Theatre
Degrees and Certificates
Classes
THE 7100 : Principles of Acting
Fundamental training in the Stanislavsky System as applied to performing realistic plays, including exercises, improvisation, & scene work. Restricted to graduate students & qualified undergraduates.
Credits
3THE 7110 : Script Analysis
Examination of the sociological, psychological and ideological circumstances of modern and contemporary American plays through a line-by-line breakdown of text to reveal the connection of action and characterization to theme. Restricted to Graduate students and qualified Undergraduates
Credits
3THE 7120 : Dramaturgy-Classic
Introduction to production dramaturgy, examining dramatic literature and exploring theatrical practices from the fourth century B.C.E. to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Development of research skills necessary for dramaturgical work. Restricted to Graduate students and qualified Undergraduates.
Credits
3THE 7130 : Dramaturgy-Modern
Further studies in production dramaturgy, examining dramatic literature and exploring late-nineteenth- and twentieth-century theatrical practices (Eastern and Western). Development of research skills necessary to prepare dramaturgical materials designed to support production. Restricted to Graduate students and qualified Undergraduates.
Credits
3THE 7140 : Dramtc Vis & Frm Classic
Study of the radical juxtaposition of contrasting plays from different countries (Eastern and Western) and different eras (classic orientation) in the context of dramatic theory and criticism.
Credits
3Prerequisites
(THE 7110 or THE 8039) and (THE 7120 or THE 8504) and (THE 7130 or THE 8501)
THE 7150 : Dramtc Vis & Frm Modern
Study of the radical juxtaposition of contrasting plays from different countries (Eastern and Western) and different eras (modern orientation) in the context of dramatic theory and criticism.
Credits
3Prerequisites
(THE 7110 or THE 8039) and (THE 7120 or THE 8504) and (THE 7130 or THE 8501)
THE 7200 : Production Practicum I
Significant & responsible participation in the department production program.
Credits
0THE 7210 : Production Practicum II
Significant & responsible participation in the department production program.
Credits
0THE 7220 : Production Practicum III
Significant & responsible participation in the department production program.
Credits
0THE 8100 : Improvisation
Exploration of unscripted performance through individual & group exercises, theatre games, & short- & long-form improvisation.
Credits
3THE 8110 : Voice & Movement
Exploration of theories in voice production & body work (Eastern & Western) & application of techniques to integrate the components of the performer's physical instrument.
Credits
3THE 8120 : Characterization
Acting explored from the point of view of social class, focusing on voice & behavior adjustments to create class distinctions. Group exercises & scene work in a variety of social class-based circumstances. Prerequisite is THE 7100 or permission of instructor.
Credits
3THE 8125 : Scene Study
Further exploration of scene work to deepen actors' understanding of their art, themselves, & their collaborative relationship with scene partners. Prerequisite is THE 7100 or permission of instructor.
Credits
3THE 8130 : Solo Performance
Immersive workshop integrating all aspects of theatre-making - writing, directing, dramaturgy, acting, design - through the weekly creation and presentation of original pieces for the solo artist. Prereq: THE 7100; or permission of instructor
Credits
3THE 8140 : Musical Theatre
Practical approach to developing & integrating the performance skills required for musical theatre: acting, singing, & dancing.
Credits
3THE 8150 : Acting Styles
Laboratory on performing nonrealistic theatre; actors develop approaches to classical and/or modern plays with heightened language, physical & stylistic demands. Prerequisite is THE 7100 or permission of instructor.
Credits
3THE 8160 : Scenography
Introduction to & investigation of the three primary elements of stage design - scenery, costume, & lighting - with an emphasis on the visual realization of production concepts. Prerequisite is THE 7110 or permission of instructor.
Credits
3THE 8170 : Directing
Fundamentals of directing realistic plays: script analysis, creative interpretation, approaches to working with the actor, movement & blocking, visualization, design, rhythm & picturization, culminating in the staging of two realistic scenes.
Credits
3Prerequisites
(THE 7100 or THE 8000) and (THE 7110 or THE 8039)
THE 8180 : Styles:Actors & Directors
Laboratory that concentrates on the process of evolving original approaches to nonrealistic plays, & on developing with actors an expressive approach to classical, poetic, fantastic, extreme, and/or abstract material.
Credits
3Prerequisites
THE 7002
THE 8190 : Playwriting
Hands-on exploration of the art & craft of playwriting through exercises, scene writing, the study of existing plays (as texts & in production,) & the development of students' own dramatic work. Prerequisites are THE 7100 & THE 7110 or permission of instructor.
Credits
3THE 8200 : Theatre Topics
Seminar focusing on a specialized area of theatre studies (Ancient Greek, Asian, Irish, Melodrama, feminist, etc.), combining elements of theatre history, dramatic literature & criticism as well as performance & production aspects of live theatre. Restricted to graduate students & qualified undergraduates.
Credits
3THE 8210 : Performance Theory
Investigation of performance, from theatre and dance to ritual and popular entertainment (e.g., circus, kathakali, Broadway muscials, festivals, schamanism), using a variety of theories to examine contemporary critical issues.
Credits
3THE 8220 : Gender, Politics & Performance
Theoretical approach to the interpretation of dramatic texts and performances, focusing on topics of gender, identity, subjectivity and politics. Students will integrate theory and practice, while enhancing writing skills.
Credits
3THE 8230 : Avant-Garde Theatre
Seminar exploring the twentieth-century American avant-garde, including artists such as the Living Theatre, the Open Theatre, Allan Kaprow, Bread and Puppet Theatre, Performance Group, Ontological-Hysteric Theatre, Robert Wilson, Mabou Mines, the Wooster Group, etc.
