Bachelor in Fine Arts in Theatre
Course Descriptions
Introduction To Theatre
(3 crs.) Designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the theatrical process as well as to develop critical standards and increase the enjoyment of theatre as an art. (Lec. 2, Lab. 4) Not open to theatre majors. (A4) (B2)
Introduction To Acting
(3 crs.) Designed to initiate students to theatre as a collaborative art through systematic exposure to the principles and techniques of acting. (Studio 6)
Introduction to Acting II
(3 crs.) To expand the work of THE 111 (exercise for relaxation, concentration, imagination) with character work on a monologue and scene complemented by intense work on voice, text and movement, (Lec. 2, Lab. 2) Pre: THE 111.
Introduction to Acting II
(3 crs.) To expand the work of THE 111 (exercise for relaxation, concentration, imagination) with character work on a monologue and scene complemented by intense work on voice, text and movement, (Lec. 2, Lab. 2) Pre: THE 100 or THE 111, and by permission of instructor.
Introduction to Stagecraft
Stage carpentry, rigging, properties, scene painting, and lighting mechanics with practical experience working on productions. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
Script Analysis
(3 crs.) Analysis of plays from varying perspectives of the actor, director, and designer. Course emphasizes theatre terminology and develops a working vocabulary. (Lec. 3)
Production Lab
(1 - 2 crs.) Orientation and instruction in theatre through experiential work in crews, production assignments, or projects for departmental productions. (Practicum) May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
Basic Acting I
(3 crs.) Introduction to the theory and basic techniques of acting. Includes moment-to-moment improvisation, the reality of doing, fantasy work, and voice and movement. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 111, 117, or permission of instructor; concurrent enrollment in THE 213.
Basic Acting II
(3 crs.) Continuation of 211. Introduction to the theory and basic techniques of acting. Includes moment-to-moment improvisation, the reality of doing, fantasy work, and voice and movement. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 211 and permission of instructor; concurrent enrollment in THE 214.
Acting Workshop
(1 cr.) A voice-movement workshop to be taken concurrently with THE 211. (Studio 2) Pre: concurrent enrollment in THE 211.
Acting Workshop
(1 cr.) A voice-movement workshop to be taken concurrently with THE 212. (Studio 2) Pre: concurrent enrollment in THE 212.
The Role Of Music In Theatre
(3 crs.) Perspectives on music and its relationship and application to the theatre for theatre students. Musical vocabulary, performance techniques, and conventions related to the theatre. Emphasis on relationship of music and musical performance to all aspects of theatrical production. (Studio 6) Pre: permission of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits with permission of instructor.
Stage Management
(3 crs.) Theoretical and practical study of the basic methods and procedures of the production with emphasis on the director-stage manager relationship and the role of each. Participation in productions required. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
Dance For Musical Theatre
(3 crs.) Orientation and instruction in beginning dance for the musical stage. Dance vocabulary in jazz, ballet, tap; performance techniques and conventions related to the American musical. (Studio 6) Pre: theatre major or permission of instructor. May be repeated once with permission of instructor.
Stage Combat
(3 crs.) Fundamental principles of safety, form, choreographic conception and execution. Unarmed combat included. Eventual application in a performance environment geared to beginning and advanced students. (Studio) Pre: permission of instructor.
Costume Laboratory
(3 crs.) Practical experience in the principles of costuming including construction and finishing techniques, and experience working on a theatrical production. (Lec. 1, Lab. 4)
Introduction To Theatre Design
(3 crs.) Introduction to theatre production design with emphasis on development of capabilities for expression in conceptual and graphic terms. Projects in stage scenery, costumes, and lighting. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
Production Laboratory
(1 cr.) Orientation and instruction in theatre through tutored participation in crews and production assignments or projects for departmental productions. (Independent Study) May be repeated for credit.
Individual Problems in Theatre Studies
(1-3 crs.) Individual theatre work on an approved project under supervision of a faculty member. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of staff. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
Special Group Studies
(1-3 crs.) Group theatre work in approved production projects under supervision of a faculty member. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of staff. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
Creative Dramatics
(3 crs.) Explores purposes, techniques and benefits of drama in the K-12 classroom. Theory and practice of creative dramatics, methodologies and activities. Teaching practicum in and out of the class to develop utilization of creative drama to teach a variety of skills. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
Intermediate Acting I
(3 crs.) Continuation of Basic Acting with emphasis on approaches to characterization through improvisation and through the analysis and performance of assigned scenes. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 212; concurrent enrollment in THE 313.
