Theatre as an art form is presented from the historical, literary and production points of view in order to deepen the student's understanding and appreciation of Theatre. This course includes viewing and critiquing plays, musicials, motion pictures, and television dramas. Satisfies the Humanities/Visual and Performing Arts requirement of the College Core Curriculum.

Thom Talbott has served as the Program Director for NCTC Drama since 2003. Drama was not always the plan for Thom. When he first started his undergraduate studies at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS it was as an accounting major, not a theater major. But after two years of studying accounting, Thom realized that sitting behind a desk with an abacus and a bit of whale bone (after all this was before the age of computers) was not for him. So he followed his first love and became a theater major. After graduating from Baker in 1985 with a B.A. in Theater and Business, he set his sights on obtaining a graduate degree. He chose Texas Woman’s University (his mother’s alma mater) and in 1987 graduated with his M.A. in Drama with an emphasis on directing.

Thom worked professionally as the Artistic Director of Butterfield Stage for fifteen years before coming to work at NCTC. Thom has directed over 100 productions and has received a number of state wide awards for his production design work as well as having three productions invited to perform at the state level of the national AACT FEST theater festival. He most recently received NCTC’s 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award.

Drama at North Central Texas College

940-668-3324

Required Technology: In addition to the required text, students
in this course must have access to a computer with high-speed
internet access, Microsoft Word, Adobe, and software that
supports jpeg, avi, and wmv files (free downloaded internet links
available at the Resource Tab).

Time Requirements: Online courses require a good deal of selfdirected
learning and time management. Students should expect
to spend three to five hours a week reading, writing, and
contributing to online discussion posts.

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
1. Develop an understanding of theatre and its relevance to
modern society.
2. Identify the characteristics of dramatic literature.
3. Describe and define the basic elements of theater
architecture.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements which
contribute to theater production (i.e. director, actor,
designers, etc.) and the role that they play in the
presentation of a production.
5. Apply the knowledge of dramatic literature and theater
practices in a written critical response to a stage
presentation; a motion picture; and a dramatic television
production.
6. Describe and discuss the distinguishing characteristics of
theater in the major theatrical cultural periods.
7. Demonstrate critical thinking and an understanding of
theatrical practices by creating a special project that will
develop an original conceptual idea for the scene or
costume design for a stated dramatic play.

Point Values 13 Act Quizzes (worth 30 points each.) 390
15 Discussion Forums Original Posts (worth up to 30 points each) 450
30 Discussion Reponses (worth up to 10 points each) 300
2 Online Chats (worth up to 50 points each) 100
Television Critical Report (worth up to 50 points each) 80
Motion Picture Critical Report (worth up to 80 points each) 80
Theatre Critical Report (worth up to 80 points each) 80
Special Project (worth up to 110 points each) 110
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 1590

A= 1430-1590 Points; B=1272-1430 Points; C=1113-1271
Points; D=954-1113 Points; F less than 953 Points

DRAM 1310 – Introduction to Theatre:

ACT 1 – Introductions:
Assignment #1: Post in the Green Room discussion forum: your name, why you chose to take
Introduction to Theatre online course, and what was the last play that you went to see (i.e. high school
UIL, Dallas Summer Musicals, community theatre, etc.).
Assignment #2: Read the Academic Integrity pledge, print a hard copy, sign the agreement pledge
and mail it o the instructor at the following address:
Thom Talbott
Program Director NCTC Drama
NCTC Fine Arts Dept
1525 W. California St.
Gainesville, TX 76240

ACT 2 – What is Theatre?:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 in Theater: The Lively Art and then respond to the
question on Theatre Relevance discussion forum. You are responsible for one original post and two
responses to other's posts.
Assignment #2: Look at your calendars and choose the two best days/times, listed
below, for you to participate in an Online Chat Session with instructor and other
members of the class. I will divide the class into groups to make this more feasible to
suit everyone's schedules.
Thursday February 5 between 7:00 and 9:00pm (Thursday Feb 5)
Friday February 6 between 7:00 and 9:00pm (Friday Feb 6)
Saturday February 7 between 1:00 and 3:00pm (Saturday Feb 7)
Sunday February 8 between 6:00 and 8:00pm (Sunday Feb 8)
Type the two dates that would suit you the best in a Microsoft Word document and save it/label it in
the following format: 2366_Smith_Online chat dates.doc (Course number_your last name_ name of
the assignment). Submit it in the drop box marked Online Chat drop box in the ACT 2 folder in the
Lessons Tab.
(Learning Outcome #1)

ACT 3 – Audience & Critics:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 4 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 2 quiz.
Assignment #2: Watch the following YouTube video of the Romeo & Juliet scene from Reduced
Shakespeare Company's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzVyqiskpMk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKUyq-uCZr0
Then participate in the All The World's A Stage online chat session at your assigned time.
Assignment #3: During the course of the semester you will put yourself in the place of the critic and
write three critical reports that will be due during ACT 5, ACT 8, and ACT 12. The instructions for these
critical reports can be found in the Critical Report Folder below.
(Learning Outcome #4 & #5)

