Theatrical Literature '98

THEATRICAL LITERATURE WITH CLIVE ELLIOTT

Theatrical Literature, A first year seminar at Drake is concerned with "the craft of play writing and the transfer of that writing through the collaboration of director, actor and designer to the stage" The class covered four types of plays from August to December:

Theatre as Social and Political Commentary: "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" by Bertold Brecht.

Theatre as Documentary: "American Primitive" by William Gibson.

Theatre as Argument: "Major Barbara" by George Bernard Shaw.

Theatre of Comedy: "Jake’s Women" by Neil Simon.

The Drake Theatre Arts department performed all the plays and those in the seminar had the opportunity to read the plays as well as see them and give their impressions. The seminar was focused not so much on learning but more on developing critical thinking and writing skills.

The areas of research were vast, ranging from Broadway to ancient Chinese literature, The declaration of Independence to wealth and poverty in late Victorian England and commercial theatre to socio - political links of the play and the playwrights.

So in class not only theatrical literature was studied, but also history of the playwrights, the time and place where the plays were written and the socio - political situations of the country where the playwrights came from.

This class has been thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining and enriching as proved by the Class’ Comments on Clive.

Clive Elliott is our professor; the man who has taught us how to ‘think’, rather than just learn. For some more insight, read An Interview with Clive

Here’s a picture of our First Year Seminar class.

More pictures of the one and only Clive!
(click on pics to enlarge)

And finally, here are the people who made this little project. Maya Sherpa, Ritesh Batra and Savitar Jagtiani in a snap with Clive.

This website is a final project by Savitar, Maya, and Ritesh. A special thanks to our friends Aaron and Phil.