Theatre Arts

Theatre Course Descriptions

THE

050(I)

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Credit hours to be arranged

See Independent Study Program, Section II.

THE

070

INTERNSHIP

Credit hours to be arranged

Practical experience in any area of theatre. See Internship Program, Section II

THE

259,359,459

FACULTY-STUDENT COLLABORATION

Credit hours to be arranged

See FSC Program, Section II.

THE

100F

INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors and minors

An introduction to the major ideas, influences and practices which shape theatre today. The emphasis of the course is to develop the student’s critical ability to evaluate and appreciate theatre performance.

THE

151F

ACTING FOR NON-MAJORS

Two credit hours

Required of all theatre minors

A basic course designed to introduce non-majors to the principles of acting. Emphasis is placed on body control, interpretation, improvisation and scene work.

THE

154F

CREATIVE DRAMATICS

Two credit hours

A course designed to familiarize the elementary/secondary school teacher with the use of creative dramatics in the classroom. Theory as well as practical application of the arts and crafts of theatre will be considered.

THE

161F

ON-STAGE EXPERIENCE

One credit hours

After being cast in a play, a student may register for credit for on-stage experience. Registration with instructor's permission only. Graded S/U

THE

162F

BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCE

One to two credit hours

Two hours required of theatre majors and minors.

A student may register for backstage work on plays being offered during the semester. Hours toward credit can include working in the scene or costume shop or crewing a show. Registration with instructor’s permission only.

THE

170

VOCAL TRAINING

Two credit hours

Required of all theatre majors

A practical course designed to liberate and develop the natural speaking voice, with emphasis on breathing, sound production, resonance, range, power, articulation, sensitivity, and mind/body unity.

THE

180F

STAGECRAFT

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors and minors

A study of the principles and practices of stage scenery construction. Emphasis is placed on utilization of materials and appropriate technology. Both lecture and laboratory experience is included.

THE

191IF

THEATRE LITERATURE

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors and minors

A survey course of major plays from ancient Greece to the present. Emphasis will be placed on textual analysis for stage performance and production.

THE

263(IH)

SEMINAR

Two to four credit hours

The study of topics relevant to the theatre. Sample topics include Audition Techniques, Costume Construction and Computer Design Graphics. May be repeated more than once, provided the subject or topic is different.

THE

270F

COLLABORATIVE STUDIES IN THEATRE

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors and minors. Prerequisite: THE 100F, 191IF

This course is designed to improve the student’s ability to collaborate on theatrical material by exploring the intellectual process required to communicate with colleagues. Emphasis will be placed on developing each student’s artistic sensibility and their ability to articulate conceptual ideas.

THE

272

ACTING

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 100F and THE 170 or THE 100F and MUS 201F

The study of basic expressive techniques, analytical skills and the principles which underlie the methodologies of acting as they relate to the actor’s performance.

THE

284

STAGE MAKEUP

Two credit hours

Prerequisite: THE 100F

A basic course in fundamental principles and practices in theatrical makeup, emphasizing techniques of application, familiarization with materials, and fundamental makeup design. Additional lab hours required.

THE

285

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Two credit hours

THE 285 or THE 286 required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 100F

A study of the principles and practice of stage management in commercial and non-commercial settings. The course will explore such areas as scheduling, cue-calling, and rehearsal procedures. Offered every third semester.

THE

286

THEATRE MANAGEMENT

Two credit hours

THE 285 or THE 286 required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 100F

A study of the principles and practice of theatre arts management in commercial and noncommercial applications. The course will explore such areas as philosophy, objective financing and theatre promotion. Offered every third semester.

THE

288IF

THEATRE HISTORY I

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 100F

A survey of the origin and development of Western theatre. Offered every third semester.

THE

289IF

THEATRE HISTORY II

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 288IF

A study of the foundations of modern theatre including American theatre history. Offered every third semester.

THE

291F

MODERN THEATRE LITERATURE

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 191IF

A study of the origins and development of modern theatre literature from 1870 to the present, in Europe and America. The course will emphasize the work of such playwrights as Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov, O’Neill and Williams.

THE

371

DIRECTING

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors and minors. Prerequisite: THE 100F, 180F, 191IF, 270F, 151F or 272

A study of the theories, processes and techniques of the stage director. The course will also focus on questions of play selection, analysis and research. Practical laboratory experience will supplement lecture/discussion.

