Theatre (B.A.)

This course is an experiential learning capstone option for students across a range of majors in the Arts and Humanities. Students will participate in an internship or substantial community service activity for a minimum of 135 hours. Students will also do a public presentation about their internship experience. Course may be repeated for credit to meet capstone requirements for multiple majors.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor.

Introduces Shakespearean and related texts that explore the nature and definitions of justice. Prerequisite: ENG-2000 or Junior Standing.

A study of Shakespearean and related texts that demonstrate a range of views about the operations of power in society.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 2000 Introduction to Textual Studies or junior standing.

A study of Shakespeare and related texts that address issues of gender, sex, sexuality and sexuality identity.

Pre or corequisite(s): ENG 2000 Introduction to Textual Studies or junior standing.

A study of Shakespearean and related texts that deal with diverse conceptions of identity: how it is formed, whether it is continuous, how it is influenced by others and by one's environment.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 2000 Introduction to Textual Studies or junior standing.

This is a fundamental course in the systematic analysis of dramatic texts.  It is designed to equip theatre arts majors and minors with the textual expertise and vocabulary needed for academic discussion and artistic collaboration. Students will read and research a series of scripts in order to investigate the process in which a play develops from page to performance. Emphasis will also be given to how directors, designers, performers, and spectators individually and collaboratively engage with and utilize a dramatic text during each phase of the pre-rehearsal, rehearsal, and performance process. The content and meeting times of THTRE-1020FYW and THTRE 1030 are the same and students may not receive credit for both courses.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This is a fundamental course in the systematic analysis of dramatic texts. It is designed to equip theatre arts majors and minors with the textual expertise and vocabulary needed for academic discussion and artistic collaboration. Students will read and research a series of scripts in order to investigate the process in which a play develops from page to performance. Emphasis will also be given to how directors, designers, performers, and spectators individually and collaboratively engage with and utilize a dramatic text during each phase of the pre-rehearsal, rehearsal, and performance process. The content and meeting times of THTRE 1020FYW and THTRE-1030 are the same and students may not receive credit for both courses.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This introductory acting course focuses on building physical, vocal, intellectual, and intuitive foundations for actors. Through discovery exercises, students increase their awareness of the fundamentals of contemporary acting and apply these concepts to monologue and scene work.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This intermediate acting course reinforces the fundamental skills acquired in Script Analysis and Acting I, and builds upon them in order to emphasize technique and truth in acting. Using elements from contemporary acting theorists (Meisner, LeCoq, Alder, etc.) students investigate contemporary dramatic texts. The process focuses on freeing the performer's instrument while concentrating on the actor's intent.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE-1020 and THTRE 1300 Acting I or instructor permission.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

A course introducing students to all technical aspects of theatre production including scenery, properties, lighting, sound, makeup, and costuming. Particular emphasis is placed on practical knowledge of scenery, property construction techniques, and the materials used. Students must participate in a laboratory theatre experience.
(Normally offered each fall and spring semester.)

The introductory course in costuming for the theatre. It presents the uses of fabrics, textures, colors, plastics, and other materials as well as developing the sewing techniques needed for the theatre.
(Normally offered each fall and spring semester.)

Tap 1 is an introductory course in the fundamentals of tap dance that can be useful in musical theatre dance. Students will learn vocabulary, basic tap technique, care of the dancer's body, strength and conditioning exercises, and tap combinations. This course may be repeated for credit

(Normally offered every fall semester.)

Ballet I is an introductory course in the fundamentals of ballet that underscore musical theatre dance. Students will learn vocabulary, basic ballet technique, care of the ballet dancer's body, strength and conditioning exercises, and basic ballet combinations. This course may be repeated for credit.

(Normally offered every fall semester.)

Musical theatre dance techniques and combinations will be explored in this course. Exercises to promote flexibility and stamina will be incorporated into the process. Course progress will be demonstrated in a culminating performance. This class may be repeated for credit.
(Normally offered each fall and spring semester.)

