Courses

THEA 119. Theatre Practicum 0.25 course credit
Staff-supervised participation in acting or technical theatre. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. May repeat 8 times.

THEA 171. Intro to Theatre Studies 1.0 course credit
An introductory-level study of all major areas of theatre practice: acting, directing, design & technology, playwriting and dramaturgy, criticism, history, management, global theatre, musical theatre, stage-to-screen adaptation, and more! Offered annually. No prerequisite. Artistic Inquiry.

THEA 173. Intro to Technical Theatre 1.0 course credit
A course for non-majors. Study of the basic elements of technical theatre is combined with hands-on laboratory experience. Primary areas of exploration are scenic construction, lighting, and sound. Offered each semester. No prerequisite. Artistic Inquiry. QRP.

THEA 174. Stagecraft 1.0 course credit
A course for Theatre and Theatre Education majors. Study of the basic elements of technical theatre is combined with hands-on laboratory experience. Primary areas of exploration are scenic construction, lighting, and sound. Offered concurrently with THEA- 173 each semester. Students in this section will complete additional projects that support their more rigorous program of study in the Department of Theatre. No prerequisite. Artistic Inquiry. QRP.

THEA 175. Acting for Non-Majors 1.0 course credit
An introduction to the art and craft of stage acting. Practical exercises in ensemble, improvisation, and scene work lead students to develop highly transferable skills such as creative thinking, responsiveness, confidence, collaboration, and analytical thinking. Offered annually. No prerequisite. Artistic Inquiry.

THEA 176. Acting I 1.0 course credit
An introduction to the Stanislavski System of acting for the serious Theatre or Theatre Education student. Through exercises in ensemble, improvisation, vocal and physical work, monologues, and scene work, students will learn the fundamental skills required of acting for the stage. Students also learn elementary script and character analysis techniques, as well as develop skills in material selection and preparation. Offered annually. Prerequisite: Theatre major, Theatre Education major, Theatre minor, or consent of the instructor. Artistic Inquiry.

THEA 250. Design Theory & History 1.0 course credit
A course that surveys the historical developments in theatre design and technology, as well as prominent design theories. Through lectures, demonstrations, studio work, and critiques, students develop an understanding of the history of scenic, costume, and lighting design. Students also gain competency in working with major design elements (color, line, and form). Offered biannually. Prerequisite: THEA-171 and THEA-173 or THEA-174, or consent of the instructor.

THEA 271. Children’s Theatre/Creative Drama 1.0 course credit
A course focusing on prominent theories and techniques in applied theatre (using theatre and drama as an educational and social tool). Focus is given to creating theatre for and with youth in the education or community context. Readings in history, theory, and production are combined with practical exercises in Creative Dramatics and Children’s Theatre. Offered as needed. No prerequisite.

THEA 275. Script Analysis & Dramaturgy 1.0 course credit
A study of the major theories and techniques of both play analysis and dramaturgy. Through critical reading, close analysis, and historical research, students develop competency in discerning a play’s textual, creative, and contextual elements. Studies in dramaturgy facilitate investigation into the relationship between dramatic texts and theatrical practice/production. Offered biannually. Prerequisite: THEA-171, or consent of the instructor.

THEA 276. Acting II 1.0 course credit
A continuation of the skills and techniques introduced in Acting I. Through exercises in ensemble, improvisation, voice and physicality, students learn advanced skills required of acting for the stage. Actor training beyond the Stanislavski System is emphasized, as is advanced technique in script and character analysis. The course centers on monologue and scene work from demanding modern and contemporary texts. Offered biannually. Prerequisite: THEA-175 or THEA-176. Recommended but not required: THEA-275.

THEA 281. Drafting for Design 0.5 course credit
A course centered on the fundamental elements of 2-D and 3-D drafting. Through lecture, demonstration, studio work, and critique, students gain competency in the technique of both hand-drafting and electronic drafting (using the industry-standard Vectorworks). The design of scenery and lighting is prioritized. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: THEA-171 and THEA-173 or THEA-174, or consent of the instructor. QRP.

THEA 282. Design Process & Procedures 0.5 course credit
A continuation of the study of theatrical design processes and procedures introduced in THEA-171. Through lectures, demonstrations, studio work, and critiques, students gain intermediate-level competency in the design of scenery, costume, lighting, and sound design. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: THEA-171 and THEA-281.

THEA 285. Theatre & Society 1.0 course credit
An introductory-level study of theatre and performance practices in the Americas that are committed to fostering positive transformation in individual lives and communities (at the local, national, and global levels). Primary focus is given to Theatre of the Oppressed, Community Theatre, and Community-Based Performance. The study of techniques and processes is combined with practical experience in theatre practice. Offered biannually. No prerequisites: Artistic Inquiry. Community Engagement.

