COURSE DESCRIPTION
Tom Stoppard, one of the greatest living playwrights, creates intricate stories that are engaging, human, and intellectually vibrant. Stoppard once said, "The whole difficulty of doing plays — the reason one doesn't do two or three a year — is this very thing of trying to subsume thought and calculation into the interior of, say, a love story or a story of triumph and failure." This course will explore how that weaving of quandaries and concepts into compelling theatre occurs in "Arcadia," "The Real Thing," and "The Hard Problem." "The Hard Problem" explores the philosophical question of consciousness, while "The Real Thing" delves into the nature of love and relationships, and "Arcadia" examines the relationship between the natural and intellectual worlds. All show his signature blend of intellectual wit and dramatic tension. Participants will read, discuss, and perhaps debate the ways in which the playwright mixes ideas and emotions that are both deep and provocative.

One Pager and Reading List
A syllabus is available for this course with greater details at: https://cmaprinceton.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/F25-THOUGHT-AND-CALCULATION.pdf

COURSE LEADER
T.J. Elliott co-wrote "Alms," "Grudges," "Genealogy," and "The Oracle" with Joe Queenan, directing "The Oracle" in 2022. His solo works include "Keeping Right on Pandemic Zoom," "HONOR," and "The Jester's Wife." His latest, "Retrospective," joins the 2025 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Please note: This Evergreen Forum course offers a in-person experience only which means it will not be recorded. Any general questions or concerns about this event should be directed to CMAP at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 609-751-9699.

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS are available. Please submit a request form by following the link here.

REFUND INFORMATION
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· Payments made electronically will be refunded electronically
· Refund processing time is approximately 2 weeks
· Up to the start of the second week of an Evergreen Forum Course — refunds will be issued minus a $25 processing fee
· No refund will be offered after the second week of class.
· There will be a $25 processing fee for refunds to those who register for the same program more than once