After reading and discussing the first three chapters of your textbook on the nature of theatre, your relationship to it and Aristotle's poetics, you will prepare a three to five minute presentation that introduces yourself within a theatre context. It is essential in this (and future panels) that you not only speak well but that you actively focus your presentation on the ideas presented in the text and discussed in class. This presentation is worth a maximum of 50 points.You might want to introduce yourself in a way that touches on some of these areas:
- Your own experience in theatre.
- Plays you have been in.
- Technical aspects of theatre you are familiar with.
- Your experiences with reading (or writing) plays.
You might want to relate your presentation to text concepts by relating:
- What theatre means to you.
- Whether or not the plays you have been in were "art" or "entertainment."
- Your experiences as a theatregoer.
- What you expect out of a theatre going experience.
- What constitutes, in your opinion, a good production versus a weak one.
You might want to relate your performance or theatre going experiences in term of Aristotle's Poetics; be sure to use specific examples.
- What was the nature of the plot?
- What kinds of Spectacle do you prefer?
- Have you seen a tragedy as Aristotle defines it?
- Try to relate your experiences to Aristotle's descriptions of Thought, Diction, and Music.
Date of your presention: Begin preparing for your first panel immediately. Presentations will occur over three class sessions. You will know a few days in advance which day you present on. You must be prepared to present on your assigned day. Only substantiated medical excuses will be accepted for missed slots.
Delivery of your presention: Do not read verbatim off a page; rather, strive for an extemporaneous delivery. Distill your notes into a speaking outline, and practice how you want to present it orally. Keep your presentation interesting through good delivery. Strive for eye contact with your audience and use an enthusiastic style with vocal variety. Avoid, at all costs, a monotone delivery and reading from your manuscript. To do this, ample rehearsal of your presentation will be needed.
Grading of Panel presentations: You will be graded on the quality of your information, your familiarity with textbook chapters and the manner in which you deliver your presention. Don't forget to use your textbook as a good source itself or for ideas. Whenever possible, try to link your topic information to what the class has studied through lectures, readings and discussions. Think about how you want to present your information, and arrange it for maximum interest and impact on your listening audience. Look at the grading form for panel discussions while you are preparing; bring your form with header information (name, topic area, etc.) all ready filled in on the day you present. No extra forms will be available in class.