Advanced Research in Theatre History, 1700-Present

This course is an opportunity for students to acquaint themselves with contributions to the art of theatre from around 1700 to the mid-20^th century. Along with discussing drama and theatre practice (text and performance production and circulation, acting practices and theories, stage/costume/lighting design and technology, and theatre as labor and profession) we will also consider theatre’s dynamic interaction with politics and culture, including the varied ways in which theatre has cultivated (and been cultivated by) audiences along gender, class, racial and political lines. We won’t discuss all of theatre history, but we will discuss means and methods of theatre history research that you can apply to future study. Please note that this is a fast-moving survey, intended for students wishing to build up a broad overview of the theatrical past. Students will participate in lively conversation, give an in-class presentation, and write a research paper of approximately 5000 words.

Questions? Contact Mary Trotter at mtrotter@wisc.edu