THE 1050 INTRODUCTION TO THE THEATRE
Four hours. Introduction to Theatre is designed to provide an active and engaged setting in which students can think creatively and express themselves artistically in the context of learning about the theatre, leading them to be better consumers and patrons of the arts. Through a survey of plays from major historical periods, an examination of the component parts that comprise theatre, and performances of student-created scenes, students will develop a critical framework to evaluate a theatrical production and its elements.Gen Ed: SW (Aw, An), FA (In), Ql
THE 1103 PRODUCTION PRACTICUM I, II, III, IV, V, VI
One half hour, repeatable six (6) times. This is a production/performance class. Practical production experiences, both technical and performance, in a structured setting aimed at increasing ability and knowledge and enhancing independence in the theatrical production process. The shows produced by the Theatre Department during the semester will be the focus of practical activities. A minimum of 50 hours of practical production work will be required.
THE 1213 ACTING I
Four hours. Prerequisite: Theatre major/minor or permission of the instructor. Students will explore basic acting techniques and disciplines involved in the art of acting through experiential exercises, improvisations, character analyses, script analyses, monologues, and scene study. Students will also attend live theatre events and critique artistic performances. Gen Ed: FA (Ex), Ql
THE 1214 ACTING FOR NON-MAJORS
Four hours. Not open to Theatre B.F.A. candidates. This course focuses on introducing the non-performer to the concepts, techniques, and theories mastered by performers. Students will explore basic acting techniques and disciplines involved in the art of acting through experiential exercises, improvisations, character analyses, script analyses, monologues and scene study. Students will also attend live theatre events and critique artistic performances. Gen Ed: FA (Ex), Ql
THE 1220 STAGE MOVEMENT
Four hours. Prerequisite: THE 1213 or permission of the instructor. Students will explore movement theories and techniques designed to increase relaxation, physical awareness, expressiveness, power, and control of the actors’ physical instrument through experiential exercises, improvisations, group projects, monologues, scene study, and analysis of movement choices in theatrical performances. Students will also examine, in theory and practice, various movement systems and techniques such as the Alexander Technique, Viewpoints, and the Laban Movement System.
THE 1231-1238 APPLIED VOICAL COACHING FOR THE THEATRE
Four hours. Prerequisite: Theatre Arts major or permission of instructor. This course is designed to assist the student in vocal production and singing communication skills as applied to theatrical performance and to lay the foundation for solo vocal auditions and musical theatre performances. The course also addresses selection of material, rehearsal and performance techniques, both contemporary and traditional musical theatre style, and merging vocal style with stage movement.
THE 1240 IMPROVISATION AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Four hours. Improvisational drama can be defined as the exploration of unscripted performance that stresses, above all, truthful “playing” under imaginary circumstances. In this course, we will work together to create a class ensemble/community with an emphasis on creating work that addresses spontaneity, creativity, acceptance, the group mind, risk taking and heightened awareness.
THE 1413 STAGECRAFT AND PRODUCTION PRACTICE
Four hours. Instruction in the basics of technical theatre in a variety of areas including scenery, set construction, basic Scene Painting Techniques, lighting and basic hand drafting, as well management structure. Through primarily hands-on practical experiences, students will learn both terms and major methodologies utilized in today’s technical theatre.
THE 2114 MAKEUP FOR THE STAGE
One hour. An introduction into the basic skills of theatrical makeup. Course is designed to teach the basic skills of two-dimensional painting; however, students will be instructed in three-dimensional techniques.
THE 2153 APPLIED PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE I
One hour, repeatable up to five hours. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and permission of the instructor. Production experience consists of practical experiences on stage and behind the scenes. Students will apply terms and methodologies utilized in today’s technical theatre in a production setting. Gen Ed: FA (Ex)
THE 2210 ACTING II
Four hours. Prerequisite: THE 1213 and/or permission of the instructor. Students will explore major acting theories and techniques of the twentieth century. This course integrates the work of Constantine Stanislavski, Sanford Meisner, and Michael Chekhov through exercises, script analysis, and scene study. Students will also attend live theatre events and critique artistic performances.
THE 2220 VOICE AND DIALECT FOR THE ACTOR
Four hours. Prerequisite: Theatre major/minor or permission of the instructor. This course covers the fundamentals of voice production and the study of the voice as a performance instrument, including the basic techniques for proper breathing, sound production, articulation, projection, and colorization. Emphasis is on American Standard Pronunciation, with further explorations of Classical Speech, the International Phonetic Alphabet, and Dialects. The class is taught in a workshop format emphasizing in-class vocal exercise, dialect transcription, and monologue and dialogue performances.
THE 2313 SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Four hours. Prerequisite: THE 1213 or THE 1214 or permission of the instructor. In this course the student will learn to evaluate the dramatic text in terms of the literary, cultural, technical and production elements essential for mounting a play for performance. Various critical approaches will be introduced and additional research methods will be emphasized.
THE 2413 SCENE DESIGN
Four hours. Prerequisite: THE 1413 or permission of the instructor. Introduction to the study of designing scenery for the stage in theory and practice. Execution of a series of groundplans, sketches, renderings and possibly models and practical work in preparing scenery for the stage.
