54-785 Seeing & Discussing Theater
2 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Seeing & Discussing Theatre is a two-unit, pass/fail course that introduces students to the practice of engaging critically with live performance. Throughout the semester, students attend a curated selection of School of Drama productions, visit professional theatres throughout the Pittsburgh region, and view recorded productions that would otherwise be inaccessible due to geography, availability, or limited runs. The course alternates between weeks devoted to experiencing performance and weeks devoted to discussion. Following each production or screening, students participate in faculty-facilitated conversations that examine the artistic, technical, and cultural dimensions of the work. Discussions draw on a range of disciplinary perspectives and are led by a variety of School of Drama faculty, providing students with opportunities to engage with multiple approaches to theatrical analysis and practice. By connecting the experience of seeing theatre with critical reflection and discussion, the course develops students' skills in observation, analysis, and articulate response while broadening their understanding of contemporary theatrical practice within both the School of Drama and the professional theatre community.
Prerequisites: none listed
Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025
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