Directing (B.F.A.)

This is a fundamental course in the systematic analysis of dramatic texts. It is designed to equip theatre arts majors and minors with the textual expertise and vocabulary needed for academic discussion and artistic collaboration. Students will read and research a series of scripts in order to investigate the process in which a play develops from page to performance. Emphasis will also be given to how directors, designers, performers, and spectators individually and collaboratively engage with and utilize a dramatic text during each phase of the pre-rehearsal, rehearsal, and performance process.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This introductory acting course focuses on building physical, vocal, intellectual, and intuitive foundations for actors. Through discovery exercises, students increase their awareness of the fundamentals of contemporary acting and apply these concepts to monologue and scene work.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This is an introductory course in the theory and practice of scenography for the theatre. The primary goal of this class is to provide access to terms, concepts, and design principle applications for theatrical scenery, costume, and lighting design.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

Play reading is a course that focuses on the reading, discussion, and interpretation of dramatic texts. Its aim is to provide a concentrated study of both content and form of selected texts in an effort to broaden knowledge of dramatic techniques genre, and strategies for interpretation. Dramatic texts will vary each semester with the goal that students will gain knowledge of a large quantity of plays during a four-year period. This course may be repeated for credit up to eight times for Theatre Arts majors and up to three times for Theatre Arts minors.

A course for students preparing for careers in theatre. Projects will include resume and portfolio preparation, auditioning, and interviewing techniques, introduction to internships, apprenticeships, and graduate study.

A study of the theories and techniques of directing. Students will direct several short scenes.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 002 Script Analysis and THTRE 007 Acting I.

Students will direct under supervision a one-act play or (with instructor's permission) a full-length play. This course may be repeated.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 002 Script Analysis, THTRE 007 Acting I, THTRE 030 Stagecraft, THTRE 107 Acting II, and THTRE 155 Directing I.

A survey of theatre arts from ancient Greece through the 19th century. It includes sections on classic, medieval, Renaissance, Restoration, 18th century, and 19th century drama and theatre practice.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 001 Theatre Appreciation or THTRE 002 Script Analysis.

(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)

A survey of theatre arts from the advent of realism to contemporary theatre. Special emphasis will be given to nonrealistic theatre movements and their influence on playwriting, directing, acting, and design.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 001 Theatre Appreciation or THTRE 002 Script Analysis.

(Normally offered on odd fall semesters.)

Contemporary Theatre is a course designed to situate the study and practice of theatre within contemporary cultural contexts. Each course examines a particular cultural issue or condition as it is represented in a number of theories, dramatic works, production methods, theatre enterprises, and broader cultural practices. Current topics offered include: "Multicultural Theatre," "Performance of Gender," "Crosscurrents in World Theatre," and "Theatre and Social Change." This course may be repeated for credit up to 4 times. Individual offerings, however, may not be repeated.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of the instructor.

THTRE 263 Musical Theatre History is a survey of musical theatre history and musical theatre music and dramatic literature from its earliest documented beginnings up to the present day. As the course is designed primarily for musical theatre majors, primary emphasis will be given to musical theatre history in the United States. Students will consider examples of classical, medieval and early modern musical entertainment, followed by units covering continental operetta of the 18th C, early 19th C, late 19th C (including Gilbert & Sullivan), each decade in the 20th C, as well as contemporary developments. Students will also critically analyze the specific elements of musical theatre: integration of song and book, character and voice, ensemble, orchestra, narration and technology. Musical Theatre History is designed to familiarize students with the tenets and challenges of historical inquiry as they can be applied to the study of musical theatre. The course also seeks to build appreciation for a broad range of musical theatre styles. THTRE 263 Musical Theatre History is a required course for the BFA in Musical Theatre.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 260 Theatre History I or permission of instructor.

(Normally offered even spring semesters.)

U.S. Theatre/U.S. Culture is a survey course providing a historical perspective on the culture of the U.S. through the study of its theatre from the colonial period to the present. Theatre 264 can be used to satisfy a core requirement for the BFA and BA degrees in Theatre.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 260 Theatre History I or permission of instructor.

(Normally offered odd spring semesters.)

