This week we are looking at the rise of Urban Drama in Theatre and Film in America.

The Dictionary defines Urban as:

ur·ban

[ur-buhn] adjective

1. of, pertaining to, or designating a city or town.

2. living in a city.

3. characteristic of or accustomed to cities; citified: an urban type.

This definition is a good starting place to understand the backgroundfor where these kinds of stories, characters and issues that Urban Dramacomes from and addresses but, we must look a little deeper and wrestlewith the issues and themes of these characters as well, not justlocation. The location(s), in an abstract sense, is a through line formuch of this genre and where these characters reside and live but it isthe circumstances, relationships and conflicts that arise out of livingin highly populated, lower scale communities suffering from crime,gangs, drugs, blight, and poverty that drive the force of the drama inthese stories. The drama and conflict can be quite intense within thescope of this Genre. We also see that Urban Drama does not lay claim to any one specific ethnic background. So much of Urban Dramalooks at communities of all races who share in similar circumstances beit Latino communities, Black communities, various Asian neighborhoods,White communities, or a sub community within the larger groupsmentioned. Urban Dramadiscusses issues of race, poverty, crime, drugs, upward socialmobility, institutional racism, sexual abuse, misogyny, religion, classetc.

This week you will get to choose between doing ONE of two assignments.

_________________________Choice # 1______________________

Belowis a list of four working Theatres that focus their energy and skill inthe producing of Theatre that is in some way with an Urban Theatrepriority for storytelling.

Chicago

http://urbantheaterchicago.org/

Los Angeles

http://urbantheatremovement.com/about/

New York

http://www.dutfnyc.com/

New York

http://labtheater.org/#our-company

Your assignment is to research the Theatres from this list

Please research:

The Theatre(s) overall Mission Statement

The Theatre(s) history

Has it been a successful company?

What kind of plays do these Theatres do or style of Theatre?

The Theatre(s) subscription base and its specific demographic

The Theatre impact on its community

Who are the individuals that are at the heart of that Theatre?

Are there playwrights that work exclusively out of that Theatre?

When you have researched these Theatres – CHOOSE ONE Theatre from the list and write:

A Two page summaryof your your thoughts and discoveries about these Theatres using thequestions provided as a guide. Would you like to go to a show there? Whyor why not?

You may include pictures if you like.

Your paper should be at least two pages double spaced.

_______________________Choice # Two: __________________________

1. Watch a film of your choice from the list of film titles that were discussed or used as example in the Urban Drama P.D.F. lecture. " http://2010year13.wikispaces.com/file/view/Urban+D… "

2. In the same manner as you have now done in two previous lessons, write a Review for your film.

A. Give us your opinion of the acting and storytelling in the manner that you have previously written.

B. Discuss the relevant weeks issues that were raised by the film, its writer and character(s)

C. Does this film work as a drama, comedy, tragedy, thriller, docudrama, mystery? Why or why not?

D. When was this film made? 5 years ago? 10, 20, 25 years ago? How doyou feel society has changed since the films premiered? What impact didthis film have when it premiered? Did it have any at all? why or whynot?

C. Was the filmmaker(s), writer(s) and actors successful in theiroverall thematic intention? Why or why not? Would you recommend thisfilm to others? why or why not?

I will give you a very good film suggestion… Watch Zootopia!You'll see it now much differently than the first time you may haveviewed the film. Some important themes that the filmmakers are trying tosay…..

Of course you may choose whatever film you like as long as it falls within the parameters above.

Your review should be two pages double spaced.