I feel like I learned a lot about the concept of performance in this class and enjoyed most of the shows we had to attend. I believe there are seven outside performances we had to attend, maybe more. I do know, however, that we had five 2 page papers to write about some of the performances. I felt that the papers were graded rather harshly at first because we had to write so simplistically, but over time just rewriting the words "I believe the performers did ____. For example ____" will get you that A you desperately want. In class, we watched different performance films and discussed what we saw. In my opinion, this was my favorite part of the class. Also, in class, we have to perform in our ensemble group for four separate projects. This requires a ton of outside coordinating as we only had less than two weeks to "wow" professor Hackett. This part of the class felt more like a competition than a critique because we all had to witness everyone's work and comment on it. So, it's important to get friends from other groups to back your piece up to persuade the judges (Professor Hackett and the three MFA directing TAs). It's also important to get on those TAs good sides because they end up directing the plays done at TFT if you want to audition. The final was the most difficult aspect of the class because, at least in my group, we had to do everything from scratch in a week. Thankfully, the fires occurred during this time and we didn't have to do our finals. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the TAs also grade on preparation so be sure you're doing work in class when they're watching. Overall, this class was an over-exaggeration led by a snobby human being .

Professor Michael Hackett is a gem in UCLA Theater's crown. He is not only extremely well-versed as a director, but he also creates a fun theater space for new students to play. I WISH I could've taken this class in person. However, it was an amazing entry-level theater class. Professor Hackett is very immersive. He will say/do/ask you to do things that will push you out of your comfort-zone. It's for the creation of an ensemble. He is an expert ensemble-molder. Just trust the process. The group project is very fun. This overall is a creative and analytical class where you study the foundations of theatrical performance.

This class may seem crazy at times (espeically since it's so early in the morning and right after Tai Chi) and some days you will be so tired and often you will delve into the relm of the bizzare which you have never before seen BUT as strange as it is, I ended up enjoying this class overall. Of course, it's required but I would say it is definately worth it. The performance projects are very fun. Professor Hackett is quite a character, talk with him about ANYTHING and you can be sure to be entertained. He says the funniest, strangest things. That man. Theater 12 really did open my mind up to what theater can be. Some of the things we studied were too far from me and I knew I would probably never do anything like that... but the class really did expand my mind and help break down some walls about what theater is. Some things we do in the class are ridiculous and stupid - sometimes fun and great class bonding, sometimes not - but just be open, and embrace it with a smile and hopefully you will have some good experiences bonding with your new classmates. This is a class where it is VERY true that what you put into it is what you will get out of it. "Can you imagine...????"

I highly recommend Professor Hackett. He pushes the buttons that need to be pushed to incite growth-- that's his job and he does it well. There are six 2-page papers on performances you must see, and one final performance. The papers are rather easy (depending on your TA) to ace. He is fun, he is all about releasing inhibitions and just pushing boundaries, if you are open to just going crazy and learning about a world of wild theater, you will enjoy this class. It definitely pushes boundaries bc it shows types of theater that many modern people would not consider art. But by learning about such a vast variety of performance, your ideas a performer, artist, or audience member are broadened