Intermediate Acting II
(3 crs.) Continuation of THE 311. Continuation of Basic Acting with emphasis on approaches to characterization through improvisation and through the analysis and performance of assigned scenes. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 311 and concurrent enrollment in THE 314.
Acting Workshop
(1 cr.) A voice-movement workshop to be taken concurrently with THE 311. (Studio 2) Pre: concurrent enrollment in THE 311.
Acting Workshop
(1 cr.) A voice-movement workshop to be taken concurrently with THE 312. (Studio 2) Pre: concurrent enrollment in THE 312.
Orientation To Play Direction
(3 crs.) Director's role in the process of theatre production. Emphasis on development of production concepts and rehearsal techniques. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
Play Direction
(3 crs.) A continuation of the Director's role in the process of theatre production. Class functions as a production unit and mounts a season of one-act plays. (Studio, 3) Pre: THE 321 and permission of instructor.
Playwriting
(3 crs.) Analysis and evaluation of written material supplemented by play readings and workshop tryouts of students' plays. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
Ethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Theatre
(3 crs.) Exploration of ethical dilemmas raised by contemporary dramatic works and the history of theatre as a tool for social activism. (Lab., Seminar/Online) (C1) (D1) (GC)
Theatre Management
(3 crs.) Principles, terminology, and practical technique of theatre administration. Assignments will be made to departmental productions. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
Makeup
(1 cr.) Principles and techniques of stage makeup. Practical experience in application through a number of projects in developing character makeups with prosthetics, wigs, and facial hair. (Studio 2) Open to senior theatre majors only. Others by permission of instructor.
Principles and Theories of Theatrical Costuming I
(3 crs.) Analytical study of fashions, modes, and manners in Western civilization as required for modern theatrical production; Greek through the Renaissance. (Lec. 3) (A4) (B4)
Survey of Historic Costume I
(3 crs.) Analytical study of fashions, modes, and manners in early cultures as required for modern theatrical production; Ancient cultures through the Renaissance. (Lec. 3) (A4) (B4)
Principles and Theories of Theatrical Costuming II
(3 crs.) Analytical study of fashions, modes, and manners in Western civilization as required for modern theatrical production; the Renaissance to the present. (Lec. 3) (A4) (B4)
Survey of Historic Costume II
(3 crs.) Analytical study of historic costume, modes, and manners as required for modern theatrical production; the Renaissance to the present. (Lec. 3) (A4) (B4)
Stage Costume Design
(3 crs.) Costume design theories and techniques for modern and period plays in a wide variety of styles. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 261 and 351 or 352 or permission of instructor.
Scene Painting
(3 crs.) Problems in scene painting, including use of color, basic techniques in scenic art such as texturing, trompe l'oeil, work from design elevations, carving, and some work in plastics. (Studio 3)
Scene Design
(3 crs.) Theories and techniques of scenic design, emphasizing conceptualization and development of stage setting through project designs for various stage forms, production styles, and periods. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 261 or permission of instructor.
Stage Lighting
(3 crs.) Theories and techniques of lighting for the stage. A series of design projects and lab work introduces students to script analysis and conceptualization for lighting, instrumentation, and the use of color in stage lighting. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2)
History of Theatre to 1642
(3 crs.) General history of the theatre from its origins through the Renaissance. Introduction to non-Western drama of the period. Course focuses on the actor, staging, and the audience as they have influenced the development of the theatre and dramatic literature. (Lec. 3) (A3) (B1)
History of Theatre: Neoclassical Through the 19th Century
(3 crs.) General history of the theatre from the Neoclassical to the 19th century. Introduction to non-Western drama of the period. Course is a continuation of THE381. (Lec. 3)
History of the Modern Theatre
(3 crs.) Modern theatre and drama from 1880 to the present. Course includes new European stagecraft and its influence on the development of modernist and post-modernist drama, and contemporary non-Western drama. (Lec. 3) (A3) (B1)
History of the Modern Theatre
(3 crs.) Modern theatre and drama from 1880 to the present. Course includes new European stagecraft and its influence on the development of modernist and post-modernist drama, and contemporary non-Western drama. (Online) (A3) (B1)
American Theatre History
(3 crs.) Origins and development of American theatre from the wilderness to the contemporary Broadway and off-Broadway stage, including the evolution of the musical play. Analysis of special contributions made by the grassroots movement, the university theatres, the Federal Theatre Project, and the regional theatre movement. (Lec. 3)
Advanced Production Laboratory
(1-2 crs.) Advanced instruction in theatre through tutored participation in crews and production assignments or projects for departmental productions. (Independent Study) May be repeated for credit.