The Pulitzer Prizes are regarded as one of the most prestigious awards that a writer or composer can win. The Pulitzer Prize in Drama is awarded "for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source, and dealing with American life". Given the emphases on American authorship and American life, this speaking-instructive dramatic literature course examines Pulitzer Prize winning plays such as Angels in America, The Kentucky Cycle, Topdog/Underdog, Disgraced and others to investigate questions about the features of a democracy and what it means to be a citizen of a democracy. The plays also serve as the basis for a series of oral presentations. The course also asks: To what extent is the representation of democratic principles and ideas a contributing factor in what plays win the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

Dating from 1947, the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards have been presented annually to honor excellence in commercial theatre on Broadway. It is a high honor for a writer or composer to win the award for Best Play or Best Musical, and usually results in financial and career gains. This speaking instructive dramatic literature course examines this U.S. awards tradition, considering how the procedural structures incorporate elements of democratic ideals and principles. Students will read examples of Tony Award winning plays and musicals in order to consider how democratic ideals are represented in those plays and will consider whether such representation is contributing factor in what works with the awards. The plays also serve as the basis for a series of oral presentations.

Is nurturing the subversive comic impulse in expression vital to a democracy? This speaking-instructive dramatic literature course examines the comic tradition in U.S. dramatic writing, focusing primarily on how democratic principles and ideals have been represented. One primary topic to be considered involves the ways that comic plays, whether overtly or subversively, can serve as a contributing factor to stimulate political change in a democracy. A range of plays from early national to contemporary will be read and discussed to draw conclusions about features of a democracy and what it means to be a citizen of a democracy. The plays will also serve as the basis for oral presentations.

This speaking-instructive dramatic literature class examines how varieties of feminisms and cultural diversity have been represented in dramatic literary works. By reading, discussion, reflecting in writing and making oral presentations about a variety of dramatic works drawn from diverse perspectives students will utilize recent scholarship in gender and sexuality studies to analyze how assumptions about gender and/or sexualities have contributed to inequalities, choices, biases, oppression and/or empowerment in the culture and time periods in which the plays were written and produced.
Cross listed with GEND-2050.

Why does censorship occur in democracies that champion freedom of expression as an ideal? What are the tipping points that trigger the impulse to ban and/or censor? Does censorship or the threat of censorship present an obstacle to full participation of writers and readers in a democracy? Students seek the answers to these and other questions in this speaking-instructive dramatic literature course by looking at example of dramatic works that have been banned or censored in democratic nations. The selected texts will also serve as the basis for a series of oral presentations and will be utilized to discuss how the defining features of a democracy and the meaning of what it means to be a citizen in a democracy are represented in dramatic texts, as well as the broader question of how the arts shape how a nation defines itself as a democracy.

This discourse-instructive course will study the diverse and varying collection of the musicals that encompass the Broadway stage. Musicals to be studied will vary each semester and students will engage in multiple discussions on topics such as performance transitions, styles, time periods, subject matter, historical contribution, composers, and even audience appeal. Students will experience such musicals either visually or aurally and complete a variety of assignments to identify the unique characteristics and contributions of each.

(Normally offered every fall semester odd years.)

Stage Management is an introductory course in production management. Students will be introduced to the basic guidelines and techniques for stage managing theatre productions including: communication skills, collaboration skills, rehearsal management, assembling the stage manager's cue and production book, and tech rehearsal/production run management. Students will also learn about professional stage management and Equity rules, guidelines, and membership, It is anticipated that each class member will serve as a stage manager for a university production and submit a detailed cue and production book.
(Normally offered every spring semester.)

This is an advanced course in acting that incorporates the technique and truth in acting skills from Acting II and aims to provide an intensive study of character analysis and presentation skills. Performance texts for class activities and exercises will be drawn primarily from turn-of-the-century playwrights such as Ibsen, Shaw, and Chekhov. Attention is also to be given to the process of preparing professional auditions. This course may be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1300 Acting I and THTRE 1310 Acting II.
(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)

In Acting for the Camera, students will learn and explore the necessary adjustments of one's acting styles, terminology, and techniques to be a successful actor on camera. This course will be divided into the various components of camera jobs (feature films, commercials, industrial film, sitcoms, one-hour episodic tv, etc.), and after learning the appropriate techniques for that particular genre, students will spend time in front of the camera working with exercises and actual commercial, film and TV, industrial scenes. Performances will then be analyzed and critiqued so that students will have an opportunity to improve their skills.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1300 Acting I.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

A study of the theories and techniques of directing. Students will direct several short scenes.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis.
(Normally offered each fall and spring semester.)

Tap 2 builds on the foundation of Tap 1. It is an intermediate level tap class that reviews tap dance techniques, specifically in musical theatre. Students will be given more challenging vocabulary, learn to implement and execute these steps, begin recognize terms steps theatre choreography combinations. This course may repeated for credit. Prerequisite: THTRE-1600 or prerequisite waiver from the instructor.

(Normally offered every spring semester.)

