Devised Theatre syllabus Fall 2024
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School
Stony Brook University**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
THR 105
Subject
Arts & Humanities
Date
Jan 14, 2025
Pages
9
Uploaded by gabriellereisman
Last Updated 8/12/241EGL 303.01, Genre and Media: Devised TheatreEnglish DepartmentCourse Information:Course Title:Genre and Media: Devised TheatreEGL 303.01 -GSBC Designation:HFA+Credits: 3.00Pre/Co-requisites: EGL 204Semester, Year: Fall 2024Meeting Time: Tuesday / Thursday 12:30 - 1:50 pmClassroom Location: Staller Center 1020 Instructor InformationInstructor Name: Gab ReismanEmail: gabrielle.reisman@stonybrook.eduPhone Number: 504.481.4091Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 9:30-11am or zoom by apptOffice Location: Humanities 2083Required Course MaterialsLinks to required materials- media and print- will be available on Brightspace. Some of the media we will be watching this semester (date is recording /publication date):Working in the Theatre: Devised Theatre, American Theatre Wing, 2019Devised Theatre: The Great Deviser, 2006The Method Gun, The Rude Mechs, 2011The Shipment, Young Jean Lee Theatre Co, 2009 Next Year People, Bender/Mars/Reisman, 2019The Family Line, Goat in the Road, 2023Big Dance: Short Form, Big Dance Theatre, 2016Artist talk: TBDCourse Description As an immersive study of the collaborative theatre genre, the class will compare texts of contemporary devised plays with their recorded performances, read criticism, and talk with guest writer-devisers about their processes. Students will synthesize what they’ve learned to create their own collaborative works of devised theatre.In this class we tease out what devised theatre IS and teach each other about some of the most exciting devising companies making work today. We will discover surprising, alive moments of performance and use improvisation exercises to free our imaginations and create a trusting, supportive class ensemble. The majority of our collaborative work will be done in rotating 4-person groups. Each collab week, we will make short group pieces based on a common inspiration or prompt and share these pieces with the class. This is a lab to throw out ideas, to be fearless, to lean into what is interesting to us about liveness and theatrical space.
2Expectations • Come to class, on time. Almost all of our course goals will be achieved in class together. • Participate respectfully with your fellow devisors. • Engage deeply, thoughtfully and personally with each exercise.• Actively observe and engage with your fellow actors’ work. Learning Objectives• Learn about the processes and performances of contemporary devising companies. • Develop methods of collaboration through experimentation and performance. • Understand the ways devised work stretches the umbrella of theatre through varying mediums and non-traditional narrative. • Synthesize our experiences as individuals inside a collaboration. If You Have a Question?Raise your hand and ask! Questions in class are encouraged. This class is a space for inquiry and curiosity. You can also post questions on Brightspace in the General Questions forum in Course Discussions, so everyone can benefit. Note that these questions can be seen and answered by anyone in the course.For personal/private issues, email me directly using the email function in Brightspace. Please allow between 24-48 hours for an email reply.AssignmentsAssignmentPoints or PercentageDue DateReading Responses (8)20OngoingEnsemble Presentation 159/12True/Untrue Story109/19Collabs (4 groups/5 sharings)30OngoingFinal Paper1512/13Class Participation10Total100• Reading Responses (8 total)Write four brief take-aways from both the reading/video. • Ensemble Presentation
3You and a partner will research and present a brief oral report on a contemporary devised theatre company. • True & Untrue StoryWrite out two brief personal stories (250-500 words)- one true, one false. Share both with the class.• Collabs (5)In groups of 5-6 you will create a short piece of performance work based on the week’s theme/inspiration. • Final ProjectWrite either a 2-page process paper, 5-page play, or create a short video about what you learned this semester. • Class ParticipationDevising above all else is about being open, game, giving, and forgiving. Plays are PLAY. Have fun, take risks. Grade ScaleLetter GradePercentage/PointsA93-100A-90-92B+87-89B83-86B-80-82C+77-79C73-76C-70-72D+67-69D60-66F59-belowAdditional information●Undergraduate Grading System●Graduate Grading System
