Summer 2008/Pasadena
TC551
Johnson/Savidge

TC551: THEOLOGY AND THEATRE. Todd E. Johnson and Dale Savidge.


DESCRIPTION: This course explore the theological meaning of the event known as theatre. Theatre occurs, in part, when one tells the story by manifesting--incarnating--the story. As Christian disciples we are invited to tell the story of the gospel by embodying it in our daily lives. This course will explore three theological categories that define the theatrical event: Incarnation, Community, and Presence. These three categories will be developed in light of their theological corollaries: Christology, Trinity and Sacramentality. Using these three categories, we will explore the history of theatre and its relationship to the church, as well as the current issues existing between theatre and the Christian faith. We will do this against the backdrop of prevailing cultural narratives and a developing culture of sensationalism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The primary goal of this course is to develop a conversation between theology and theatre. Exploring criteria from theology (incarnation, community, presence) and theatre (ritual, performance, rehearsal), we will use theatre to illumine theology and theology to shed light on theatrical processes. To do this the students will (1) explore the intersection of theatre and Christian discipleship, (2) learn the history of the relationship between Christianity and theatre, (3) examine how a theology of the body might inform acting theories, (4) investigate how theatre intersects with Christian worship and (5) appreciate the role of theatre in the recreational life of a Christian.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: When a person attends a performance, such as a concert or a play, one expects "something will happen" and is disappointed when these expectations are not met. How does the Christian faith evaluate these cultural expectations? How ought the church respond when these criteria are placed upon the church's evangelism and worship? This class invites a two-way dialogue which evokes wisdom from the theatre arts on how to improve the communication of the gospel in a media-driven culture, while at the same time offers a Christian appraisal of the cultural expectations placed on the dramatic arts as an incarnate art form.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will be conducted online through postings and chat and will culminate with a week-long intensive meeting at Fuller in Pasadena July 7-11 from 9-5 each day. On Wednesday or Thursday evening that week, the class will attend a play together. Class will involve discussion of readings, as well as approaches to applying the concepts in the class to pastoral praxis and theatre.

REQUIRED READING:

Anderson, Herbert, and Edward Foley, Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals. Jossey-Bass, 1998. 180 pages.

Turner, Victor. From Ritual to Theatre: The Human Seriousness of Play. PAJ, 1982. 122 pages.

Eliot, T.S. Murder in the Cathedral. 88 pages.

Harris, Max. Theatre and Incarnation. Eerdmans, 1990. 80 pages.

Johnson, Todd, and Dale Savidge. Theology and Theatre (unpublished ms). 150 pages.

Johnstone, Keith. Impro. Theatre Arts Book, 1980. 140 pages.

Lowry, Eugene. The Homiletic Plot. John Knox Press, 1980. 80 pages.

Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death. Penguin, 1985. 60 pages.

Shaffer, Peter. Equus. Penguin, 1984. 100 pages.

Sophocles. Antigone. Cambridge University Press, 2003, 110 pages.

Course Reader. 100 pages.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Assigned readings, attendance & participation in class discussions and online postings one week before class meets. Postings include an introduction to the class, a report on a play one has seen in the past month, and two one-page reaction papers to course readings [15%]. (2) A report of a participant observation of a Christian worship service including an evaluation of the narrative qualities of a sermon [15%]. (3) A report of a participant observation of the performance of a play (to be seen as a class) [25%]. (4) A synthesis project proposed by the student and approved by the professor [45%] due August 15.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Fulfills concentration requirement in the MA in Theology (Theology & the Arts format). Meets interdisciplinary requirement (IDPL) for MACL (Integrative Studies).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (5/08)