Radio Plays: Making Theatre for Radio and Podcast (DRA2305.01)

Dina Janis

A performance-based course for folks interested in this medium. It is not necessary to have elaborate skill in sound design and editing, though students with this interest are welcome to enroll. All students will perform as actors in each other’s projects. Each week the class will listen to examples of current Radio Play and Theatre Podcast content, writing up play reports and discussing these weekly listenings. Material read and performed will be drawn from a diverse canon of plays written for this form, such as The War of the Worlds, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, content from Play At Home, the radio plays of Samuel Beckett, Caryl Churchill among others, and Bennington playwrights. Individual as well as group projects will be assigned or created and students will be cast in various projects throughout the term which will be recorded on Audio. All projects being worked on during the term will be read and discussed by all of the students in the class so that there is a shared context for this performance/collaborative class format. Individually, students will concentrate on exploring their vocal instruments through reading and vocal exercise work, as well as developing a regular practice of reading out loud daily. Students will also have access to recording/editing software that will allow them to experiment and explore sound design and editing for their projects if desired. Course work will involve extensive outside of class listening to examples of Radio Theatre and Podcast Theatre, reading, individual research and rehearsal, and maintaining a rigorous daily vocal practice. Each week students will have the opportunity to work individually on their own, in rehearsal with others, and regularly in group sessions where work in development is shared and critiqued by the class.

Students will propose and create a final Independent Project, which may be original, adapted material, or drawn from a pre-existing canon.

** This class will collaborate with Bennington’s own radio station, BRad, for selected broadcasting of class project work.

Tools needed: Preferably a device that allows the student to participate during shared class time via Zoom and a solid internet connection for group meetings/rehearsals. Device with ability to record work on audio. Headphones. Device that allows for downloading of digital written material/scripts. Private space, remote or on-campus, for rehearsal needs where the student can feel free to explore vocally, emotionally and physically.


Learning Outcomes:



Delivery Method: Entirely remote (synchronous)
Prerequisites:None.
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
W 2:10PM - 5:50PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Course Frequency: Every Term

Categories: All courses , Drama , Entirely Remote
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