ABOVE: Elizabeth Margid, head of the Fordham Theatre Directing Program About the Directing Program The goal of the Directing Program is to teach the tools of the trade and help directors begin to find their artistic voice. The emphasis is on experiential learning, with each directing course culminating in a public performance of work developed during the semester: original,director-created pieces in the first semester, staged readings of new short plays in the second, productions of one-acts at the intermediate level, and full-lengths at the advanced level. Students in the intermediate and advanced production courses meet together in one group. They read and discuss all the plays being directed, give each other feedback on a myriad of directing choices, see scenes from the plays in class, and attend each others’ rehearsals. In this way they help each other with all phases of production and gain more experience responding to directing work. In addition, each director works with an outside professional guest director who serves as a mentor on the student’s project. Majors begin the directing sequence in the first semester of their sophomore year to allow them to satisfy the Acting I, Acting II, Visual Design and Theatre Crafts prerequisites for Directing I. These courses teach acting technique, text analysis, and design principles—all essential components of directing. Although directing majors do not take directing courses in their freshman year, they begin the program by working as assistant directors on upper-level directing projects. Additionally, they meet individually with the Head of Directing throughout the year to discuss their progress in their prerequisite courses.   (Fifteen Courses, 52 Credits) Theatre Crafts Visual Design Theatre History I, II, and III Acting I and II Theatre Design Workshop I Directing I (Fundamentals of Directing) Directing II (Play Analysis) Directing III (One-Act Play Production) Directing IV (Advanced Directing) Directing V (Directing Thesis Project) Directing VI (Independent Directing Project, optional course) *One theatre elective taken from the following: Directing VI, Playwriting, Film or Video I or II, Acting III, The Actor and the Text, Movement, Voice, or any design class (Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Costume Construction, Sound Design, Scene Painting) Please note that a director must take at least Directing I-V to graduate. Directing VI is an optional advanced production course, which may be taken to fulfill the elective requirement. *During junior and senior year, many theatre majors take more than the required number of electives for their particular major. This is permitted as long as all Fordham College Core requirements have been completed. THE CURRICULUM   TDLU 2040-Directing I (4 credits) Directing I is an introduction to the fundamentals of text analysis, stage composition, and production design - all essential components of the director's art. Students study classic and contemporary plays in the Realist tradition, develop design concepts for theoretical productions of the plays, and present scenes in class. The course also focuses on developing students' leadership and communication skills - equally crucial aspects of directing. Prerequisites: Acting I, Acting II, and Visual Design, or by special permission. TDLU 2050-Directing II (4 credits) In Directing II students work throughout the semester on a one-act of their own choosing - conducting production research, forging an interpretation of the play, collaborating with design students on a design approach, and presenting scenes in class. Course work also touches on such practical issues as structuring a rehearsal schedule and assembling a production book. The semester concludes with each student's mounting a staged reading of the one-act for public performance. Other activities include studying plays outside the Realist tradition that demand more from the director in terms of interpretative skills and production strategies, and working with students in the Playwriting program on their new plays. Prerequisite: Directing I. TDLU 2055-Directing III (4 credits) Directing III puts into practice the skills developed in Directing I and II by graduating students to one-act play production. With support from the design departments, scene shop, and publicity office, students mount several evenings of one-act plays for public performance in the Studio Theatre. In the process they hone their ability to conduct auditions and rehearsals and collaborate with designers, technicians, and administrators. They also learn how to create and manage a budget - increasingly crucial skills for the professional director, who must often also produce his or her own work. Other activities include studying the history of directing and learning the rudiments of thrust and arena staging. Prerequisite: Directing II. TDLU 3055-Directing IV (2 credits in conjunction w/Directing V) Directing IV is the first semester of an advanced production course which shepherds students through the process of directing full-length plays for public performance. Throughout the semester students present their research and production ideas, as well as scenes from the plays they are directing, for comment and critique. Other activities include class work on Shakespeare and/or other verse texts. Prerequisite: Directing III. TDLU 3056-Directing IV (4 credits) This course is designed for students who, because they begin the directing track in their junior year, must register for Directing IV in the spring of their senior year and complete course work for Directing IV and V in one semester. Prerequisite: Directing III. TDLU 4010-Directing Lab (2 credits) Direction and production of a play under faculty supervision. (A full-length play or two one-act plays are acceptable). For Theatre Majors with a concentration in Directing. Consent of faculty advisor and chairperson. TDLU 4055-Directing V (2 credits) Directing V is the second semester of an advanced course in full-length play production. Throughout the semester students present their research and production ideas, as well as scenes from the plays they are directing, for comment and critique. Other activities include class exploration of a variety of theatrical styles including Brechtian theatre, solo performance, and ensemble-generated work, among others. In addition, students prepare to enter the professional world by working on their resumes, preparing for job/graduate school interviews, and meeting with guest directors to discuss career strategies. Prerequisite: Directing IV.   TDLV 3300-Theatre, Creativity, and Values (4 credits) This course is designed to give students an opportunity to examine and reflect upon creativity and the Theatre. How does creativity mark the distinctness of the human person? How does human creativity point to the presence and action of God? What purpose does the Theatre serve for society? Emphasis is placed on personal integration of philosophical principles and personal technique and craft. Open to Theatre Majors and minors only. TDLU 3900-Professional Internships (4 credits) Supervised internship at an outside professional institution related to theatre, television, or film. Monthly evaluations. Prerequisite: consent of chairperson. TDLU 4999-Tutorial in Theatre and Drama (4 credits)
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