Theatre Requirements
Communicating Plus: Theatre. The core courses in the theatre major address written and oral communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills are imbedded in the course work. If these courses are taken in a normal consecutive sequence, the student works on developing and mastering skills in all areas of Communicating Plus. The courses at the 100 and 200 levels introduce students to these skills, and the courses in the 300 and 400 levels help the students master these skills. The Theatre Department has three distinct minor options: the minor in theatre production, the teaching minor in theatre production and the minor in dramatic literature. All of these minors will expose students to written communication skills, oral communication skills, problem-solving skills and critical-thinking skills. The skills found in written communication are more fully addressed in the minor in dramatic literature, while problem-solving and critical thinking are more fully addressed
in the production minors.
Requirements for a major or teaching major in theatre: 101 or 175, 131, 231, 232, 255, 333, 412; one course selected from 300, 301, 352, 362 (301 required for teaching major); minimum of four credit hours in 200 and/or 210.
Requirements for a minor in dramatic literature: 101 or 175, 231, 232, 333, English 340: Major Author: Shakespeare. An appropriate 300-level class may substitute
for one of the above.
Requirements for a minor in theatre production: 101 or 175, 131, 255; two courses selected from: 260, 264, 301, 362, 412; minimum of four credit hours in 200 and/or 210.
Requirements for a teaching minor in theatre production (except for early childhood
through middle childhood): 101 or 175, 131, 255, 301, 412; minimum of four credit hours in 200 and/or 210.
Requirements for a teaching minor in theatre production for early childhood through middle childhood: 101 or 175, 131, 255, 412; one course selected from 300, 301, 352, 362; minimum of four credit hours in 200 and/or 210.
Recommended for majors: Electives develop special skills or knowledge and at least one is recommended beyond the minimum requirements: 248, 260, 264, or English 340: Major Author: Shakespeare.
Course Substitution: 101 can be waived for students with extensive high school course work and production experience, however, the total hours of theatre courses must be satisfied by substituting an upper-level course.
Courses
101. Introduction to the Theatre (K. Hill)
Four credits. Offered in fall. An introduction to all aspects of the theatre and to the unifying principles of a theatre production. The course touches upon the historical development of the theatre and upon its dramatic literature. Some practical application and work. Exposure to live theatre productions
on campus and via scheduled field trips. Field trip fee: $25.
131. Beginning Acting (Staff)
Four credits. Offered in spring. Fundamental skills and theories of the craft of acting are introduced and explored through in-class acting exercises, discussion and the performance of scenes. Some of the areas of exploration are: imagination, psycho-physical connection, Stanislavski’s theory, improvisation. Evaluation is based on participation, prepared scenes, scene analyses and a final scene.
200. Acting Lab (Staff)
One credit. Participation as cast member of departmental production(s). Responsibilities established individually with instructor after auditions. A limited number of credits may be counted toward graduation but not toward fine arts exploration requirement. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Grading is Pass-Fail.
210. Production Lab (Staff)
One credit. Participation as a member of production staff for departmental production(s). Responsibilities established individually with instructor after first production meeting. A limited number of credits may be counted toward graduation but not toward fine arts exploration requirement. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Grading is Pass-Fail.
231. Theatre and Drama I: Ancient and Medieval World (Amsden)
Four credits. Offered in fall 2008 and alternate years. The course encompasses the dramatic literature, history and production practices in ancient Greece, Rome and India and in medieval Japan and Europe. The styles of theatre covered are: Athenian tragedy and comedy, Roman comedy, Indian Sanskrit theatre and traditional performance forms, Japanese Noh, Kabuki and Bunraku theatre and the religious drama of Medieval Europe. Understanding dramatic structure, metaphoric significance and thematic content in historical context is emphasized. Lectures, group discussion, playscript analysis, readings in theatre history, reader response assignments, research and creative projects/papers. Field trip fee: $25. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: THE 101 or consent of the instructor.
232. Theatre and Drama II: Renaissance through Romantic (K. Hill)
Four credits. Offered in spring 2008 and alternate years. The course encompasses the dramatic literature, history and production practices in Europe. The styles of theatre covered are: Italian Renaissance and commedia dell’arte, Elizabethan, Spanish Golden Age, French Neoclassic, Restoration, English 18th Century, melodrama and Romanticism. Understanding dramatic structure and thematic content in historical context is emphasized. Lectures and group discussions, playscript and theatre history readings, reader response assignments, research and creative projects/papers. Field trip fee: $25. Prerequisite: Theatre 101 or consent of the instructor.
