OVERVIEW

This course provides students with a basic knowledge of the history of Western Theater. The course aims at: 1) introducing students to the concepts of “Theater” and “Performing Arts”; 2) making students familiar with the most important forms and functions that theater has covered during history; 3) offering cues for a first analytic approach to contemporary theatre.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course provides students with a basis of knowledge on the history of the theater and performing arts. The aim is to connect knowledge of historical events to an understanding of the various forms, meanings and functions that “Theater” and “Spectacle” have taken in different times and places. A focus is on the relationship that, at times, has been established between text (if present) and performance (the spectacle, which can be broken down into many elements: playwriting, acting, direction, scenography etc.). The ultimate goal is to provide students with the skills to describe, analyze and interpret contemporary theater.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

- Ability to put a theatrical event its historical context (in relation to dramaturgy, space and acting) and to express it.

- Ability to distinguish and analize, at a basic level, the different elements of a theatre performance.

- Ability to describe, analize and interpret at a basic level contemporary theatre.

PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisite for this course.

TEACHING METHODS

In-class lectures with slides and video projections.

Registration on Aulaweb is compulsary.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

After a brief introduction to the discipline, the lessons will be dedicated to the most important events of the history of Theater in the West from the 5th century B.C. to the second half of the 20th century.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

ERASMUS STUDENTS - 6 CFU

1. Storia del teatro e dello spettacolo, edited by M. Cambiaghi, A. Egidio, I. Innamorati, A. Sapienza, Milano-Torino, Pearson, 2020.
2. Notes and slides published on Aulaweb.
3. Four plays to be read in full: one tragedy by Eschilo (Agamemnon or The Libation Bearers or The Eumenides); W. Shakespeare, Midsummer night's dream; H. Ibsen, Ghosts; A. Cechov, The cherry orchard

ERASMUS STUDENTS - 9 CFU

Add to the bibliography for 6 CFU a further reading (arranged individually).

Bibliography for students not proficient in Italian language may be arranged individually in other languages (English, or French or German).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LIVIA CAVAGLIERI (President)

ROBERTO CUPPONE

EMANUELA CHICHIRICCO' (Substitute)

FEDERICA SCAGLIONE (Substitute)

VALERIA SCREPIS (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

13 February 2023

Class schedule

THEATRE HISTORY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students may subdivide the whole program and take two partial written tests, during the semester. Not attending students will take an oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will be evaluated in their capacity of giving a clear account of the subjects; problematizing studied issues; debating with the istructor

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The following workshops are not compulsary, but recommended (for more information, see https://corsi.unige.it/8457/p/studenti-laboratori):

• Laboratorio di allestimento del testo teatrale
• Laboratorio di teatro pratico
• Laboratorio di teatro sociale
• Laboratotio di analisi della performance tecnologica