THEATRE 313 AND 813 RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES Instructors: Jodi Ozimek and Kirk Domer The following pages include guidelines for the 4 main research projects in Period Styles and Research. Please note that some of the project options even have alternatives within them. Each student is required to complete two projects inside their area of focus and two projects outside. Since there is some flexibility in defining the project s focus each project choice will have to be approved during the class meeting following the project s announcement. The Final Collaborative Project will be discussed in greater detail later in the semester. Groups will be assigned by the instructors. NOTE: ALL PROJECT OPTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE You will be graded on: The completion of each project assignment referenced below. The ability to demonstrate research skills learned in class. The quality of the work as related to your understanding of period styles. Your process as related to the individual assignment. Effort Neatness, creativity and presentation Timely submission. (refer to syllabus regarding late work) DUE DATE ASSIGNMENT % OF FINAL GRADE Projects 55% TOTAL Sept. 19 th Greek & Roman Research Project 10% Oct. 15 th Renaissance Research Project 10% Nov. 5 th 17 th & 18 th Century Research Project 10% Nov. 14 th Period Exchange Research Project 10% Nov. 26 th Dec. 5 th Final Collaborative Presentation 15%
Project #1: Greek and Roman Contrast the styles in the architecture, fine and applied arts with costume styles. Identify similarities and differences in line, color, decorative motifs, etc. Presentation should include a handout with copious illustrations. Assume the persona of someone waking up in the morning and dressing for a specific event, battle, or project. You may choose a real or fictitious person (male of female). Begin by explaining how you were awakened and what you were sleeping in. Continue through your daily activities and clothing changes that may accompany them. Narrate each costume item being removed and added to the person. Comments on surroundings, family life, government, and events should be included. Your presentation will include a dramatic reading of your dairy. Find Greek or Roman sculpture, artwork, pottery or painting that shows the human form. Discover what you think the poses represent or what story they are trying to tell. Provide the imagery present a premise find or write a monologue or scene direct/present it for the class. Compare Greek or Roman architecture and playwriting. What are the similarities? What are the differences? Provide a notebook of images to scenes (you may want to choose a specific script). You presentation should include drawings that support your findings. Why the Theatre of Dionysus? Why was it constructed as such? Provide a written response. Also design/block Jocasta s suicide on this stage. Discuss the process. Present examples on how Greek and Roman fashions were draped on the body. Use a model and fabric to demonstrate to the class how these looks were achieved. Provide pictorial and written research to support your conclusions. Provide a handout for the class with instructions on how to recreate these draping techniques.
Project #2 Renaissance Analyze a movie set in the Renaissance period. Suggested movies include: Elizabeth, Shakespeare in Love, Romeo and Juliette by Franco Zeffirelli, and the Taming of the Shrew by Franco Zeffirelli. (If you wish to do another movie you must check with the instructors first). Critique the accuracy of the costumes. You must watch the whole film. Include in your paper a synopsis of the movie and a critique of the historical accuracy of the costumes. Include in your paper research costume history illustrations from your period and movie stills. Did they use zippers even though they had not been invented yet? What types of fabrics were used? How did the costume choices work for the characters? (Suggested length 4-5 pages). Analyze a movie set in the Renaissance period. Suggested movies include: Elizabeth, Shakespeare in Love, Romeo and Juliet or The Taming of the Shrew by Franco Zeffirelli, The Name of the Rose and Lion in Winter. (If you wish to do another movie you must check with the instructors first). Critique the accuracy of the furniture and properties. You must watch the whole film. Include in your analysis a synopsis of the movie and a critique of the historical accuracy of the furniture and properties. Include research and illustrations from the period and movie stills. When accuracy is off provide rendered alternatives for the pieces used. Select 4 contrasting full-length portraits (two male and two female) of historic persons (Late Gothic through Elizabethan) and prepare descriptions of the costumes being worn, using correct terminology. Also discuss the underclothing that would be needed to support the silhouette of the costume. Include a brief biographical sketch of each person and their social rank. Hand in high quality color images of your chosen subjects. Design makeup and hair for an upper class Elizabethan character from a play. Complete this design on a classmate and present your design choices to the class. You must complete a character analysis, makeup schematic, and detailed wig/hair drawings. Provide pictorial and written research to support your choices. Find the lineage in Shakespeare s history plays and chart out a family tree. Find portraits of the actual persons. Then find the plays and quotes used. Compile and explore references to architecture and/or clothing from Shakespeare play. Perform a scene from one of your choices and present the importance of these references. Provide a notebook of references. Write a premise and a concept for any Renaissance play other than Shakespeare done in period. Support with examples from the script and present a mood board of imagery for both the scene and costume designer. Why the globe theatre? Why was it constructed as such? Provide a written response. Also design/block Caliban s entrance from the rock on this stage. Discuss the process.
