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Theatre

Requirements & Courses

  • Theatre courses, as designated by the three-letter prefix THE, are offered through the Theatre and Dance Department. 

  • Theatre Major Requirements

    Thirty-six credits that include:

    1. THE 125, 170, 191, 202, 232, 264;
    2. THE 497 and 498;
    3. Eight credits of Theatre electives; excluding THE 150 Theatre Company.
    4. Required cognate course: DAN-139 Somatic Movement.
  • Theatre Minor Requirements

    Twenty-four credits which must include:

    1. THE-125, 170, 191, 232, and 264.
    2. Four credits of Theatre electives excluding THE-150, Theatre Company.
    3. Recommended Cognate DAN-139 Somatic Movement. 

Courses

  • THE
    101
    .
    Introduction to Theatre
    4 credits
    An exploration of theatre as an art form and how dramatic literature becomes theatre.
  • THE
    120
    .
    Introduction to Dramatic Literature
    4 credits
    Preparation for advanced study of literature and language, including vocabulary, critical approaches, and writing strategies employed in literary analysis. This course is required for a major or minor in English, but open to all students with a solid foundation in reading and writing.
  • THE
    123
    .
    Performing Advocacy
    4 credits
    Explores the relationships among identity, power and culture. Students learn how to become advocates through the use of Everyday Life Performance and other performance techniques, engaging in perspective taking and service learning with marginalized groups.
  • THE
    125
    .
    Acting
    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 class performances.
  • THE
    150
    .
    Theatre Company
    1 credit
    Participation in acting and technical work on departmental productions with actual rehearsal and performance. May be repeated more than once for credit.
  • THE
    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 repeated more than once for credit.
  • THE
    170
    .
    Stagecraft
    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. Laboratory.
  • THE
    191
    .
    Design for the Theatre I
    4 Credits
    This course introduces students to the tools and techniques needed to design for theatre. This includes learning about design elements and principles through natural media rendering and how to use this knowledge to tell a story. Included are discussions in how these techniques can be used when designing different elements of theatre. Course culminates in a design that tells a personal story.
  • THE
    202
    .
    Script Analysis
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-125 or THE-170 or Permission
    This course develops bedrock skills in “discovering meaning” by examining various analytical models.
  • THE
    225
    .
    Acting II
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-125
    Continuation of THE 125 expanding to explore period styles and dialect work.
  • THE
    226
    .
    Voice and Diction
    4 credits
    Introduces the theory and practice in the basic techniques of developing a clear and expressive speaking voice.
  • THE
    227
    .
    Stage Combat
    4 credits
    Study of the art of physical combat in a theatrical setting using the Society of American Fight Director’s guidelines. The focus will be on performing a hand to hand combat scene and a rapier fight scene. Laboratory.
  • THE
    232
    .
    Directing
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-125
    Study of basic procedures for the director: script analysis, communication 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.
  • THE
    263
    .
    Modern Drama
    4 credits
    Survey of major plays written and produced in last 100 years. From Isben, Shaw and Chekhov through Williams, Miller, Beckett, and Albee. Consideration given to staging.
  • THE
    264
    .
    Theatre History
    4 credits
    Survey of the physical structure, production methods and styles of theatre and the cultures that produced them from their beginnings to the present. Considers primitive rituals, Eastern, and Western Theatre. Includes reading representative plays and their place in the theatrical development of the period.
  • THE
    274
    .
    Sound Design
    2 credits
    Exploration of sound as an expressive tool in live performance. Gives students an understanding of the science, technology and historic usage of sound in theatre. Emphasis in script analysis and design and production process.
  • THE
    275
    .
    Stage Management
    4 credits
    Study of the basic procedures for the stage manager: organization skills, communication skills, supervisory skills, scheduling, budgeting, and theatre technology as they pertain to the stage manager.
  • THE
    276
    .
    Scene Painting
    4 credits
    Learn basic scene painting techniques such as marble, stone work and wood grains and apply them to scene painting projects. Course culminates in a major project including multiple techniques.
  • THE
    277
    .
    Props Design and Construction
    4 credits
    Learning basic props design and construction including casting, molding, sculpting and woodworking.
  • THE
    278
    .
    Costume Construction
    4 credits
    Students will learn the basic skills required for sewing and building costumes for theater and dance through a series of projects geared towards the practical application of various techniques. This includes instruction in hand sewing, machine sewing, cutting, patterning, and design concerns.
  • THE
    280
    .
    Topics in Theatre
    4 credits
    Special topics and projects in theatre selected by instructor. Background prerequisites vary with selections.
  • THE
    280M
    .
    Topics in Theatre
    4 credits
    Special topics and projects in theatre selected by instructor. Background prerequisites vary with selections.
  • THE
    291
    .
    Design for the Theatre II
    4 Credits
    Students will build on the basic principles of design, choosing a design area to focus on. Using script choices provided by the professor, students will create designs based on their chosen area and present in class. Students will provide basic script analysis, basic renderings, and general paperwork that accompanies their specific design area.
  • THE
    292
    .
    Playwriting Workshop
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Permission
