ITALY: INTERNATIONAL STUDY IN THEATER: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ANCIENT ROME

International Study in Theatre: A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome is intended for Theatre students and all students who are interested in learning about the daily life of Ancient Rome.  The program will take place over three weeks during January term 2012 and will focus on Rome at the height of the Roman Empire and how it can be captured and reproduced for stage and screen. Rome, Italy – home of the theatrical spectacle and a city with perhaps the largest collection of cultural artifacts of any place on earth – is an essential for any theater artist. The book, A Day in the Life of Ancient Roman, will be our guide as we visit the great sites of Ancient Rome, explore the recreated film sets at the famous Cinecitta studios, and travel the streets where countless characters walked from classic texts. With special access to historic sites granted by the Superintendent of Art and Culture for the City of Rome, students will be guided by expert archeologists provided by the city of Rome and SU faculty experienced in recreating sets and costumes of Ancient Rome for stage and screen. Students will gain a profound understanding of daily life 2000 years ago in the Eternal City. Through first hand experience, readings, lectures, screenings and discussion, students will develop enlightened interpretations of texts and develop their own vision of this ancient world.

CLASS: (Choose one)  

THEA 399. INTERNATIONAL STUDY IN THEATRE: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ANCIENT ROME* (4 hours credit) - Examines theatre through travel and study in an international setting. Topics depend on the instructor’s area of expertise. Pre-travel lectures and other activities required. May be taken twice under different subtitles for a total of eight hours; only four hours may count toward upper-level degree requirement. The course is open to all students.  Pre-requisite: permission of instructor.

*Course currently in curriculum review and approval process.

HONOR 311: HONORS INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINAR (4 hours credit) -  Addresses topics that transcend individual disiplinary boundaries.  Tahgut by professors from a wide variety of disciplines to appeal to Honors students of all majors.  May be taken up to three times under different topics.  Prerequisits: Admission to the Honoros Program, permission of Honors director.

With the special access granted to us by our collaboration with Rome’s Superintendent of Art & Culture, classes and workshops will often take place on-site: the Colosseum, Baths of Caracalla, Aqueducts, Trajan’s Market where students can experience how the people of ancient Rome moved, lived and worked in those precise spaces with guest lectures by site-specific archeological experts. Italian-speaking SU faculty will guide visits, conduct lectures and lead discussions on the creative interpretation of their experience. Every day will begin with Italian conversation. Readings and special projects will be assigned and started prior to departure to prepare students for the world in which they will be immersed and those assignments will be followed through during the stay in shared and one-on-one meetings with faculty for final presentation at the end of the program.

EXCURSIONS: Several day trips outside the center of Rome will include a visit to see the   sets created for the HBO television series Rome at the Cinecittà Film studios, a visit to the amazingly preserved necropolis at the Isola Sacra, an island created for city and “housing” of the dead dating back to the 1^st century CE, and a visit to the sprawling harbor and seaport city of Ostia Antica dating back to the 7^th century BCE. And, in addition, a full day trip will take students to see the UNESCO world heritage site of Herculaneum destroyed and preserved by the volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvious in 79 BCE.

HOUSING:  Students will be housed at the Hotel Major Aventinus, a 19^th c. villa locatedon the Aventine Hill, one of the more prestigious, quiet, safe and sought after neighborhoods of Rome. In addition to the green peaceful elegance of this neighborhood it is also home to numerous famous churches and has one of the best views of the city.  It is located truly in the heart of Rome and only a short walk to the Circus Maximus, innumerable historic monuments, minutes from great public transportation and the neighborhood of Testaccio, one of the most authentic and less touristic Roman neighborhoods with great local restaurants, cafes and a wonderful outdoor market. Everyone will have their own private room and private bathroom with shower, free wifi, in house coin laundry, daily house-keeping, 24 hour re-entry and shared spaces to meet, study and socialize both inside and out - including a large lovely private garden.

COST: TBD.  The estimated cost for the International Theater program is estimated to be $2600.  A final cost will be determined in fall 2011.  The cost includes housing, approximately 4 to 5 group meals, travel to and from Rome’s Fiumicino airport and all monuments and excursions, a city public transportation pass for the entire period, guest lecturers, museum and event entry, program staff and instructional expenses.  Additional costs will include your round-trip international airfare, food and personal expenses.   

APPLY NOW!

Admission to the program is competitive and program enrollment is limited to 15 participants.   Students will be admitted on a rolling basis until the program is full.

Students should also submit the following directly to the program director:

• An unofficial transcript;
• A completed applicant questionnaire.  Questionnaire available here.
• A completed faculty recommendation form from a faculty member who knows the student well - Recommendation form available here.