Your experience with theatre has probably been both spotty and more extensive than you may have realized.  Theatre has a long tradition, longer than written language.  Theatre—or the performing arts—includes such a variety of forms that it is only limited by the boundaries of the human imagination.  Unfortunately, that imagination is often limited by our own experience and the experiences of those who try to expose us to theatre (including your present instructor).

          Because this is only a twenty-week course and because the performing arts are such a complex and multifaceted art form, we will—disappointingly—find ourselves dabbling more often than getting into depth.  But the hope is that we will broaden our scope concerning this most intriguing, always exciting form of expression.

          Though there are those among you who consider this course “just an elective,” others have a passion for theatre.  The former may be frustrated by the amount of work you will be asked to do, and the latter will be frustrated by how little we are doing.  My apologies are offered to both now, especially to the first group, because this instructor will probably favor the passionate.

          Another issue should be addressed at the onset of such a course as this.  It is impossible to do theatre without working with others.  If you see this course as an unimportant elective, do not offer to work with those who will be very upset with you if you are absent frequently, especially when it is time to do a performance.

          Now, are you ready to go back, go way back, to the beginning?  Warm your hands by the campfire as the returning hunters show us how they killed that saber-tooth tiger.  Oh, wait a minute!  You are the hunter, ready to show the rest of us your story.  Are you ready?