Theater in London
January 2011       
Interdisciplinary 258      

Led by:  Professor Karen P. Wilson, Department of Theater

Major Credit: English, Theater, Fine Arts
General Education Credit: Artistic Studies (ALS-A)

This interdisciplinary course is designed for students who wish to develop knowledge and understanding of the theater contextualized within the rich cultural and historical resources of a great international city.  The vitality, quality and diversity of the English stage--from traditional productions of classic dramatic masterpieces by the National Theater or the Royal Shakespeare Company, to more experimental “Fringe” theaters --will be our primary resource for the month.  To develop an informed response to the live theater experience, this Interim will include attendance at approximately twenty performances, backstage tours at the National and Royal Shakespeare Theaters, special guest lectures, and discussions of each performance.

Although the majority of our time will be spent in London, we will also take a three-day excursion to Shakespeare Country, Stratford-upon-Avon, and attend theater performances there.  Other day excursions are possible including potential trips to Canterbury, Stonehenge, Bristol and Bath.  Students will have a two and a half-day free period during the month for their own travel or personal plans.

As a group, and on our own, we’ll visit some of the famous cultural/historical sites of this great city, such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern and Tate British Galleries; as well as sample some of the global flavors of a vibrantly multicultural metropolis. 

Course Requirements:
            -Attendance and participation at all scheduled plays, tours, and classes.
            -Oral contributions to each class session, both informal (discussion) and formal (one  
            background presentation on an upcoming play, and one review of a performance we’ve
seen).
            -Reading materials (to be determined) provided prior to departure.
-Journals : to be kept during the month, with comments on each of the productions,
responses to class discussion and to lectures/tours/field trips(journals will be read and graded at the mid-point and end of interim).
-Final exam TBA

Housing:  Accommodations will begin in the dormitory of Regent’s College, centrally located in Regents Park, near Baker Street underground station. In Stratford, we’ll stay at bed & breakfast inns, and return to a London hotel for the final period of the term.

Cost:  $4995 which includes international airfare, housing and two meals per day in London and Stratford, theater tickets, admission to museums, galleries, tours, group travel arrangements, group expenses, and a per diem for some meals not included with the accommodations.

 

 

ID258, Theater in London, January 2011

Supplemental application questions

Please respond to these three questions and return along with your application form to the International and Off Campus Studies Office. Answers may be typed on a separate sheet of paper and attached.

 

 Name:  __________________

  1. If you could state only ONE reason why you should be included in this Theater in London experience what would it be?

 

 

 

 

  1. If you were in a group how do you think others would describe you?

 

 

 

 

 

3)      Describe one moment in your theater experience that truly affected you and explain why you chose that moment.