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Theatre Courses

Click on the class title link to view course syllabi.

125. Acting (AH-1) 4 credits	Introduction to acting through participation in exercises which emphasize moment-to-moment acting from the actor's impulse in contact with a partner. Culminates with the performance of scenes in class.
136. Children's Drama (AH-1) 4 credits	Techniques for conducting theatre games and other dramatic activities with children. Activities arranged in area public schools to bring children actively into a framework of improvisational role-playing, helping them explore and express ideas and feelings through dramatic enactment.
150. Theatre Company (AH-1) 1 credit	Participation in acting and technical work of departmental productions with actual rehearsal and performance. May be elected more than once for credit.
152. Theatre Administration 1 credit	Participation in business areas required to create, manage and address audience needs for all departmental productions: publicity, programs, box office and house management. May be elected more than once for credit.
170. Production Crafts (AH-1) 4 credits	Introduction to the terminology, technology and techniques of technical production in the performing arts. Laboratory sessions in the theatre, workshops and backstage assignments on department productions ensure practice of the topics discussed in class.
171. Design for the Theatre (AH-1) 4 credits	Introduction to the design of the physical environment in the theatre. Consideration of scenery, costume, lighting and sound for live performance; their unifying aesthetic principles and distinctions. Culminates in class presentation of student designs for particular plays.
199. Independent Study 1-4 credits; Permission	Supervised reading, research or projects.
*225. Intermediate Acting (AH-1) 4 credits	Continuation of THD 125 through exercises and scene study with emphasis on actions, objectives and characterization. Exercises and character analysis with scenes from the "Realists" and "Post-Realists."
232. Directing (AH-1) 4 credits; THD 125	Study of basic procedures for the director: script analysis, communicating and working with actors, and technical use of the stage. Students direct one or two short scenes emphasizing script analysis and the director's collaboration with actors.
*246. The World of Theatre I (AH-4) 2 credits; 7-week course	Introduction to the theatre as a unique artistic activity which reflects and transforms life experiences by shaping them into popular theatre forms: comedy, farce, tragedy and melodrama.
*247. The World of Theatre II (AH-4) 2 credits; 7-week course	Consideration of the work of those who create the theatre event: actor, playwright, director and designer. The theatre experience as a communal experience resulting from collaboration of artists in dynamic interaction with audience.
261. Great Ages of Theatre I (AH-4) 4 credits	Survey of the physical structure, production methods and styles of theatre and the cultures that produced them from their beginnings to the Elizabethan Period. Considers primitive rituals and Eastern Theatre as well as Western Theatre. Includes reading representative plays and their place in the theatrical development of the period.
262. Great Ages of Theatre II (AH-4) 4 credits	Survey of the physical structure, production methods and styles of theatre and the cultures that produced them from Elizabethan England to the Modern Period. Considers Renaissance Spain and France, Restoration England, and Baroque and Romantic Europe through the Modern Theatre. Includes the reading of representative plays and their place in the theatrical development of the period.
263. Modern Drama (AH-4) 4 credits	Survey of major plays written and produced in last 100 years. From Ibsen, Shaw and Chekhov through Williams, Miller, Beckett and Albee. Consideration given to staging.
*271. Scene Design 4 credits; THD 171	Exploration of scenery as a tool for expression in live performance. Exploration of visualization of the intellectual concept of a production, research for scenic design development, advanced presentation techniques. Culminates in assembly of a portfolio of scenic designs for plays chosen by the student from approved list.
*272. Lighting Design 4 credits; THD 171	Exploration of lighting as an expressive tool in live performance. Intensive work in color theory, distribution, intensity, focus, and motion with light; advanced presentation techniques. Culminates in a student presentation of selected lighting moments for a play chosen by the student from approved list.
*273. Costume Design 4 credits; THD 171	Exploration of costumes as an expressive tool in live performance. Intensive work in color theory, line, mass, texture; survey of historical fashion; advanced presentation techniques. Culminates in assembly of a portfolio of student renderings for plays chosen by the student from approved list.
280. Topics in Theatre and Dance 4 credits	Special topics and projects selected by instructor. Background prerequisites vary with selections.
*299. Independent Study 1-4 credits Permission	Supervised reading, research or projects.
*332. Intermediate Directing 4 credits; THD 232	Continuation of THD 232. Principles and techniques of stage directing culminating in the analysis, casting and direction of a one-act play for public presentation.
*346. Theatre/Dance Trip (AH-4) 4 credits; Permission	In-depth investigation and exploration of various dance forms. One week in New York City witnessing professional dance companies, attending Broadway shows and touring backstage. Historical backgrounds and current trends in dance examined. Journal, critiques and final paper required.
*385-386. Practicum 4 credits each; Permission	Study-work participation in community institutions, schools or professional organizations combined with faculty supervision. Practical experience in teaching, directing or performance of theatre and dance. Culminates in written report.
*399. Independent Study 1-4 credits; Permission	Supervised reading, research or projects.
*480. Topics in Theatre and Dance 4 credits	Special topics and projects selected by the instructor. Background prerequisites vary with selections.
*499. Independent Study 1-4 credits; Permission	Supervised reading, research or projects.
*500. Senior Thesis 4 credits; Permission	Students with honors in Theatre and Dance must complete a Senior Thesis, approved and directed by the Department.