Credits
3THE 8240 : Asian Theatre
Seminar exploring the performance forms (both traditional & modern) of India, China, Japan, & Southeast Asia, with emphasis on their characteristic features; cultural, religious, & aesthetic influences. The impact of these forms on Western theatre practice.
Credits
3THE 8250 : Critical Writing for Theatre
Wrokshop in critical writing about dramatic texts and theatrical production, including but not limited to innovative scholarship and production reviews.
Credits
3THE 8300 : The Teaching of Theatre
Exploration of the skills necessary to teach practical theatre at all levels: formulating teaching goals, creating syllabi, developing lesson plans, creating lectures & in-class presentation materials, & learning to adapt these to a variety of learning styles. Prerequisites are THE 7100, THE 7110, THE 7120 & THE 7130 or permission of instructor.
Credits
3THE 8310 : Technical Theatre
Introduction to various scene shops and scenic technologies, including the study of traditional and modern materials, construction tools and techniques, and shop organization and management as they pertain to scenic production.
Credits
3THE 8320 : Theatre Administration
Project-driven introduction to the basics of theatre administration: crafting a mission statement; building a board; establishing 501(c)3 status; creating budgets; PR/marketing; grantwriting and cultivating funders; hiring and managing a staff; acquiring performance spaces; and working with theatrical unions.
Credits
3THE 8400 : Rehearsal & Performance
Faculty/student seminar discussing just-completed & current projects for the purpose of exchanging practical & philosophical responses to issues, problems, & procedures encountered in the work.
Credits
1THE 8410 : Rehearsal & Performance
Faculty/student seminar discussing just-completed & current projects for the purpose of exchanging practical & philosophical responses to issues, problems, & procedures encountered in the work.
Credits
2THE 8420 : Rehearsal & Performance
Faculty/student seminar discussing just-completed & current projects for the purpose of exchanging practical & philosophical responses to issues, problems, & procedures encountered in the work.
Credits
3THE 8540 : Collaborative Theatremaking
Laboratory workshop in collective creation for actors, directors, playwrights, dramaturgs, and designers generating weekly installments of a semester-long narrative written, designed, directed, and performed by participants in rotating small groups. Prereq.: Permission of instructors.
Credits
3THE 8550 : Play Development Workshop
Laboratory workshop for playwrights, dramaturgs and directors developing new plays and exploring the collaborative process through script conferences, work with actors, and ongoing revision, culminating in public staged readings. Prereq.: Permission of instructor.
Credits
3THE 9100 : Advanced Acting Workshop
Advanced performance work focusing on a specialized acting method or technique, such as Commedia dell'Arte, Shakespeare, Suzuki Method, or professional audition techniques.
Credits
3Prerequisites
(THE 7100 or THE 8000) and (THE 7110 or THE 8039) and (THE 8120 or THE 8001) or (THE 8125 or THE 8003) or (THE 8150 or THE 8002)
THE 9110 : Advanced Dramaturgy
Advanced work on production research methods, developing the relationship between the director and the dramaturg, and the creation of program material.
Credits
3Prerequisites
(THE 7100 or THE 8000) and (THE 7120 or THE 8504) and (THE 7130 or THE 8501)
THE 9120 : Advanced Scenography Workshop
Advanced exploration of the three primary elements of stage design.
Credits
3Prerequisites
THE 8160 or THE 7010
THE 9130 : Advanced Directing Workshop
Advanced work on play texts: advanced scene scoring & picturization, open rehearsals, fostering of artistic collaborations, staging of stylistically challenging scenes.
Credits
3Prerequisites
THE 8170 or THE 7002
THE 9140 : Advanced Playwriting Workshop
Advanced work on original full-length or long one-act plays, with particular attention to revision strategies and techniques.
Credits
3Prerequisites
THE 8190 or THE 7051
THE 9200 : Spec Stud - Production
Advanced work in an area of technical production (e.g., set construction, stage management, scenic painting, etc.) on a tutorial basis. May include the public presentation and defense of production work. Permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9210 : Spec Stud - Research
Advanced research in theatre history, literature or criticism on a tutorial basis. May include the defense of a research project. Prereqs: THE 7120 and THE 7130, permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9220 : Stud - Voice & Movement
Advanced voice production and body work on a tutorial basis. May include the public performance of an original voice and movement program. Prereq.: THE 8110; permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9230 : Spec Stud - Acting
Advanced scene and monologue work in a range of acting styles on a tutorial basis. May include the public performance of a dramatic program. Prereqs: THE 7100 and THE 7110 and THE 8120 or THE 8125 or THE 8150; permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9240 : Spec Stud - Solo Performance
Advanced work in solo performance on a tutorial basis. Includes the public performance of an original piece. Prereq.: THE 8130; permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9250 : Spec Stud - Dramaturgy
Advanced practical work in dramaturgy on a tutorial basis. May include the defense of a dramaturgical project. Prereq.: THE 7120 and THE 7130; permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9260 : Spec Stud - Scenography
Advanced work specializing in one area of stage design (scenery, costume, or lighting) on a tutorial basis. May include the public presentation and defense of a design project. Prereq.: THE 8160; permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9270 : Spec Stud - Directing
Advanced directing work on a one-act play or significant portion of a full-length play on a tutorial basis. Includes a public presentation of the directing project. Prereq.: THE 8170; permission of instructor and approval of department Chair.
Credits
3THE 9280 : Spec Stud - Playwriting
Advanced playwriting on a tutorial basis. May include a public reading of an original script. Prereq.: THE 8190; permission of instructor and approval of department chair.
Credits
3THE 9300 : Thesis Continuation
Continuation of supervised research for students writing master's theses. Prereq.: Approval of department chair.