His class is really easy to follow. He's a pretty good teacher, and makes the lecture interesting. It's also a pretty easy A to me.

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He really isn't a bad guy, I actually thought he was really nice! he pretty much tells you during lecture, "this is probly gonna be on the test." if u go to class half the time, and do the extra credit you'll get an A. Don't listen to the whiner

He was funny his tests were exactly like the review he gives out and he doesn't grade papers that hard (and I'm a bad writer). It's not the most interesting class though

Class is very easy. Tests are multiple choice, but don't guess, because if you guess wrong he will DEDUCT points from your score. Gives a list of possible questions ahead of time. Picks the test questions from that list, so it's very easy to study for.

he is good overall, dosent grade too harsh, explains everything in class

Nothing we talked about in class was in the book, and MOST of his test material comes from the book so you WILL have to study it. On the other hand class discussion was fun and interesting. The TA drove me nuts, but I think those change every quarter. Notes are online so if you miss class, go there!

Easy, why is everyone complaining about easy-laid back lectures? I would rather listen to that! It's a good GUR course.

I really enjoyed the class. His lectures were interesting and he tells some funny stories. The tests are easy if you look over the study guide. Writing about the shows you watch was probably the hardest and it wasnt even that hard. Make sure to use imagery.

Really funny and SUPER sarcastic, both traits I enjoy in a professor. You get as much out of lecture as you put into it, he has a lot of class discussion. Tests were pretty easy if you did the work. Plus, part of your homework is going to plays, which was awesome. Looks kinda like Kevin Kline.

I have had very few professors who could be so successful teaching a 300-person class; his classroom presentation is really engaging. I also appreciate the exploration of issues around what defines art and about gender & ethnic issues in contemporary theatre.

Mark rocks, but you have to understand that 101 is a very general class. It's a GUR, deal with it. His tests actually test if you know the material, which is really awesome because you actually learn something. His classes can indeed get redundant and egotistical, but as an intro to theatre course, it is a great class.

He gets his job done

Mark is amazing. He's obviously a Brecht follower and it's nice to see him in action. His ideas for communicating as a director, and staging will blow your mind. Sometimes he's a little tough to follow. I think that may just be the genius.

Loved the class. Pretty easy. Test can be kinda tricky but if you study, you'll do fine. Hardest part was writing the play reviews, but you basically can rewrite it until you get the grade you want. Highly recommended!

Funny, student conscious guy, he talks to the back of the classroom because the front typically gets more attention. He brings up interesting points, we have interesting discussions, and it's an all around interesting class. Lacks practical application, but hey, the homework is watching plays and assesing them. We all need a little more theatre.

If you love theatre, youll like him. he has lots of stories. if youre taking it as a filler, youll get bored.

Mark is an amazing teacher, and an amazing human. He truly cares about students, and their lives. And he'll make you think of things in ways you never thought you could!

320 person class, he did a GREAT job. Very funny, had us see great plays. Would really recommend. ATTEND THE CLASSES & PLAYS, or don't complain when you fail! :)

seemed like a really nice guy. Really into sexual theams in his plays and a little volgure at times. Tests were semi-hard, only because the format was foreign.

Class seemed like a waste of time. A lot of discussion time = not learning much. Although not a hard class in general, harder than I expected due to being a class about plays.

Pretty big ego! That aside, this class was a breeze, and ****z is the perfect person to be teaching this class. His love for theatre is pretty appearent. His hatred for motion picture was vastly annoying, but that is more for angering students more than anything else.A good chunk of points comes from just coming to class- easy class!

I guess this class was as good as it could've been. It's not hard, so if you need an easy GUR go for it. Be warned, it's a TON of work for only 3 credits, in my opinion. No book needed, so that is a major bonus. ****z is cool, he's a bit of a dork but what prof isn't?

Best professor ever!

Mark is hilarious! He's such an awesome guy. Get to know him on a personal level... it helps!

