To Learn Chinese Opera with Fun #1 Kuo, Spring, 2013

Introduction to the course The goal of the course This course is designed to provide a guided journey into the world of Chinese opera, and to have a close contact with the "Chinese Opera experience." .

Course Objectives 1) Help students to appreciate the beauty of Chinese opera and its uniqueness. 2) To introduce the fascinating elements, compositions, and theatrical productions of Chinese opera—Peking opera (京劇) and Quen opera(崑劇) to you. 3) To investigate the traditional cultural values and themes that appear in most of the Chinese opera—Peking opera (京劇) and Quen opera(崑劇), and to discuss such values from a multi-cultural perspective.

Course objectives 4) To increase the understanding of Chinese opera and its performing arts through viewing live performances and participating in stage performance.

Format of this course Experiencing, Fun, and role playing Class materials will be presented through some lectures, group discussions, theatre viewings, field trips to performing groups, and participating in stage performance. Field trips and theatre viewings will also be considered as class sessions. Students must follow the scheduled dates and time, attendance will be taken for all class sessions.

How will the student’s performance will be evaluated Students’ participations in classroom discussions, live performance and theatre viewings are vital for you to earn a decent grade. Each theatre viewing or field trip are followed by a written report and oral presentation to share your reflections. A FULL Attendance to all classroom sessions, field trips and theatre viewings is highly recommended. Grading Points Allocation: Individual reports & presentation 20 pts. Participation in live performance & rehearsals 40 pts. Final project and presentation 30 pts. Attendance 10 pts. 100 pts.

schedules of theatre viewing and field trips (1) March 10 (Sun.2:30-5:30pm) Theatre viewing “Flowing Sleeve and Rouge” National Theatre at Jiang K. S. Memorial Hall (2) March 29 (Fri. 1-46pm) A field trip to Taiwanese College of Performing Arts. (3)April 20 (Sat. 2:30-5:30pm) Theatre viewing and a tour through the back stage. (Guoguang theatre)

Stage performance and rehearsals Practicing opera acting 1. April 23 (Tue. 7-9pm) 2. April 30 (Tue. 7-9pm) 3. May 7 (Tue. 7-9pm) Formal rehearsals 1. May 11 (Sat. 9-11am) 2. May 15 (Wed. 6:30-9pm) May 18 (Sat 2-5pm) stage performance (you must arrive no later than 12:30pm for make-up)

Group project and Final Report Final project may be a Group project or an individual project. Students may select a video of Beijing opera or Qunqu and write about your thoughts about it from various angles (e.g., cultural values, aesthetics, props, music, etc.) More detailed information will be given later. (Show video)

Theatre viewing on March 10 Get your tickets, NT$540 for one ticket. Time:2:30pm, Place: National Theatre You will NOT be admitted if you are Late, you have to wait until the end of one act. How to get to National theatre? 1.Take Green Metro, get off at Jiang K.S Memorial Hall stop, exit 5. 2.Bus 236 to Nanmen Market (南門市場), then walk across streests (about 5 minutes walk)