Syllabus - The Authors of Silence: Theater, Ethics, and the Craft of Narrative

Course Title: The Authors of Silence: Theater, Ethics, and the Craft of Narrative

Duration: Semester-long (16 weeks)

Instructor: Eric Anders, Ph.D., Psy.D.

Department: Creative Writing, Theater, Humanities

Areas: Playwriting, African American Studies, Digital Humanities, Women’s Studies, American Studies

Target Audience: High school students interested in theater, playwriting, digital humanities, and social justice

Course Description

This interdisciplinary course combines theater, ethics, and creative writing to explore the power of storytelling in amplifying silenced voices and addressing systemic oppression. Students will use The Authors of Silence, a play inspired by themes of historical trauma and marginalized identities, as the central text for their creative and critical exploration.

Through acting exercises, playwriting workshops, script revisions, and performance, students will gain firsthand experience in collaborative theater production. Alongside creative practice, students will reflect on the ethical dimensions of storytelling and consider how the arts can serve as a tool for cultural critique and social change. Digital Humanities (DH) tools will be integrated into the course, enabling students to critically examine historical narratives and explore how technology can enhance storytelling and representation.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will:

• Understand the role of theater and narrative in amplifying marginalized voices and addressing social issues.

• Develop playwriting skills, including crafting dialogue, character development, and narrative structure.

• Learn techniques for acting and directing, with a focus on emotional depth and collaborative performance.

• Explore the use of Digital Humanities tools in analyzing and creating narratives.

• Critically engage with themes of race, gender, and historical memory through the lens of African American Studies, Women’s Studies, and American Studies.

Course Schedule

Unit 1: Foundations of Ethical Storytelling (Weeks 1–2)

• Topics:

  • The role of theater in social justice.

  • Introduction to The Authors of Silence and its themes.

  • Ethical considerations in storytelling.

• Activities:

  • Read and discuss excerpts from The Authors of Silence.

  • Group discussion: What does it mean to “amplify silenced voices”?

  • Writing prompt: Reflect on a personal story or historical event that feels underrepresented in cultural memory.

Unit 2: Playwriting and Narrative Craft (Weeks 3–5)

• Topics:

  • Fundamentals of playwriting: structure, dialogue, and character development.

  • Exploring themes of silence, trauma, and power.

• Activities:

  • Analyze key scenes from The Authors of Silence for structure and tone.

  • Workshop writing exercises to create original dialogue and short scenes.

  • Use DH tools to research historical events or figures relevant to the play’s themes.

• Assessment:

  • Write a two-page scene inspired by the themes of the play, incorporating historical research.

Unit 3: Acting, Embodiment, and Digital Visualization (Weeks 6–8)

• Topics:

  • Character development and emotional depth.

  • Techniques for embodying complex roles.

  • Using DH tools for visualization and staging.

• Activities:

  • Acting exercises to explore character emotions and relationships.

  • Perform monologues from The Authors of Silence.

  • Experiment with digital visualizations for staging and character backdrops.

• Assessment:

  • Perform a monologue or short scene, with a written reflection on the character’s motivations and challenges.

Unit 4: Collaborative Workshopping and Script Revision (Weeks 9–11)

• Topics:

  • The collaborative nature of theater production.

  • Revising scripts for clarity, tone, and impact.

  • Integrating DH elements into theatrical storytelling.

• Activities:

  • Small group workshops to revise scenes from The Authors of Silence.

  • Collaborative brainstorming to address narrative and ethical challenges.

  • Explore creative ways to incorporate DH into the play’s production.

• Assessment:

  • Submit a revised version of a scene, with notes on how feedback and DH tools informed changes.

Unit 5: Production and Performance (Weeks 12–15)

• Topics:

  • Preparing for performance: staging, direction, and integrating DH.

  • Final rehearsals and performance preparation.

• Activities:

  • Assign roles and responsibilities for production (actors, directors, stage managers).

  • Rehearse and refine scenes from the play, incorporating DH elements.

  • Perform a selection of scenes for an audience, such as peers, faculty, or parents.

• Assessment:

  • Participation in production roles and performance.

  • Group presentation on the ethical and creative challenges encountered during the process.

Unit 6: Reflection and Discussion (Week 16)

• Topics:

  • Reflecting on the process of creating and performing The Authors of Silence.

  • Evaluating the role of theater and DH in amplifying silenced voices.

• Activities:

  • Group discussion: What did you learn about the intersection of theater, DH, and social justice?

  • Written reflection: How has this course influenced your understanding of narrative, ethics, and creative expression?

• Assessment:

  • Submit a final reflective essay on the course experience and its personal and creative impact.

Grading Breakdown

• Participation in class discussions, workshops, and rehearsals: 30%

• Playwriting assignments and script revisions: 20%

• Acting and performance assessments: 20%

• Integration of DH tools in creative projects: 15%

• Final group presentation and reflective essay: 15%

Materials

• The Authors of Silence (provided by instructor)

• Notebook or journal for writing exercises and reflections

• Access to theater space, computers, and DH tools

Conclusion

This course offers students a unique opportunity to engage with theater, ethics, and digital humanities as tools for amplifying marginalized voices and addressing social justice issues. By exploring The Authors of Silence through acting, playwriting, and digital storytelling, students will develop skills in performance, narrative analysis, and creative collaboration. The course reflects Interlochen’s commitment to interdisciplinary education, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful engagement with the arts.