Theatre

BEGINNING DANCE I:CM ~ This course is designed to develop efficiency of movement, combined with an understanding of basic movement principles and an appreciation for dance in general. Students will participate in exercises designed to increase range of motion, strength, endurance, agility, coordination, and stability, with special emphasis being placed on alignment and relaxation. Students will also be briefly introduced to fundamentals of anatomy and to a general history of dance as an art form. No previous dance experience necessary.

Core: Creative Methods

BEGINNING JAZZ DANCE:CM ~ This course is designed to introduce students to the various elements of Jazz Dance: the history, terminology, technique, core dance/movement/performance concepts, and notable dance artists and styles. Students will experience these elements through dancing, observation, research, discussion, and choreography. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the various elements and begin to develop their own artistry in the realm of Jazz Dance. Jazz shoes or dance sneakers will be required. No previous dance experience needed.

Core: Creative Methods

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF ACTING:CM ~ This course familiarizes students with the basic principles of stage movement, vocal production, character analysis, concentration, improvisation, and emotion. Students will participate in classroom exercises designed to eliminate inhibition and nervousness. Finally, they will perform two short scenes that are chosen from a list of selected plays. The course requires no previous acting experience. Core: Creative Methods

Core: Creative Methods

ACTING LAB~ By permission only. Taken with THEA (120 or 12000).

Corequisite: THEA 12000

INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE:IM ~ The student's critical awareness of theatre will be cultivated in this course by examining the interlocking roles of the actor, director, designer, and playwright within a theatre production. Students will develop an understanding and enjoyment of the collaborative arts of the theatre through the analysis of plays and essays from major theatrical periods. The student will become involved in some aspect of a live production.

Core: Interpretive Methods

THE ART OF THE THEATRE:CM~ This course is designed to give students an introduction to the various disciplines that make up the collaborative art form of the theatre. The work of playwrights, directors, and actors will be explored through reading, discussion, and performance activities. The work of scenic, lighting, costume, and make-up designers will be studied and explored through hands-on activities, which may include some drawing and painting. Students will also explore the literature, history, and development of the theatre. This course strives to create in the student a better understanding of all aspects of the theatre so as to instill a greater appreciation of this unique and lively art form.

Core: Creative Methods

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION:CM ~ This course is designed to train students in behind-the-scenes procedures and activities. The primary focus will be on set construction, props, painting techniques, lighting, and sound. Elementary technical theatre practices will be examined. The student will become acquainted with the use of special theatrical equipment as well as scene shop equipment. Planned exercises will be used to assist the student in acquiring a familiarity with various aspects of technical theatre. Working on the department's current production(s) will be a required part of the course.

Corequisite: THEA 17900

Core: Creative Methods

REHEARSAL ASSISTANT ~ This one-hour practicum is designed for the interested student, providing the opportunity to assist.

RUNNING CREW/PROPERTIES ~ This one-hour practicum is designed for the interested student, providing the opportunity to assist.

SOUND/LIGHTS ~ This one-hour practicum is designed for the interested student, providing the opportunity to assist.

SET CONSTRUCTION/PAINTING ~ This one-hour practicum is designed for the interested student, providing the opportunity to assist.

COSTUMING/MAKE-UP ~ This one-hour practicum is designed for the interested student, providing the opportunity to assist.

FRONT OF HOUSE OPERATIONS ~ This one-hour practicum is designed for the interested student, providing the opportunity to assist.

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION LAB~

Corequisite: THEA 17000

QUILTING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE:CM, UD ~ Throughout history, American women who had no other voice in society used the art of quilting to make their opinions known about suffrage, abolition, temperance, women’s rights, the state of the union and more. Into the 20th century the quilt continued to shout out for various causes such as AIDS awareness, the women’s liberation movement and the civil rights movement. In this class students are invited to create a quilt to express their views on any of the issues we face in the world today: The Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQ rights, addiction, domestic terrorism, women’s abuse, world hunger, environmental issues and many more. Students will identify an issue they feel passionate about, research that issue, create a speech to move listeners to change, and create a quilt. The quilts will be displayed somewhere on campus for our community to see. If students wish, the quilts may be auctioned off, and money donated to one or more of the students’ causes.

Core: Creative Methods; Understanding Diversity Home

SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE:CM ~ Performance is the way in which dramatic texts come to life, and performing a play is an indispensable means to knowledge about it. In this course, students will investigate how the plays were performed in Shakespeare's own time, and also how they have been transformed by directors in contemporary times. Students will explore the work of the actor and director through readings and by preparing and performing scenes and monologues. Students will also read criticism and analyses of the chosen play and write analyses of scenes in preparation for staging work in class. Also listed as ENGL 20900.

Core: Creative Methods

ACTING I ~ Students will be involved as a performer in the current production. Credit for this experiential learning is gained by completing the following tasks: 1) Audition for the current theatre production and be cast in a role 2) attend all required rehearsals 3) perform in the play and assist with the striking of the set. The course may be repeated three times for credit.

ORAL INTERPRETATION OF LITERATURE:CM ~ Critical approaches to literature to discover meaning and to appreciate the emotional effect of the work is the focal point of this course. Students will use various forms of literature for interpretation and study. Emphasis is placed on principles of reading a work aloud to communicate its intellectual and emotional meaning. Presentations will be required and integral aspect of the course. Also listed as COMM 22400.

Core: Creative Methods

CREATIVE DRAMATICS:CM ~ This course will explore how dramatic play and improvisation can be used to stimulate learning in the grade-school classroom. Students will develop storytelling skills using numerous techniques, activities, and exercises. Students will develop a story through improvisation and realize their story into a theater production. The class will culminate in a performance.

