The course is designed to introduce students to the world of Russian theater and drama. Special Constantine Stanislavsky and Vsevolod Meyerhold in the beginning of the 20th century and on the influence these two directors had on the development of world theater.

The course discusses the development of Russian drama from its origin in folklore to post-Socialist realism plays of the 1950s. The students are expected to read plays by such playwrights as Pushkin, Gogol, Blok, Gorky, Mayakovsky, Bulgakov, Shvartz, Vishnevsky, and Arbuzov and to discuss differences in the interpretation of these plays according to artistic trends or historical periods. The discussion is supported by students' participation in the production of a dramatic piece implementing various acting/directing styles.

Lectures will be supported by slide presentations. Students will present oral reports and/or lead a discussion on one of the plays. This can be a basis for their papers.

F. D. Reeve, ed. Nineteenth Century Russian Plays (in xerox form).
F. D. Reeve, ed. Twentieth Century Russian Plays.
Stars in the Morning Sky. New Soviet Plays.