A course introducing students to all technical aspects of theatre production including scenery, properties, lighting, sound, makeup, and costuming. Particular emphasis is placed on practical knowledge of scenery, property construction techniques, and the materials used. Students must participate in a laboratory theatre experience.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

The introductory course in costuming for the theatre. It presents the uses of fabrics, textures, colors, plastics, and other materials as well as developing the sewing techniques needed for the theatre.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

A study of the theory and practice of stage makeup. The final project is the supervised design and execution of makeup for a major production or lab theatre production.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

Musical Theatre Appreciation investigates musical theatre as a performing arts genre by incorporating historical explorations with listening, viewing, and performance activities in order to gain a greater appreciation for the art form. A history of musical theatre forms the basis for development of course activities. Critical and creative exploration of scenes, songs, styles, and artistic development of musical theatre comprise the course content. Each student develops and participates in individual and group projects presented for the class. This course is recommended for students who have an interest in musical theatre performance and production, as well as students who plan to be music or theatre educators.

(Normally offered even spring semesters.)

This intermediate acting course reinforces the fundamental skills acquired in Script Analysis and Acting I, and builds upon them in order to emphasize technique and truth in acting. Using elements from contemporary acting theorists (Meisner, LeCoq, Alder, etc.) students investigate contemporary dramatic texts. The process focuses on freeing the performer's instrument while concentrating on the actor's intent.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 002 Script Analysis and THTRE 007 Acting I.

This is a general introductory course in Stage Combat. Students will learn the basics in Combat Safety, Unarmed Combat, Quarterstaff, Rapier and Dagger, and Broadsword.

Stage Management is an introductory course in production management. Students will be introduced to the basic guidelines and techniques for stage managing theatre productions including: communication skills, collaboration skills, rehearsal management, assembling the stage manager's cue and production book, and tech rehearsal/production run management. Students will also learn about professional stage management and Equity rules, guidelines, and membership. It is anticipated that each class member will serve as a stage manager for a university production and submit a detailed cue and production book.

Playing Shakespeare is an intermediate level acting class focusing on the technique necessary to perform classical texts. We will focus on expanding the abilities of the actor's instrument. Truthfulness will be the ultimate goal balanced by the requirements of the text. Students will be introduced to the guidelines and techniques for acting dramatic verse. Students learn period movement and style appropriate for the Elizabethan and Jacobean era. Students also explore the use of voice, speech, tone, rhythm and pitch as part of character revelation. Playing Shakespeare may be repeated once for credit.

This advanced acting course reinforces the fundamental skills acquired in previous Acting class and builds upon them in order to develop techniques for performance auditions. Specifically, the choice and preparation of material will be discovered.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 007 Acting I, THTRE 107 Acting II, and THTRE 157 Acting III or permission of instructor.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

THTRE 258 Directing III is a directing practicum in which students apply theory and techniques to the task of directing a play of a one hour's length or, with instructor's permission, a full-length play. The class also continues to introduce students to more advanced directing theory and technique. All students are expected to actively participate in a series of exercises that emphasize the development of critical thinking, research, communication and organizational skills associated with effective stage direction. This course may be repeated once for credit.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 155 Directing I and THTRE 255 Directing II and/or permission of the instructor or department chair.

(Normally offered every semester.)

THTRE 259 Directing IV is a directing practicum in which students apply theory and techniques to the task of directing, under supervision, a full length play. The class also continues to introduce students to more advanced directing theories and techniques. All students are expected to actively participate in a series of exercises that emphasize the development of critical thinking, research, communication and organization skills associated with effective stage direction. This course may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 155 Directing I, THTRE 255 Directing II, and THTRE 258 Directing III and/or permission of the instructor or department chair.

(Normally offered every semester.)

Students earn credit for learning costume construction and maintenance by working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning the design and application of theatrical makeup by working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning scenery construction, painting, shifting, and maintenance by working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning the construction, organization, and maintenance of stage properties by working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning theatrical lighting by working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning the operation of sound equipment and the practical application of sound effects by working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning acting techniques and character portrayal while working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision. Registration in the course does not guarantee casting.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning musical theatre acting, singing, and dancing techniques and character portrayal while working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision. Registration does not guarantee casting.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning the fundamentals of production management by working under direct faculty supervision as stage manager, script supervisor, assistant to the director, designer, or choreographer.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Students earn credit for learning about theatre promotions strategies and activities while working on theatre productions under direct faculty supervision. Public relations, house management, box office management, community outreach, fundraising, and marketing are some of the possibilities for investigation.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature is an introductory course designed to provide a historical perspective on the literary record of human interactions with nature, the supernatural, and other humans. Utilizing dramatic texts selected from a range of cultures, genres, and time periods (including core readings from Greek or Roman classical literature, the Bible, Shakespeare, non-Western literature, literature by women, and literature by writers of color), students will devise strategies for reading, discussing, and writing about dramatic literature. These strategies will include consideration of biographical materials, cultural contexts and analysis of the functions of drama and theatre, in particular historical and geographical circumstances. Students will also be asked to consider how texts come to be valued as masterpieces, and the politics involved in such valuation.

