V. Dramatic Art
Dramatic Art B1: Playwriting: Not open to first-year students. Other
students will be admitted only after a personal interview with Mr. Pratt. English
B2 or B4 or B5 prerequisite or must be taken concurrently.—The reading and
analysis of plays throughout the year. The dramatization of the short story and
the writing of original one-act plays. Emphasis will be placed on the present-day
life and historical traditions of Virginia. Students from other sections will be
expected to use the materials and background with which they are familiar. Plays
considered worthy of production will be staged by the Virginia Players. Monday
evenings, 7:30 to 10. (B.A. or B.S. credit, 3 session-hours.)
Associate Professor Pratt.
Dramatic Art B2: Play Production: The technique of acting and stage
directing. The essential arts involved in the producing of plays: scene design
and construction, costuming, lighting, etc. Lectures and practical work.
Each student will direct a one-act play and act in two others. This course
in the theory and practice of the theatre is designed for the training of students
participating in the work of the Virginia Players and for those who
plan to become directors of school and community drama work. Afternoon
hours to be arranged. (B.A. or B.S. credit, 3 session-hours.)
Mr. Boyle.
Dramatic Art B4: Advanced Play Production: Dramatic Art B2 prerequisite.—Students
who have had considerable experience in the theatre may
secure the consent of the instructor to take this course concurrently with Dramatic
Art B2.—Lectures, parallel reading and reports. Members of this class will be
assigned responsible positions on the various productions of the Virginia Players.
Afternoon hours to be arranged. (B.A. or B.S. credit, 3 session-hours.)
Associate Professor Pratt and Mr. Boyle.
Dramatic Art B5: History of the Theatre: The changing conventions
of the theatre and their relation to the problems engaging the interest of
playwrights and audiences. The Greek theatre, the Renaissance, and the
modern intimate playhouse. The technique of the movies. Modern problems:
Realism, Symbolism, Expressionism, etc. The technique of playwriting
illustrated by private performances and readings from the plays of
Sophocles, Shakespeare, Ibsen and others. Lectures and discussions. (B.A.
or B.S. credit, 3 session-hours.)
Associate Professor Pratt.
Dramatic Art C1: Advanced Playwriting: Dramatic Art B1 and one
other B course prerequisite. Open only to those of proved aptitude in playwriting
who have obtained the consent of the professor in charge.—Each student will be
required to satisfactorily complete a full length play. Hours to be arranged.
Associate Professor Pratt.
Virginia Players: H. R. Pratt, Director and Manager, Roger Boyle, Associate
Dircetor, A. J. Barlow, Secretary and Treasurer.—The Virginia Players is
the producing company for the courses in Playwriting and Dramatic Art in the
McIntire School of Fine Arts. It is incorporated under the laws of the State
of Virginia as a non-stock corporation: the trustees: Professors J. C. Metcalf,
J. S. Wilson, W. H. Faulkner, W. S. Rodman, A. J. Barlow, H. R. Pratt and
one member from the student body. Its purpose is to develop a State Theatre
which will seek to interpret Virginia to its people through the writing and production
of original plays, and to stage revivals of classic and modern plays. Only
those enrolled as students in the University are eligible to election as Active
Members. Others who participate in the work may be elected Associate Members.
