2.8
Quality3.7
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake100
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
100
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
16
4
19
3
22
2
29
1
14
What Students Say
“Leonard does have great humor and I wish the tests were not so packed of material”
THEA2001 - 4.0 rating“If you are theatre or dance, you have no choice, but if not, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME”
THEA2001 - 3.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
0%
Textbook Required
97%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.30 avg changeRatings by Course
2001
5.0
(1)STAGESCENERY
5.0
(1)THEA1100
5.0
(1)THEA2000
5.0
(1)INTROTHEATRE
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
THEATRE2001
5.0
THRE1000
5.0
THEAT1001
5.0
THEAT1000
4.6
THEA1000004
4.5
Reviews (100)
His class is crazy. It's a lot of work, a lot of memorization, but good discipline. The class is laborous but if you're a theater major, you don't have much of a choice! Leonard does have great humor and I wish the tests were not so packed of material.
If you are theatre or dance, you have no choice, but if not, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. Lectures were informative, but he himself is incredibly unreasonable. A student was out on bedrest with a kidney infection but he would not excuse her from his class. (Miss one, you fail. Period.)
The content is interesting but this class is unecessarily difficult. Crew is just an excuse to get free labor for the shows and often requires unqualified and inexperienced students to do dangerous things. I can't believe that more people haven't complained to a higher authority about this class.
I think this teacher is very unreasonable. The class is ridiculous and requires too much stuff for you to do. The tests are very hard if you don't MEMORIZE the textbook. The amount of time and labor that you have got to put into this class is outrageous.
it was hard but i passed
Leonard is the best teacher I have ever had. His class was sooo hard, but I love him a LOT! I still go visit him, and I'm sad he's no longer teaching Stage Scenery. Simply amazing.
Mr. Darby is a great teacher and I'm sure if I got to know him a great guy. But I think he likes to hear himself talk too much. Still he does a good job at it. His class isn't as scary as the other people claim.
his test were open note open book, the only gay part are the mandatory plays. easy as hell if you go to class and write down examples. I never even opened my book and got an A
He is a great lecturer. I never get bored in his class. Open book tests, easy A if you go to class.
Not a bad teacher, but he is extremly unconcerned about his students. If you have a problem or ask a question that GOD FORBID he has already answered, he can be quite rude. His tests are fair but you MUST go to class to do well on them even though they are open book.
He's not too bad, but the 50 minutes seems like the longest of your life! The tests were on Blackboard, but now they're not and they're still open note and open book. There is so much that he says and so little that he asks and some little random things that he asks on tests too. Print off the key words. Go to class.Take notes. You should get an A.
He talks way too much and all his tests are from examples. And he sounds like the clear eyes guy. Makes an easy class too difficult.
This guy is a damn jerk. He expects everybody to love theatre. For a 1000 level class he is way to hard. He swears you should love plays and he make you watch 4 plays which is abou 30 dollars. This guy is nuts and a little bit of the iffy side. DONT TAKE HIM, he sucks
Please do not take this class under this man He is not a very good professor He is rude& his test are crazy Even though they are open book/notes, they are still way to hard This class should be an easy A since its a 1000 level class and just a Gen Ed req, but it's not He gives way to many notes and half of the stuff u write down is not on the test
Lots and lots of notes and theres no attendence policy but MAKE SURE YOU GO because basically all ?s on test are from things he said during lecture, you have to go to 2 plays which are in total only $20 and read a simple play which is only 72 pages, 7 point grading scale though and can get rude if you ask a stupid question. But class is interesting
He's awesome! just go to class and take good notes and its an easy A! i don't know what everyone else is talkin about, he's funny and interesting and the tests are EASY and they're open note/book! one of the best teachers i've ever had. i'm really interested in theatre now and i feel like i know a LOT about it. no attendance policy either but GO!!
Obviously loves his job and has several interesting stories. All the test ?s are in the lectures. Also rambles and gets off topic or discusses something at length without explaining the point. Expects you to remember everything he says.
People all you have to do is go to class!! IT'S NOT THAT HARD! LISTEN & TAKE NOTES and you will be fine on test days. It's not an easy A but if you work hard, you can get an A! Def one of the best teachers I've had. I feel I have gained A LOT of knowledge about theatre and it is all quite interesting.
