Theatre (Bachelor of Arts‡ and Minor)

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre :

‡ Please note: the information regarding the BA in Theatre has been added since the printing of the 2006-2008 catalog and is only available online.

The object of the theatre major is to help students develop, in an educational and professional manner, their knowledge of theatre, from ancient to modern conceptions of the art to the practical skills of producing and performing. The goal is to provide a strong knowledge and skill base, so that it would be possible for majors to pursue graduate or professional study in theatre arts or to fill entry level positions in the theatre industry. Depending on the mix of courses students choose, they may earn a strong generalist degree or build a focused program in performance, design and production, or scholarship. If theatre study is used as a second major in addition to another field, skills gained will also enhance careers such as arts organization management, education, and social work, while developing the student’s ability to create personal expression.

Theatre majors are expected to participate in all areas of main stage productions. Underclass students, particularly, will fulfill hours in all areas, while upperclass students may find themselves focusing in particular areas as they near their capstone experiences.

• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
• Minor in Theatre
• Theatre Course Descriptions
• Theatre Faculty Bios

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE

Core Requirements: 18 semester hours

THE1100 Theatre Studies (3)
THE1300 Acting I (3)
THE1500 Stagecraft I (3)
THE2100 Drama Literature (3)
THE4990 Senior Capstone Project (3)
At least one course in History of Theatre must be completed (3)

Selected Courses: 18 semester hours

Students wishing to focus in a particular area may wish to select courses based on the recommended lists.

THE2300 Acting II (3)
THE2500 Stagecraft II (3)
THE3100 Playwriting (3)
THE3250 Shakespeare in Performance (3)
THE3260 Studies in Performance Style (3)
THE3310 Directing (3)
THE3510 Design for the Stage (3)
THE3520 Stage Costuming (3)
THE3600 History of Theatre: Americas & Australia (3)
THE3610 History of Theatre: Africa, Middle East & East Asia (3)
THE3620 History of Theatre: Europe & Russia (3)
THE4100 Theatre Theory & Criticism (3)

Special topics courses may also be offered periodically and applied to credit hour requirements for Selected Courses.

Majors are expected to materially participate in at least one production every year, and at the least peripherally participate in the second production of each year. Majors and minors receiving theatre scholarships are expected to materially participate in all mainstage productions and put in time on other departmental presentations.

MINOR IN THEATRE - 18 semester hours

Core Requirements: 9 semester hours
THE1100 Theatre Studies (3)
THE1300 Acting I (3)
THE1500 Stagecraft I (3)

Selected Courses: 9 semester hours
Three electives within the department, at least one of which is a History of Theatre or Drama Literature. Electives are chosen from the Selected Courses listed under the Major, including special topic courses.

Minors must substantially work on at least three mainstage productions (and at least one of those must include backstage or responsible front-of-house work).

THEATRE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

THE 1200 Theatre Appreciation                  3 semester hours
Definition and examples of the elements or theatrical production provide half of this course’s foundation.  This includes the roles of producers, directors, designers, actors and others in the theatrical industry.  How the theatre works is linked to why the theatre works to round out the students’ foundation.  Theories exploring why theatre exists, how it could be practiced and its purpose to a society are surveyed.  As often as possible, the words and examples of actual practitioners and their cultural contexts are used as the basis of discussion.  All this combines to develop critical ability in the context of being an audience member.
No prerequisites; designed for non-major/minor students
Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” B requirement.

THE 1100 Theatre Studies                            3 semester hours
Designed for students who are either planning to major/minor in theatre or have prior knowledge of theatre through either participation in productions or vast attendance, this course reviews the elements of theatrical production, developing knowledge of professional models.  This includes the roles of producers, directors, designers, actors and others in the industry.  How the theatre works is linked to why the theatre works, by reading primary texts used as the foundation of theatre theory: why theatre exists, how it should be practiced and its purpose to and uses in a society.  Major world theorists, such as Aristotle, Zeami, Brecht and Boal are covered.  As often as possible, the words and examples of actual practitioners and their cultural contexts are used as the basis of discussion.
No prerequisites; designed for majors/minors and students with prior knowledge and experience of theatre through practice.
Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” B requirement.