Project #3: 17 th and 18 th Century Analyze a movie set in the 17 th and 18 th centuries. Suggested movies include: The Libertine, Girl with the Pearl Earring, Man in the Iron Mask, The Scarlet Letter, Scarlet Pimpernel, Tom Jones, Marie Antoinette, Amadeus, Quills, and Dangerous Liaisons. (If you wish to do another movie you must check with the instructors first). Critique the accuracy of the furniture and properties. You must watch the whole film. Include in your analysis a synopsis of the movie and a critique of the historical accuracy of the furniture and properties. Include research and illustrations from the period and movie stills. When accuracy is off provide rendered alternatives for the pieces used. Design a set of paper dolls that includes one week worth of clothing for your doll. This should include clothing for different times of day, special events and weather. You must include outer wear, accessories, undergarments, etc. Include organized research to support your choices. You may use a purchased paper doll (minimum of 10 tall). You must create your own original clothing pieces. Create 4 painted renderings or collaged renderings of the epitome of fashion of the day. Provide research to support design choices. Design and build a model (using 17 th & 18 th Century building standards of wing and drop) and in a Bibiena painterly style for a one set Molière play. Provide research to support design choices. Molière s The Misanthrope present fashion and etiquette fan language and cane language without words for one scene. First in mime second with words. Provide examples of how fashion and furniture affected movement and posture of the time. Present/perform 3 examples using 17 th and 18 th century plays and provide a notebook of findings. Research how the upper class relaxed in the clothing and surroundings of their time. When a character is onstage alone how would they sit, stand, think, or relax. Create a scene of alone time from an actual play and character. Your scenario may be a completely created scenario but must fit logically in what the playwright has created.
Project #4: Period Exchange Develop a notebook of contemporary clothing items that display elements derived from classical clothing. Describe whether it is a reproduction, a revival, or a reinterpretation of the earlier style. Include pictures of the original garment/silhouette next to the contemporary clothing piece. Use vocabulary and your understanding of the periods to analyze the style and construction of these garments. Support your ideas with text and visual research pieces. You must have a minimum of 20 pieces. Research, pattern and stitch a period costume for a 15 doll. Use fabrics and trims that are as close to historical fabrics as possible. Include headgear, footwear and jewelry. Take a Strindberg or Ibsen play (Miss Julie or Ghosts) and set it in a period from Greeks to 18 th century. This can either be in a directed/performance response or in a scene design (rendered or modeled). Justify your choices. Take any approved play and set it in a century at least two hundred years apart from its originally written. This can either be in a directed/performance response or in a scene or costume design (rendered or modeled). Justify your choices. Design scenery or costumes for any approved play of the future. Think about how the original period will affect your choices. Provide research and a concept statement. Once play is approved: specific design guidelines will be given by instructors. Choose a time period you want to know more about choose another topic from past offerings. Compare two time periods. Why are they similar? Why are they different? What is the purpose of theatre at the time? What is the difference in clothing and architecture? Present a side by side sampling of imagery, discuss styles and provide a written justification for your findings. Present a memorized scene or monologue from a Greek play using mask(s) and a semblance of Greek costume. Present the same scene or monologue in contemporary clothing. Discuss how the mask and costume pieces aided/hindered your movement, character development and directing. Provide visual research of masks and costumes that inspired your decisions.
Final Collaborative Project Direct, perform, design scenery and costumes for a scene from an approved play in a period for which it was not originally written. Your choices must make sense you must support these choices. A written critique of your collaborative process is expected from each member of the team.