This major prepares students for graduate work in theatre in professional study in preparation for law, ministry, or teaching. It emphasizes cultural understanding, aesthetic sensitivity, and creative skill.
| Elective courses in theatre arts | 9 hours |
Any theatre course may be applied to the electives with the following exceptions:
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| Senior Comprehensive: | |
Select one of the following:
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1-3 hours |
THTRE 002 Script Analysis (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 007 Acting I (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 100 Play Reading (1 hours)
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.
THTRE 155 Directing I (3 hours)
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.
THTRE 255 Directing II (3 hours)
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.
THTRE 260 Theatre History I (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 261 Theatre History II (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 030 Stagecraft (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 031 Costume Construction (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 080 Approaching Scenography (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 262 Contemporary Theatre (3 hours)
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 (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 264 U.S. Theatre/U.S. Culture (3 hours)
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.)
THTRE 001 Theatre Appreciation (3 hours)
The basic course in theatre. The appreciation of theatre is facilitated by units in the history of theatre, acting, directing, dramatic literature, and technical theatre. Does not count toward Theatre Arts major or minor.
(Normally offered each semester.)
THTRE 257 Solo Performance (1-2 hours)
A performance of dramatic literature offered in a recital setting.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.
(Normally offered each semester.)
THTRE 297 Internship (1-8 hours)
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.
THTRE 299 Senior Theatre Project (1-3 hours)
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.
