Course Descriptions
As of Fall 2023, courses of study in Bachelor of Arts Major in Theatre Arts, Bachelor of Arts Major in Speech and Theatre Education, and Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Musical Theatre have been discontinued for future enrollments. However, students currently enrolled in these programs will be supported as they complete their degrees or as they transition to other academic programs.
THTR111 The Theatre Experience
Introduction to basic knowledge of the theatre, its origins, development, and the work and joy involved in the creative experience of theatre. Intended to increase the understanding of and appreciation for theatre by non-majors and majors. Laboratory with current productions. Credit 3 hours.
THTR112-113-212-213-312-313-412-413 Improvisational Acting
Theory and practice of improvisational acting. Theatre gaming used in process and performance toward development of original characters and scenes. Group managed as an ensemble. Credit 1 hour.
THTR115-116-215-216-315-316-415-416 Goal and Career Development
Required every semester for theatre majors. Students and instructor will design a project plan to meet the development level of the individual student. Jury at the end. Prerequisite: 2.0 GPA. Credit 1 to 3 hours
THTR128-129-228-229-328-329-428-429 Theatre Practicum
Practicum experience in technical theatre for students participating in the current theatre season. Prerequisite: 2.0 GPA. Credit 0 to 1 hour.
THTR200 Acting 1: Acting Foundations
An introductory exploration of objective driven acting techniques focusing on developing truthful human behavior on stage, largely working with the ideas of Stansilavski, but also incorporating the work of some of his adherents, such as Stella Adler and Uta Hagen. Credit 3 hours.
THTR201 Acting 2: Scene Study and Collaboration
Students will continue to build on the techniques and requirements introduced in THTR200 while also introducing the work of Sanford Meisner as a means of exploring reaction-based acting terminology. The focus in this class will be primarily focused on scene work. Prerequisite: THTR200 or consent of instructor. Credit 3 hours.
THTR223 Creative Dramatics
Designed for theatre performance and elementary education majors. Follows the philosophy that our world/reality is always changing. Improvisation, role playing, and other "theatrical games" for mutual understanding and trust. Credit 3 hours.
THTR224 Stagecraft
Theory and practice of technical phases of play production. Study and application of principles of construction and handling of stage scenery, lighting and sound equipment. Laboratory with current productions. Credit 3 hours.
THTR227 Make-Up for the Stage
Basic principles and practices of theatre makeup; various assignments to develop skill in theatrical makeup. Laboratory with current productions. Credit 3 hours.
THTR234 The Expressive Voice
Development of optimal vocal production, with focus on mastery of standard American dialect and introduction to the use of other stage dialects, with application to the use of the voice in all styles of text performance. Credit 3 hours.
THTR301 Lighting Design
Study and application of lighting technology and design as they relate to other production elements and event settings. Prerequisites: THTR224, MATH110, or consent of instructor. Credit 3 hours.
THTR311 Acting 3: Styles and Periods
Students will utilize the concepts introduced in THTR200 and 201 to explore scene work outside of the contemporary canon. Students will have opportunities to explore a variety of texts. This could include classic Greek and Roman texts, Early-Modern texts including Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Carolinean, Restoration-era comedy and sentimentalism, and various avant-garde texts, including Expressionism and Surrealism. Prerequisite: THTR201 and THTR234 or consent of instructor. Credit 3 hours.
THTR314 Stage Combat
This course will focus on the study of safe choreographed stage violence. Though based in movement training, this course is also considered a physical acting and performance class suitable for actors, directors, stage managers, and theatre technicians. Credit 3 hours.
THTR324 Arts Management
An overview of the responsibilities of a director of an artistic organization. Management of personnel and facilities, programming, promotion, and budgeting will be studied in the classroom and in the field. Also includes visits to local arts organizations for firsthand experience. Credit 3 hours.
THTR325 Design for the Stage
Study of stage design as it relates to scenic elements, lighting and sound. Prerequisite: THTR224. Credit 3 hours.
THTR327 Costuming
An examination of the history, development, basic principles of design and construction of stage costumes. Laboratory with current productions. Credit 3 hours.
THTR330 Stage Movement
Development of the actor’s body as an expressive tool; developing sensory and spatial awareness, structure and alignment, stage presence, gesture, and introducing their use in acting styles. Credit 3 hours.
THTR331 Theatre Across the Disciplines 2
This lab-intensive course stresses theatre involvement and methods across the disciplines. Emphasis is placed on communicating with and developing empathy for others in a variety of fields including the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The course seeks to connect learning and sharing among all disciplines through theatre games, creative dramatics, and dramatic literature, and its performance across campus and in the surrounding community. As theatre entertains and teaches, it helps us build connections to understand ourselves and our world. Prerequisite: IART 231. Credit 3 hours.
THTR332 Theatre History 1
Examines history of theatre from its origins through Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Restoration and Romantic theatre. Reading of plays and study of theory, historical background, the physical theatre and its performers and their relationship to the culture and development of theatre. Credit 3 hours.
THTR333 Theatre History 2
Development of theatre and dramatic literature beginning with Realism. Reading of plays and study of theory, historical development, genres, styles, physical theatre, performers, and the cultural diversity of the modern drama and the theatrical experience. Credit 3 hours.
THTR343 Creative Writing: Playwriting
This is a creative writing class, studying and creating dramatic literature, one of the oldest artistic means of expression of the human condition. Students will work with the basic theories and skills of playwriting, integrating written and oral communication skills, psychology, the humanities, and the culture and diversity of our world. Students will write plays throughout the semester, building plots, developing characters, and themes. They will build their craft in the use of words in dramatic form, the integration of music, and understand spectacle as it impacts dramatic writing. Reading of plays, about playwrights and about playwriting will complement student playwriting. The learning and creative work of each student will be integrated in a final project. Cross-listed with English. Credit 3 hours.
THTR410 Acting 4: Studies in Acting
Students will take part in a rotating topics course. The topics will be derived from the instructor’s specialization(s) and the interest of students. Possible topics include Acting Shakespeare, Viewpoints, Physical Theatre, Devised Theatre, etc. Prerequisite: THTR311 or consent of instructor. Credit 3 hours. May be repeated for credit.
THTR424 Directing 1
Theory and practice of directing. Play choice, analysis, and rehearsal techniques. Prerequisites: THTR224, THTR200, COMM202, or consent of the instructor. Credit 3 hours.
THTR425 Directing 2
A continuation of THTR424. This course requires the production of a one-act play. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Credit 3 hours.
THTR454 Senior Project
Project chosen by student and instructor in conference. Development of project to synthesize and integrate theatre knowledge and application. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Credit 1 to 3 hours.
