Montclair Spring in London
Theater Scenes
March 15 – 22, 2009

Program Overview
The goal of this course is to extend students’ understanding of current professional theatre scenes both at home and abroad through exposure to a wide range of theatrical genres. During the semester students will attend eight productions (approximately seven of them in London) and meet with artists (actors, directors, playwrights, designers, and stage managers) to discuss their work. Students will learn about the professional production process in a variety of theatrical venues in NY, NJ, and London. The class will meet several times on Sundays during the semester to attend matinees in NY and NJ as well as to discuss productions and prepare for the London trip. In London the students will participate in workshops, discussions, and backstage tours.

London:
The one-week study tour is an integral part of the spring semester course. Participants attend performances of classical and contemporary plays in Britain’s most exciting theatrical venues. In meeting the creative collaborators who make the productions happen, participants gain an insider’s view as they examine the traditions and practices that shape theatrical performance today.

Itinerary Highlights:
Theater Performances (approximately 7 in total) at
The Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal National Theater
The Royal Court Theatre
West End, Off-West End, and Fringe Theatres
Backstage Tours, Lectures, Discussions and Workshops at Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal National Theatre

Faculty
Susan Kerner (Program Director) is an Associate Professor in the Theater and Dance Department at Montclair State University. She has directed London theater programs for Montclair State University, New York University, Drew University and Rutgers University. A professional stage director, Ms. Kerner has directed in major regional, New York and London theaters. She recently directed a bi-lingual co-production of A. R Gurney’s The Dining Room for Shanghai Theatre Academy (China) and Montclair State University. Professor Kerner was a Fulbright Scholar in India.

Guest lecturers:
A wide range of highly regarded theater professionals including playwrights, actors, directors, designers, and critics conduct discussions and workshops at Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal National Theater.

Academics
All students must register with MSU for the following Spring semester 2008 course.
THTR 275 Theatre Scenes NJ, NY and London
THTR 599 Special Topics: Theater Scenes: NJ, NY and London
Students will read three or four of the plays prior to seeing the performances in London and write a 5 - 7 page paper on one of the productions including background research on the playwright, the theatre company that produced the play, the critical response to the production, and personal response to the production.  There will also be quizzes and exams regarding the plays.

Non-students
A limited number of non-students will be accepted for the London tour only, for an additional administrative fee.

Accommodations and Meals
Participants will stay in a centrally located London hotel in triple occupancy rooms with private bath. Breakfasts are included throughout.

Tentative Program Cost: $2,300
The program cost includes
Roundtrip airfare                   2 star hotel with continental breakfast
Transfers in England               Theatre tickets
All lectures, workshops, and tour.
Program costs are based on 15 participants and current exchange rates and are subject to change.

Application Procedure and Payment Schedule
The minimum GPA considered will be 2.75. All participants are required to have an interview with one or both of the faculty. Applications should include one reference form completed by a faculty member other than Prof. Kerner, plus the $100 non-refundable deposit.
Once accepted into the program, the payment schedule for program costs is as follows:
Non-Refundable Deposit:        $100
Deposit by Nov. 15:                 $ 900
Deposit by Dec. 15:                 $ 650
Final Payment by Feb.1           $650 (final amount to be confirmed).
Make checks payable to “Montclair State University”.

Non-students: Please add administrative fee of $300 for the travel portion without the spring semester course tuition.

For further information:
Contact the Global Education Center at 973-655-4185 or email simonW@mail.montclair.edu.
Contact Susan Kerner at 973-763-3744 or email kerner@comcast.net.