Graduate School Bulletin

Spring 2024

TAF: Theatre

TAF 500: Introduction to Graduate Theatre

This seminar course will introduce graduate theatre students in all tracks to each other, to graduate faculty across disciplines, and will encourage new collaborations and projects for development during the students' graduate careers. Theatre students will meet to discuss the role of each artist, with emphasis on the changing nature of collaboration and the expanding art form in today's theatre profession. Readings, written assignments and collaborative projects are required.

3 credits, Letter graded (A,B,C, etc.), Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor, Southampton and Manhattan, Semesters offered:

Fall, Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 505: Dramaturgy I: Production Dramaturgy

An introduction to production dramaturgy in which students explore the types of research and concept development necessary to prepare already produced scripts for performance. Research tools and methods, investigations of cultural and social history, critical writing, and issues in adaptation and translation are discussed. Means of facilitating communication within a production team and between actors, designers, and directors are examined. Other topics include season planning, promotion and publicity, educational outreach materials, preparation of protocols, post-play discussion, and other audience development techniques.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 506: Dramaturgy II: Literary Management

Examining the roles of the literary manager in the contemporary theatre, this course explores the process of new play development and the preparation of a new play for production. The ability to read and write sensitively about new plays, reading new plays and preparing sophisticated play reports, how to talk to playwrights about their plays, and how to facilitate discussions with directors and actors as they encounter a play for the first time are issues examined in this course. New plays from a variety of venues, including professional theatres in New York City, are read and discussed, and the process of developing new plays from staged readings through public performances are studied.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 507: Dramaturgy of Process: New Play Development Workshop

This course for advanced students of Dramaturgy allows them to apply practical theatre skills to the development of new work. Students will assist in the workshop production of a new play. This will explore NPD process as it exists in the American Regional Theatre, and learn the practical skills of running a play-reading series, commissioning new plays, communicating with playwrights, casting and marketing. 3 credits, ABCF Grading

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 510: Western Theatre History

Theatre forms in the Western tradition, from ancient to modern. This course is centered on a particular critical or theoretic problem or theme. It may be repeated as an independent study with the permission of the instructor.

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 510: Western Theatre History

Theatre forms in the Western tradition, from ancient to modern. This course is centered on a particular critical or theoretic problem or theme. It may be repeated as an independent study with the permission of the instructor.

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 511: Far Eastern Theatre and Drama

Course surveys the traditional theatre of three Far Eastern (China, Korea, and Japan) as related to: its history, dramatic literature (Yuan drama and Beijing Opera of China; Pongsan Korean Masked Dance-Drama; a Noh play cycle, Kabuki, and Joruri Puppet Theatre of Japan), point of departure will be: the Eastern world view (namely Shemanism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism) and theatre; the concept of the actor's body and mind as a microcosmic presentation of a macrocosmic universe; his performance as an act of becoming one with the macrocosm; and the total nature of all performing arts elements harmoniously operating together in creating beauty on stage.

Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.

TAF 520: Western Dramatic Literature

Course surveys forms of Western drama, with particular reference to theatrical performance. Focus is placed on key periods and themes such as gender issues, political violence, death and dying, love, etc. May be repeated once.

Spring, odd years, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.

TAF 520: Western Dramatic Literature

Course surveys forms of Western drama, with particular reference to theatrical performance. Focus is placed on key periods and themes such as gender issues, political violence, death and dying, love, etc. May be repeated once.

Spring, odd years, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.

TAF 521: South and Southeast Asian Theatre and Drama

Surveying the traditional and modern theatre of South and Southeastern Asian (India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan) as related to: it's mythic origins, history, dramatic literature, aesthetic theory, ritual functions, conventions of productions and actor training. The point of departure will be cosmology, especially that of Hinduism, and world view of the people.

Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.

TAF 523: Theatre in New York

A workshop seminar on contemporary, alternative performance forms and mainstream theatre. Emphasis on the development of critical perspectives and the writing skills needed to articulate them through seminar discussions and writing workshops relevant to performances seen on trips to theatres in New York and the region.

Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 525: Topics in Theatre and Drama

Intensive studies of selected forms of theatre and drama from various countries and periods, designed to supplement rather than repeat areas of study already undertaken in the curriculum. May be repeated.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Fall or Spring, alternate years, 1-3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 530: Directed Reading in Theatre and Drama

Students read and evaluate the literature on a topic of special academic interest under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Fall and Spring, 1-3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 535: Theories of Theatre

Theories of the theatre, from the ancient to the contemporary, are read critically to develop a complex and varied conception of the philosophical basis underlying approaches to the theatre. Theorists read might include Aristotle, Plato, Diderot, Rousseau, Nietzsche, Artaud, Brecht, Stanislavski, Grotowski, Barba, Mnouchkine, Suzuki, and Zeami.

Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 550: Teaching Seminar

Supervised student teaching of undergraduate courses accompanied by a seminar in methods and strategies of teaching theatre arts at the University level. An independent teaching project, in which the student works with a particular faculty member, may be substituted.

Fall or Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 570: Directing Theory and Practice

Course surveys the art and craft of the Director, with focus on contemporary practices of directing and approaches to pedagogy. Students will write papers and develop projects in conjunction with advanced reading and instruction.

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 575: Adaptation Workshop

This course is an intense examination of a playwright or group of plays with the object of preparing a new adaptation or stage version. The course will study a text or group of texts, important criticism, notable or significant translation and/or adaptations, stage productions and/or film versions. Students will submit an outline or rough draft of their new version at the end of the course.

Offered in Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 576: Theatre Workshop

The workshops at Southampton Arts are intensive classes in various aspects of the craft of theatre and film, including playwriting, screenwriting, directing, acting, solo performance, interdisciplinary collaboration (devising), and digital filmmaking, together with lectures, readings, seminars, and panels featuring nationally distinguished artists. These workshops encourage participation by visiting students, new theatre and film artists, established artists, and teachers who will be admitted by application and may receive academic credit upon request. Graduate students may take any Theatre Workshop sponsored by the MFA program for academic credit. Study may occur in Southampton, Manhattan, or abroad. A submission of a workshop application, and permission of instructor are required. May be repeated for credit.

1-6 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 590: M.A. Thesis

Independent study and research for M.A. students, on special topics, theoretical or cultural issues, or problems. Development of material for research paper.

1-3 credits, S/U grading

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 591: Independent Project

Special project allowing advanced individual work in an area of theatre study or practice. Must be scheduled by arrangement with instructor. Should result in an advanced paper or project report. May be repeated.

1-3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 635: Theories of Performance

This course examines different theories of performance as they relate to theatre and everyday life. Students explore ways of thinking about the performing body and different modes of cultural expression. There is a performing component to the course in addition to a final paper.

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.

TAF 638: Directing I - Principles of Directing

This course will focus on the analytical, organizational and creative processes necessary to be a director. Topics include: the role of the director and the collaborative process; the history of directing; script analysis and interpretation/ concept; stage, space and composition; visual interpretation and working with designers; casting and working with actors; working with dramaturges; and rehearsal and technical process.

Offered

Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 639: Directing II - Advanced Directing

This course will build upon the work covered in Directing I and will focus on advanced problems in Directing, including advanced scene work, period styles, alternative forms, and the challenges of contemporary drama and or alternative performance. Prerequisite: THR638 Offered

Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 640: Theatre Design Workshop

Advanced assignments in theatre design. May include design work on departmental productions. May be repeated once.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.

TAF 650: Playwrighting Workshop

Students write and discuss original plays, evaluate their work, study techniques of composition and formal organization, and develop strategies for audience communication. Advanced students may study techniques for revision and the development of material for performance. Some plays may be selected for department production.

Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 651: Playwriting Workshop II

With the instructor of record, the student will develop a plan for addressing problems or the boundaries of approaches to creative work specific to his or her needs for continued development as a playwright. As deemed appropriate by the instructor, the student will work on a full length or one-act play or scenes.

Offered in Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 660: Acting Workshop

Intensive advanced study in a particular acting technique, such as Kutiyattam, Suzuki, musical theatre, Brecht, etc. Offered in conjunction with departmental productions. May be repeated.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Fall or Spring, alternate years, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 670: Directing Workshop

Advanced training in directing, which may involve concentrated scene work, formal experiments in performance, work on period styles and problems, or preparation of performances for public showing. May be repeated once.

Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor

Fall or Spring, alternate years, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.

TAF 680: Dramaturgy Workshop

Students serve as dramaturgs for the production of a play, providing research support, studying editorial and interpretive techniques, attending rehearsals, and developing program materials for the audience.

Fall or Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

May be repeated for credit.

TAF 690: Professional Internship

A full-term internship at a professional theatre. Students should submit an internship description in the first month of work, then a journal or evaluation of their work experience.

Prerequisite: Permission of graduate studies director

Spring, 3 credits, S/U grading

TAF 691: M.F.A. Project

The project is to be undertaken at a professional theatre or as part of the mainstage production season at Stony Brook University. Students submit a proposal for a project in which they have a major responsibility as an assistant dramaturg on a production or an equivalent position. All proposals for projects outside of the university must be submitted in writing to the faculty supervisor and graduate program director for approval.

Fall, Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

TAF 692: M.F.A. Thesis

Independent study and research for M.F.A. students, on special topics, theoretical or cultural issues, or problems. Development of material for research paper.

1-3 credits, S/U grading

May be repeated for credit.