Just go to class people, how do you expect to get a good grade in any class if you don't go, if you take good notes the class is a breeze
This man is rude, uptight, and cares way to much about being a theater professor. I asked him a question in an email and he responded so irritably i had to slam him on here. I thought this was going to be an easy A and he made it hard, yes theater was hard. Pretty ridiculous. Dont listen to the people who said "just take good notes" thats BS
I thought the class was going to be an easy A, but it turned out to be harder than I originally thought. If you take good notes, and go to class you can get a A/B, but dont plan on missing ANY classes or you'll be so behind in your notes. He also requires WAY WAY WAY too many plays to go see.
GET OUT NOW WHILE YOU CAN!!! This is by far the worst teacher that I have ever had. I thought this was going to be an easy class, and I ended up with a D. After the 1st test I asked him for help, and he was a total jerk. He uses a 7-pt scale and if you need him outside of class, dont bother. do not take him!!!
This class is hard as ****, although I got a B, it was extremely difficult, too many notes and hard to write as he hurries thru them. Their are too many plays to attend, and the test are tricky. I would not recommend taking this class. If looking for easy class dont be fooled this is not the one.
I'm still yawning from last semester, and I lOVE THEATRE. He whines about having 400 students. Well guess what, your 400 students each have like 400 things to do, and don't have time to hang on your every word. But too bad, because that's what's on the test-the MINUTIA he says during class. If you need to take theatre, take it with someone else!
Leonard is the best Theatre teacher that I have ever had. The people who hate him are the people who are never going to make it. I don't think it is him but the class. Yes, you had to do a crew and yes you had to learn a lot but it is totally do-able. i got an A and still remember everthing that I learned.I wish there were more teachers like him.
Awful class! He acts like we are Theatre majors and makes you go to the most boring plays!! The tests shouldn't be as hard as they are and he needs to stip acting like we're theatre majors!
Darby is a cool guy but his exams are very unclear and he tries to trick you on alot of questions along with having his OWN PERSONAL OPINION questions, which I think shouldnt even be on an exam. Dont even try to think that b/c his tests are openbook/opennotes, that its easy b/c its NOT, there actually harder. Id try to take another fine art.
The class is easy if you go to class. Once i take the notes i dont look at them till the open book.open notes test. I have a solid A in his class. I am graduating and took as a cake class and it is.
I think it is awful how badly Leonard gets abused. He is an incredible teacher if you pay attention. It has been 2 years since I took that class and i still remember every bit of it. He is funny and a GREAT teacher, so quit whining and learn from him.
this class is easy. if you go to class and take notes, youll get an a. he even has study guides that you print off blackboard to make it even easier. the people who didnt do well and think its hard obviously dont go to class.
His tests are open book. He takes attendance randomly. He has a basic outline of things you should take notes about on Blackboard. He's really helpful. You have to go see 2 plays. His examples are the ones you need to know for tests.
He is alright. You need to come to class to know the material on the test to get an A. There are random attendance which add to final grade. Notes are on blackboard. 2 plays to attended you have to pay for and 2 movie have to see on some night. He thinks that you should know what he thinks and that is what you are tested on!
He tests you on his opinions so even though he only takes attendance 5 times, it's still important to go. He's smart, but acts like a conceited jerk about it. Don't take his class if you don't like teachers with a snotty attitude.
I was looking for an easy elective to take, and this was certainly not it. 3 tests worth 31.67% of ur final grade. 5 random attendance days. Its very important to go to class because he will say stuff in class that will be on the test but is not in the book. Required to go to 2 plays and a couple nights we had to watch plays we'd be tested on
worst class ever. teacher sucks and class is very boring. went to every class and still failed
He expects you to know everything that theatre majors know plus some. The book is basically useless, as everything on the test is in his lectures, but his lectures are random and poorly organized. I went to class, I studied, I failed. He isn't helpful, and is rather short with non-theatre majors. Thinking about taking this class? My advice: Don't!
Stay away from his class.His lectures are so boring and he tells the stupidest jokes. Also requires you to see movies on night at like 8 pm. Test are really hard there is really no need to study for them.
This class was too hard to be an intro class. Don't take this professor( find another professor who teaches this class).
Write down everything that comes out of his mouth but you still will not do well on the tests....IMPOSSIBLE..I have not missed a class and still can not manage to pull the grade I deserve.
I loved this class. The test were challenging even though its open notes and book. He is really funny and explains everything greatly. If you're interested in Theatre I would definetly take him.
WORST TEACHER AT ECU. Our class average for the final was a 54%. Are you serious? Class is a complete joke, and a complete waste for an intro class. This guy needs to go back to working on sets and stop teaching. NOW.