Advanced Individual Problems in Theatre Studies
(1-3 crs.) Advanced individual theatre work on an approved project under supervision of a faculty member. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of staff. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Not for graduate credit.
Advanced Special Group Studies
(1-3 crs.) Advanced group theatre work in approved production projects under supervision of a faculty member. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of staff. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Not for graduate credit.
Scene Study
(3 crs.) Emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of assigned scenes representative of the major theatrical genres and styles. (Studio 6) Pre: for THE 411, 311, 312, and permission of instructor and concurrent enrollment in THE 417. Not for graduate credit.
Scene Study
(3 crs.) Emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of assigned scenes representative of the major theatrical genres and styles. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 411 and permission of instructor and concurrent enrollment in THE 418. Not for graduate credit.
Special Workshop In Acting
(3 crs.) Techniques related to a specific aspect or style of performance; e.g., masks, puppetry, verse-speaking, and improvisation. The study is normally related to a departmental production or special project. (Studio 6) Pre: permission of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Not for graduate credit.
Acting Workshop
(1 cr.) A voice-movement workshop to be taken concurrently with THE 411. (Studio 2) Pre: concurrent enrollment in THE 411. Not for graduate credit.
Acting Workshop
(1 cr.) A voice-movement workshop to be taken concurrently with THE 412. (Studio 2) Pre: concurrent enrollment in THE 412. Not for graduate credit.
All The World's a Classroom: Performing for Teaching and Learning
(1 cr.) Explores the practice of teaching and learning as a performance art. We will investigate the performative nature of best practices in pedagogy through a series of hands-on activities. (Seminar) S/U only.
Advanced Directing Practice
(1-3 crs.) Special projects for the advanced directing student. Student directors will assume production responsibilities for all aspects of their projects, including a critical analysis upon completion. Weekly tutorial required. (Independent Study) Pre: THE 321, 322, or equivalent and permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit.
Advanced Theatre Management
(3 crs.) Individual projects of theatre management in a major departmental production or project. (Practicum) Pre: THE 341. Not for graduate credit.
Stage Costume Technology
(3-6 crs.) Construction methods and techniques appropriate to stage costuming with emphasis on major theatrical periods and productions. (Studio 6) Pre: THE 351 or 352 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Not for graduate credit.
Advanced Costuming
(1-3 crs.) Individual projects in costume design for studio or major productions. Styles and theory related to projects; costume sketches and construction. (Independent Study) Pre: THE 355 or permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit.
Special Workshop in Design and Technical Theatre
(3 crs.) Techniques related to a specific aspect or style of production; e.g., masks, puppetry, wig making, sound effects, projections, properties. Normally related to a departmental production or special project. (Lab. 6) May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Not for graduate credit.
Advanced Scene Design
(1-3 crs.) Individual projects in designing scenery for studio and major productions. (Studio 2-6) Pre: THE 365 and permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit.
Advanced Stage Lighting
(1-3 crs.) Individual projects in lighting design and control for studio and major productions. (Studio 2-6) Pre: THE 371 and permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit.
Professional Internship
(3-12 crs.) Designed for junior and first-semester senior theatre majors who desire a professional experience. This program provides instruction and practical experience in cooperation with a faculty advisor and a professional theatre. (Practicum) Pre: permission of chairperson. Not for graduate credit.
Topics In Theatre
(3 crs.) Selected topics in theatre. (Seminar) May be repeated for credit with different topic.
Special Research Project
(3 crs.) An in-depth study of a single critical or historical aspect of theatre. The subject is normally related to a departmental production. (Independent Study) Pre: upper-division standing. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Not for graduate credit.
Senior Seminar
(1 cr.) A capstone seminar for the graduating Theatre major. Content will be developed to assist in the transition from the educational realm to the professional world with Portfolio development and assessment as integral experience. (Seminar) Pre: senior standing and major or minor in theater.