THE 1300 Acting I                                           3 semester hours
Begins the process of developing the self as a honed communication tool, through stage acting technique.  Comfortable naturalism on stage is the aim, as students explore their personal awareness, as well as their awareness of others and their surroundings.  Basic tools of the body, imagination and rationale are developed.  Appreciation of not only acting technique, but also the work needed in production values to support the script and acting are part of study.  Students work with exercises, improvisation and contentless scenes, leading to a final scripted scene.
No prerequisites.

THE 1500  Stagecraft I                                   3 semester hours
An introduction to the terminology and techniques used in technical theatre. Course examines two-dimensional and three-dimensional scenery, the physical theater, stage and scene shop equipment, project organization and process, technical theater graphics, materials, and theatrical construction techniques.  Students in this course will be actively involved in Theatre Department productions.
No prerequisites.

THE 2100  Drama Literature                        3 semester hours
A study of the art of dramatic writing that examines representative world theatre texts, along with their cultural and historic contexts.  Organized around genre forms (e.g., verse, five-act, three-act, one-person, non-realism), students analyze the form and its context, do playwriting exercises in the form, and study the masters of the form and their themes/motivations.  Part performance analysis skill, part creative writing, part scholarly examination, this course is a unique context for studying and experiencing the vibrancy of theatrical forms, their cultural genesis or relevance, and for broadening skills in creative writing and understanding ancient and modern dramatic texts.
Prerequisites: ENG1020, THE1200 Theatre Appreciation, or THE1100 Theatre Studies.
Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” B requirement.

THE 2300  Acting III                                         3 semester hours
Builds upon the skills developed in Acting I to attain more depth in performance of realistic drama, including skills required to perform and audition with monologs.  Acting skills are expanded to approach nonrealism scripts.  Scene structure, acting vocabulary (including classic and modern methods) and developing character (mentally, physically, verbally) are central.  Assignments are in duo and group scenes, monologs and exercises.  Other skills, such as cold readings, improvisation as an acting tool, and specific acting methods may be incorporated.
Prerequisite: THE 1300 Acting I

THE 2500  Stagecraft II                                  3 semester hours
In this class students will explore advanced construction techniques and practices such as welding, ornamental carpentry, and furniture construction.  Special emphasis will be placed on creative approaches and problem solving. Students will demonstrate their knowledge through individual and group projects. Students in this course will be actively involved in Theatre Department productions. 
Prerequisites: THE1500 Stagecraft 1.

THE 3250  Shakespeare in Performance  3 semester hours
“In Performance” courses function on the assumption that a style or playwright’s work cannot be fully understood by literary study alone, but must be experienced in performance. Linking plays to their historical time, and using interdisciplinary studies, students approach acting Shakespeare’s work by examining Elizabethan society, literary influences, theatre technology, as well as performance history and notable theories on Shakespeare.  Techniques and exercises of Cicely Berry and other notable practitioners provide the basis.
Prerequisite: THE 2300 Acting II

THE 3260  Studies in Performance Style  3 semester hours
“In Performance” courses function on the assumption that a style or playwright’s work cannot be fully understood by literary study alone, but must be experienced in performance.  Linking plays to their historical time, and using interdisciplinary studies, students approach acting work of a specific time period, genre or playwright by examining it in context of society, literary influences, theatre technology, as well as performance history and notable theories on performance. Techniques and exercises from notable practitioners provide the basis.  Studies In Performance Styles may include in-depth analysis in areas such as Comedy; Non-Realism (Becket, Pinter, Shepard, Absurdists, etc.); Restoration; the great realists (Chekhov, Ibsen, Miller) or others.  When possible, these studies will complement mainstage production material.
Prerequisite: THE 2300 Acting II

THE 3310  Directing                                        3 semester hours
Builds technique, both mental and experiential, to develop stage productions.  This includes interpreting text, analyzing premise, developing visual concepts, translating words and concepts into actions, and communicating in the different jargons of actors and designers.  Students explore techniques to develop original work as well as approach established scripts.  Techniques of collaboration are practiced by producing scenes/short works.
Prerequisite: THE 1300 Acting I and THE 1100 Theatre Studies or THE 1200 Theatre Appreciation. Completion of THE 2100 Drama Literature is strongly recommended.