Not understanding AT ALL WHAT SO EVER. DID NOT EVEN excuse me for university excuse on attendance. Also class tests are HARD and a lot based on DARBys opinions. DO NOT TAKE unless you are a theater major OR like going to several plays late at night and movies of plays.
great
Tough class. A LOT of info. I failed it the first time and had to repeat it. Leonard really respects someone with a work ethic and true effort. No whining! It is called Boot Camp for a reason. Requires long hours and hard work. Even if he allows you to miss a class or two, don't! You need the time to get all the info! Nice legs.
People say he's hard all the time, but I love him. He keeps class really interesting and shows tons of pictures and gives lots of examples to keep your interest. I definitely recommend him!
this is the worst professor at ECU, not understanding and way to hard, one of the questions on the final was "when was the light bulb invented?" what? DO NOT TAKE
Worst teacher I have had. Failed his class and went to every class. He is snobby and thinks he knows everything. Do not take him!
He is pretty cool. He talks alot and shows a lot of pictures. You have to go to all the ECU Theatre performances(Boring)and see two plays outside of class. Gives you notes online to print and fill out during class. Keep all notes because you use them during tests. Attendance is not mandatory but he class role 4 times a semester! Big part of grade!
He is awful! This is to talk about the professor... not the class, people! He is extremely arrogant and thinks his opinion is the only one that matters. Don't take him!!!
It's true, he's arrogant, rude and unhelpful. I failed the class the first time despite perfect attendance and good grades due to missing one test (I was new at school and didn't know I needed to buy my own answer sheet). I am taking it again w/him because I know it's is easy. Go to class and use his BB notes. Also he's cut it back to 2 plays/sem.
I love him!!!! Reguardless of what anyone here is saying, if you genuinely like theater then you shoule take his class
He is terrible, I go to class and take lots of notes. He gives keywords you must have for the test. I have failed both tests.
He is really rude to you if you ask questions outside of class. He gives all the keywords and if you go to class you really don't need to read the book. I got an A on the first test but the second two I got B's because he gets REALLY picky about things you saw in the plays like what color bow tie a character was wearing.
He's not a very nice guy. He's funny and cool at first but really he doesn't care about teaching it to kids. I believe its just for the sake of the job.
I am sure Darby is a nice guy, and he loves what he is doing. But the class average this past semester for all 450 students he had in his 1000 level class was a 63% which is a failing grade in his scale. I had 7 friends fail this class, don't take it. It is terrible.
Mr. Darby is by far one of the worst professors at East Carolina Univ. He is inconsiderate of his students and rude. He is not the professor that genuinely loves to teach and help his students. He could care less about any student, to him students are just numbers. Do not take his class, it's a Theater 1000 that is treated like a 4000 level class.
So this class is not as hard as it is made out to be. He takes 5 random attendances that if you dont show each one subtracts off your 100 possible average. Also the notes are imperative, without the keyword notes in class you will probably fail. Also he scheduled a test the day of the VT game at 4, which super sucked,this class is not an easy A.
He is an interesting guy but there is a lot of extra work to do like going to musicals and plays and viewings of movies. Also, he doesn't care about his students, even if they are ill and had to miss.
he is soooooo mean and could careless about u as a student. he teachers on a senior level ask ANY theater major and they will tell u they learned what he teaches 1000 level they learned as a senior. even with it being open notes test u are not gonna pass. i went every day ams took notes on everything he said and still useless dont take him its he*l
i took intro to theatre for an easy A! it was not. he loads your had with useless info if you are not a theatre major(i'm not) tests are open book/ notes but are extremely hard. this is the only class i have ever failed. he is just awful. DO NOT TAKE HIM!
OMG!! Mr. Darby is THE WORST teacher at ECU. You could read the entire book, come to class everyday, take extensive notes and STILL not pass the class bc the notes have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TESTS! Seriously do NOT take him!! STAY FAR AWAY! If he's the only professor left for the semester, WAIT TILL THE NEXT!! bc you will only be hurting yourself.
Very nice professor. Print out the lists for each class, and each class will be spent explaining and defining each list. Tests are open-note and open-book.
he is an okay teacher. you have to really attend class to get all the notes you need. the tests are open book and open notes, but the tests are pretty hard. i expected to get an A in the class but your tests are the only grades so if you don't do well on the tests you won't do well in the class. It's not the end of the world if you take his class.
