Theatre in Context: Analysis & Research (140-2-21)

Topic

Adapting Shakespeare

Instructors

Janine Ellen Chow

Meeting Info

Wirtz 225 Instruct Black Box 2: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

This course interrogates Shakespeare adaptations from Taylor Swift's "Love Story" to Broadway's West Side Story. The plays of William Shakespeare are famous, revered, and beyond the reach of copyright laws. As such, they are perhaps the ultimate "pre-text" for modern adaptations that honor, resist, twist, lampoon, satirize, evolve, and expand the original plays. Shakespeare himself is subjected to the same: not merely a man, but a character in collective cultural consciousness who is cast and co-opted in new works. This course examines adaptations as a complex creative act, negotiating storytelling agendas across vastly different cultural contexts. These works may merely reference Shakespeare, or they may invite and interrogate new representation along axes of race, ability, gender, and sexual identity. Students in this class will consider adaptation not only in text analysis, but also in casting, choreography, costumes, lighting, scenic design, music, and venue. These skills will be developed in a class-long paper sequence that culminates in a research paper that incorporates performance analysis and secondary sources.

Class Materials (Required)

This class requires you to attend the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre production of Richard III, which runs from February 2 to March 3, 2024. You may book $20 tickets using the UNDER35 code, or plan on attending with the class group for $35 on February 15 (pending confirmation). We will discuss the show in Week 8, on February 20-22. | All other texts/media will be posted to Canvas or available online. $26-50

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Theatre Majors and Minors