THE 3510  Design for the Stage                   3 semester hours
Using a variety of media, students explore design skills, creative process and essentials of costume, lighting, and scenic design. Students will explore the process of translating a script into a visual design. Topics will include designer responsibilities, research techniques, communication tools, creative problem solving, director/designer relationship, etc.
No prerequisites.

THE 3520 Costuming                                      3 semester hours
This course will examine costume design, basic sewing, pattern creation/modification, and other processes use to create costumes for the stage. Students in this course will be actively involved in Theatre Department productions.
No prerequisites.

THE 3600  History of Theatre: Americas & Australia 3 semester hours
Aboriginal and indigenous theatre forms and/or rituals are explored.  Theatre resulting from the cultural mix due to colonization, slavery and struggles for independence are examined, with emphasis on unique forms and venues, e.g., showboats, American musical theatre, religious re-enactments, carnivale.  Spread of theatre across expanses of land and unique political and/or social applications are explored.  Major practitioners and theorists of record are included.
Writing Intensive

THE 3610  History of Theatre: Africa, Middle East & Asia 3 semester hours
Theatre genesis and development, of which many ancient forms have been retained despite colonial influences, are explored.  This study provides the basis for looking at modern applications, which influence “Western” theatre in novel ways.  Highly stylized forms, such as natya, Noh, Kabuki, folk dance theatre and puppet theatre, are explored, as are major practitioners of record.  Effects on theatrical expressions of nomadic and/or feudal systems and severe political unrest and economic disparity, within highly regulated social systems are examined.
Writing Intensive

THE 3620  History of Theatre: Europe & Russia 3 semester hours
The foundations and evolving forms of theatre, and the highly consistent spread of ideas and forms throughout Europe and Russia (and historical territories), both popular and formal, are explored.  Interdependencies within theatre exist, despite severe social, philosophical and governmental splits within the geographic area that includes the former Soviet Union.  The unity and dominance of European/Russian theatrical ideas throughout the world will be explored to help understand why this is so, even in areas that have rich indigenous traditions and forms.  Major practitioners in major styles (classic, medieval, renaissance, enlightenment, romanticism, modernism) are explored.
Writing Intensive

THE 4100  Theatre Theory & Criticism 3 semester hours
Using primary texts of the great philosophers and theorists, ideas of the purpose of theatre are explored.  Forms of theatre, from their genesis to influence, and their transformations across generations and societies provide a unique perspective on humanity.  The importance of theatre as cultural expression and predictor of future trend is debated using primary research in criticism, both contemporary and retrospective.  The communal nature that differentiates theatrical art from other art forms is central.  Students will be researching and writing in depth analysis of established theory and criticism, culminating in development of their own theories.  Viewing of performances is incorporated to develop students’ ability to critique.
Prerequisite: at least one History of Theatre course and THE 2100 Drama Literature.
Writing Intensive

THE 4990  Senior Capstone Project 3 semester hours
This will serve as the culminating performance, project, or written work for the theatre major. With approval and guidance from the faculty, student will develop and execute a substantial individual project that will reflect the academic and practical knowledge gained through the theatre program.  This project may be realized as a theatrical performance, a design or technical project, a directorial work, a written thesis or a critical/historical document.  Faculty will assist in developing specific goals and requirements for completion of the capstone project.
Prerequisites: Completion of all other theatre requirements and consent of theatre faculty.

Please note: The information listed on this page is current according to the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog, unless otherwise noted.

‡ This information has been added since the printing of the 06-08 Undergraduate Catalog.