Course Descriptions

 
THTR 101A Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre.


THTR 101B Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre.


THTR 101C Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre.


THTR 101D Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre.


THTR 102 Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre.


THTR 120 Theatre Appreciation [  6I  6 ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Critical analysis of great plays and live theatre performances focusing on the basics of dramatic theory, an appreciation of theatrical styles, and a deeper understanding of dramatic themes.


THTR 130 Acting for Everyone [  6  6M ] (3)
Fall: All Years       
Acting for Everyone is a participation course that introduces the student to the fundamental craft of the stage actor. Students will engage in theatre games, solo, duo, and group acting scenes, and will learn basic theatrical vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on creating truthful, vivid interaction on stage, through developing the skills of listening, responding, concentration and engaging the imagination.


THTR 140 Dance for the Stage I (2)
Fall: All Years       
A beginning course in dance technique for dance styles in musical theatre, including dance forms of jazz and ballet.


THTR 141 Ballet I (2)
Fall: Even Years       
This course will serve as an introduction to ballet dance technique.


THTR 142 Tap I (2)
Spring: Odd Years       
This course will serve as an introduction to tap dance technique.


THTR 160 Technical Theatre Production (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Training in the technical phases of theatre production: Experience in set construction, painting, properties, backstage organization, light, sound, and costumes. Participation in theatrical production. This course must be repeated for the minor in Theatre Arts.


THTR 190 Topics in Theatre (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is a lower division topics course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


THTR 202 Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre.


THTR 221 Drama I (3)
Fall: All Years       
An examination of great plays, dramatic structure and styles, plays in performance, selected theatre history, and playwriting. For theatre majors and minors and by permission of the instructor.


THTR 230 Principles of Acting (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Basic terminology and techniques used by the actor in creating a role for the stage.


THTR 231 Auditioning (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Students will prepare for all types of theatrical auditions. The class will cover topics such as: resume preparation, cold reading, headshots, piece selection and the business of theatre.
Prerequisite:  THTR 230 

THTR 232 Principles of Make-up for Stage and Film (2)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Techniques and styles of make-up used in stage and film productions. Same as FILM 232.


THTR 233 Theatre Costuming (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
This course explores the practical aspects of costume construction and design.


THTR 235 Principles of Stage Directing (3)
Spring: All Years       
The foundation course in stage direction, a core requirement for all majors. The theory and practice of directing: casting, blocking, composition, picturization, movement, rehearsal and performance.
Prerequisite:  THTR 230 

THTR 236 Theatre Arts Management (2)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
The study of sound fiscal operation, production cost preparation, public relations and promotion, and laws affecting theatre operations. Offered on demand.


THTR 240 Dance for the Stage II (2)
Spring: All Years       
A continuation of skills amassed in "Dance for the Stage I." A special unit of tap is included.
Prerequisite:  THTR 140 

THTR 255 Technical Theatre Methods (3)
Fall: All Years       
The theory and practice of working with stage equipment; the methods and procedures of scenery construction, stage rigging, and scene shifting.


THTR 290 Topics in Theatre (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is a lower division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


THTR 302 Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre.


THTR 321 Theatre in America (3)
Spring: Odd Years       
Critical analysis of American plays in performance focusing on American dramatic themes, theatre history, and production styles.


THTR 322 Drama II [  W ] (3)
Fall: Even Years       
Theatre and drama from Classical Greece through the European Renaissance. Topics include a selection of great plays, significant playwrights, theatre buildings, staging and technical innovations, and Aristotelian criticism. Same as ENGL 343


THTR 323 Drama III [  W ] (3)
Spring: Odd Years       
Theatre and drama from the 17th century through the modern era. Topics include a selection of great plays, significant playwrights, theatre buildings, staging and technical innovations, and artistic and cultural movements. Same as ENGL 344
Prerequisite:  THTR 322 

THTR 324 Musical Theatre History (3)
Fall: On Demand       
Musical Theatre productions past and present are examined and critically evaluated. An analysis of the various forms of musicals with an emphasis on the libretto, lyrics, and production elements.


