English 206: American Literature II
Optional Paper on a Campus Play, Spring 2007
Dr. Tina L. Hanlon
Associate Professor of English
Ferrum
College
Grading Criteria for English 206 and 207 Essays
This semester two American musical plays will be performed on our campus: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Nunsense. You may fulfill part of your writing requirements for this semester by writing a short paper on one of these plays. (All your papers must add up to 12 pages total of formal writing by the end of the semester.)
This just in late Wednesday night, Mar. 21: I hear from someone who is a very experienced and knowledgeable judge of theater that this week's play is excellent and we must not miss it.
Obviously, you must attend the play, and then write a short paper in which you summarize and analyze the play, and include your response to the performance you saw. You must include some analysis that is based on a tiny bit of research, which may take any of the following forms: information from a reference book on musical theater or comedy or farce or one of the playwrights or composers of this play (use reference books available online through our library or in the library), a review of a production of the play when it was performed elsewhere, or a conversation with someone who is participating in the play (on stage or behind the scenes).
Your documentation will include a citation for the play at the end of the paper (see a handbook on MLA format for documenting a performance) and reference to any background sources you use. Use the format for documenting an interview or e-mail if you use conversation or e-mail to discuss the play with someone involved in it. Be sure to ask clear, useful and respectful questions if you approach a member of the cast or crew, or the director (professors Wayne Bowman or Rex Stephenson).
Note: Nunsense is a production of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre and is not free to everyone on campus as the other play is (see details at this link for BRDT). If you attend the preview on April 10, the cost is $6, but if you tell the theatre that you are in this class when you buy your ticket in advance, they will give you two tickets for the price of one. Just remind whoever sells you the ticket that Dr. Stephenson made this offer to Dr. Hanlon for your class.
For other requirements pertaining to this paper, see the general guidelines for the other papers in this course and the page Grading Criteria for English 206 and 207 Essays.
This is the corrected schedule for the first play:
March 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. The Ferrum College Drama and Music Departments present A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. This hilarious musical comedy is sure to tickle the funny bones of all who see it. The March 21, 22, 23 performances will be at 7:30 p.m. and will be in the Schoolfield Hall Sale Theatre. The March 24 performance will be at the Franklin County Family YMCA at 7:30 p.m. as will the 25 at 3 p.m. The humor is broad, bawdy and fast-paced. This play contains adult language and themes. For more information please contact Wayne Bowman at 365 4338 wbowman@ferrum.edu or Sue Spataro at sspataro@ferrum.edu 365 4351 or Rus Merritt at 489-9622.
03/21/2007