THEA110     THEATRE:  AN ORIENTATION

3 sh

An introduction to theatre.  It includes a definition and analysis of theatrical art, script analysis, the relationship between theatre and the culture from which it came and the roles of theatre practitioners. The course includes hands-on application and group work. Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA117     TECHNICAL THEATRE

3 sh

A lecture-lab approach to the art and craft of scenery construction, property construction, scene painting, basic stage lighting, and organization of technical aspects of theatrical production.  Suggested for those who wish to learn behind-the-scene aspects of play production.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA121     THEATRE WORKSHOP I

1 sh

Participation in a theatrical production sponsored by the Department.  Students contract to work in one area of production:  acting, set construction, costume construction, lighting, sound, properties, make-up, promotions, or assistant to the director. Course may be repeated up to a total of 12 sh.  Majors must earn at least 6 sh in this course or in combination with THEA421.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA134     ACTING I

3 sh

The study and practice of the fundamental principles of acting. Stress is placed on the use of the body and voice as the basis of effective acting.  This course is for those interested in acting as an art form and as a means of creative expression. At mid-term  students will have gained the necessary skill to perform scenes for their classmates.  Attendance is key to the successful completion of this course.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA137     CREATIVE DRAMATICS

3 sh

Sequenced experiences and exercises in creative drama and improvisation for developing and refining bodily movement, characterizations, and organic reaction.  Through structured theatre games and problem solving situations, participants acquire theatrical skills and disciplines without conscious attention.  Students will participate in as well as direct creative and dramatic exploration and play making.   Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA188     STAGE MAKE-UP  (changed from 2.0 sh effective fall 2007)

3 sh

Fundamental training in the principles of stage make-up design and application for the actor as well as the make-up artist.  Students will focus on the analysis of dramatic characterization of a role in a play.  Students will engage in the design and application of stage make-up to achieve the physical fulfillment of that analysis.  Special attention is paid to modern make-up media and methods employed in today's stage, screen and television productions.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

3 sh

Investigates and questions, through the analysis of dramatic texts, the relationship of history and representation to identity and culture.

THEA222     CHILDREN'S THEATRE

3 sh

Theory and practice of formal and informal theatre for children through the study of scripts, production, and performance aspects.  Emphasis is on the final product and how it comes about with special emphasis placed on how to conceive, produce, direct and promote children's theatre for the classroom, community and the paying public.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA236     READER'S THEATRE

3 sh

Theory, history, and techniques of Reader's Theatre, as well as selection, adaptation, evaluation, and performance of materials.  Students will become familiar with a variety of literary styles. Special emphasis will be placed on adapting these forms to a Reader's Theatre format.  Students will produce and direct a variety of performances.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA300     STAGE LIGHTING

3 sh

An introduction to stage lighting as an art form.  Students will  develop skills in script analysis.  The student will study techniques of how this analysis is translated into setting the physical and psychological environment of the play.  The student will be able to translate this understanding into a practical scheme of lighting instrumentation.  Additionally, the course includes:  a brief history of stage lighting; a study of lighting instruments, hardware and control systems; use of color; and methods of achieving special effects.  Prerequisite:  THEA117, 121, 134, 137, 150, 188, 222 or 236.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA315     INTERMEDIATE ACTING (ACTING II)

3 sh

A study of the principles and techniques of character acting including procedures for analyzing plays, determining the personality of a particular character and relationship to other characters, and developing the means to project the character to an audience.  Particular attention is paid to genre, structural analysis and the character's relation to the whole.   Prerequisite:  THEA121, 134, 137, 150.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

3 sh

3 sh

Examines the social, cultural, and politically powerful connections between our gender identities (as they have been historically constructed) and the various modes of performance (including live theatre, television, film, games, and other digital media) that continue to represent those gendered identities and, in doing so, significantly influence how we both investigate and create history.

3 sh

3 sh

Theory and techniques of oral interpretation.  Class activities include selection, analysis, preparation and presentations of selections from prose fiction, drama and poetry.  Prerequisite:  SPCH101, 102, 103, 104, or 235.

THEA335     DIRECTING

3 sh

The preparation of the theatrical director; the fundamental elements of play direction; the media of the director; composition, picturization, movement, rhythm, pantomime, rehearsal and production procedures.  Students will be responsible for directing scenes from dramatic literature.  These presentations are a laboratory experience and are designed to measure students' understanding of the basic principles of stage direction.  Prerequisite:  THEA 117, 121, 134, 137, 150, 188, 222, or 236.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA337     SCENE DESIGN 

3 sh

An introduction to scene design as an art.  Through play analysis the student conceives and designs scenery for a variety of theatre environments. Activities include drafting, model building, and architectural research.  Prerequisite:  THEA117, 121, 134, 137, 150, 188, 222, or 236.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA340     HISTORY OF THE THEATRE

3 sh

The development of the theatre as an art form.  Special emphasis is placed on the evolution of playwriting as a artistic extension of cultural expression of a given historical period.  Other areas of study include the evolution of acting styles, theatre architecture, and staging techniques.  Prerequisite:  THEA 117, 121, 134, 137, 150, 188, 222, or 236.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA366     STAGE COSTUME DESIGN

3 sh

A course designed to give the student fundamental training in the theory and practice of theatrical costume design and construction.  Prerequisite:  THEA150 or permission of the instructor.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA370     PLAY PRODUCTION

3 sh

A lecture-lab examination of techniques of play production approached from the viewpoints of the actor, the director, and the technical director.  Special emphasis on play selection and rehearsal procedures for amateur groups; high schools, community theatre and civic organizations.  Prerequisite:  THEA117, 121, 134, 137, 150, 188, 222, or 236.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA421     THEATRE WORKSHOP II

2 sh

Participation in a full-length, theatrical production, sponsored by the Department, as stage manager, set designer, lighting designer, costume designer, or director.  Prerequisite:  THEA117, 121, 134, 137, 150, 188, 222, or 236.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

THEA499     INDEPENDENT STUDY IN THEATRE

1-3 sh

A program of individual readings, conferences, and projects on a special topic designed by the student and the instructor.  Prerequisite:   THEA117, 121, 134, 137, 150, 188, 222, or 236.  This course is restricted to majors only.  All students wishing to apply for an independent study must complete the necessary forms prior to the beginning of the term.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.