4Course ScheduleThe possibility exists that unforeseen events will make schedule changes necessary. Any changes will be clearly noted in Brightspace Announcements or through Stony Brook email.Tu 8/27Inspiration, obsession, adaptation, theft Intro- Who are we? What’s inspiring us? Expectations, Greetings exercises For Thurs: Think of obsessionRegister for Science on Stage: https://web.cvent.com/event/1806daba-aa88-4d0d-8439-2551bda11c0e/summaryTh 8/29Share obsessions For Tues: Watch Working in the Theatre: Devised Theatre + Devised Theatre: The Great Deviser Post response to BrightspaceTu 9/3Discuss devising documentaries Trust/ensemble exercises Assign ensembles to research Th 9/5Fieldtrip to Zuccaire Gallery- talk about space, inspiration, cross pollination For Tues: Watch/read The Method GunPost response to BrightspaceTu 9/10Discuss The Method GunWho/What/Where exercisesEnsemble presentation planningTh 9/12Present on ensemblesFor Tues: Watch/read The ShipmentPost response to BrightspaceTu 9/17Developing a shared language, playing ourselvesDiscuss The Shipment Choices/storytelling exercises Th 9/19Choices & storytelling exercises True & untrue story writing Tu 9/24True & untrue story shareTh 9/26Continue true & untrue story share For Thurs 10/3: watch/read Next Year PeoplePost response to BrightspaceTu 10/1Collaboration/play exercises Assign Collab 1- the personal/fictionalTh 10/3CLASS ON ZOOM: Interview w/ Next Year People team
5Tu 10/8Experimentation, improvisation, new ways of seeing spaceWork on Collab 1Th 10/10Share Collab 1 + discuss Tu 10/15NO CLASS- FALL BREAKTh 10/17Site specific work. A class on the possibilities and surprises of space. Assign Collab 2: site specific piece Tu 10/22Work on Collab 2 Th 10/24Share Collab 2 + discussFor Tues: watch/read The Family LinePost responses to BrightspaceMON 10/28Tu 10/29Science on Stage- 4-6pmNO CLASSPost Science on Stage response to BrightspaceTh 10/31CLASS ON ZOOM: Chat with Goat in the RoadTu 11/5Delving deeper, mixing mediums, editing, revisingNO CLASS- GO VOTE! For Thurs: watch Big Dance TheatrePost response to BrightspaceTh 11/7Discuss Big DanceAssign Collab 3: Mixed mediumsTu 11/12Work on Collab 3Th 11/14Share Collab 3 + discussAssign Collab 4: Adaptation/Editing For Tues: Watch process discussion- Big Dance Theatre & NTOKPost response to BrightspaceTu 11/19Discuss process interviewWork on Collab 4 Th 11/21Share Collab 4 + discussTu 11/26Work on Collab 4 revision/expansionTh 11/28NO CLASS- Thanksgiving Tu 12/3Share Collab 4 revision/expansionTh 12/5Postmortem wrap-upProcess project: Post to Brightspace by Dec 13
6Student Success Resources: How to Be a Successful Student in This CourseThere are multiple resources, university offices, and help desks that are available to assist you with everything from advising, tutoring, accessibility and much more. Review some Academic Success Strategiesand visit the Student Resourcespage for links to resources on campus. Wellness & Support StatementStony Brook values student well-being, including mental health, and recognizes that a variety of factors can impact emotional wellness and academic success including stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, sexual violence, family or relationship concerns, and political conflict. Resources are availableif you experience challenges or wellness concerns that affect your ability to be successful in class, and you are encouraged to reach out for help when you need it.Technical Requirements and AssistanceD2L Brightspaceis Stony Brook University’s digital learning environment. It is used for the facilitation of communications between faculty and students, submission of assignments, and secure posting of grades and feedback in your courses. To access Brightspace, go to mycourses.stonybrook.eduand use your SBU NetID and password. If you are unsure of your NetID, visit Finding Your NetID and Passwordfor more information.Sometimes submitting coursework via a tablet and/or mobile device can be challenging. Computers equipped with the appropriate software are available for use at the various SINC site computer labs. Both physical and virtual labs are available. You can also borrow a computer through SBU’s Laptop Loan Program.Visit the Technical Requirements pagefor additional information regarding hardware and software options.Please use the following information if you need technical assistance at any time during the course or to report a problem with Brightspace:Brightspace Support via SUNY Helpdesk●Phone: 1-844-673-6786 ●Submit a ticket or chat onlineStony Brook University: Academic Technology Services●Phone: 631-632-9800●Email: AcademicTechnologies@stonybrook.eduPrivacy PoliciesThis course utilizes various educational technologies to enhance the learning experience. You
