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Theater and Performance Workshop

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Course Information
Program(s): 
Madrid - Language & Area Studies
Discipline(s): 
Theatre Arts
Terms offered: 
Fall, Spring
Credits: 
3
Language of instruction: 
Spanish
Contact Hours: 
45
Prerequisites: 

Required normal or advanced knowledge of the Spanish language, interpretative and creative skills, capacity for teamwork, and adaptability to communicate within a group.

Description: 

The aim of this course is to familiarize the student with theatrical work, mainly of interpretation, but also with all other aspects of the theatre playing. It is a practical course, where the student will learn the basic mechanisms of dramatic expression on the stage (voice, body movement,...), psychological understanding of the characters in a play and some basic notions about the Mise en scène relating to the theatrical space and its performance (light, sound, etc.)

Attendance policy: 

Attendance is mandatory for all IES Abroad classes, including course-related excursions. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses more than two classes in any course half a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Seven absences in any course will result in a failing grade.

Learning outcomes: 

By the end of the course students are able to:

  • Have a basic understanding of theater, acting and on-stage performance
  • Perform a play using Spanish fluently
Method of presentation: 

Reading texts (two mandatory, one to be performed, the second to be chosen by the student from the proposed mandatory readings), discussions, practical exercises of dramatic interpretation, tests, performance organization and representation of the chosen theatrical work.

Required work and form of assessment: 
  • Class participation: 15%
  • Shorter written analyses about the mandatory work as well as written analyses and criticisms of the performance to be seen: 15%
  • Midterm exam (or other instrument for evaluation): 20%
  • Final exam (or other instrument for evaluation): 50%
content: 
  1. Introduction to the end of the course play
  2. Reading and analyzing plays
  3. Text memorization
  4. Character study
  5. Rehearsals:  voice, diction, intonation, gesture
  6. Dress rehearsal
  7. Opening performance at the Colegio Mayor San Agustín for Spanish and American students
Required readings: 

PROPOSED:

  • Cervantes, Miguel de “Entremeses” (“La Cueva de Salamanca”, “El Viejo Celoso”). Madrid. Austral Editorial.
  • Rojas, Fernando de. “La Celestina”. Madrid. Alianza Editorial.
  • Lope de Vega. “Fuenteovejuna”. Madrid, Austral Editorial*
  • Zorrilla, José. “Don Juan Tenorio”. Madrid. Austral Editorial*
  • García Lorca, Federico. “La casa de Bernarda Alba”. Madrid. Alianza Editorial*

Students are required to read at least one additional play by a Spanish author (in addition to the end of the term performance) and comment on it.

Recommended readings: 
  • Calderón de la Barca, Pedro.” La vida es sueño”. Madrid. Austral*
  • Valle Inclán, Ramón del. “Divinas palabras”. Madrid. Austral Editorial Poncela, Jardiel. “Eloisa está debajo de un almendro”. Madrid. Austral Editorial*
  • Poncela, Jardiel,“Eloisa está debajo de un almendro”. Madrid. Austral Editorial*
  • Mihura, Miguel. “Melocotón en almíbar”. Madrid. Austral Editorial*
  • Belbel, Sergi.*
  • Miralles, Alberto. “Teatro breve”. Madrid. Espiral Editorial*
  • Pedrero, Paloma. “Juego de noches”. Madrid. Cátedra Editorial*
  • Alonso de Santos, Jose Luis.*

Additional reference works from Stanislavski, Brooks, Layton, Lee Strasberg, Hethmon, will be provided in class.

* Denotes that students might read any other play from the same writers.

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