Funny guy, knows his stuff. Most people in the class are overly dramatic about what they think of him. Probably because they're theatre majors. I liked his cynicism, his open-form classes, and the lack of text books. He's a really cool guy.

Mark is hilarious. His class is super fun. You learn a lot. Tests are decent. Just read and go to class. I love his theatre stories and he's just an all around great guy.

He's an arrogant prick; I even mailed him to ask a question and he referred me to the class notes...which it wasn't in. He's a good lecturer though and knows how to get his material across, the class is a good GUR and very easy. No textbook, only need to spend $ to attend two plays.

This class has an open discussion rule, which is great, but I wish there would have been more structure because I wanted to learn more about plays, acting techniques...but really you just talk for an hour.

It's an easy-ish GUR credit. I wish I would've taken another class for my humanities credits because I don't feel like I learned anything. Plus you're stuck with a TON of theater majors who think they are God's gift to the world. No textbook, but you have to see two plays and read several boring articles.

Mark is AWESOME! I love this guy. He's really nice and I highly recommend you get to know him on a personal level. He's a really great guy, loves students and clearly loves teaching. Take his classes and do your work!

A very fair teacher. Theatre teachers in general can come off as opinionated or smug, but in general Mark stays away from this. Values opinions of those who speak up and is a very fair grader and professor.

Writes a good letter of rec for grad school...

Mark is an amazing professor. He knows his craft and is obsessed with making us learn. I wish he taught every class at Western.

If this isn't your major, you probably will not enjoy him. You'll learn a lot but the class is directed towards people who live and breathe theater. Go to class because he loves giving pop quizzes that are participation-based.

Mark is one of the best, most caring, brilliant, professors at WWU. Do not listen to comments from people who took THTR 101 from them because they are mainly Freshman who don't care about theater and are taking it for an "easy A." If you have a theater interest you will love this man. He is also one of the best directors in the Northwest.

He's a pretty good teacher and seems like a good guy. Sometimes the class just droned on, but not too bad.

Mark is awesome. He's very good with feedback, super nice, and knows what he's talking about. As long as you finish your script analysis on time, you'll be just fine.

Mark made such an impact on my life, and my husband's life, that we had him officiate our wedding. Theatre 101 is such a whatever class--if you take a class with him, like playwriting or directing, about which he is truly passionate, you will get SO MUCH out of it. Dude knows his stuff and is a great guy to have a postgrad beer with.

This was probably the best feedback I've ever received in a class. He commented on every single one of the things I turned in with a TON of response, no matter how big the assignment was. He was super helpful when I asked questions. As a theatre major taking this course, it was definitely geared toward the people who take it for the GUR, very easy.

Mark is a fantastic prof. I didn't want to take 370 initially, but he made it really interesting and enjoyable. He was also very understanding when I was having difficulties. His feedback can seem a little harsh at first, but once you get to know him you realize it's just dry humor, and he really cares and wants to help you do well.

This is a great teacher! All he wants from you is to really get excited for the material. He has lots of in class discussions which are excellent because he really knows his stuff. He gives tons of easy points and his quizzes are not tricky he just wants to know you read the stuff. It's a fun and easy A! no text book just tickets to a play!

I have him for theater 101 and the class is all lecture and discussion. He tells lots of stories about when he was young and his directing and acting experience. No textbook but we did have to buy tickets to see 2 shows - cost of 50$ min. Fairly graded but are occasionally quizzes on HW but fairly easy to guess if you have an idea.

If you like discussing theater its a great GUR, he loves theater and you can tell. though quality of class depends on your classmates on how the discussion goes. No textbook but had to buy tickets to a couple of musicals (one of witch was bad). Tests are multiple choice lots of true false.

Basic class, though the work load seems heavy as long as you do what you're supposed to and show up you will get an A, Mark doesn't judge quality. Mark is nice, funny, and can offer decent feedback - though playwrights won't get much out of this, it's really an intro class, it is a good way to force yourself to write and see your peers at work.