THEA 290. Academic Travel Course 0.25 – 0.50 course credit
An academic travel course in which theatre-related topics are explored in site-specific contexts to illuminate deeper historical, dramaturgical, performative, and other meanings.

THEA 295. Intro to Prod Dramaturgy 0.5 course credit
A continuation of the study of dramaturgy introduced in THEA-171 and reinforced in THEA-275, the course offers intermediate- level study of dramaturgical practice. Moving beyond the dramaturg’s investigation into dramatic texts and their creation, the course focuses on the production dramaturg’s role as mediator between dramatic texts and the production thereof. Students gain competency in creating an actor packet, writing a program note, creating a lobby display, and communication/collaboration skills. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: THEA-171 and THEA-275, or consent of the instructor.

THEA 297. Special Topics: Theatre 0.5 to 1.0 course credit
A course that focuses on areas of theatre practice that are not covered in the traditional Theatre/Theatre Education curricula. May be repeated for credit only with a different topic. No prerequisites.

THEA 300. Stage Management 0.50 course credit
A continuation of the study of stage management introduced in THEA-171. Readings and practical exercises focus on the art and craft of stage management. Lectures, assignments, and hands-on experiences guide students through the full theatrical production process, from pre-production preparation through the final performance. Offered biannually. Prerequisites: THEA-171, THEA-173 or THEA-174, and THEA-175 or THEA-176, or consent of the instructor.

THEA 325.Theatre History & Literature 1.0 course credit
A survey of major aesthetic periods in the history of world theatre, ranging from the ancient world to Modernism. Students will study representative works of dramatic literature and gain insight to the social, political, and cultural contexts from which theatrical traditions emerge and to which they respond. Offered biannually. Prerequisites: THEA-175. Recommended but not required: THEA-275. Artistic Inquiry. Global Learning.

THEA 350. Design Studio I 1.0 course credit
The culmination of design study at the undergraduate level, students create fully realized theatrical designs in one area of theatre practice: scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, or properties. Includes lecture and laboratory. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: THEA- 250, THEA-281, and THEA-282, or consent of instructor.

THEA 370. Voice & Movement 1.0 course credit
A study of the voice and body to include techniques needed for the actor’s healthy and effective vocal production, general strength and conditioning, and introduction to foundational dance styles (ballet, jazz, and tap). Includes readings on voice and movement theory, laboratory exercise, and the creation of movement-based and vocal performances. Offered biannually. Prerequisite: THEA- 175 or THEA-176, or consent of the instructor.

THEA 371. Acting III 1.0 course credit
A study of western acting techniques ranging from ancient Greek to 18th-century Restoration. Includes readings on performance history and theory, laboratory exercise, improvisation, scene study, character development, critical reflection, and the attendance of productions. Monologue and scene work are central to the coursework. Offered biannually. Prerequisite: THEA-175 or THEA- 176, or consent of the instructor. Artistic Inquiry. Global Learning.

THEA 375. Principles of Playwriting 1.0 course credit
Playwriting leverages the strengths of poetry, non-fiction, and fiction, and reshapes each genre’s skill set within the context of theatre’s unique physical and temporal qualities. Central to the course is the study and practice of playwriting fundamentals: given circumstances, plot, character, and language. Lecture, writing workshops, and critiques develop students’ skills in writing monologues, dialogue exchanges, a 10-minute play, and a 30-minute play. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: THEA-171, THEA- 275, or consent of the instructor.

THEA 377. Directing: History & Principles 1.0 course credit
A study of the practical and theoretical elements of stage directing for the serious Theatre or Theatre Education student. Readings in theory and production organization are combined with practical exercises in analysis, pictorial composition, movement. Exercises, studio work, and critiques culminate in students co-directing a fully realized mainstage production. Offered biannually. Prerequisites: THEA-275, or consent of the instructor.

THEA 382. Design Studio II 1.0 course credit
A continuation of THEA-350, students create fully realized theatrical designs in one area of theatre practice: scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, or properties. Includes lecture and laboratory. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: THEA-350.

THEA 406 Theatre Capstone & Career Preparation 0.50 course credit
A capstone experience for upper-level Theatre majors. The course is delivered in hybrid form, blending seminar and independent study pedagogies. Students will prepare for a professional career in theatre through the preparation of application letters and audition/portfolio materials, and the creation of a website that houses evidence of their education and experience as an artist and scholar. Each student will also fulfill the requirements of a capstone project in their area of Concentration. Prerequisite: Theatre major at junior or senior standing.

THEA 490. Independent Study 0.5 course credit
A faculty-directed program of individual study consisting of reading, research, or creative performance. May be repeated for credit.

THEA 497. Internship in Theatre Arts 0.5 course credit
An experience designed to allow the student to use in the field concepts and ideas developed during major study and to help prepare the student for employment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit.