Out of Character: Writing and Performing the Monologue

Out of Character: Writing and Performing the Monologue is an Interdisciplinary Arts course taught by Djola Branner.

This course satisfies Division I requirements.

Course Description
The focus of this course is self-scripting and performing dramatic material. Students will edit and revise written drafts based on hearing and performing their work aloud. Particular attention will be paid to writing dramatically from different points of view. The same events and circumstances, when recounted by one individual, may be utterly altered when recounted by someone else. Likewise, one individual may have a completely different perspective on the same event when speaking from a different state of emotion (i.e. a state of anger versus a state forgiveness.) We will explore ways in which gender, class, and culture can shift a playwright's perceptions, and use rhythm, syntax, and breath to create dynamic characters for the stage. We will also read and deconstruct contemporary monologues of writers such as Anna Deavere Smith, John Leguizamo, Lisa Kron, Laurie Carlos and Eric Bogosian.

Learning Goals

 * Reading
 * Writing
 * Expressive
 * Presenting
 * Project-based
 * Multi-Cultural