drama 101 uw

Here is a comprehensive guide to DRAMA 101 at the University of Washington (UW) . This is officially the course DRAMA 101: Introduction to the Theatre. This is one of the most popular "VLPA" (Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts) credit courses on campus because it is generally considered accessible, interesting, and has no prerequisites. The Official Description Course Title: Introduction to the Theatre Catalog Number: DRAMA 101 Credits: 5 General Education Requirement: VLPA (Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts) Prerequisites: None. Format: Typically a large lecture (often 200+ students) plus a small weekly "studio" or quiz section (about 20 students) led by a TA. What Will You Actually Learn? The course is designed to turn you from a passive audience member into an informed "theatre-goer." You will learn the fundamental vocabulary and processes of how a play moves from the page to the stage. Key Topics Usually Include: The Role of the Audience: What your responsibility is in a live performance. The "willing suspension of disbelief." The Playwright & Dramatic Structure: Plot, character, theme, dialogue. You will read a few full plays (see list below). The Actor & Director: Methods of rehearsal, character development, blocking, and the director's "concept" for a show. The Designers: Scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound. How design creates the world of the play. The History of Theatre: A very broad overview, from Ancient Greece to the present day. Theatre as a Business: Producing, marketing, and the economics of running a theatre. Required "Viewing" (The Live Play Requirement) This is the most important assignment. You are almost always required to attend two live, professional theatre productions during the quarter. You cannot watch a recording. The "Big Show": One is always a mainstage production by the UW School of Drama (performed at the Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse or the Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre). The Wild Card: The other is usually a production from a local Seattle theatre. Past options have included shows at: - Seattle Repertory Theatre - ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) - Intiman Theatre - Taproot Theatre - Book-It Repertory Theatre Ticket Cost: UW student tickets are heavily subsidized. Expect to pay around 10-15 per show. The big UW play is often free or 5 for students. The Workload & Grading Don't let the "101" fool you; it is a 5-credit course. Expect to spend 5-6 hours a week outside of lecture. 1 Play Analysis Paper (Essay 1): Analyzing the script you read. 1 Performance Response Paper (Essay 2): Analyzing a live performance you saw (e.g., the direction, acting, and design choices). Final Paper or Project: This is often a more formal paper comparing the two plays you saw and applying the course concepts (e.g., "How did the director's concept change your understanding of the script?"). Quizzes: Usually short, online, multiple-choice quizzes on the readings. Attendance: Very strict. Because you have a small quiz section, missing more than 2 is often an automatic grade deduction. Sleeping/texting in lecture is also frowned upon. The Final Exam: Usually multiple-choice and short answer, covering terms from the entire quarter. Typical (and Heavily Used) Readings The textbook is often a custom anthology. You will likely read these specific plays: Sophocles' Oedipus Rex (The OG tragedy, for the history unit). William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream or The Tempest (For plot, character, and Elizabethan staging). A Contemporary Play: Often something like Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog, Lynn Nottage's Sweat, or Sarah Ruhl's The Clean House (To discuss modern structure and social issues). Who Teaches It? Professor Scott Magelssen: He is famous for this course. He is an incredibly energetic lecturer who wears bow ties and does dramatic readings of Shakespeare in a full voice. His class is a well-oiled machine. Professor Odai Johnson: Another common professor. He is more academic and historical but very respected. TAs (Teaching Assistants): You will have a PhD student or advanced MFA student as your quiz section leader. They are your lifeline for papers and grading. Why Take This Course? (Pros & Cons) Pros: Easy 5-credit VLPA: If you do the work, it is a very solid A or A-. Gen Ed Filler: Perfect for completing your humanities requirement without a massive reading load. Learning to Think Critically: You'll become that guy at the movies who can explain why the lighting was bad. Seeing Live Theatre: It forces you to do something you might never do on your own, and Seattle has excellent theatre. Cons: The Plays: You must attend them. They have specific dates and times. If you have a huge exam that week, it's tough. The Textbook: It is usually expensive and written specifically for this course. Try to find a used copy from a past student (the Facebook group "UW Free & For Sale" is your friend). Very Subjective Grading (on papers): While the quizzes are easy, the TAs have strong opinions. If you write "I liked the play because it was fun," you will get a C. You must use the vocabulary (exposition, denouement, upstage, downstage, fourth wall). Pro Tips for Getting an A Go to the Play Early: Don't show up at curtain time. Walk around the set, look at the textures, listen to the pre-show music. The TA will ask you about this. Read the Play Before You See It: This is the single biggest mistake students make. Read Oedipus before you see Oedipus. You will understand the director's choices so much better. Use Jargon: In your papers, use words like "mise-en-scène" (everything you see on stage), "diegetic vs. non-diegetic sound" , "proscenium arch" , "thrust stage" , "Chekhov's Gun" . Don't Skip Quiz Section: The TA's job is to give you the paper prompts and explain exactly what they want. If you skip, you will lose points. Sit in the Front Row (for the play): You can hear the actors breathing. You can see the sweat. It's a totally different experience. Is it for you? YES, if: You need a VLPA credit and want a manageable, interesting class. You are a film major, English major, or just a curious person. You enjoy live performances or want to try something new. NO, if: You absolutely hate reading plays (you only read 3-4). You refuse to go to a live theatre show (the schedule is rigid). You are looking for a purely "easy A" with zero work (this class requires writing and reading). Bottom Line: DRAMA 101 at UW is a classic. It's a fun, enriching, and well-taught course that makes you a more cultured person without being a brutal workload. If you can afford 2 evenings for plays, take it.