    Students write several brief etudes in addition to writing and revising a more substantial script. The course uses staged readings and feedback from actors and audience members to help students learn the craft of writing for performance. Emphasizes revision and collaboration in the production process. May be repeated once for credit.
  • THE
    325
    .
    Theatre Studio: Acting
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-125 and Permission
    Advanced participation as an actor cast in a public performance of a theatre production under the direction of a faculty supervisor. The student must be cast in a major role, submit a written character analysis and journal of rehearsals and performances of that role. May be repeated for credit.
  • THE
    332
    .
    Intermediate Directing
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-232
    Continuation of THE 232. Principles and techniques of stage directing culminating in the analysis, casting and direction of a one-act play for public presentation.
  • THE
    371
    .
    Theatre Studio: Scenery
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-271 and Permission
    Advanced tutorial in scenic design. Students responsible for all research materials, production drawings, models, plots and schedules for a theatre or dance production working in close consultation with a faculty member. Culminates in the realization of a scenic project. May be repeated for credit.
  • THE
    372
    .
    Theatre Studio: Lighting
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-271 and Permission
    Advanced tutorial in lighting design. Students responsible for all research materials, production drawings, plots, and schedules for a theatre or dance production working in close consultation with a faculty member. Culminates in the realization of the lighting atmosphere for a public performance and a written analysis of the project. May be repeated for credit.
  • THE
    373
    .
    Theatre Studio: Costume
    2 Credits
    Advanced tutorial in costume design. Students responsible for all research materials, production drawings, renderings, and analysis for a theatre or dance production working in close consultation with a faculty member. Culminates in the realization of a costume project. May be repeated for credit.
  • THE
    374
    .
    Theatre Studio: Sound
    2 Credits
    Advanced tutorial in sound design. Students responsible for all research materials, production drawings, sound acquisition, and analysis for a theatre or dance production working in close consultation with a faculty member. Culminates in the realization of a sound project. May be repeated for credit.
  • THE
    375
    .
    Theatre Studio: Management
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-273 and Permission
    Advanced participation as a stage manager of a theatre production under the tutelage of a faculty supervisor. Students organize and run auditions, rehearsals, technical rehearsals and performances of a major production for public performance. May be repeated for credit.
  • THE
    380
    .
    Topics in Theatre and Dance
    4 credits
    Special topics and projects selected by instructor. Background prerequisites vary with selections.
  • THE
    385
    .
    Theatre Practicum
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Permission
    Study-work participation in community institutions, schools or professional organizations combined with faculty supervision. Practical experience in teaching, directing or performance of theatre. Culminates in written report. Also offered as THE 386.
  • THE
    391
    .
    Design for the Theatre III
    4 Credits
    This class is a continuation of Design for the Theatre II. Students will choose a new design area of study. Additionally, students will develop their design aesthetics further. This will include studying styles, including, but not limited to modernism, surrealism, expressionism and symbolism related to theatre and including those design aesthetics into their design work. Additionally, students will include additional pieces to their design package, such as a finished model for scene design, or self-created music for sound design.
  • THE
    399
    .
    Theatre and Dance Independent Study
    1 credit
    Supervised reading, research or projects.
  • THE
    432
    .
    Theatre Studio: Directing
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-232 and Permission
    Advanced tutorial in the principles and techniques of stage directing culminating in the analysis, casting and directing of a full-length play.
  • THE
    491
    .
    Design for the Theatre IV
    4 Credits
    This class is a continuation of Design for the Theatre III. Students will choose a new design area of study. Students who take this course will complete a full design package for each of their designs. This will be a professionally completed package useable within a professional portfolio. This is an advanced course required a significant amount of expertise developed through the three previous courses.
  • THE
    497
    .
    Capstone I
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: 30 credits in THE and second semester Junior standing
    Focuses on the scholarly research required to prepare for the performance/practical element of the capstone experience. THE 497 usually culminates in an advanced research paper that explores and explains a specific topic in theatre studies chosen by the student in conjunction with his or her capstone advisor. The project may include designing an element of mainstage production. In such cases, the designer will provide his or her research portfolio at the end of Capstone I in lieu of the research paper.
  • THE
    498
    .
    Capstone II
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: THE-497 and Senior standing
    Students apply the practical skills developed while pursuing the theatre major. THE 498 usually culminates in the presentation of scenes related to the topic studied in THE 497. Depending on the student’s area of interest, scenes will be directed, designed, and/or acted in by the capstone student. In some cases, special projects such as directing or designing a main stage production may provide the content of THE 497 and 498 and fulfill the capstone requirement. At the end of 498, the student will be required to complete a paper or project reflecting on their Capstone and Alma Experience.
  • THE
    500
    .
    Senior Thesis
    4 credits
    Students with honors in Theatre and Dance must complete a Senior Thesis, approved and directed by the Department. In some cases, THE 500 may replace THE 497 and 498 to fulfill the capstone requirement.