The Arts in London: A Cultural History
H39.1301 • 4 points.
Instructor: Richard Williams.
This course offers a wide-ranging introduction to London’s history and contemporary developments and explores the capital through field trips to galleries, museums, and places of iconic interest. Lectures and visits by practicing artists, as well as discussions and debates, stimulate interest in a wide spectrum of the arts, including architecture, music, photography, painting, the applied arts, and aspects of performance.
Fundamentals of Dramatic Writing and Visual Writing: Introduction to Play- and Screenwriting
H34.1051 • 4 points.
Instructor: Roy Kendall.
The aim of this course is to get students, especially actors who have always wanted to write but have not know how or where to start, writing for the screen and the stage. By offering a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of dramatic writing, this course acquaints students with the art and craft of both the playwright and the screenwriter. At the end of the semester, students understand the process of getting an idea from the page to the stage or screen and have a basic knowledge of the technical and artistic requirements that add up to a successful play, film, or sitcom. In addition, students gain practical experience in dramatic writing by completing a second draft of a 20-30 minute scene or sequence of scenes for an original one-act or full-length play idea for the stage or screen.
National Cinema: London on Film
H32.1020 • 4 points.
Instructor: Amy Sargeant
This course examines the role that the capital has played in British film from the early, silent years to today. Many directors have used the iconic status of London as either the protagonist or backdrop in films of different genres, from the silent era to World War II documentaries, from the “swinging London” of the 1960s to the social satires of the 1980s, and from gangster films to romantic comedies. The course explores the significance of this world city and its representation of Britishness. It also provides the opportunity, where possible, of exploring the real locations and venues where films were shot.
Studies in Shakespeare
H31.0700 • 4 points.
Instructor: Mandie Wright.
The focus of this course is Shakespeare’s text as performance. The study aims to uncover clues apparent to an Elizabethan actor and consider how this might inform current theatre practice. Each sessions is a discrete unit, each with a separate focus blending academic and theatrical in areas such as adaptation and sources, style and interpretation, structure and genre, mythology and history. The course encourages students to develop a working knowledge of the canon and read as widely as possible. A chance to specialise comes in the final presentation which is in the form of a production proposal based on the experience of the course. Work is enhanced by a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company, a visit to the Globe theatre and opportunities to view a wide range of recorded productions.
Theatre in London
H31.0662 • 4 points.
Instructor: Roy Kendall.
A selection of theatrical productions is chosen to give students a feel for the breadth and depth of London theatre during weekly theatre visits to the West End and fringe theatres. Each production is viewed and analyzed as a whole, but the many and varied elements that go into making London theatre supply a different focus each week. In addition there are occasional field trips to sites of theatrical interest with a guest speaker or two thrown into the mix each semester to discuss his/her work (from writing to directing to acting to designing), to share knowledge and expertise and to help demonstrate how high-quality parts are needed to make a high-quality whole.