He shows some interesting pictures & has deffinitly been around some theater in his life. BUT he should stay in scenic designing because his "open note" (sounds easy) tests are the worst things ever. The things you would think are important are not even on the test. Tests are extremly unfair. Better off not going to class and getting someones notes
The tests are open notes, open book but are really hard. instead of asking about the big ideas, he picks out the smallest details to question u about. You have to go to two plays at ECU, and u need to attend every class and make sure u PRINT OUT THE NOTES!! Overall its a lot harder than u might think
Professor Leonard Darby taught intro to theatre class during the spring of 2007 and was not very helpful as far as answering my questions. He also sometimes used profanity during class. The class was interesting, but kind of difficult. I was not satisfied at all with this professor, overall poor job teaching this course.
He doesn't care about anyone's grade, he will look at you like your dumb if you question your grade. He goes over test right after you take me and if you question an answer you are going to be wrong anyways so don't try. He grades on a scale of 95 you can't even got a 100. I think that should be illegal! Although his test are open note they are har
Mr. Darby is the most inconsiderate, mean, and rude teacher I've ever come in contact with. He could careless about you or your academic career. For what you think would be an easy elective, it turns out to be pure hell! Please do not take this class. I really wish someone read this and would fire him!
His class is not about acting but about what goes on behind the curtains! The class was actually not that hard if you paid attention and took notes. Five random days out of the semester he took attendance, each day counting as one point of your final grade; so if you are there those five days then it is possible to make a hundred in his class.
Best professor I ever had.
This class is really easy. ALL of the tests are open notes, and you fill the notes in during class. He keeps you an extra twenty minutes, but it's not that bad. He makes you go to a play and watch movies outside of class, but its not bad. He takes attendance 5 random times, and if you're there you get 5 points on your final grade.I recommend him
Really easy class. Tests are open book and note but are still a little difficult. Attendance is mandatory but its an interesting class so you will want to attend. If you dont attend class expect to fail. Must take notes in class and read book sometimes. Recommend taking this class
Takes attendance randomly. If you go to class and take good notes you'll be fine.
Basically, if you don't go to class, you will fail. That is the bottom line. It's an easy class if you attend and take notes. Tests are open book, open notes, but still pretty challenging. Not many grades. Just the tests. Also, you have to see theater performances and his video showings. If you like theater, you will love his class.
Okay heres the deal go to class or your going to fail. Test are open book and notes but still hard you have 50 mins to answer 50 questions. If you do have to take him my advice would be to go to class all the time and the plays and also do the extra credit of ushering at the plays. I made Bs on every test but ended up with an A, so do it!
Go to class, and do the extra credit. You need to keep your notes and make sure you are very in tune to what he says, write down EVERY single thing that comes out of his mouth, because he will ask you the MOST random questions such as "in class I said that" ans so on. Make sure you usher every single performance and make sure you keep the pamplets!
You have to go to class, its not mandatory, but if you dont you will fail. You need to take notes on everything he says, not just whats on the list he gives. He randomly takes attendance for extra credit. Test are open notes and book but you dont have a lot of time to take the. Be an usher for plays if you can those extra points can help a lot!
His class is pretty interesting most of the time, but his tests are ridiculously hard. In my entire academic career (even before college), I have only failed two classes, and his was one of them. Even when I did go to class, I didn't do well. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS!!! Take someone else. Too, he could care less about what your grade is. Seriously.
All grades are from multiple choice tests. The tests are open note but very very hard. You also have to purchase tickets and go to plays paying very close attention to the smallest details.
This guy could care less about you or your grade. He dont give 100s, the highest you can make on test are 95s. So your chances of getting an A in the class is slim to none. Grade is composed of test only too. He never emails back either. The material is interesting though. Take someone else!
Went to ALL his classes, took THOROUGH notes and went to all the plays and movies. But still did not pass his class. His tests are open note, but don’t let that foul you. His tests are super hard and even if you take great notes you still will have a hard time passing his tests. So if you want to keep your GPA up take someone else.
This is NOT an easy class. I took this as an elective and I am regretting it. I received a B- in the class, but I worked so hard for that. You MUST go to class and take extremely thorough notes...basically write down every single word he says. Tests are open book/note, but they are not easy. Many of the questions are very small details.
He is a horrible teacher. If you don't write down every word he says during class you will fail. His test are open book but don't let it fool you because they are still hard. I failed the class and went to every single class and play. Don't take him!