I took Mark's class in the fall and felt it was wonderful. I see a lot of complaints about the two show requirement, but it's cheaper than a textbook and much cheaper than $50 (there was a code you could use online to get one ticket for $15 and the other ticket was only $7, so people saying $50+ didn't pay attention! More fun than your average GUR.

Really enjoyed the class itself. The work is fun, and most criticism is connected with effort. I will say that it was mentioned on the first day of class how much attendance affected your grade, and was never mentioned again. We learned at the end of the quarter that many of us would need extra credit just to pass the class.

Mark is a really nice guy, passionate and knowledgable about theater. The class is easy if you go to class and watch the assigned videos on canvas before every class. My only complaint is that he is not specific about the material that will be on his exams and the class is not as structured as I prefer (classes are just an open ended convo)

Mark is a really great guy who is passionate about what he teaches and is relatively easy to follow and understand. There is no textbook but you will have to pay to see 2 shows during the quarter and there are articles and videos almost every day in the modules on canvas. He gives a lot of random Quizzes and "Goodies"

I loved Mark's class! He has a real passion for theatre and it shows in his lectures, which are more like big discussions. Attendance is graded by quizzes on the canvas modules (1hr of reading and videos at most per lecture) and "goodies" which are just quick opinion write-ups. Midterm was multiple-choice and easy. Would definitely take again!

Most of his grade is based on "goodies." They are pop quizzes that are based on the modules that you are asked to review before class. They are generally very easy articles and or videos that take about 15 minutes to read over. He is so passionate about what he does and is so accessible to his students. He loves what he does.

Mark is great at teaching the material the class has to offer. Theatre 101 was a GUR for me so I wasn't that interested in the class to begin with and I am still not but that's okay! Mark made me appreciate and know all the hard work that goes into theatre productions. Most of the class is usually discussion too which I like in my opinion.

I love Mark! He's such a cool down to earth dude. His class was so interesting. One of the best discussion classes I've taken, we actually had conversations! The only issue I have with him is some of the test questions were worded in a very confusing way or they were on things we ended up not going over in class. I will take another class with him!

The class is super easy. Just go to class and listen and you will definitely pass. The only downside is that you need to go see a show in Seattle. Sometimes theres provided transportation though.

Mark is just the best! This class is a lot of work, but if you're passionate about theatre you'll love it. I only wish I could've shown my final but the school closed before I got the chance. You do not want to take this online, take it in person !! Great feedback and advice, great dude!

This professor is super kind and supportive, he really made the online class feel like more of a community, which is a challenge right now. The class is pretty easy if you've been in a show before. Just do the readings and you'll be fine. He's a really understanding and thoughtful professor.

This class is extremely easy online. As long as you read the material and watch the videos you can pass the quizzes. I was able to complete the module that was due every week in under two hours usually. Professor is really understanding if you miss a quiz

Have one assignment per week and a quiz each Monday. Easy quiz as long as you read the material (not heavy reading). Lectures are usually about controversial subject but a very nice discussion space.

I missed several classes, the professor reached out to make sure I was okay. He gave good feedback that was useful. This class made me feel so much more comfortable with presenting my work to groups. I was able to write work that I am really proud of. Attendance will bring your grade down (hence why I got a b-), weekly quizzes (pretty easy).

I hardly ever write a review here bc most of the time I agree with them. However, I srsly cannot understand why so many ppl have so many bad things to say about this prof. If you make an effort, so will he & he's more than happy to give extensions or clarification on work. Too bad he's retiring, would have loved to take a class with Mark again.

The folks that hate this class are either way too easily offended or should be nowhere near theatre. Theatre often deals with TW worthy things, Mark isn't "complaining" abt them, he's giving his opinion + wants to know what his students think. He wants to facilitate conversations and (omg so surprising) introduce ppl to theatre... in an intro class