Theatre Arts 234SP - Topics in Theatre Studies: 'Shakespeare in Performance: Case Studies in Stage Production History'

To what purpose(s) have Shakespeare's plays been staged, and how has staging practice changed and developed? Our focus will be broad, covering such matters as acting, directing, design, history/criticism/dramaturgy. Units will include period/modern-dress Shakespeare, anti-realist staging, changing acting styles, "historically accurate" productions, "global Shakespeare," topical/political productions, and gender/race in casting. Several Key plays will form the core: Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Winter's Tale. The course will involve some attendance at live performance (likely a group trip to New York).