William W. Lewis
Scholar /Educator / Performance Maker
Courses Taught
Purdue University
Graduate Courses
THTR 670 - Script Interpretation
Graduate level course on formal analysis of dramatic and postdramatic material. Emphasis is on structural analysis with an emphasis on application for formal conceptualization and generative creation.
THTR 671 - Modern Theory and Criticism
Graduate level course on theatre, performance, and cultural theory of the 20th and 21st century with historiographic approach. Emphasis on developing analytical tools for written and verbal presentation. Formal assignments on team-based conceptualization, written research, and generative creation.
Undergraduate Courses
SCLA 102 - Critical Thinking and Communication II: Adaptation Across Media
First year course on public speaking and verbal communication with emphasis on "great works" of literature. Section focus on adapting novels and plays into other media (Television, Comics, Film, and Video Games). Part of Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts Curriculum.
THTR 133 - Survey of Acting (3 Sections)
Introductory level acting course for non-majors focusing on objective based acting techniques and collaborative devising processes. Students work on developing communication skills through one fifteen-minute devised group project, a two person scene, and a ninety-second monologue.
THTR 201 - Theatre Appreciation (Hybrid Course - 6 Sections)
Broad approach introduction to world theatre and performance. Course emphasizes the historical intersections between society, dramatic literature, and theatrical performance.
THTR 233 - Acting Workshop 1: Acting Technique (3 Sections)
Beginning training and exercises in the basic elements of acting, including vocal and physical preparation, sensory awareness, releasing the imagination and a basic understanding of action and objective. Staging exercises and terminology are emphasized.
THTR 271 - Interpreting the Play Script (3 sections)
Foundational course introducing methods of interpretive and formalist analysis of dramatic texts. Primary focus is on how student practitioners implement their analysis into practical means. Material covers departmental productions and contemporary writers.
THTR 333 - Acting Workshop 2: Scene Study
Course focusing on the development of the actor’s instrument of body, voice and inner life (imagination and emotion) using the basic concepts of the acting realism: objectives, actions, justification and character development. Additionally, dramatic analysis, character analysis and principles of staging are applied to practical work. Monologues and scenes will be taken from 20th and 21st century realistic dramatic literature.
THTR 336/536 - Advanced Problems in Acting and Production (5 Sections)
Course associated with directing and devising for department productions. Emphasis is on collaboration and using rehearsal as a laboratory for new and established techniques in performance.
THTR 381 - Theatre History II - Modern to Contemporary (2 sections)
Course focusing on global modern and contemporary theatre history utilizing an on-stage studies approach. Highlights people, events, production practices, performance traditions, dramatic literature of the late 19th through 21st centuries.
THTR 440 - Directing: Page to Stage (3 Sections)
Senior level course for theatre majors focusing on script analyis and staging techniques for directors. Students develop analytical tools for reading, conceptualizing, and staging contemporary dramatic literature.
Texas State University
Graduate Courses
TH 5342 / TH 4360 – MFA Studio I: Working with Actors
This course focuses on work with actors. Students will explore various rehearsal methods, motifs and strategies. Students will direct two scenes, a ten-minute play, and a one act play to explore effective ways of working with actors. Stacked course with undergraduate student actors.
TH 5303 - History of Directing and Scenography
Survey course focusing on the history and theory of directing and scenic design from the late 19th century through the early 21st century. Emphasis is on major figures and companies who shaped the methods and aesthetics of the contemporary director.
TH 5304 / TH 4360 - MFA Studio 4: Devised and Experimental Directing
This course focuses on developing techniques for working with ensembles to create original and experiemental work. Students will develop a forty-five minute devised performance using an iterative method of rehearsal. Emphasis on physical and collaborative theatre techniques such as Viewpoints and Suzuki. Stacked course with undergraduate student actors serving as ensemble members.
TH 5313 - Conceptualization and Composition
This course investigates conceiving and developing a production concept and/or production context. It also explores how the concept/context is useful in the formation of a plan of "staging" and/or exhibition. Production implications that result from conceptualization, context, and composition are discussed and workshopped.
Undergraduate Courses
TH 4364 – Directing I (3 Sections)
A study of the fundamentals of directing with practical experience provided by directing scenes. Students direct two five to ten minute scenes while developing dramaturgical tools for pre-production research and conceptualization.
TH4360 - Viewpoints and Devising Theatre
This studio course introduces devising methods to give students a toolbox for the craft of ensemble-based devising using the Viewpoints system of physical theatre. Students will utilize the Viewpoints system in systematic approach to create a 15 minute collaborative devised performance project.
University of Colorado Boulder
Undergraduate Courses
THTR 4021 – American Theatre and Drama
Senior level survey course on the intersection of 19th through 21st century theatre history and theory. Explores issues in American theatre and drama using a historiographic approach.
THTR 1009 – Intro to Theatre (2 Sections)
Introduces the varieties of artists to the total production, and the place of theatre art in today's society. Designed for non-majors.
THTR 1003 – Acting 1 (3 Sections)
Introductory course designed to explore creativity, collaboration, and communication in the craft of acting. Focuses on basic terms and concepts of psychological realism fundamental to the actors' process through solo work.
As Teaching Assistant
THTR 3011 – American Musical Theatre History
Studies the American musical theatre heritage and its relation to the continually changing social milieu. Examines productions, their creators, and performers.
THTR 1009 – Intro to Theatre
Introduces the varieties of artists to the total production, and the place of theatre art in today's society. Designed for non-majors.