Edward Ziter Drama Suite

ted.ziter@nyu.edu (preferred contact) 726 Broadway 2nd Floor

212-998-1533 Office Hrs. W 9:30-11:30

Introduction to Theatre Studies: Adaptation

As all things have proceeded from one, by the meditation of one, so all things have sprung
from this one thing by adaptation.
--The Emerald Tablet, Hermes Trismegistus

The imitator of maker of the image knows nothing of true existence; he knows appearances
only.
--The Republic, Plato

Adaptation, as described in the ancient and obscure Emerald Tablet, is the ripple of a
primal cause continuing to direct all of existence. There is nothing random according
to this formulation; a perfect idea sees its fulfillment as a diversity of forms
multiplying through their interactions. A contrasting and even more ancient
tradition is evident in Platos assertion that reality itself is a faulty adaptation of a
perfect idea, and the growing diversity of formsespecially those generated
through artistic creationshows us mired in a material world of inevitable and
increasing decay. Adaptation is our dalliance in the decadence of forms.

We may not have this contrast in mind when we decide whether or not to see a film
adaptation of our favorite book, or if we take issue withor defenda stage
directors idiosyncratic adaptation of a canonical text. However, the moment we talk
of an authors intent, or assert that multiple stage concepts do (or do not) fulfill the
potentiality of a dramatic text we take sides in an ancient debate. This semester, we
will explore the idea of adaptation, to what extent it is an important way of
understanding all performance, how the act of adapting dramatic texts has been
understood in different historical periods, and how adaptation functions in the
modern theatre.

Like other sections of ITS, we will examine strategies and methods for
understanding theatre. We will examine writings that explore the theatrical past,
that theorize what happens in a performance, that probe the relation between text
and performance, and that reflect on performance and theatres role in society.
Examples of such writing spread over four units:
Ways of Reading: Text and Performance
The Analysis of the Theatrical Past
Theorizing the Stage
Rethinking Performance
We will examine the categories of research and writing that constitute Theatre
Studies; you will both examine and practice genres of writing. This is not only a
course on how to think about the theatre but also how to write about the theatre.
However, in our conversations and in our writing assignments we will frequently
return to an overarching question: How does adaptation, as a concept and a practice,
serve as theatre-makers and thinkers?
Ways of Reading: Text and Performance
M 1/23 Introduction.
W 1/25 Mrs. Warrens Profession.
M 1/30 Theatrical Performance: Illustration, Translation, Fulfillment,
Supplement? NYUClasses; Shaws Debt to Scribe 575-578, 585
NYUClasses;
W 2/1 Othello
M 2/6 Othello; Othello: A Contextual History Chap 11 Othello for the 90s
W 2/8 Library Day
M 2/13 FIRST PAPER DUE; Discuss Davies Winters Tale; Nunns Othello
W 2/15 Desdemona
M 2/20 Presidents Day, No Class

The Analysis of the Theatrical Past

W 2/22 Discuss production of Twelfth Night; Will Personified: Viola as Author-
Actor NYUClasses
M 2/27 Othello: A Contextual History 1-92
W 3/1 Othello: A Contextual History 93-180
M 3/6 Othello: A Contextual History; Discuss Paper
W 3/8 SECOND PAPER DUE; View scenes from Polanski and Welles Othello

SPRING BREAK

Theorizing the Stage

M 3/20 Selections from The Republic NYUClasses
W 3/22 The Poetics
M 3/27 The Modern Theatre is the Epic Theatre The Alienation Effect in
Chinese Acting NYUClasses
W 3/29 The Real Inspector Oedipus from The Pleasure of the Play NYUClasses
M 4/3 Discuss production of Polaroid Stories
W 4/5 Selections from Ovids Metamorphoses NYUClasses

Rethinking Performance
M 4/10 THIRD PAPER DUE; Watch Reel Bad Arabs
W 4/12 Jihadi Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes
M 4/17 The Built-Out East of Popular Ethnography from The Orient on the
Victorian Stage NYUClasses;
W 4/19 On the Tragedies of Shakespeare NYUClasses; Coleridge on Othello
NYUClasses; Othello: A Contextual History 181-216; View Welles Othello
M 4/24 View Welles Othello.
W 4/26 The Noble Savage Reconsidered from The Shows of London NYUCasses;
M 5/1 Venus
W 5/3 FOURTH PAPER DUE; Watch Disneys Aladdin
M 5/8 Saving Other Women from Other Men: Disneys Aladdin NYUClasses;
Watch Disneys Aladdin
Papers:
First Paper: Production Analysis 2 pages 10%
Second Paper: Historical Research 3 pages 20%
Third Paper: Application 4 pages 30%
Fourth Paper Comparative Analysis 5 pages 40%

-Late papers will be assessed up to a 5 pt grade reduction for each late day. Students
with personal or family emergencies must contact the instructor.
-Class participation can raise or lower your final grade by as much as five points.
-Attendance will be taken. After two absences your final grade will be lowered three
points for each class missed. If you arrive late it is your responsibility to inform the
instructor of your attendance after the class. Repeated lateness will also lower your
grade.
-Medical and family emergencies must be documented.

If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should

contact me to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. At the appointment we
can discuss the course format, anticipate your needs, and explore potential
accommodations. I rely on the Center for Students with Disabilities for assistance in
verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. If
you have not previously contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities, I
encourage you to do so.

Plagiarism and cheating are grave violations of Tisch School of the Arts community
standards. Consistent with Department of Drama policy, when I have reason to
suspect a violation of academic integrity I will report the case to the Director of
Theatre Studies. All cases are ultimately reported to the Chair and the Dean of
Students. All infractions will be punished and repeated infractions can result in
expulsion.

The following are available at the NYU Bookstore:

Othello: A Contextual History
Mrs. Warrens Profession
Othello
Desdemona
The Poetics
Jihadi Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes
Venus
All other texts are on NYUClasses