7can access links to the privacy policiesof the tools and platforms used at Stony Brook University on the Syllabus Addendum webpage. Course PoliciesLate Work PolicyAll assignments must be submitted or presented by the due date to receive full credit. Attendance PolicyThe lion’s share of your grade comes from your daily participation in class as well as work you shared in class. Your attendance is Extremely important! You are allowed two unexcusedabsences during the semester. DO NOT miss a class when your group is depending on you. You are expected to be on time and stay for the full class period. Do not schedule academic advising or administration meetings, or personal appointments during scheduled class time; they are not excusable absences.Falsifying the class attendance record (sign-in sheet) will result in an automatic F for the course. Generative AIGenerative AI (such as chatGPT) can be a useful tool when used properly and responsibly. However, you should explore and understand its limitations if you choose to use it in your coursework. For instance, AI can sometimes help you phrase ideas, but it is very bad at generating its own ideas or thinking critically about art. If you choose to use generative AI to assist in your work, you must:A. Note that you have used it and note how you have used it. B. Not simply copy and paste content. Use AI as a framework or aid (for example, generating an outline), then expand, edit, deepen, and personalize. Failure to follow this policy will result in referral to the academic judiciary.University PoliciesStudent Accessibility Support Center StatementIf you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact the Student Accessibility Support Center, Stony Brook Union Suite 107, (631) 632-6748, or at sasc@stonybrook.edu. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and the Student Accessibility Support Center. For procedures and information go to the following website:https://ehs.stonybrook.edu//programs/fire-safety/emergency-evacuation/evacuation-guide-disabilitiesand search Fire Safety and Evacuation and Disabilities.
8Academic Integrity StatementEach student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Faculty is required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. Faculty in the Health Sciences Center (School of Health Professions, Nursing, Social Welfare, Dental Medicine) and School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty please refer to the academic judiciary website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/academic_integrity/index.htmlCritical Incident ManagementStony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn. Faculty in the HSC Schools and the School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures. Further information about most academic matters can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Undergraduate Class Schedule, and the Faculty-Employee Handbook.Understand When You May Drop This CourseIf you need to drop or withdraw from the course, it is your responsibility to be aware of the tuition liability deadlines listed on the registrar’s Academic Calendar. Before making the decision to drop/withdraw you may want to [contact me or] refer to the University’s policies:●Undergraduate Course Load and Course Withdrawal Policy●Graduate Course Changes PolicyIncomplete PolicyUnder emergency/special circumstances, students may petition for an incomplete grade. Circumstances must be documented and significant enough to merit an incomplete. If you need to request an incomplete for this course, contact me for approval as far in advance as possible. You should also read the University’s policies that apply to you:Undergraduate BulletinGraduate BulletinCourse Materials and Copyright StatementCourse material accessed from Brightspace, Zoom, Echo 360, VoiceThread, etc. is for the exclusive use of students who are currently enrolled in the course. Content from these systems cannot be reused or distributed without written permission of the instructor and/or the copyright holder. Duplication of materials protected by copyright, without permission of the
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