The class is not treated as a 1000-level class. His notes do not go online and his teaching methods are boring. The test are very difficult as it depends on dedicated attendance. If you miss one or two days of the class you will have difficulty on some of the test questions since he is too specific. 1 good thing is that he gives a lot of extra cred
DO NOT!!! I REPEAT DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!! IT IS A WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!!!!! DARBY'S TEACHING STYLE IS ONE THAT I HAVE NEVER SCENE BEFORE!!! WHILE HE HAS AN OBVIOUS LOVE FOR THEATER IF YOU WANT A DECENT GRADE AVOID HIS CLASS AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am currently in this class and I enjoy it but it is impossible. Darby is very passionate about theater which makes it entertaining. YOU HAVE TO GO TO CLASS I literally type everything he says and those are my only notes. he tells you to read the book but does not test you on it. The tests are open note but I have gotten Cs on both of them so far.
Guys. DO NOT freak it. This is a great class with a great teacher. He is willing to help you if you go to class and pay attention! The tests are not hard if you pay attention. Seriously :) Great class and I recommend it highly!
Don't take him if you plan on not showing up to class. If you go to every class you'll be okay but if you miss one you're screwed when it comes to tests. The tests are open notes and book but he mostly only tests on his lectures. He's not a bad teacher, you just have to be willing to be dedicated to the class.
Darby is a great teacher to the right kind of student. This is NOT an easy class and you WILL have to work hard to receive a good grade. His tests are "open note" but most of the questions are based from things he says while lecturing. He'll ask you to recall a specific detail from his lecture. DO NOT take his class if you wont be 110% dedicated.
Coming into this class, I thought it would be really easy but that was not the case. I never missed class, and I had to listen very carefully to what he says. The test are open book/note, but are super hard because he asks specific questions. (what was someone wearing, stuff regarding plays, etc). Don't take him if you're looking for an easy grade.
Don't take this class. Waste of time. Tests are stupidly hard and will kill your GPA. If you're not taking notes on every word he says, then don't both thinking you're going to get a high grade in his class. He will ask you the most random questions on his tests. It's completely stupid. If you want your GPA to stay high, don't take his class. >.<
Do not take this class. All his tests are open note, but that makes him 10X harder. He asks you question you have no idea about. I wrote down everything he said and went to every class and still failed and even forced myself to sit in the front. If you take this class, may the odds ever be in your favor.
Darby tests mostly consist of what he says during his lectures. You have to pay very close attention to what he says during lectures, making class essential in order to pass his class although attendance is not mandatory. If you are a good notetaker you will be fine but if you are not then this is not the class for you.
Darby is a good guy but he takes this class way to seriously, The tests are filled with random names/things he says in class so if you want to be in the C or B range I suggest you don't miss ONE class. Personally it felt like a history class. I wouldn't be paid to take that class again
He is VERY passionate about theatre and basically brags the whole time about how many plays he's seen. His tests are open book and notes but you MUST go to EVERY class if you want a good grade because the tests are mostly questions from his lectures. He's not a terrible teacher, he just makes the class more difficult that expected.
RUN. I am making a b in Organic chemistry and a F in Theater with Derby. Open notes sounds easy right? WRONG. Unless you know the color shirt he was wearing on the 5th day of April at 12:50 and if the sun was up. The test questions are ridiculous.
He's passionate about theater and knows a lot, but he makes the class harder than it should be. You have to show up for class everyday if you even want get half of the test right. His test questions are so ridiculous.
I would've had all A's for the semester if it weren't for this class. The test questions were completely out of the blue. He would ask questions like, "Who's my favorite actress?" and "What color were the curtains of the 'yada yada' play?" Im sorry I was busy taking notes about the plot to pay attention to curtains -.-
I took Leonard's class 32 years ago. This man taught me more in two semesters then anyone else has in the same time frame. I have worked professionally in theatre and film for 29 years. The foundation on which I built my career was laid by Mr. Darby. A word to the wise taking his class, ASSUME NOTHING!
Took intro to theatre as an elective because I had a genuine interest in theatre. No chance I'd take him again. You're graded off two tests the entire semester & the questions are absurd. Far too specific & detailed for an INTRO class. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but comes off as wildly arrogant when giving his lectures.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
0%
Textbook Required
97%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.30 avg changeRatings by Course
2001
5.0
(1)STAGESCENERY
5.0
(1)THEA1100
5.0
(1)THEA2000
5.0
(1)INTROTHEATRE
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
THEATRE2001
5.0
THRE1000
5.0
THEAT1001
5.0
THEAT1000
4.6
THEA1000004
4.5