Courses

This course focuses on the relationship of theatre to various cultures throughout history, and on the contributions of significant individual artists. This course introduces students to elements of the production process including playwriting, acting, directing, design and criticism. Different periods, styles, and genres will be surveyed.

Readings and analysis of the plays that form the historical foundation of modem European and American drama. Lectures, reading and discussion of plays from ancient Greece through Shakespeare to the 19th century.

Readings and analysis of plays that illustrate the major types of drama written for the modern stage. Lectures, reading and discussion of play scripts dating from the advent of 19th Century realism, through the writing of contemporary authors.

Historical analysis of Comedy in its many forms, its performances, and literature presented on stage resulting in laughter. Lectures, readings, viewings and discussions of comedic performances and literature tracing its development from the mimes of ancient Greece through Shakespeare, and commedia dell'arte, to stage comedy of present day.

Introduction and practical experience in stage scenery construction, stage properties selection, lighting execution, sound design, scenic painting techniques, and stage management through class lab work and participation in departmental productions

On campus College work experience in technical theatre production, house management and stage management subject to approval and under supervision of a Theatre Arts Department Instructor. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.

Introduction to the basic techniques used in stage design for live performance with emphasis on the art of scenic design through drafting techniques, model making, ground plans, as well as script analysis for the practical application of these skills.

Introduction to the basic techniques used in lighting design for live performance with emphasis on the art of lighting design, script analysis, lighting equipment needs, safety and uses, drafting techniques as well as color theory for the practical application of these concepts.

Introduction to the process and materials for designing and fabricating costumes for theatrical productions.

Introduction to the materials and techniques of wig and makeup design for stage, film, TV, and photography. Traditional and contemporary techniques of makeup application in both classroom and production environments.

Introductory-level examination of the function of a stage director and the techniques of stage direction with application through practical experiences focusing on scene work.

Intermediate-level examination of the function of a stage director and the techniques of stage direction with application through practical experiences focusing on one-act plays.

Advanced-level examination of the function of a stage director and the techniques of stage direction with application through practical experiences focusing on a full-length play.

Beginning level examination, practice and execution of the fundamentals of acting. Staging techniques, improvisation, theatre games, stage movement, and acting terminology. Classroom preparation and presentation of monologues and ensemble work.

Intermediate level examination, practice and execution of the fundamentals of acting. The focus on using staging techniques, improvisation, theatre games, stage movement, and applying acting terminology. Classroom preparation and presentation of monologues and ensemble work.

Advanced-level study, practice, and execution of the fundamentals of acting. The focus is on mastering staging techniques, improvisation, theatre games, stage movement, and acting terminology. Classroom preparation and presentation of monologues and ensemble work at an advanced level.

Development of contemporary plays that will be performed in a studio setting. Investigation of the development of performance skills as they relate to the audience and to the specific studio space.

Beginning-level instruction in the acting skill of creating original material by performers for presentation through techniques of improvisation and scenario. Beginning-level actor-generated narrative and play script development in an ensemble setting.

Intermediate-level instruction in the acting skill of creating characters through original and spontaneous material developed by performers for presentation through techniques of improvisation and scenario. Focus on actor's improvised communication and character relationships.

Advanced-level instruction in the acting skill of creating characters through original and spontaneous material developed by performers for presentation through techniques of improvisation and scenario. Focus on spontaneous group presentations with character interaction and given circumstances, in the long-form improvisation structure.

Beginning-level development of performance skills for video, film and electronic media applications with emphasis on identifying and defining an on-camera persona in a production context.

Intermediate-level development of performance skills for video, film and electronic media applications with emphasis on dramatic characterization in a production context utilizing text to performance techniques.

Advanced-level development of performing skills for video, film and electronic media applications with emphasis on application of practical skills to transition to a professional environment.

Beginning instruction in the study of the anatomy of the vocal mechanism. Practice of voice and articulation with an emphasis on Standard American English for the stage to develop the actor's process in preparation for performance and audition, selection of materials, and presentation of self in various audition settings.

Intermediate instruction in the study of the anatomy of the vocal mechanism. Practice transcription of sounds into International Phonetics for voice and articulation with an emphasis on Standard American English for the stage, and to develop the actor's process in preparation for performance and selection of materials for various audition settings.

Advance-Intermediate instruction in the study of the anatomy of the vocal mechanism. Practice of voice and articulation in preparation of classical and contemporary auditions. Focused auditioning exercises for the stage to develop the actor's process in preparation for performance and audition and selection of materials in various audition settings.

Advanced instruction in the study of the anatomy of the vocal mechanism. Practice of voice and articulation with an emphasis on dialects for the stage to develop the actor's process in preparation for performance and audition, selection of materials, and presentation of self in various audition settings.

Beginning instruction in the use of text techniques interpreting poetic imagery and vocal exercises for the actor used in the performance of Shakespearean verse and prose. The class will develop the student's approach to address analytic skills, historical research, vocal skills and interpretive skills to perform William Shakespeare's canon.

Intermediate instruction in the use of text techniques interpreting poetic imagery and exercises for the actor to use in the performance of Shakespearean verse and prose. Focusing the actor's voice and developing the use of Standard American Speech in order to perform William Shakespeare's canon for an American audience.

Advanced intermediate instruction of text techniques of interpreting poetic imagery, vocal exercises for the actor to use in the performance of Shakespearean verse and prose applied to scene work. The class will develop the student's approach to address character development from William Shakespeare's "Comic" or "Romance" plays.

Advanced instruction of text techniques of interpreting poetic imagery, vocal exercises for the actor to use in the performance of Shakespearean verse and prose applied to scene work. The class will develop the student's approach to address character development from William Shakespeare's "Tragic" or "Historic" plays.

Ensemble-level performance preparation and training through participation in a comedic play presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform an ensemble role in a production in the comedy genre in order to receive credit.

Supporting-level performance preparation and training through participation in a comedy presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a supporting role in a production in the comedy genre in order to receive credit.

Principal performance preparation and training through participation in a comedy presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a principal role in a production in the comedy genre in order to receive credit.

Ensemble-level performance preparation and training through participation in a drama presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform an ensemble role in a production in the drama genre in order to receive credit.

Supporting-level performance preparation and training through participation in a drama presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a supporting role in a production in the drama genre in order to receive credit.

Principal performance preparation and training through participation in a drama presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a principal role in a production in the drama genre in order to receive credit.

Ensemble-level performance preparation and training through participation in a classical play presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform an ensemble role in a production in the classical genre in order to receive credit.

Supporting-level performance preparation and training through participation in a classical play presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a supporting role in a production in the classical genre in order to receive credit.

Principal performance preparation and training through participation in a classical presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a principal role in a production in the classical genre in order to receive credit.

Ensemble-level performance preparation and training through participation in a tragic play presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform an ensemble role in a production in the drama genre in order to receive credit.

Supporting-level performance preparation and training through participation in a tragedy presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a supporting role in a production in the tragedy genre in order to receive credit.

Principal performance preparation and training through participation in a tragedy presented by the Theatre Arts Department. Students must audition, be cast, rehearse, and perform a principal role in a production in the tragedy genre in order to receive credit.