In this four credit drama course students will explore major American plays of the 20th century through the process of text analysis through performance. We will work on plays by major writers such as Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Lorraine Hansberry, Sam Shepard and Tony Kushner. For each play we will discuss dramaturgical background, script and character analysis and put scenes on their feet for constructive critique. Written assignments will center on a journal which will include a series of actor's explorations of motivations and actions. Students will also be responsible for writing critiques of two productions. The course culminates in a public performance of a cutting of a major play, most likely Tony Kushner's "Angels in America." Or Miller’s “All My Sons”