Courses

Found here is the list of theatre courses offered.  Many courses are not offered every semester, or every year.  The requirements for the Theatre Major and Minor can be found here.

Classes Offered for Fall 2007:

THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures, 1.0 credit. E1.
The focus of this introductory course is on the theatrical event in commercial, educational, and social theatre. Primary coursework includes projects that demonstrate the responsibilities of various production team leaders, including the director, scenic, costume and lighting designer. Students prepare résumés, press releases and program notes, and create box-set floor plans, collages, light plots and neutral models. Three laboratory hours per week on mainstage productions are required.

THR 127—Elements of Acting, 1.0 credit. E.
A beginning course in acting intended as a practical basis for future study in acting, directing, and related areas. Coursework on such topics as voice and movement, script analysis and realistic characterization lead to a heightened awareness of creativity and more proficient performing.

THR 229—Elements of Directing, 1.0 credit. E1.
A beginning course in directing for students of theatre art, including those with avocational interests as well as those studying design, acting and directing. The course deals primarily with script analysis and rehearsal methods. Students will complete a series of projects culminating in the presentation of a short scene.
Prerequisites: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures, and THR 127—Elements of Acting, or consent of instructor.

THR 322—Applied Design and Creativity, 1.0 credit. A2 (2007).
This course focuses on methodologies used in transforming scripts to designs for musicals and classical theatre productions. The student is then expected to develop portfolio-ready projects in costumes, scenery and lighting that incorporate creative problem solving with crafts and skills developed in THR 222—Theatre Design Crafts. Project development and evaluation features a combination of in-class instruction and mentoring by the professional staff. Final projects focus on the guidelines recommended in design portfolio review for advanced study or mainstage productions.
Prerequisites: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures

THR 323—Women and Theatre, 1.0 credit. A1 (2007).
This course focuses on women's work, lives and ways of creating theatre. Students will study the conditions and practices in which women create theatre, as well as particular women artists. As a part of the course work, students will engage in discussion and write journals to further develop their artistic identities. This course is part of the Women's Studies program.

Courses that are offered either in Spring 2008 or alternate years with other courses.

THR 124—Contemporary Drama: Literature and Criticism, 1.0 credit. E2.
An introductory course in the literature of drama in which modern and contemporary plays are analyzed and discussed. This course will introduce students to a variety of issues in which contemporary playwrights and critics are immersed, including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Students work to understand plays' potential meanings for modern audiences, and to analyze plays as actors, directors and designers do.

THR 222—Theatre Design Crafts, 1.0 credit. E1.
This course develops the crafts and skills necessary for all design and production personnel. The course begins with a discussion of aesthetics, architecture and the design process. Students analyze scripts and develop a unique production concept using appropriate design theory. Students present 2-D and 3-D production designs to the class. Projects include a poster design, a costume design presentation, a creative ground plan for a thrust stage, two working model pieces, and a scene-by-scene light plot.
Prerequisite: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures.

THR 224—Theatres and Cultures: Origins to Elizabethans, 1.0 credit. A1 (2005-2006).
This course focuses on changes in early Western Theatre practices in ancient Greece and Rome, and Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Students will work to integrate historical information into cultural and literary contexts through a variety of primary source materials, including play texts, architectural remains, pictures, and commentary.

THR 225—Summer Theatre, 1.0 credit. D.
A laboratory theatre course in which students become involved in the creative problem-solving process. Past productions have dealt with movement and pantomime, repertory, dinner and children's theatre. Enrollment for the summer course is also open to graduating high school seniors, college students, teachers and interested adults by permission of the instructor.

THR 250—Pre-May Seminar, .5 credit. A2 (2005-2006).
This half course prepares students for the Theatre May Seminar abroad. Students learn to plan and implement research in their own areas of interest, including performance, design or management. Students develop travel skills that allow for an exciting and fruitful journey, as they prepare to undertake independent research in historic archeological sites, museums and a variety of contemporary performances. See here for general information about the Pre-May Seminar course.

