Musical Theatre Minor

This course will give an overview of significant behavioral theories which influence and determine the learning and production of motor skills. Included will be learning theories and motor control theories as well as application of theory to motor performance.

This course will introduce the basic ballet positions, movements, and combinations, as well French ballet terms and their meanings, including the discussion of the history and origins of ballet and its various styles.

This course will further explore the technical and expressive elements of ballet, as well as historically significant ballet schools and styles. It is designed to advance the performance level of students who have mastered the basic skills and vocabulary of ballet. Students practice and perform advanced barre exercises, demi-pointe work, and increasingly complex connecting movements.

This course introduces the fundamentals of jazz dance, including its history and styles. It is designed for students with no dance experience and for experienced dancers wishing to perfect basic jazz dance skills. Jazz dance techniques are presented and practiced in class, with an emphasis on combinations using a variety of rhythms and styles. Class participation is intended to develop an appreciation for the physical demands of jazz dancing.

This course introduces the fundamentals of modern dance and its history. It is designed for students with no dance experience as well as returning dance students. Students participate in movement studies and improvisations that deal with shape, space, time and energy, four main dance principles to encourage their creativity and individuality. Emphasis is on developing axial and locomotor skills, performing movement combinations, conditioning the body, and solving creative problems.

This course introduces tap dance technique at the beginning level. Instruction focuses primarily on the rhythm tap style; however, other tap styles may also be included. Students practice fundamental tap dance skills; rhythms, including swing and Latin; syncopation; time steps; short combinations; and stylings. The course includes an introduction to the history and performance of tap dance.

This entry-level course is intended for general education students or those considering a music major and will provide an opportunity to develop skills in sight reading, music theory, and aspects of basic musical analysis.

4 semesters of voice with at least one semester at 300 level

As an introduction to basic acting techniques, this course will examine ways to construct the interior, physical, and vocal life of a character, teach warm-up procedures and staging principles including scene analysis, performance of monologues, and improvisations. There may be an additional charge for field trips.

This course is an advanced approach to acting techniques used in material from contemporary realism and the modern drama era such as Chekhov and Ibsen. It will include 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. There may be an additional charge for field trips. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisite: THR 261 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. Offered alternate years.

This course, intended for students in the Musical Theatre minor, is a practical, hands-on learning experience where student will work on one or more theatre department productions.