248. Oral Interpretation (K. Hill)
Four credits. Offered in fall 2008. Vocal and physical techniques of expression are developed as the student gains performance skills, poise and confidence in public presentations. The steps in preparing a piece of literature for public presentation are studied: selection, analysis and rehearsal. The course emphasizes development of vocal techniques, analysis, the performance of dramatic literature, prose and poetry.
255. Stagecraft (Amsden)
Four credits. Offered in fall. Various aspects of technical theatre are covered: scenery construction, scene painting/texturing, property construction, lighting, sound, drafting and stage management. Individual projects and production preparation/participation form the core of the course. Materials fee: $25. Prerequisite: Theatre 101 or consent of the instructor.
260. Introduction to Lighting Production and Design (Amsden)
Four credits. Offered in spring 2008.The student develops a method of analyzing and responding to playscripts as a lighting designer. Basic skills in drafting, sketching and visual research are introduced. Projects move the student from initial intuitive responses to completed production plans for lighting. The technical aspects of safe stage lighting and safety with electricity are covered through practical projects in plot execution, trouble-shooting, minor maintenance and the operation of computer-controlled dimming equipment. Lectures and demonstrations, discussions, technical and design projects, and examinations. Prerequisite: Theatre 101 or consent of instructor.
264. Costume and Makeup Design (S. Hill)
Four credits. Offered in spring 2010. A study of and development of skills in the arts of costume and makeup design. The student will develop methods for creativity, the imaginative process and visual research. Character analysis, period application and special materials technique are included in makeup design. Lectures/demonstrations, discussions, design and application projects. Personal makeup kit fee: approximately $25.
300. Departmental Studies (Staff)
Two to four credits. Offered in spring 2010. Variable topics not covered by regular courses. Recent topics have included: Greek and Indian Theatre, and Modern and Post-modern Theatre. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change. Some topics may count toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement.
301. Classroom and Children’s Theatre (K. Hill)
Four credits. Offered in fall 2007 and alternate years. The course is an exploration of theatre for young audiences and examines techniques for using theatre in the classroom. Topics will include acting, directing, designing and playwriting for young audiences. Students will develop the resources needed to function as theatre teachers and develop an appreciation for the dramatic literature of children’s theatre. Lectures, group work, presentations, play analysis, adaptations, live theatre, design projects and lesson plans. Field trip fee: $25.
333. Theatre and Drama III: Modern and Contemporary (Amsden)
Four credits. Offered in spring 2009 and alternate years. The course encompasses the dramatic literature, history and production practices in European realism and non-realism. The characteristics of the style revolutions of realism, the avant-garde and postmodernism performance art all are examined. The historical period covered is from 1875 through today. Lectures, videotapes, group discussions, playscript and theatre history readings, reader response assignments, research projects and/or papers. Field trip fee: $25. Prerequisite: Theatre 231 or 232 or consent of the instructor.
352. Acting II: Topics in Acting (Staff)
Four credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. Special topics such as mask improvisation workshop (lab fee; $25), auditioning, period styles, or other special topics alternate. A practical upper-level acting course that develops various
acting skills. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Theatre 131 or 248, or consent of the instructor.
362. Scenic Design (Amsden)
Four credits. Offered in spring 2009. The student develops a method of analyzing and responding to playscripts. Projects move the student from initial and intuitive responses through playscript analysis and visual research to completed designs. Rudimentary skills in drafting, drawing, imagining, color rendering and scenic model making are introduced. Lectures, demonstrations, discussions, design and research projects. Prerequisite: Theatre 101 and 255, or consent of the instructor. Recommended prerequisites: Theatre 231, 232 or 333.
412. Senior Seminar in Directing Theories and Practices (Staff)
Four credits. Offered in spring. Theories and history of directing and practical experience through the presentation of a one-act play for the public. The means of instruction are: discussions, reports, lectures, assigned readings, in-class scene preparation. Prerequisites: Theatre 101, 131, junior or senior status and the approval of the theatre department’s faculty.
541, 542. Independent Study (Staff)
Two to four credits each semester. Creative research or production project in the student’s chosen area of concentration. Students
contemplating enrollment in independent study must submit to the department chair a written proposal covering the work to be done at least three weeks before the beginning of the semester in which the work is to be done. No more than eight credits of independent study in theatre may be taken. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, consent of the department chair and at least 12 credits toward the major.Theatre
551, 552. Independent Study: Internship (Staff)
Two to five credits each semester. Supervised field study, normally involving an internship in an outside theatre. The student will write a paper describing and critically analyzing the field experience. A limited number of positions are available and will be allocated competitively; senior theatre majors are given preference. Interested students should consult with the department chair well in advance of preregistration. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and at least 16 credits of theatre.
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