96449 - Laboratory of Theatrical Direction (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the laboratory the student: acquires elements of directing practice, identifying the possibilities of mutual development and interpenetration; learns to relate to the different operational levels of the theatrical performance (actors, figurative and textual spatial); analyzes the essential structures of the compositional process, having the tools to follow transformations and interactions.

Course contents

A text that «stands up». Adaptation and theatre directing

Federico Garcìa Lorca used to say that "theatre is a poem that stands up".

Starting from this evocative sentence, the course conveys methodologies, theories and problems of directing in relation to the theatrical adaptation of a literary text, mingling together theory, history and practice.

All students are required to read in advance the short story "Why, my darling?" (“Why, honey?”) by Raymond Carver, made available by the teacher in the Virtuale section.

In the first part of the course (about one third of the classes) historical examples and theoretical contributions will be presented, to provide students with a wealth of tools dedicated to the analysis of the text, accompanied by staging models analyzed in depth and which, for various reasons, they highlighted the gigantic possibilities of theatre making and directing.

In the second part (the remaining two thirds of the scheduled hours) the class will be divided into groups. Each group, led by the teacher, will develop a theatre directing project starting from the text indicated, in a way that will mix classroom work with presentation and open discussion sessions.

Readings/Bibliography

Are considered «Attending students» those who attended at least 12 classes out of 15 (thus a maximum o 3 absences is allowed).

«Attending students» are required to study the following texts:

R. Carver, Perché, tesoro mio?, in Da dove sto chiamando, Einaudi, Torino 2010 (disponibile su Virtuale)

M. Andreoli, F. Silvestri, Lezioni di scrittura teatrale, DinoAudino Editore, Roma 2021.

If you want to dig deep:

F. Marotti, Amleto o dell’oxymoron. Studi e note sull'estetica della scena moderna, Bulzoni, Roma 2001.

Non-attending students are required to add to the list above:

R. Alonge, Il teatro dei registi, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2006.

If you want to dig deep:

F. Marotti, Amleto o dell’oxymoron. Studi e note sull'estetica della scena moderna, Bulzoni, Roma 2001.

 

Any change request must be discussed and agreed upon with the teacher.

Teaching methods

Class Calendar: Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (9h to 11h) in the Aula Ferrero.

From Thursday, 10 November to Thursday, 15 December 2022.

Assessment methods

Attending students:

The exam evaluation consists in the drafting of a directing project starting from the proposed work (along certain guidelines that will be provided in class) and a group oral interview carried out at the end of the course (divided group by group). The interview will coincide with a discussion of the directing project presented.

Non-Attending students:

The exam evaluation consists of:

1) composition of a directing project starting from the proposed work (in September, students will be given a form divided into chapters with fixed amount of prints to be respected). The directing project must be delivered by email at least 7 days before the date set for the exam.

2) individual oral interview in which an in-depth discussion of the directing project and direct reference to the bibliography indicated will be requested.

Evaluation criteria

The oral interview verifies the abilities of critical and methodological analysis of the topics covered in class and contained in the readings list. In particular, the ability to:

1) motivate and argue the choices of adaptation of Carver's text in the theatrical form;

2) answer some questions on the adaptation and directing models offered by the teacher during the lessons;

3) to develop a way of presenting the project that gives space to all the members of the group.

 

(for non-attending students)

In addition to the three points listed, knowledge of the volumes reported in the bibliography will be verified.

Teaching tools

Audiovisual and textual feeds will be made available in class and online.
Students will also be offered the vision of some performances programmed by the theatres in town. The teacher is committed to trying to agree on special promotions on ticket prices on pre-established dates. Group or individual theatre-going is not considered mandatory for the purpose of passing the exam, however it is strongly recommended for a more complete teaching experience.

Office hours

See the website of Sergio Lo Gatto