Acting and Directing Emphasis

This course will provide an overview of the various conventions, forms, styles, and genres of the theatre, including principles of play analysis and exploration of theatre criticism from dramaturgical, literary, and cultural perspectives through the thematic discussions of representative contemporary plays. Field trips required.

As an introduction to basic acting techniques, students will examine ways to construct the interior, physical, and vocal life of a character, learn warm-up procedures, and staging principles, including experiences in scene analysis, performance of monologues, and improvisations. Field trips may be included. Prerequisite: THR 251 or consent of instructor.

Through hands-on experiences, this course will introduce the practical application of theatrical design principles including techniques and practices of technical organization, set construction, lighting preparation, costume construction, makeup application, and sound preparation. Field trips and participation in on-campus production work required. A lab fee of $50 is required for this course. Prerequisite: THR 251 or consent of instructor.

As an introduction to the theories and principles of theatrical design, this course will emphasize the holistic and scenographic approach, while exploring set, lighting, costume, makeup, and sound design with director/designer collaboration. Field trips and participation in on-campus production work required. A lab fee of $50 is required. Prerequisite: THR 251 or consent of instructor.

This course will introduce students to the following techniques: play selection and analysis, auditioning, scene design and staging, actor coaching, rehearsal strategies, and production management, including both the principles for proscenium and the open stage. Workshop scenes are presented and evaluated. Prerequisites: THR 251, 261 and 262, or consent of instructor.

A practical, hands-on learning experience where students will work on one or more theatre department productions. Earned in one-unit increments.

Through the study of representative plays, this course will examine the various theatre cultures from the Classical period through the Renaissance, giving consideration to the theatrical conventions, visual art, music, and significant historical events of the periods. Field trips are required. Prerequisite: THR 251 or consent of the instructor.

As a continuation of Theatre and Culture 1, this course will examine the theatre of various cultures from the Renaissance to the present day. Prerequisite: THR 251 or consent of instructor.

Through intensive training in the integral use of the voice, this course will develop skills for vocal relaxation, flexibility, strength, and use of the voice as a tool for communicating character and subtext.

Through intensive training in the integral use of the body, this course will develop skills for physical relaxation, flexibility, and strength, and the use of the body as a tool for communicating character and subtext.

This course is an advanced approach to acting techniques used in contemporary realism material including an in-depth study of scene and character analysis; performance of monologues, improvisations, and scenes; exercises based on the Meisner technique and other acting approaches. Field trips may be included. Prerequisite: THR 261 or consent of instructor.

As an advanced study of theatrical performance techniques and through the use of in-class workshop experiences, this course will emphasize the acting of Shakespeare and other period styles and include exercises, analytical skills, rehearsal procedures, and methods of artistic criticism. Field trips are required. Prerequisite: THR 262 or consent of instructor.

Exploration of the voice, movement, and acting skills necessary to perform in modern musical plays will be examined in this course as students participate in workshops, exercises, warm-ups, rehearsal procedures, and in-class solo and group performances. Prerequisite: THR 261 or consent of instructor.

As a continuation of Play Direction 1, students will deepen their knowledge and skills in the theory and practice of stage directing including director/designer collaboration; analysis of period style and genre with application to directors' choices; analysis of modern and contemporary theories of the stage; artistic direction and dramaturgy in the contemporary theatre. Workshop scenes are presented and evaluated. Field trips are required. Prerequisite: THR 351 or consent of instructor.

This course will read, critically analyze, discuss, and evaluate selected plays from 1890 through the 21st century, including such dramatists as Ibsen, O'Neill, Pirandello, Lorca, Miller, Williams, and Albee. Attending a performance may be required. Prerequisite: ENG 201, or CENG 201 or 202.

Critical reading and analysis of selected examples of Shakespeare's histories, comedies, and tragedies is the focus of this course. Prerequisite: ENG 201, or CENG 201 or 202, ENG 271.

This course will provide an in-depth work in solo and group oral interpretation, including selection, adaptation, and presentation of readers theater programs for children and adults, including intercultural issues in performance, performing for religious audiences, and performance of non-fiction. Field trips are required.

This course will examine various theatre cultures, concentrating on theatrical texts and performances written and produced within the past sixty years, including contemporary trends and styles.

As an advanced study of selected plays from the standpoint of the theatre artist (actor, director, designer), students will look at the process of translating a dramatic text to theatrical production with an emphasis upon the techniques of perception, imagination, and integration used in developing a concept and determining specific performance and design choices with the practical application of analysis through projects and presentations.

With an emphasis upon personal dramatic experience and drama as process instead of theatrical product, students will examine the principles and procedures for utilizing creative dramatics activities in a variety of settings, as expressed through individual and group movement, sound, and improvisation. Practicum lab hours required.

An advanced experiential course that will cover performance techniques and principles through in-class scene study of Greek tragedy and Comedy of Manners theatrical styles, including exercises, analytical skills, and rehearsal procedures. Field trips required. Prerequisites: THR 251 and 261 or consent of instructor.

An advanced, thesis-style course that requires intensive, hands-on activity at an advanced level under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisites: Theatre major, senior status, and application approval by the theatre faculty (also see Theatre Showcase Guidelines available in the Theatre Office).