Theatre Course Descriptions
Theatre 110
- Introduction to Theatre
Full course for one semester. This course is a creative and
critical introduction to the major disciplines of theatre art:
acting, criticism, design, directing, and playwriting. Students
will examine dramatic texts from a theatrical standpoint, attend
and review theatre performances, and participate in performance
activities. Lecture-conference.
Theatre 161
- Creative Ensemble
One-half course for one semester. We will undertake intensive work
in resolving acting and production problems, addressing problems of
style, and developing techniques fundamental to performance.
Conference and laboratory leading to performance and followed by
written evaluation. Theatre 210 recommended. Offered on a credit/no
credit basis only. May be repeated for credit, with departmental
approval. Prerequisite: audition or interview. Conference-lab.
Theatre 162
- Stagecraft
Zero units for one semester. Students will perform a minimum of 20
hours in a technical support capacity--set, light, costume,
make-up, construction, running crew, or design in a
department-sponsored production. Completion of this course will
constitute partial fulfillment of the department crew requirement.
Credit/no credit only. Lab.
Theatre 205
- Design for the Theatre
One-half course for each semester. This course is an introduction
to production design that emphasizes problem analysis and design
conceptualization with reference to historical and modern practices
and technologies. Topics will include stage lighting, scenery,
sound, costume, mask, and makeup. Check with the instructor of each
section for specific course content. All four sections may be taken
for credit and, with the approval of the department and
satisfactory completion of any one section, the course may be
repeated as an advanced practicum-tutorial. Prerequisite: Theatre
110, 161, 162, or interest demonstrated through prior work in high
school or community theatre. Conference-lab-tutorial.
Theatre 206
- Design for the Theatre
One-half course for each semester. This course is an introduction
to production design that emphasizes problem analysis and design
conceptualization with reference to historical and modern practices
and technologies. Topics will include stage lighting, scenery,
sound, costume, mask, and makeup. Check with the instructor of each
section for specific course content. All four sections may be taken
for credit and, with the approval of the department and
satisfactory completion of any one section, the course may be
repeated as an advanced practicum-tutorial. Prerequisite: Theatre
110, 161, 162, or interest demonstrated through prior work in high
school or community theatre. Conference-lab-tutorial.
Theatre 210
- Acting Laboratory
One-half course for one semester. This course is an experiential
analysis of the basic physical, vocal, and analytical tools of the
actor’s craft through group and individual exercises, audition
monologues and scenes. Conference-lab.
Theatre 240
- Studies in American Theatre
Full course for one semester. We will examine the development of
American theatre from its eighteenth century origins to the
present. A central focus will be the plays of American dramatists;
attention will also be given to the evolution of indigenous
theatrical forms (the minstrel show, the musical) and to
significant European scenic and literary concepts and approaches to
acting technique that have been absorbed into American stage
practice. Lecture-conference. Offered alternate years.
Theatre 250
- Plays and Playhouses
Full course for one semester. This course will emphasize the study
of dramatic form within the larger framework of the theatre as a
cultural institution. Texts will be placed in a historical context
in order to consider the evolving contingent relationships
affecting the practitioners of theatre, the audiences they are
responsive to, and the physical aspects of performance.
Lecture-conference. Offered alternate years. Not offered 2005-06.
Theatre 260
- Experimental Theatre in the Twentieth Century
Full course for one semester. This course surveys developments in
twentieth century European and American experimental theatre by
examining the work of influential directors, playwrights,
designers, theorists, and theatre collectives. Changing views of
the theatre’s aesthetic and social functions will be explored.
Special topics will include the rise of the director, the evolution
of theatrical space, models of theatrical organization, and the
role of the avant-garde. Lecture-conference. Offered alternate
years.
