Course Syllabus for Theatre Arts I:  This is the foundation course for the theatre arts curriculum.  Theatre Arts I is designed to provide the student with an exciting overview of live theatre by closely examining the elements of playwriting, acting, directing, design, dance, movement, voice and speech.  The course will demonstrate how these elements are first created by various artists and effectively brought together within a process that ultimately leads to a live theatre production.  To be sure, you will clearly understand what is involved in producing a play from start to finish.  Beyond the many elements and contributions that lead toward the final product, we will also look at the employment opportunities in theatre.     The theatre is a safe and creative laboratory where one may study humanity. A well-produced theatre experience may potentially change lives by questioning individual values, life pursuits, relationships, morals, ethics, opinions, and general attitudes governing our human behavior.  Many plays of substance ask us to deeply evaluate our own culture, our society and the individual roles we play in a community.  When you observe a character on stage, you must ask yourself, “How would I respond if I were in the same situation?”  Therefore be prepared to question and learn something about yourself during the study of theatre.     Course Objectives   This course will first analyze the function and meaning of theatre.  Students will gain a heightened awareness and understanding of the creative, expressive and artistic experience that the theatre provides.  We will discuss its necessity and survival through the ages.  In order to facilitate meaningful class discussion, students in this section will learn a shared vocabulary.  This will strengthen the student’s understanding of the various personnel, equipment and disciplines that are required to produce a play.  To meet these objectives, students in Theatre Arts I will study some theatre history, archetypes in dramatic literature, the philosophy behind theatre movements, as well as participate in theatrical exercises, readings and class activities.  We will also examine the language and structure of various plays ranging from the ancient Greeks to current contemporary playwrights.  You will fully experience dramatic texts of poetry and prose--uncovering the challenges that they both present.