Core: Creative Methods

INTRODUCTION TO PUPPETRY:CM ~ This course will introduce the student to the various types of puppets and puppetry traditions from around the world. Students will learn the fundamentals of puppet design and construction by actually building some puppets and working with them on puppet performance, manipulation, characterization, and expression. In this course we will investigate how the art of puppetry is a reflection of the beliefs and values of the cultures that produce them. We will explore the ways in which puppets can express our common threads and universal emotions and behaviors. Students will explore and rediscover their creative sides and sense of play.

Core: Creative Methods

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SCENE DESIGN:CM~ This course will explore the process of creating scenic elements from the script to the stage. It is geared for students who are interested in theatre. The course will explore and develop the role and impact of the scene designer; basic drafting; use of color media; model building; and rendering. Students will become aware of the details the scene designer must integrate to achieve the historical, cultural, and psychological distinctions of stage settings and properties. This course fulfills the Creative Methods requirement. Also listed as THEA 25910 as a revised offering for 4 credit hours. Prerequisite: THEA 170 or 17000 or permission.

Core: Creative Methods

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SCENE DESIGN:CM ~ This course will explore the process of creating scenic elements from the script to the stage. It is geared for students who are interested in theatre. The course will explore and develop the role and impact of the scene designer; basic drafting; use of color media; model building; and rendering. Students will become aware of the details the scene designer must integrate to achieve the historical, cultural, and psychological distinctions of stage settings and properties.

Core: Creative Methods

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF STAGE LIGHTING:CM ~ The principles of electricity and optics which are applied to theatrical lighting equipment will be covered in this course. Other topics include the history and developments within the total lighting control systems and the use of color in lighting for the stage. Finally, the course will develop the student's awareness and ability to design lighting for dramatic productions.

Core: Creative Methods

SHAKESPEARE AND FILM:IM ~ Are Shakespeare films mere shadows of Shakespeare's plays, or are they complete and consistent representations of the Bard's works? With a particular emphasis on Hollywood’s relationship with Shakespeare, we will seek possible answers to that questions by examining the plays and various and adaptations. Also listed as ENGL 26200.

Core: Interpretive Methods

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER ~ Geared mainly for the performing arts major, the 2-hour practicum is designed for the serious student, providing the opportunity to oversee one of the areas listed. Each student will design the practicum to fit his/her particular needs with the supervision of the designer and/or director of the semester production. Can only be taken once.

RUNNING CREW/PROPERTIES ~ Geared mainly for the performing arts major, the 2-hour practicum is designed for the serious student, providing the opportunity to oversee one of the areas listed. Each student will design the practicum to fit his/her particular needs with the supervision of the designer and/or director of the semester production. Can only be taken once.

SOUND/LIGHTS ~ Geared mainly for the performing arts major, the 2-hour practicum is designed for the serious student, providing the opportunity to oversee one of the areas listed. Each student will design the practicum to fit his/her particular needs with the supervision of the designer and/or director of the semester production. Can only be taken once.

SET CONSTRUCTION/PAINTING ~ Geared mainly for the performing arts major, the 2-hour practicum is designed for the serious student, providing the opportunity to oversee one of the areas listed. Each student will design the practicum to fit his/her particular needs with the supervision of the designer and / or director of the semester production. Can only be taken once.

INTRODUCTION TO COSTUME/MAKEUP:CM ~ This class introduces the roles of the costume and make-up designers play in creating a theatrical production. Students will learn how to analyze a play with an eye to discovering how design helps to illuminate the author’s and the director’s concept. Students will learn about the history of costume, from the Egyptians through the twentieth century in a brief overview to understand the basic silhouettes of each historical period. Students will explore different media: crème make-up, colored pencil, water color and markers, and practice how to use them to create the illusion of highlight and shadow.

Core: Creative Methods

FRONT OF HOUSE OPERATIONS ~ Geared mainly for the performing arts major, the 2-hour practicum is designed for the serious student, providing the opportunity to oversee one of the areas listed. Each student will design the practicum to fit his/her particular needs with the supervision of the designer and/or director of the semester production. Can only be taken once.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PLAY DIRECTING ~ In this class, students will explore basic directing techniques, blocking, script analysis, production styles, and script selection. The course deals with both the theoretical and practical problems facing the beginning director. Students will read a textbook, create sample promptbooks, direct scenes with actors, critique each other's work, and attend other theatre productions. Regular attendance is required. Prerequisite: THEA 12000 or PERF 12010 or permission.

Prerequisite: THEA 12000 or PERF 12010

PROJECTS IN DIRECTING~ This course is designed to give students the opportunity to direct one-act plays and realize as fully as possible the techniques developed in Fundamentals of Play Directing. Students work closely with the instructor as they move through the production, and prompt books are submitted with a written analysis of the work. Such things as the stage history of the play, the problems in the production, and other questions pertinent to the performance are discussed. Prerequisite: THEA (120 or 12000) or permission.

PROJECTS IN DESIGN ~ This course is concerned primarily with scene design project work. Building on techniques learned in THEA 36000, students design sets, work with budgets, manage shop time, and focus on other areas related to design. Prerequisite: THEA 36000 or permission.

STAGE MANAGEMENT~

SPECIAL TOPIC IN ACTING~

TPC:DANCE~

TPC: TECH THEATRE~

TPC: DESIGN~

TPC: DIRECTING~

SENIOR SEMINAR~

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH~

INTERNSHIP~