Theatre 270
- Intercultural Experiments in Theatre
Full course for one semester. Many Western theatre practitioners
have drawn inspiration from Eastern theatre traditions, Yeats (Noh
theatre), Brecht (Chinese opera), and Artaud (Balinese theatre)
among them. We will examine various cross-fertilization as well as
contemporary issues of interculturalism in the theatre. In
addition, we will examine plays that have as their focus questions
of conflicting cultural identities. Conference. Offered alternate
years. Not offered 2005-06.
Theatre 310
- Techniques of Acting: Contemporary Theatre
Full course for one semester. Students will be introduced to the
theory and practice of acting approaches in twentieth century
Western theatre. Emphasis will be placed on both physical and
psychological aspects of performance and characterization. Readings
and research will focus on major practitioners from Stanislavsky to
the present. Maximum 16 students. Prerequisites: Theatre 210, or
equivalent experience with audition, or approval by the instructor.
Conference-performance lab. Offered alternate years.
Theatre 320
- Techniques of Acting: Style
Full course for one semester. We will examine the theory and
practice of approaches to acting in "period plays" performed in
contemporary theatres. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the
motivation for stylization and the development of physical and
vocal skill necessary to successful performance. Scenes will be
selected from a repertoire including commedia dell’arte,
comedy of manners, and Elizabethan and Greek theatre. Maximum 16
students. Prerequisite: Theatre 210, or equivalent experience with
audition, or approval by the instructor. Conference-performance
lab. Offered alternate years. Not offered 2005-06.
Theatre 331
- Directing I: Production Concept
Full course for one semester. An investigation of approaches to
script analysis for the director and the examination of texts
within a theatrical framework. From this study the student proceeds
to an exploration of the director’s production concept, its
formulation through analysis and rehearsal processes, and
realization in theatrical terms through performance.
Conference-lab.
Theatre 332
- Directing Techniques: Contemporary Drama
Full course for one semester. Students will do advanced work in
directing with emphasis on interpretive and performance techniques
requisite for the staging of contemporary drama. Specific focus is
given to the Epic Theatre of Brecht or the absurdist drama of
Beckett and Ionesco. Readings by contemporary theorists and
practitioners relevant to the special topics. Prerequisite: Theatre
331 or comparable academic preparation. Conference-lab.
Theatre 334
- Special Problems in Directing
Full course for one semester. This course is an advanced study that
will focus on the problems of theatrical style, with attention
given to verse drama (Shakespeare, Molière), early realism (Ibsen,
Chekhov, Shaw), or varieties of the comic. The course is introduced
with background and reading relevant to the special topics.
Prerequisite: Theatre 331 or comparable preparation.
Conference-lab. Not offered 2005-06.
Theatre 395
- Seminar
One-half or full course for each semester. Students will perform
advanced work in a selected area of inquiry. The course may include
but is not limited to preparation of roles, directing of scenes or
plays, and experimentation in performance theories and script
writing. Scripts, criticism, and artistic problems will be dealt
with in an attempt to arrive at a creative synthesis. Prerequisite:
prior coursework in the department. Conference-lab. The topic for
2005-06 is:
Advanced Playwriting--One-half course for one semester.
Developing original scripts for performance. Weekly written
projects leading to completion of two short plays. Prerequisite:
completion of at least one theatre course or admission through
approved writing sample.
Theatre 396
- Seminar
One-half or full course for each semester. Students will perform
advanced work in a selected area of inquiry. The course may include
but is not limited to preparation of roles, directing of scenes or
plays, and experimentation in performance theories and script
writing. Scripts, criticism, and artistic problems will be dealt
with in an attempt to arrive at a creative synthesis. Prerequisite:
prior coursework in the department. Conference-lab. The topic for
2005-06 is:
Advanced Playwriting--One-half course for one semester.
Developing original scripts for performance. Weekly written
projects leading to completion of two short plays. Prerequisite:
completion of at least one theatre course or admission through
approved writing sample.
Theatre 470
- Thesis
Full course for one year.
Theatre 481
- Independent Study
One-half or full course for one semester. Prerequisite: approval of
instructor and division.
Top of Page