THTR 331 Scene Study (3)
Spring: All Years       
As a follow-up to Principles of Acting, students in Scene Study will rehearse and perform scenes from the dramatic canon of great plays. The scene work will be performed as an actors' lab with regular feedback from the instructor and fellow classmates.
Prerequisite:  THTR 230 

THTR 333 Movement for the Actor (3)
Fall: Odd Years       
A physical approach to acting will be explored through Alexander, Laban, stage combat, and other movement methodologies.
Prerequisite:  THTR 230 

THTR 334 Voice for the Actor (3)
Fall: Even Years       
Voice for the actor focuses on vocal techniques. The course explores voice production: breathing, projection, articulation, diction, IPA, and dialects.
Prerequisite:  THTR 230 

THTR 335 Advanced Stage Directing (3)
Fall: All Years       
Advanced study of techniques of direction through the use of movement, picturization, tempo and script analysis.
Prerequisite:  THTR 235 

THTR 340 Principles of Choreography (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Adaptation of choreographic assignments, in-class critiques, and analyses permit students to evolve a personal, original style and process associated with the role of choreographer.


THTR 355 Scene Design I (3)
Spring: All Years       
The fundamentals of designing scenery for the stage: process of design, elements of design, and execution procedure.
Prerequisite:  THTR 255 

THTR 356 Advanced Technical Theatre Methods/Lighting (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Acquiring artistic and technical skills needed for designing scenery and lighting for the theatre; practical experience in design presentation. Offered on demand.
Prerequisite:  THTR 255  THTR 355 

THTR 360 Dramatic Production I (1-4)
Summer: All Years
Play production techniques (acting and directing, technical theatre) through the process of staging weekly productions for summer theatre audiences. May be repeated by undergraduates. Offered summer only.


THTR 390 Topics in Theatre (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is an upper division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


THTR 402 Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Theatre. This course may be repeated for a max of 12 credits, only 3 credits may be applied to the major.
Prerequisite:  THTR 102  THTR 202  THTR 302 

THTR 420 The Theatrical World [  8 ] (3)
Fall: All Years       
This course will explore the theatre from Europe and Asia, with special emphasis on the theatre of Classical Greece, India, China, Japan, and American Musical Theatre. Students will read plays, materials about theatre, see videos of theatre productions, and make group presentations.


THTR 425 Contemporary Playwrights (3)
Spring: Even Years       
Significant playwrights and their works from the last 25 years. May be elected twice when the reading lists are substantially different.


THTR 430 Acting Styles (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: All Years       
Principles and problems in the acting of major historical and theatrical styles (for example, Classical, Renaissance, and Modern). May be repeated for credit when the style focus is substantially different.
Prerequisite:  OR THTR 230 

THTR 434 Special Projects in Theatre Arts (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Opportunity for the advanced student to do individual creative or investigative work in a particular phase of theatre. May be taken more than once if content is substantially different. Offered on demand.


THTR 435 Directing Theory (3)
Spring: All Years       
For advanced directing students. The course is a seminar style examination of the theatre directing approaches of great directors and directing problems. Students will be expected to articulate their own informed approach to directing.
Prerequisite:  THTR 335 

THTR 440 Dance Production (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
The course explores theory and practice in the productions aspects of dance. Students in the class will be required to rehearse and perform dances choreographed by faculty or visiting guest artists, and perform in the annual spring dance concert. This course must be repeated for a total of 4 credits for the Minor in Theatre Dance.


THTR 450 Scene Design II (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Explore different types of stage settings: different styles, designing for different types of theatre spaces, and different approaches to the genres of dramatic literature. Offered on demand.
Prerequisite:  THTR 355  THTR 356 

THTR 460 Dramatic Production II (1-4)
Summer: All Years
Play production techniques (acting and directing, technical theatre) through the process of staging weekly productions for summer theatre audience. May be repeated by undergraduates. Offered summer only.
Prerequisite:  THTR 360 

THTR 469 Internship (1-12)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
A supervised practical experience in theatre. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied to the degree.


THTR 490 Topics in Theatre (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is an upper division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


THTR 496 Senior Seminar (3)
Spring: All Years       
Capstone course for Theatre Arts majors; proposal, completion, and presentation of projects; pre-professional skills; written exam integrating and applying knowledge from separate courses. Grade of "C-" or higher is required for graduation.


THTR 525 Contemporary Playwrights (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Significant playwrights and their works from the last 25 years. May be elected twice when the reading lists are substantially different. Offered on demand.


THTR 530 Advanced Acting (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       


THTR 534 Special Projects: Theatre (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Opportunity for the advanced student to do individual creative or investigative work in a particular phase of theatre. Graduate level reading and writing component. May be taken more than once if content is substantially different. Offered on demand.


THTR 560 Dramatic Production II (1-4)
Summer: On Demand
Play production techniques (acting and directing, technical theatre) through the process of staging weekly productions for summer theatre audience. May be repeated by undergraduate. Offered summer only.
Prerequisite:  THTR 360 

THTR 590 Topics in Theatre (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is a graduate level topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.