Theatre and the Written Word in the Classroom

This website contains resources and reflections on pedagogical practice for Theatre and Performance courses and instructors in the discipline. These materials are inspired by my work as Writing Across the Curriculum Fellow at City College in New York City during academic year 2017–2018, which entailed live and online discussions with Thomas Peele, director of the City College First-Year Writing Program, my WAC colleagues, and Theatre and Performance instructors at other CUNY colleges. Several ideas are adapted for theatre classes from, and in conversation with, the following authors:

  • Bean, John. Engaging Ideas: The Professor’s Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. 2nd ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2011.
  • Soliday, Mary. Everyday Genres: Writing Assignments across the Disciplines. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2011.
  • Glenn, Cheryl, and Melissa A. Goldthwaite. The St. Martin’s Guide to Teaching Writing. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014.
  • Gottschalk, Katherine, and Keith Hjortshoj. The Elements of Teaching Writing: A Resource for Instructors in All Disciplines. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004.

and, specifically for Theatre and Performance:

  • Fliotsos, Anne, and Gail S. Medford. New Directions in Teaching Theatre Arts. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018. Includes a chapter specifically on WAC pedagogy.
  • Ferguson, Marcia L., A Short Guide to Writing about Theatre. Longman Publishing Group, 2008.
  • Thaiss, Christopher, and Rick Davis. Writing About Theatre. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1999.
  • Fliotsos, Anne L., and Gail S. Medford. Teaching Theatre Today: Pedagogical Views of Theatre in Higher Education. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004.

These materials are intended as a dialogue with other instructors in theatre, performance, acting, directing, and similar disciplines. Comments and requests for specific topics or more in-depth treatment of certain subjects are encouraged.

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