THE

372

BUILDING A CHARACTER

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 272

This course focuses on the actor’s development of characterization through scene work, textual analysis and other interdisciplinary approaches. Vocal and physical aspects of character delineation will be emphasized. Students will research and develop characterizations reflecting diverse stylistic and historical requirements.

THE

373

ADVANCED PERFORMANCE STUDIES

Three credit hours

Prerequisite: THE 272, 372

This advanced performance course will focus on specific acting skills and techniques and will vary with each course offering.

THE

374

DIRECTING PRACTICUM

Two credit hours

Required of all student one-act directors. Prerequisite: THE 270F, 272, 371, 382, 383, 385

This course is organizational in nature and deals with specific production problems involving the mounting of a one-act play. Students will select, budget and produce their productions in coordination with other directors.

THE

382

SCENIC DESIGN

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 100F, 180F, 270F

A study of the application of the elements of basic design to the art of scenic design for the theatre. The course explores the design process from the evolution of the design concept to the execution of renderings and model making. Offered every third semester.

THE

383

LIGHTING DESIGN

Two credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 100F, 180F, 270F

A study of the theories and practice of lighting design with emphasis on the functions and the controllable properties of light. The course is designed to acquaint the student with practical application and effective utilization of lighting design. Offered every third semester.

THE

385

COSTUME DESIGN

Three credit hours

Required of all theatre majors. Prerequisite: THE 100F, 180F, 270F

This course is designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of costume design. Emphasis will be placed on historical research, applying conceptual thought, and developing character. Students will be exposed to costuming materials and design techniques, as well as historical costume period. Offered every third semester.

THE

463(I)

SEMINAR

Two to four credit hours

The study of advanced topics relevant to the theatre. Sample topics include Playwrighting and Advanced Design. May be repeated more than once, provided the subject or topic is different.

THE

472

CURRENT THEATRICAL TRENDS

Two credit hours

Required of all theatre majors.  Prerequisite: THE 191IF, 270F, 291F or consent of the instructor.

This capstone course is designed to expose students to current trends and philosophies in the theatre community. Students will develop skills and resources that will help them remain current in their specific area of interest as well as develop a strategy for starting their theatrical career.  This course should be taken during the Fall semester of the final year.

THE

491,492

HONORS COURSES

Credit hours to be arranged

See Departmental Thesis/Project, Section II

DAN

142,143,144

DANCE TECHNIQUE

One-half to one credit hour

Dance techniques classes focus on the dance styles of Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Jazz.  Courses are designed for one-half or one credit hour depending on the skill level of the dance technique course. Courses are offered on a minimester schedule. Specific courses are listed in the course schedule for each term.

DAN

214IF

DANCE HISTORY

Three credit hours

A survey course of the history of dance. The course is designed to present to the student a broad overview of dance in various world cultures through the ages. Applicable to the fine arts requirement of the College core and the international studies requirement of the College core. May be offered less frequently than once a year.

DAN

217FD

DANCE IN AMERICA

Three credit hours

Note: Students may not receive credit for both Dance Appreciation and Dance in America.

Course is designed to introduce the student to the vast discipline of dance. Students will view and read about dance as an art form and as a theatrical vehicle and become more aware of the analysis of form and style and elements of critique in the various genres of dance. The course will trace the American dance scene and its impact on and reflection of American culture. No previous knowledge and/or training in dance is required. Course applicable to fine arts requirement of College core. Some additional cost may be involved for purchase of performance tickets.

DAN

331F

IMPROVISATION & CHOREOGRAPHY

Three credit hours

Prerequisite: Experience in dance or consent of instructor

This course provides opportunities for experience in the use of improvisational techniques as a basis for the development of skill necessary for the art of choreography. Applicable to the fine arts requirement of the College core. May be offered less frequently than once a year. This course was formerly taught as a two credit hour course. Students who have completed the two credit offering of the course may not enroll in nor receive credit for the three credit course.

DAN

332

DANCE PRODUCTION & PERFORMANCE

Two credit hours

A study of basic technical theater in relation to dance. Areas include costuming, makeup, lighting, management, and public relations. May be offered less frequently than once a year.

DAN

333F

DANCE IN THE MUSICAL THEATRE

Three credit hours

The study of dance in musical theater. Emphasis is placed on the historical development, the practical application of design and the performance of theatrical dance styles. Applicable to the fine arts requirement of the College core. This course will be offered in alternate years.