THTR 1560 - Introduction to Theatre
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 40115,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Charles Dugan
Email: chdugan@ysu.edu
Course Description
1560. Introduction to Theatre. The theory, history, cultural role, and physical characteristics of the theatre as an institution in human society. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | No required textbook |
- Note: There is no required textbook for this course – readings and lectures have been collected from a variety of resources (with respect to intellectual copyright).
Unit 1
- Reading: The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, “Acting May Be Hazardous to Your Health” PDF
- Reading: A Director Prepares, “Memory,” pp. 21-41 PDF
- Reading: “Start Here: How to Study Baroque Gesture” link: https://andrewlawrenceking.com/2015/11/30/start-here-how-to-study-baroque-gesture-historical-action/
Unit 2
- Reading: Lutterbie, John. An Introduction to Theatre, Performance and the Cognitive Sciences “Landscapes,” pp. 13-43. (Chapter 1)
- Reading: States, Bert. O. Great Reckonings in Little Rooms, “The World on Stage,” pp. 19-47. (Chapter 1)
- Reading: Gotschall, Johnathan. The Storytelling Animal, “The Mind is a Storyteller,” pp. 87-116.
- Reading: Greenwald, Michael L., et al. Anthology of Drama and Theater, “Waiting for Godot: The Modern Masterpiece,” pp. 1209-1210. (Spotlight Excerpt)
Unit 3
- Reading: Hischak, Thomas S. and Robinson, Mark A. Theatre as Human Action, “The Play Builders I: Theatre Architecture and Scenic Designers, pp. 147-165
- Reading: Wilson, Edwin and Goldfarb, Alvin. Theare: The Lively Art “The Designers: Scenery and Costumes,” pp.157-187
- Suggested Script: Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Link here.
Unit 4
- Reading: Grant, Mark N. The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical. “Wagging the Musical: How Director-Choreographers Co-Opted a Writer’s Medium.” pp. 211-214
- Reading: Kantor, Micheal. Broadway: The American Musical. Directors and Producers. Excerpted pages.
- Reading: Taylor. Theatre: Arts in Action. “Careers & Theater.” pp. 570-579
- Reading: Fischer, Jenna. The Actor’s Life. “Headshots, Getting in the Union, and Building Your Resume.” pp. 36-78.
- Suggested Script: Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. PDF
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Course Outline
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Unit 0 - Introduction | ||
| 8/31 | • Reading: The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, “Acting May Be Hazardous to Your Health” PDF • Reading: A Director Prepares, “Memory,” pp. 21-41 PDF • Reading: “Start Here: How to Study Baroque Gesture” link: https://andrewlawrenceking.com/2015/11/30/start-here-how-to-study-baroque-gesture-historical-action/ | Unit 1 - History of Theatre | Student Agreement Quiz and Introduction Video DUE before Midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 |
| 9/7 | • Reading: The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, “Acting May Be Hazardous to Your Health” PDF • Reading: A Director Prepares, “Memory,” pp. 21-41 PDF • Reading: “Start Here: How to Study Baroque Gesture” link: https://andrewlawrenceking.com/2015/11/30/start-here-how-to-study-baroque-gesture-historical-action/ | Unit 1 - History of Theatre | |
| 9/14 | • Reading: The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, “Acting May Be Hazardous to Your Health” PDF • Reading: A Director Prepares, “Memory,” pp. 21-41 PDF • Reading: “Start Here: How to Study Baroque Gesture” link: https://andrewlawrenceking.com/2015/11/30/start-here-how-to-study-baroque-gesture-historical-action/ | Unit 1 - History of Theatre | Unit 1 Quiz, Video Presentation, Reaction Post DUE before Midnight on Sunday, September 20, 2026 |
| 9/21 | • Reading: Lutterbie, John. An Introduction to Theatre, Performance and the Cognitive Sciences “Landscapes,” pp. 13-43. (Chapter 1) • Reading: States, Bert. O. Great Reckonings in Little Rooms, “The World on Stage,” pp. 19-47. (Chapter 1) • Reading: Gotschall, Johnathan. The Storytelling Animal, “The Mind is a Storyteller,” pp. 87-116. • Reading: Greenwald, Michael L., et al. Anthology of Drama and Theater, “Waiting for Godot: The Modern Masterpiece,” pp. 1209-1210. (Spotlight Excerpt) | Unit 2 - Theatre of Ideas | |