THR 280—Individualized Study, .25 credit. E.
This unique opportunity provides an alternative learning option for theatre students to study materials and skills as 200-level “apprenticeships.” Various topic choices can utilize the available expertise levels of our designers and directors, and are designed to offer experiential study opportunities. Sample topics may include stagecraft, costume construction, playwriting, and stage management. Up to 1.0 credit (four topics) can be applied to the theatre major or minor.
Prerequisite: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures and permission of the instructor.

THR 300—May Seminar: Theatre in Context: Europe, 1.0 credit. MS, A2 (2005-2006).
This May Seminar explores the historic and contemporary theatres and cultures of Europe. Students research European theatrical traditions by touring ancient hillside theatres, opulent auditoriums, experimental venues and vibrant commercial spaces. Students investigate the cultural milieu of the ancient and modern streets of some of Europe's greatest cities by visiting palaces, shops, cathedrals, restaurants and museums. Students conduct theatre history research projects by visiting historical, social and cultural sites. Discover how European cultures were reflected by their historical theatre practices, and the myriad of ways in which theatre still serves these societies today. See here for general information about May Seminars.


THR 324—European Theatre: Renaissance to Revolution, .5 credit. A1 (2004-2005).
This .5 credit will investigate how cultural difference has been constructed and reflected from 1660 to 1850. Students will investigate the interaction of commercial, political and artistic forces that shaped the theatre of this period, and helped to create the mainstream entertainment-based commercial theatre we have today.
Prerequisites: THR 124—Contemporary Drama: Literature and Criticism, THR 224—Theatres and Cultures: Origins to Elizabethans, or permission of instructor.

THR 325—Non-Western Theatres and Cultures, .5 credit. A1 (2004-2005).
This .5-credit course surveys traditional theatre practices in non-Western cultures such as China, Japan, Bali, and Africa, as well as those of Native American peoples. Students will also investigate recent plays to better understand how these theatres and cultures have interacted, paralleled and conflicted with Western cultures. No prerequisite.

THR 327—Advanced Acting, 1.0 credit. A2 (2005-2006).
An advanced course for mature students of acting, who are preparing for careers in theatre or wanting to develop life skills such as creativity and effectiveness in communication. The course focuses on period style, including Shakespeare.
Prerequisites: THR 127—Elements of Acting or permission of instructor.

THR 328—Theatre Arts Management, 1.0 credit. A2 (2004-2005).
A study of the principles of theatre arts management with special emphasis on philosophy, principles and plans of operation in commercial, educational and social theatre programs. Included among the course topics are European and American traditions in the arts, practical problems, and the integration of business and artistic models of operation necessary to a modern arts organization. Managers from local arts organizations are invited to present their personal case studies.
Prerequisites: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures and consent of the instructor.

THR 329—Advanced Directing, 1.0 credit. E2.
A course in directing for advanced students of theatre art. Student projects focus on textual interpretation, audition and rehearsal methods, as well as practice in principles of staging. The final course project for each director is the public performance of a complete one-act play.
Prerequisites: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures; THR 127—Elements of Acting; THR 222—Theatre Design Crafts; THR 229—Elements of Directing; and significant cocurricular responsibility.

THR 380—Special Topics, 1.0 credit. D.
Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.

THR 390—Cooperative Education, .5 to 2.0 credits. E.
See here for general information about the Cooperative Education program.

THR 421—Senior Seminar, .25 credit. E.
Students meet weekly to work on director/designer/actor communications strategies. Students create professional portfolios, work on problem-solving, and develop support, objectivity, and artistic judgment with their academic and artistic peers.
Prerequisites: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures; THR 124—Contemporary Drama: Literature and Criticism; THR 127—Elements of Acting; two 200-level THR courses; and senior status.

THR 422—Senior Thesis Project, .25 to .5 credit. D.
Senior Theatre majors complete their studies through a significant capstone project. Thesis projects may be tied to a mainstage production, a student-directed production, or involve non-production work. Thesis options include acting, directing, design, management, playwriting, and dramaturgy.
Prerequisites: THR 122—Production Organization and Procedures; THR 124—Contemporary Drama: Literature and Criticism; THR 127—Elements of Acting; two 200-level THR courses; and senior status.

THR 480—Independent Study, .25 to 1.0 credit. D.
This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.