THE 101 Theatre Appreciation
This course is designed as an introduction to theatre as a performing art form. It includes study and analysis of historical, social and technical aspects of traditional and contemporary theatrical/dramatic expression. Emphasis is on key concepts that lead to an analyses of historical, social, aesthetic and technical aspects of traditional and contemporary theatrical/dramatic expression and the operations of theatre organizations It includes analysis of dramatic artifacts. R, W2 (3 lecture hours)
THE 105 Acting I
This course teaches the fundamentals of acting that include, concentration, observation, playing actions, given circumstances, objectives and physical manifestations of character. These are introduced through acting exercises, improvisation, and scene study, rehearsal and performance. Major acting approaches are used as the basis for analyzing and creating characters. Emphasis will be on demonstrating the actor's process evident through rehearsal and script work. R, W2 (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 108 Improvisation for the Theatre
This course is designed to teach students collaborative methods. Students construct scenes and create characters by synthesizing information created during exercises, games and improvisations. Students learn to incorporate given circumstances, character, objectives and relationships into on-going improvisations that ultimately constitute performance structures. Further, students acquire the language and concepts necessary to provide analysis and evaluation of scenes. R, W2 (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 110 Theatre Practicum: Acting
This course is designed to provide practical experience in acting using performance activities within the context of a production. Emphasis is placed on the development of a role within a genre-specific and style specific context. Students are required to participate in production activities and meet scheduled rehearsals and performances. This course may be repeated for a maximum of four times. R (4 lecture and 6 laboratory hours)
THE 111 Practicum: Stage Management
This course teaches the processes relevant to the duties of a working stage manager in a theatre. Skills such as effectively maintaining rehearsal records, running rehearsals, communicating with theatre personnel in the rehearsal process and running of a show are taught. Emphasis is on practical application of skills, demonstration of processes and overall organizational effectiveness. R W1 (4 Lecture and 6 laboratory hours)
THE 112 Theatre Practicum: Technical
This course teaches practical application of backstage support of theatrical productions. Techniques of technical operation and maintenance of production materials in support of the artistic vision are learned. Organization and skillful execution of tasks in a changing environment is emphasized. Credit varies dependent on role and commitment. R (4 lecture hours and 6 laboratory hours)
THE 113 Theatre Practicum: Directing
This course is a practical execution of directing a scripted dramatic text. Skills developed include: conducting rehearsals and monitoring the evolution of the process into performance. Emphasis is placed framing a concept and the methodology of rehearsing with actors. R, W1 (4 lecture and 6 laboratory hours)
THE 114 Theatre Practicum: Improv Ensemble
This course is designed to teach students how to encourage the development of an improvisation ensemble through collaborative methods. Students construct live performances based upon thematic suggestions from the audience. Further, students adapt and develop techniques that are audience-aware, incorporating contemporary, cultural references. Students manage the project in a hands-on method that mirrors the actual running of a performance ensemble including: conducting auditions, rehearsals, defining aesthetic considerations, scheduling and promoting performances. R (4 lecture hours and 6 laboratory hours)
THE 120 Movement and Voice for the Theatre
This movement course teaches the fundamentals of alignment, flexibility, and centering as well as action as it relates to the creation of genre-specific or character-specific movement for the theatre. Vocal work teaches the foundation of breathing, articulation and resonance and vocal centering. Physical work also expands the movement-based repertoire and enhance the actor's versatility. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 121 Stage Combat: Rapier and Dagger
This course teaches students to combine rapier and dagger attacks, defenses, avoidances and footwork into choreographed fights. Students learn to reveal character and the nature of the weapon form within the context of genre-specific fighting style. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 122 Stage Combat: Broadsword
This course teaches students to execute broadsword, defenses, avoidances and footwork into choreographed fights using a hand and a half broadsword. Students learn to reveal character and the nature of the weapon form within the context of genre-specific fighting style. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 124 Stage Combat: Broadsword and Shield
This course teaches students to combine broadsword and shield, defenses, avoidances and footwork into choreographed fights. Students learn to reveal character and the nature of the weapon form within the context of the genre-specific fighting style in broadsword and shield. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 125 Stage Combat: Knife
This course teaches students to combine knife and unarmed, defenses, avoidances and footwork into choreographed fights. Students learn to reveal character and the nature of the weapon form within the context of the fighting style of knife. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 126 Stage Combat: Single Sword
This course teaches students to apply attacks, defenses, avoidances and footwork into choreographed fights. Students learn to reveal character and the nature of the weapon form within the context of the genre-specific fighting style characterized by Hollywood single sword. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 127 Stage Combat: Quarterstaff
This course teaches students to employ quarterstaff attacks, defenses, avoidances and footwork in both long and short forms into choreographed fights. Students learn to reveal character and the nature of the weapon form within the context of the genre-specific fighting style of quarterstaff. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 128 Stage Combat: Unarmed
This course teaches students to execute safe and realistic punches, holds, falls, kicks, defenses, avoidances and footwork into choreographed unarmed fights. Students learn to reveal character within the context of unarmed stage combat. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 129 Stage Combat: Sword and Buckler