A course designed to assist the student in improving control and use of the voice for speaking. Students participate in individualized and group exercises. The course also serves as an introduction to the variations in speech sounds, rhythms, and international patterns that characterize selected dialects of spoken English. Students utilize the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe cuttings from selected plays into the sounds of appropriate dialects and then reproduce the sounds vocally. Recordings of dialects are utilized for ear training.

Dialects is a course that focuses on the mastery of vocal techniques required for utilizing stage dialects in performance. The course will offer a practical approach to learning dialects that will be believable and accurate. We will explore a process for creating a dialect role, from pre-production script analysis and dialect acquisition, through the rehearsal period and run of the texts. Each student will prepare and present a series of oral and written dialect projects culminating in an oral examination.

Movement for the Actor will deal with techniques for freeing the actor's body, external character development, awareness of physical habits, the actor's physical health, and listening to body language. Physical assessment coupled with habit modification and intellectual choice of body movement will place the actor in a more "neutral" zone and allow her/him to play more varied roles on stage and off. Improvisation, exercise, music/movement, and elements of Alexander Technique will be explored. May be repeated for credit up to 6 times for Theatre Arts majors and up to 3 times for Theatre Arts minors.

This is an advanced course in acting that incorporates the technique and truth in acting skills from Acting II and aims to provide an intensive study of character analysis and presentation skills. Performance texts for class activities and exercises will be drawn primarily from turn-of-the-century playwrights such as Ibsen, Shaw, and Chekhov. Attention is also to be given to the process of preparing professional auditions. This course may be repeated once for credit.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 002 Script Analysis, THTRE 007 Acting I, and THTRE 107 Acting II.

(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)

A systematic study of the outstanding literary artist of the English language: comedies, tragedies, and historical plays.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.

This is an advanced scene study course that builds upon the skills gained in Acting II and III, and trains students to handle specific acting challenges. Special attention is given to listening and connecting, and playing to win using action-based objectives. Scenes are taken from American post-war classics, the 1960s-70s avant-garde, and contemporary dramatic literature. This course may be repeated once for credit.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 002 Script Analysis, THTRE 007 Acting I, THTRE 107 Acting II, and THTRE 157 Acting III or permission of instructor.

(Normally offered on odd spring semesters.)

This is an advanced acting course that builds upon the skills gained in previous acting and directing classes. It trains students to handle specific acting challenges presented to them from the instructor from a director's perspective. Recommended for students completing the B.F.A. degree in theatre with an emphasis in acting.

Prerequisite(s): THTRE 002 Script Analysis, THTRE 007 Acting I, THTRE 107 Acting II, and THTRE 157 Acting III.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

Theatre Management provides an in depth look at all the aspects of starting and running a non-profit theatre from the ground up. The first part provides a survey of the field of arts administration and introduces nonprofit governance including incorporation, mission development, and roles and responsibilities of boards of directors. The second part examines the relationship between the arts and law, including contracts, license fees, copyrights, intellectual property, and royalties. The third part of the course provides the students with audience development techniques and fundraising models. Finally each student will be introduced to practical experience picking a season, timelines, establishing a budget, and getting the word out to the public in today's world.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor.

(Normally offered spring semesters.)

On-the-job training for theatre arts majors and minors in theatre-related organizations. Students will arrange for their positions according to departmental guidelines, and each internship will be designed to the satisfaction of the sponsor, faculty coordinator, and student. Students may repeat the course and earn a maximum of 6 hours credit.

Pass/Fail only.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

The senior theatre project is done under the immediate supervision of a theatre faculty or teaching-staff member in one of these areas: costumes, scenery, lights, properties, makeup, acting, stage management, or directing. The student and the director of the theatre must first determine the feasibility of the proposed project for a full-length play (i.e., at least 90 minutes playing time) and select a theatre faculty/teaching-staff member supervisor. This planning process must be completed no later than May 1 of the junior year. The student will be responsible for doing the research, designing the project and seeing it to completion. The supervisor will serve as a consultant throughout the project, will grade the project, and will arrange for the student to present a description of his or her accomplishment to interested persons. See the director of the theatre for further guidelines and procedures.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.