This is an introductory course in the theory and practice of scenography for the theatre. The primary goal of this class is to provide access to terms, concepts, and design principle applications for theatrical scenery, costume, and lighting design.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

An introduction to the basic tools and techniques of creating scenographic design documents and models for the theatre. Technical documents of ground plans, sections, elevations and lighting plots will be explored using CAD. Costume and set rendering will be explored using traditional and computer methods. Model making will be explored using both traditional and computer assisted methods.

This course is a study of the theory and practice of scenery and properties design. The student will do several designs for scenic and property elements. One of these designs will be actualized in the laboratory theatre of a major production. This course may be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis and THTRE 1400 Stagecraft or instructor permission.
(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)

A study of both the history of costume and the techniques of designing costumes. It includes supervised work not only on the design but actual construction of costumes for the theatre. This course may be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered on even spring semesters.)

Advanced Make-up Design builds the basic techniques and skill acquired in Make-up Design class regarding use of highlight and shadow as a means to sculpt the face for various characters. Students in the advanced class design and complete a sequence of projects incorporating prosthetics and three-dimensional materials, latex and liquids, facial hair, and wigs.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis and THTRE 1420 Makeup Design or instructor permission.

This course is a study of the theory and practice of lighting and sound design. The student will do several projects and designs for lights and sound. One of these designs will be actualized in the laboratory theatre or a major production. This course may be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis and THTRE 1400 Stagecraft or instructor permission.
(Normally offered on odd fall semesters.)

A systematic study of the outstanding literary artist of the English language: comedies, tragedies, and historical plays.

Prerequisite: First Year Writing;  Junior Standing; ENG 2000 Introduction to Textual Studies or THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis.

This speaking-instructive course provides an in depth look at all the aspects of starting and running a non-profit theatre from the ground up. The first part provides a survey of the field of arts administration and introduces nonprofit governance including incorporation, mission development, and roles and responsibilities of boards of directors. The second part examines the relationship between the arts and law, including contracts, license fees, copyrights, intellectual property, and royalties. The third part of the course provides the students with audience development techniques and fundraising models. Finally each student will be introduced to practical experience picking a season, timelines, establishing a budget, and getting the word out to the public in today's world. This course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor. 
(Normally offered spring semesters.)

History of Period Style is a class for theatre performers, directors, designers and generalists, who wish to have a basis of knowledge about the major historical periods in Western Civilization that are the setting for the majority of plays in the western canon. This course will be an overview of the most important innovations in architecture, art, costume, furniture and decorative arts, and music for each period, as they influence theatrical production.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of the instructor.

Dialects is a course that focuses on the mastery of vocal techniques required for utilizing stage dialects in performance. The course will offer a practical approach to learning dialects that will be believable and accurate. We will explore a process for creating a dialect role, from pre-production script analysis and dialect acquisition, through the rehearsal period and run of the texts. Each student will prepare and present a series of oral and written dialect projects culminating in an oral examination.

Playing Shakespeare is an intermediate level acting class focusing on the technique necessary to perform classical texts. We will focus on expanding the abilities of the actor's instrument. Truthfulness will be the ultimate goal balanced by the requirements of the text. Students will be introduced to the guidelines and techniques for acting dramatic verse. Students learn period movement and style appropriate for the Elizabethan and Jacobean era. Students also explore the use of voice, speech, tone, rhythm and pitch as part of character revelation. Playing Shakespeare may be repeated once for credit.

This course will cover the basics of unarmed (hand-to-hand) stage combat, as well as the fundamentals of single sword, quarterstaff and knife stage combat. It will apply techniques with the intention of increasing both safety and authenticity in moments of physical contact and violence on stage. In addition to multiple performances throughout the semester, students will also demonstrate understanding of combat theory and practice through some papers and quizzes over the material covered. Safety will be paramount and respect for both your own physical space and all others' will be expected.

Students will direct under supervision a one-act play or (with instructor's permission) a full-length play. This course may be repeated.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 2500 Directing I.
(Normally offered each fall and spring semester.)

THTRE 3510 Directing III is a directing practicum in which students apply theory and techniques to the task of directing a play of a one hour's length or, with instructor's permission, a full-length play. The class also continues to introduce students to more advanced directing theory and technique. All students are expected to actively participate in a series of exercises that emphasize the development of critical thinking, research, communication and organizational skills associated with effective stage direction. This course may be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 2500 Directing I and THTRE 3500 Directing II and/or permission of the instructor or department chair.
(Normally offered every semester.)