THE 2420 LIGHTING DESIGN
Four hours. Prerequisite: THE 1413. Basic instruction in stage lighting techniques and in the use of light as an artistic medium. Students will gain practical experience working with theatrical lighting fixtures of several different types, programming the lighting computer, working with automated lighting equipment and basic circuitry wiring.
THE 2430 COSTUME DESIGN
Four hours. This course will lead students through the costume design process from the theoretical and conceptual collaboration of director and designer, through script analysis for production/design application, to completed design projects for theoretical productions. This course will also include a survey of costume history and practical instruction in the rudiments of sewing and tailoring. Students will gain practical experience in the area of costume construction and craft fabrication through applying classroom instruction to the current mainstage productions in a lab setting.
THE 3153 APPLIED PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE II
Two hours, repeatable up to four hours. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and permission of the instructor. Production experience consists of practical experiences on stage and/or behind the scenes in a major role or technical position. Students will apply terms and methodologies utilized in today’s technical theatre in a live production setting. Gen Ed: FA (Ex)
THE 3214 ACTING III: ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
Four hours. Prerequisites: THE 1213 and THE 2210 or permission of the instructor. This course will study the theories and techniques of acting for the camera and the digital film editing process. Auditioning, performing, and filming procedures for commercial, industrial, television, and film will be discussed and explored on camera. Students will demonstrate proficiency in creating a role for the camera through script analysis, and proficiency in on camera acting techniques and the film production process through story boarding, rehearsing, filming, and editing performance projects.
THE 3234 MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION
Four hours. Prerequisites: THE 1213 and four hours of private voice lessons and junior standing or permission of the instructor. This course will emphasize musical theatre literature for auditioning. Students will be exposed to musical theatre styles, literature, composers, and lyricists. Major emphasis will be on song interpretation and audition preparation. Students will be required to perform regularly and to compile audition materials appropriate for both their voice and their character type.
THE 3323 DIRECTING
Four hours. Prerequisite: THE 1213 or permission of the instructor. Study and practice of directing techniques, including script analysis, composition, picturization, pantomimic dramatization, rhythm, blocking, organizational procedures, communication with designers, casting, and the rehearsal and production process. Students will learn how to form a directorial vision from the careful examination of play scripts utilizing an Aristotelian based mode of analysis, and will demonstrate their understanding of the director’s tools and process in the direction of a one act play for the general public. Students will also attend live theatre events and respond to the productions.
THE 3330 THEATRE MANAGEMENT
Four hours. Designed to familiarize the student with the management areas involved in theatrical production. Such topics as stage management, production management and the producer will be examined. Students will analyze scripts from the perspective of the stage manager, the production manager and the producer. Theatrical contracts, box office operation, arts fund-raising, community and press relations, as well as theatrical unions may be examined.
THE 3410 DRAFTING FOR THE STAGE
Four hours. Prerequisites: THE 1413 and permission of the instructor. This course is aimed at providing an understanding of the skills and materials of drawing for the theatre, beginning with materials and equipment used for drafting mechanically, including drawing board geometry, scale and dimensions, and perspective, through CAD drawing techniques and procedures.
THE 4210 ACTING IV: ADVANCED ACTING TOPICS
Four hours. Prerequisites: THE 1213 and THE 2210 and either THE 3214 or THE 3234 or THE 4234 or permission of the instructor. A comprehensive study of the audition process and practical realities of a “professional” career in theatre. Students will develop audition monologues, a “head shot,” a resume, and present a plan of action for the pursuit of a career in theatre. Different specialty topics such as period styles, or performing scenes of simulated violence might be examined depending on student need.
THE 4234 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE
Four hours. Prerequisite: THE 1213 and four hours of private voice lessons and junior standing or permission of the instructor. This course will emphasize musical theatre literature for performance. Students will be exposed to musical theatre styles, literature, composers, and lyricists. Major emphasis will be on performance and vocal style. Students will be required to perform materials appropriate for both their voice and their character type.
THE 4410 ADVANCED TECHNICAL TOPICS
Four hours. Prerequisites: THE 2413 and 3410 or permission of the instructor. Students complete assignments in the conceptual analysis of play scripts and fulfillment of technical projects appropriate to their technical concentration, covering a wide variety of genres. As a corollary, a portfolio of professional caliber will be developed, presented by the student and critiqued.
THE 4513 THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I
Four hours. Prerequisites: THE 2313 or permission of the instructor and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. A survey of theatre history and literature from ancient Greece to the end of the 17th century, including its playwrights, actors, theatres, movements, practices and their social context, as well as a study of the significant plays within each era. Gen Ed: SW (Aw, An), EC-C
THE 4523 THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE II
Four hours. Prerequisites: THE 2313 or permission of the instructor and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. A survey of theatre history and literature from the end of the 17th century to the late 20th century, including its playwrights, actors, theatres, movements, practices and their context, as well as a study of the significant plays within each era. Gen Ed: SW (Aw, An), EC-C
THE 4999 SENIOR PROJECT
Four hours. Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission of the instructor. This is the capstone course for the B.F.A. degree(s) and is also available as an option for the B.A. candidate. This course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to apply his/her training in a production or research setting, depending upon the students needs, interests and career path. Each student will work with a faculty mentor to guide him/her as he/she works independently to realize a self-designed project or performance.