypsy Rose Lee 10

Popular Entertainment William Laurel and Hardy Vaudeville Smith Yiddish Theatre Belasco and flapjack Harrigan and Hart realism The Steele McKaye & the Honeymooners Delsarte Method Houdini Theatre Syndicates Ben Hur

9 The New Drama The Hairy Aimee Semple Little Theatre Movement Ape by McPherson The Chataqua Eugene Billy Sunday The Method O’Neill On the Waterfront

10-11 Politics and theatre Newsboy by Scoundrel Time The Group theatre Sklar,et.al. by Lillian Hellman Theatre Union Federal Theatre Project 12 Experimental Theatre My Sister in This American Absurdism House Late Modern Identity Theatre