Tap 3 builds on the foundation of Tap 2. It is an intermediate/advanced level tap class that reviews tap dance techniques, specifically tap dance in musical theatre. Students will be given more challenging tap vocabulary, learn to implement and execute these steps, and begin to recognize these terms and steps in musical theatre choreography and combinations. Introduction to improv within tap dance will be incorporated. This course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: THTRE-2600 or prerequisite waiver from the instructor.

(Normally offered every fall semester even years.)

Musical Theatre Dance III builds on the foundational knowledge and skills of THTRE 1620 Musical Theatre Dance I and THTRE 2620 Musical Theatre Dance II. This course explores more advanced techniques, conditioning and choreography. The course will often be an intensive "master class" experience offered by a guest artist. The schedule will be determined and may include evenings and weekends over a short duration of the guest artist's residence. This course can be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1620 Musical Theatre Dance I and THTRE 2620 Musical Theatre Dance II or permission of instructor.

(Normally offered every fall and spring semester.)

An introductory design studio course focusing on scenery, costume, and lighting design for the theatre. Students will design the visual world of a number of dramas, comedies, or musicals creating standard designer communication documents including sketches, renderings, and drafting. The course also emphasizes script analysis and visual research in the design process. Students will assemble a portfolio documenting their designs.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis, THTRE 2700 Introduction to Theatrical Design, and THTRE 2710 Theatrical Design Techniques or permission of the instructor.

An integral factor in the study of the history of theatre is the impact that governments, democratic or otherwise, have on the development and sustenance of the arts. World Theatre History I is a Writing-Instructive course that covers early theatre through the Renaissance, so will investigate principles and ideals of Athenian democracy associated with Classical Greece, republican Rome, and the Italian republics of the early Renaissance, as well as more authoritarian forms of rule in early civilizations in India, China, Japan, and Meso-America.  Key questions will include: In what ways are artistic freedoms and practices linked to structures of governance?  How has theatre over time been a force for political change? Why does theatre flourish in some democracies (and in some authoritarian governments) and not in others? 
Prerequisite(s): POLSC 1010 United States Government and Politics/POLSC 1010FYW United States Government and Politics or HIST 1020 United States Society and Culture Since 1877 or  PHIL 2400 Social-Political Philosophy or THTRE-1010 or THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis. 
(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)

An integral factor in the study of the history of theatre is the impact that governments, democratic or otherwise, have on the development and sustenance of the arts. World Theatre History II is a Writing-Instructive and Diversity-Global Instructive course that covers the span from late 17th C through present day, so will investigate the Age of Reason and the movement toward representative democracy as well as contemporary developments. One focus will be on the theatre histories of selected Latin American and African countries. Key questions will include: In what ways are artistic freedoms and practices linked to structures of governance?  How has theatre over time been a force for political change? Why does theatre flourish in some democracies (and in some authoritarian governments) and not in others? How are principles/ideals of democracy represented in dramatic literatures and theatrical endeavors at specific historical moments?
Prerequisite(s): POLSC 1010 United States Government and Politics/POLSC 1010FYW United States Government and Politics or HIST 1020 United States Society and Culture Since 1877 or  PHIL 2400 Social-Political Philosophy or THTRE-1010 or THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis. 
(Normally offered on odd fall semesters.)

Advanced Dance Technique is a course that focuses on jazz, ballet, and musical theatre technique for advanced/intermediate and advanced dancers. This is an intensive "master-class" style course that builds on the foundations and techniques explored in Musical Dance III, and focuses primarily on the building and maintaining of proper technique, conditioning, cultivating of stamina necessary for a musical theatre performer, and increasing of skills in picking up combinations quickly and frequently. This course can be repeated multiple times for credit. Prerequisite: THTRE-1620 THTRE-2620 THTRE-3620 or permission of the instructor.

(Normally offered every fall and spring semester.)

THTRE 4500 Directing IV is a directing practicum in which students apply theory and techniques to the task of directing, under supervision, a full length play. The class also continues to introduce students to more advanced directing theories and techniques. All students are expected to actively participate in a series of exercises that emphasize the development of critical thinking, research, communication and organization skills associated with effective stage direction. This course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 2500 Directing I, THTRE 3500 Directing II, and THTRE 3510 Directing III and/or permission of the instructor or department chair.
(Normally offered every semester.)

On-the-job training for theatre arts majors and minors in theatre-related organizations. Students will arrange for their positions according to departmental guidelines, and each internship will be designed to the satisfaction of the sponsor, faculty coordinator, and student. Students may repeat the course and earn a maximum of 6 hours credit.
P/F only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.