Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences

Performing Arts

In the winter quarter of 1997, Jenijoy La Belle, Professor of Literature, invited Shirley Marneus, Lecturer in Theater Arts, Emeritus, to team-teach a course built around the scheduled production by TACIT of Shakespeare's Henry V.

This experiment has grown into an annual winter's tale integrating the critical and theatrical dimensions of Shakespeare's work. By involving the students, and, through the resources of TACIT, the entire Caltech community, La Belle and Marneus have created a dynamic multi-disciplinary approach that combines La Belle's literary scholarship with Marneus's wealth of theatrical experience. The class work focuses on the structure, language, and themes of the plays while, through the production, the students see the Bard's work come alive from casting through rehearsals to full performances. This in-depth approach has allowed many undergraduates who have never performed or even read Shakespeare aloud to grow and expand in areas not traditionally associated with a Caltech education.

The course is called "Shakespeare: Text and Theatrical Production." It is based on the play being produced with additional relevant works added to the syllabus. For the production of Henry V, students also studied Henry IV (Parts I & II) to expand their understanding of the main play's historical and dramatic contexts. The course curriculum requires both written and oral presentations. And while participation in the productions is voluntary, many students become involved as actors, set builders, stagehands, and production assistants. In turn, the other participants in the production often audit the class meetings and contribute to discussions. As a part of Caltech's Performing and Creative Arts Program, TACIT has a rich history of including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, and other members from the Caltech community, including employees of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. With limited resources TACIT has, for the past thirty years, produced dramas, comedies, and musicals in every available venue in and around the Caltech campus. The annual Shakespeare plays are performed in Ramo Auditorium.