Over the semester, students study and attend five plays being performed in Paris. Texts include both classical and contemporary works. Analysis of the plays focuses on their interpretation, their adaptation to live theatre, and the “fidelity” to the text. After reading and discussing texts in class, students attend productions in various Paris theatres in an effort to gain a better understanding of the historical context of theatre in Paris. Actors and others involved in theatre in Paris give guest lectures throughout the semester.
Method of presentation:
Lecture and discussion (including lectures by guests from the Paris theatre community), attendance at plays. Attendance of plays and guest lectures is mandatory.
LANGUAGE OF PRESENTATION: French
Required work and form of assessment:
One oral presentation, one term paper, active participation in class discussions, mid-term and final exams
content:
Specific course content varies from year to year depending on plays being performed in Paris theatres. Scripts and performances are selected with the following objectives in mind:
1. To situate the plays in their proper historical context, thereby giving students further insight into the history of French literature and theatre.
2. To trace the development of “classical” works and examine contemporary or avant-garde interpretations of them.
3. To develop creative interaction with the text: students interpret and analyze different texts and their influence on contemporary writers.
4. To provide opportunities to meet and interact with professionals in Parisian theatre.
5. To enable students to recognize and analyze the effects of different staging techniques and to understand the work of a director.
6. To discover the theatres in which plays are produced, their connection with the French state, the
audience they attract, as well as their architecture.
7. To become familiar with an important aspect of French cultural life and to take advantage of everything Paris can offer in the theatrical domain.
Required readings:
In addition to the five plays read, discussed and attended, the following texts are required:
• Lioure, Michel. Le théâtre modern. Paris : Editions Dunod, 1998.
• Ubersfeld, Anne. Lire le théâtre. Paris: Editions Sociales, 1977.
Recommended readings:
Brook, Peter. L'espace vide. Paris, Edition du Seuil, 1977.
Dort, Bernard. La représentation emancipée. Paris, Editions Actes Sud, 1988.
Guenon, Denis. Le théâtre est-il nécessaire ? Paris, Editions Circé, 1998.
Temkine, Raymonde. Mettre en scène au présent. Lausanne, Editions L’Age d’Homme, 1977.
Other readings to be added depending on the plays selected.
List of productions for Fall 2001:
1. Fombelle, Timothée de. Le Phare. Théâtre du Marais
2. Claudel, Paul. Tête d’or. Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
3. Jarry, Alfredy. UBU Roi. Théâtre Gennevilliers
4. Weber, Jacques. Jacques Weber Seul en Scène. Théâtre de la Gaîté
5. Huston, Nancy. Limbes.
6. One play to be chosen by each student for oral presentations
Over the semester, students study and attend five plays being performed in Paris. Texts include both classical and contemporary works. Analysis of the plays focuses on their interpretation, their adaptation to live theatre, and the “fidelity” to the text. After reading and discussing texts in class, students attend productions in various Paris theatres in an effort to gain a better understanding of the historical context of theatre in Paris. Actors and others involved in theatre in Paris give guest lectures throughout the semester.
Lecture and discussion (including lectures by guests from the Paris theatre community), attendance at plays. Attendance of plays and guest lectures is mandatory.
LANGUAGE OF PRESENTATION: French
One oral presentation, one term paper, active participation in class discussions, mid-term and final exams
Specific course content varies from year to year depending on plays being performed in Paris theatres. Scripts and performances are selected with the following objectives in mind:
1. To situate the plays in their proper historical context, thereby giving students further insight into the history of French literature and theatre.
2. To trace the development of “classical” works and examine contemporary or avant-garde interpretations of them.
3. To develop creative interaction with the text: students interpret and analyze different texts and their influence on contemporary writers.
4. To provide opportunities to meet and interact with professionals in Parisian theatre.
5. To enable students to recognize and analyze the effects of different staging techniques and to understand the work of a director.
6. To discover the theatres in which plays are produced, their connection with the French state, the
audience they attract, as well as their architecture.
7. To become familiar with an important aspect of French cultural life and to take advantage of everything Paris can offer in the theatrical domain.
In addition to the five plays read, discussed and attended, the following texts are required:
• Lioure, Michel. Le théâtre modern. Paris : Editions Dunod, 1998.
• Ubersfeld, Anne. Lire le théâtre. Paris: Editions Sociales, 1977.
Brook, Peter. L'espace vide. Paris, Edition du Seuil, 1977.
Dort, Bernard. La représentation emancipée. Paris, Editions Actes Sud, 1988.
Guenon, Denis. Le théâtre est-il nécessaire ? Paris, Editions Circé, 1998.
Temkine, Raymonde. Mettre en scène au présent. Lausanne, Editions L’Age d’Homme, 1977.
Other readings to be added depending on the plays selected.
List of productions for Fall 2001:
1. Fombelle, Timothée de. Le Phare. Théâtre du Marais
2. Claudel, Paul. Tête d’or. Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
3. Jarry, Alfredy. UBU Roi. Théâtre Gennevilliers
4. Weber, Jacques. Jacques Weber Seul en Scène. Théâtre de la Gaîté
5. Huston, Nancy. Limbes.
6. One play to be chosen by each student for oral presentations