| 9/28 | • Reading: Lutterbie, John. An Introduction to Theatre, Performance and the Cognitive Sciences “Landscapes,” pp. 13-43. (Chapter 1) • Reading: States, Bert. O. Great Reckonings in Little Rooms, “The World on Stage,” pp. 19-47. (Chapter 1) • Reading: Gotschall, Johnathan. The Storytelling Animal, “The Mind is a Storyteller,” pp. 87-116. • Reading: Greenwald, Michael L., et al. Anthology of Drama and Theater, “Waiting for Godot: The Modern Masterpiece,” pp. 1209-1210. (Spotlight Excerpt) | Unit 2 - Theatre of Ideas | |
| 10/5 | • Reading: Lutterbie, John. An Introduction to Theatre, Performance and the Cognitive Sciences “Landscapes,” pp. 13-43. (Chapter 1) • Reading: States, Bert. O. Great Reckonings in Little Rooms, “The World on Stage,” pp. 19-47. (Chapter 1) • Reading: Gotschall, Johnathan. The Storytelling Animal, “The Mind is a Storyteller,” pp. 87-116. • Reading: Greenwald, Michael L., et al. Anthology of Drama and Theater, “Waiting for Godot: The Modern Masterpiece,” pp. 1209-1210. (Spotlight Excerpt) | Unit 2 - Theatre of Ideas | Unit 2 Quiz, Video Presentation, Reaction Post DUE before Midnight, Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
| 10/12 | • Reading: Hischak, Thomas S. and Robinson, Mark A. Theatre as Human Action, “The Play Builders I: Theatre Architecture and Scenic Designers, pp. 147-165 • Reading: Wilson, Edwin and Goldfarb, Alvin. Theare: The Lively Art “The Designers: Scenery and Costumes,” pp.157-187 • Suggested Script: Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Link here. | Unit 3 - Materials of the Theater | Play Review Essay Due (Ravenscroft) Oct 18 |
| 10/19 | • Reading: Hischak, Thomas S. and Robinson, Mark A. Theatre as Human Action, “The Play Builders I: Theatre Architecture and Scenic Designers, pp. 147-165 • Reading: Wilson, Edwin and Goldfarb, Alvin. Theare: The Lively Art “The Designers: Scenery and Costumes,” pp.157-187 • Suggested Script: Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Link here. | Unit 3 - Materials of the Theatre | |
| 10/26 | • Reading: Hischak, Thomas S. and Robinson, Mark A. Theatre as Human Action, “The Play Builders I: Theatre Architecture and Scenic Designers, pp. 147-165 • Reading: Wilson, Edwin and Goldfarb, Alvin. Theare: The Lively Art “The Designers: Scenery and Costumes,” pp.157-187 • Suggested Script: Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Link here. | Unit 3 - Materials of the Theatre | Unit 3 Quiz, Video Presentation, Reaction Post DUE before Midnight, Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| 11/2 | • Reading: Grant, Mark N. The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical. “Wagging the Musical: How Director-Choreographers Co-Opted a Writer’s Medium.” pp. 211-214 • Reading: Kantor, Micheal. Broadway: The American Musical. Directors and Producers. Excerpted pages. • Reading: Taylor. Theatre: Arts in Action. “Careers & Theater.” pp. 570-579 • Reading: Fischer, Jenna. The Actor’s Life. “Headshots, Getting in the Union, and Building Your Resume.” pp. 36-78. • Suggested Script: Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. PDF | Unit 4 - People of the Theatre | |
| 11/9 | • Reading: Grant, Mark N. The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical. “Wagging the Musical: How Director-Choreographers Co-Opted a Writer’s Medium.” pp. 211-214 • Reading: Kantor, Micheal. Broadway: The American Musical. Directors and Producers. Excerpted pages. • Reading: Taylor. Theatre: Arts in Action. “Careers & Theater.” pp. 570-579 • Reading: Fischer, Jenna. The Actor’s Life. “Headshots, Getting in the Union, and Building Your Resume.” pp. 36-78. • Suggested Script: Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. PDF | Unit 4 - People of the Theatre | Live Show Review Essay Due (Opera Scenes) Nov 15 |
| 11/16 | • Reading: Grant, Mark N. The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical. “Wagging the Musical: How Director-Choreographers Co-Opted a Writer’s Medium.” pp. 211-214 • Reading: Kantor, Micheal. Broadway: The American Musical. Directors and Producers. Excerpted pages. • Reading: Taylor. Theatre: Arts in Action. “Careers & Theater.” pp. 570-579 • Reading: Fischer, Jenna. The Actor’s Life. “Headshots, Getting in the Union, and Building Your Resume.” pp. 36-78. • Suggested Script: Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. PDF | Unit 4 - People of the Theatre | Unit 4 Quiz, Video Presentation, Reaction Post DUE before Midnight, Sunday, November 22, 2026 |
| 11/23 | Semester Break | ||
| 11/30 | Instructor will Review Assignments, Participation, Essays and Grades | Live Show Review Essay Due (Clue) Dec 6 Check Grades and Assignment Submissions Live Show Review Essay Due (Extra Credit) Dec 6 |
|
| 12/7 | No final examination. |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.