ACT 4 – Theatre Spaces:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 9 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the Act 4 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the Theatre Spaces discussion board. You are
responsible for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #3)

ACT 5 – The Playwright:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 6 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 5 quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the Playwright discussion forum. You are responsible for
one original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #2, #4, & #5)

ACT 6 – Dramatic Genres:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 7 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 6 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the Dramatic Genre discussion forum. You are
responsible for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #2 & #4)

ACT 7 – The Director and the Producer:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 8 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 7 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Watch the following YouTube videos of Shakespeare's famous "To be or not to be"
soliloquy from Hamlet. Respond to the question on the To Be Or Not To Be discussion forum. You are
responsible for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
Kevin Kline (watch the first 3.33 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwd98zMxKEg
Ethan Hawke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM9UjZXex2E
Laurence Olivier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTG0vXniDQY
(Learning Outcome #4)

ACT 8 – The Actor:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 5 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 8 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the ACTOR discussion forum. You are responsible for one
original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #4 & #5)

ACT 9 – The Designers:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 9 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the Scenery & Costume Quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the Scenic Elements discussion forum. You are
responsible for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
Assignment #3: Read Chapter 11 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the Lighting & Sound Quiz.
Assignment #4: Respond to the question on the Light & Sound discussion board. You are responsible
for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #4)

ACT 10 – Greek and Roman:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 13 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 10 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the Greek/Roman discussion forum. You are responsible
for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #4)

ACT 11 – Asian and Medieval:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 14 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 11 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Watch the Modern Version of Bunraku on YouTube and then respond to the question
on the Asian & Medieval discussion forum. You are responsible for one original post and two responses
to other's posts.
Modern Version of Bunraku: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnPxJarKgMI
(Learning Outcome #4)

ACT 12 – Renaissance:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 15 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 12 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the Renaissance discussion board. You are responsible
for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #4 & #5)

ACT 13 – Restoration through 1875:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 9 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the ACT 13 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Respond to the question on the Restoration discussion forum. You are responsible
for one original post and two responses to other's posts.
Assignment #3: Look at your calendars and choose the two best days/times, listed below, for you to
participate in an Online Chat Session with instructor and other members of the class. I will divide the
class into groups to make this more feasible to suit everyone's schedules. Post your two dates/times in
this forum.
Thursday April 30th between 7:00 and 9:00pm (Thursday April 30)
Friday May 1st between 7:00 and 9:00pm (Friday May 1)
Saturday May 2nd between 1:00 and 3:00pm (Saturday May 2)
Sunday May 3rd between 6:00 and 8:00pm (Sunday May 3)
(Learning Outcome #4)

ACT 14 – Early Modern Theatre:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 9 in Theater: The Lively Art and then take the Act 14 Quiz.
Assignment #2: Read Henrik Ibsen's The Doll's House (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2542) and
then participate in the Doll's House online chat session at your assigned time.
(Learning Outcome #2 & #4)

ACT 15 – The Modern Era:
Assignment #1: Read Chapter 18 in Theater: The Lively Art.
Assignment #2: Watch Part One and Part Two of The Road to Broadway: Wicked YouTube video.
Respond to the question on the Musical Theatre discussion forum. You are responsible for one original
post and two responses to other's posts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi-p7anJCmM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCXEgzBkfsA
Assignment #3: Respond to the question on the Modern Era discussion forum. You are responsible for
one original post and two responses to other's posts.
(Learning Outcome #4)

The Final Act: Special Project
Assignment #1: Develop a design concept for either the set or costumes for:
The Proposal by Anton Chekhov (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/7986)
Salome by Oscar Wilde (http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/subjects/salome/salome.html)
or How He Lied To Her Husband by George Bernard Shaw (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/3544)
You will need to create a presentation (i.e. power point, video on YouTube) that will include
the following:
1) Outline of Dramatic Structure (i.e. exposition, complications, crisis, etc.)
2) List the characters and what famous actors/actresses you would cast in those roles.
3) A design concept for either the scenery or costumes for the show that you have picked. You will need
to select the style and time period for the production. You do not have to set the play in its original time
or milieu, (i.e. you could decide to set the production in 1860 Atlanta or even the year 2103.) You will
need to describe what your concept is; why you decided to use that concept; and how your concept
would aid in the production of the play.
When it comes to design there is no right or wrong answer. Originally and creativity are the most
important elements. You do not need to draw anything, in order to illustrate your ideas you can use
pictures that you find on the web at places such as http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi.
You need to write a page long paper describing your design. Including time period, locale, and specific
information about the reason for your choice.
4) You must properly cite your sources (i.e. magazines, internet, etc.)using M.L.A.
5) You must include your name.
The scripts for the above plays are in the public domain and can be found on the internet.
(Learning Outcome #7)