This course teaches students to combine sword and buckler, defenses, avoidances and footwork into choreographed fights. Students learn to reveal character and the nature of the weapon form within the context of the genre-specific fighting style in sword and buckler. Emphasis is on safety skills enabling the combatants to work effectively with other combatants. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 130 Theatre Dance
This course is an introduction to theatre dance. Students learn the elements of the principle styles of dance used in theatrical productions. These include modern, jazz, tap, and period styles. Emphasis is placed on balance, flexibility and centering. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 140 Stage Management
This course teaches the relevant terminology and processes in theatre productions necessary to a working stage manager in a theatre. Skills such as effectively recording, running rehearsals, communicating with theatre personnel and in the creation and running of a show will be taught. Emphasis is on practical application of skills and overall organizational effectiveness. R, W2 (2 Lecture and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 151 Theatrical Makeup
This course provides students with practical techniques to create and construct character-specific and genre-specific makeup designs for the theatre. Emphasis is on selective use and application of materials related to design. Design elements focus on stage makeup for use in live theatre. (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
THE 155 Costume I
This course is a study into the history, practice, techniques and materials related to creating costumes for theatrical productions. Periods and styles of history are studied and skills needed for rendering, drawing, and patterning costumes are learned. Organization and skillful execution of tasks in a changing environment is emphasized. (6 laboratory hours)
THE 160 Sound I
This course teaches the fundamentals necessary to understand and operate sound equipment within a theatrical context. Elements of physical design, sound reinforcement and amplification as well as creation of a soundscape, musical pallet, cues and design concepts are introduced. Development of skills in planning, choosing, editing, and responding to various sources of creative input, as well as working in an organized and skillful manner in a dynamic environment are emphasized. (6 laboratory hours)
THE 203 Directing I
This course provides an introductory exploration of scripted dramatic text and its directorial evolution into performance. Emphasis is placed on terminology and methodology of rehearsing with actors with complex/non-naturalistic text. Work is framed in a production concept and is manifest in the process of rehearsal and performance. R, W1 (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
Prerequisite: THE 105 with a minimum grade of C or THE 108 or permission of the instructor.
THE 204 Acting II
This course is designed to explore the advanced study of acting. Study includes vocal and movement skills, playing action, objectives, obstacles, given circumstances in the context of non-naturalistic texts. Emphasis is on integration with rehearsal and taking direction. R, W2 (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours)
Prerequisite: THE 105 with a minimum grade of C or THE 108 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent skill.
THE 206 History of Theatre I
This first course in the theatre history sequence teaches the historical development of theatre and drama from its earliest ritual beginnings to the end of the eighteenth century. Material studied includes representative periods and styles, genres, key playwrights, plays as well as aspects of technical production. Emphasis is on placing significant artifacts within their developmental, cultural and historical context. R, W2 (3 lecture hours)
Note: This is the first course in the sequence of theatre history. Students are encouraged to take them in order.
THE 207 History of Theatre II
The second course in the theatre history series, this course teaches the historical development of theatre and drama from the nineteenth century to contemporary drama. Material studied includes representative periods and styles, genres, key playwrights and plays aspects of technical production. Emphasis is on placing significant artifacts within their developmental, cultural and historical context. R, W (3 lecture hours)
THE 210 Play Analysis for Production
This course is an introductory exploration of the relationships between dramatic text and the play in performance. Representative plays are studies in their genre, historical and social contexts. Emphasis is placed on relationship between thematic constructs and conceptual manifestations. R (2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory)
THE 256 Costume II
This course teaches practical application of costume construction and maintenance for the theatre within genre/historical contexts. Techniques in patterning, draping, pinning, cutting, stitching, finishing, embellishing, and maintaining costume pieces are learned. Organization and skillful execution of tasks in a changing environment is emphasized. (6 laboratory hours)
Prerequisite: THE 155 and THE 101 or THE 206 and 207 or permission of instructor
THE 257 Costume III
This course teaches practical application of advanced costume construction techniques as well as advanced topics in makeup, millinery, mask-making, and other related topics. Techniques in makeup design and application, special constructions of prosthetics; millinery and mask-making, and other crafting skills are learned. Organization and skillful execution of tasks in a changing environment is emphasized. (6 laboratory hours)
Prerequisite: THE 256, THE 155 and THE 101 or THE 206 and 207 or permission of instructor
THE 260 Sound Design II
This course blends an approach to the history/genre, practice, techniques and resources related to developing sound and music palettes and full designs for theatrical productions. Focus shifts to the technical, physical and esoteric aspects of successful execution of design and its effect on the audience and actors. Organization and skillful execution of tasks in a changing environment is emphasized. (6 laboratory hours)
Prerequisite: MUS 104, THE 101, or THE 206 and 207 or permission of the instructor.
THE 299 SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
This course is an in-depth study of different areas of theatre presented using a variety of methods with an emphasis upon methods that use student-centered learning including discussion, projects, problem solving, and performance. Credit is variable (1 to 4 credits) depending on the topic and requirements. This course may be lecture, lab or a combination. (4 lecture hours and 6 laboratory hours)