Theater

01707/Theater

Lower Division Courses

0011. Introduction to Theater Process (3 s.h.) F S. $.

Prerequisite: For majors only. Co-Requisite: For minors only, Theater C110.

Methods of study of dramatic text; the modern actualistic mode (beginning with Ibsen) in all media as a first step toward production. Principles of dramatic form; cultural context of modern realistic drama; readings and projects.

Note: Required of all majors. Recommended to non-majors who intend to work with drama professionally in television or film, or as critics. Theater majors must pass Theater 0011 with a grade of C or better.

C025. Acting for Non-Majors (3 s.h.) F S SS. Core: AR.

The actor studies Stanislavski through the exploration of Uta Hagen's object exercises. Techniques in relaxation, improvisation and concentration are applied to scene and monologue.

0027. Introduction to Acting (3 s.h.) F S.

The actor explores Uta Hagen’s object exercises. Techniques in relaxation, improvisation, and concentration are applied to two scenes; one modern comedy and one modern dramatic scene.

Note: For theater majors only. Majors must pass Theater 0027 with a grade of C or better. Required for Acting Emphasis.

0041. Technical Theater Production (3 s.h.) F S.

Introduction to the elements of physical production: scenery, costumes, sound and lighting. Theory and practice of craft and visual communications. Lab and production participation required.

Note: Theater majors must pass Theater 0041 with a grade of C or better.

Upper Division Courses

0100. Production Practicum (1 s.h.) F S. $.

Participation required in at least one departmental production activity.

Note: For theater majors only. Theater 0100 is required every semester the student is a full-time major. If Theater 0100 is not successfully completed (a grade of NC, no credit), Theater 0101 must be taken concurrently with Theater 0100 the following semester. Required every semester the student is a full-time major.

0101. Production Practicum (1 s.h.) F S.

Same as Theater 0100. Theater 0101 and Theater 0100 must be taken concurrently the semester following receipt of the grade NC (no credit) for Theater 0100.

Note: Required in the event that a student is unsuccessful in the completion of Theater 0100.

C110. Theater: The Collaborative Art (3 s.h.) F S SS. Core: AR. $.

Live professional theater performances serve as the basis for the study of contemporary theater: its elements, its ideas, and its creators. Lecture/demonstrations of the elements of theater art presented by the artists/teachers of the theater faculty.

Note: Theater majors must pass Theater C110 with a grade of C or better.

0111. Poetry as Performance (3 s.h.) S.

This theater course takes the poem off of the printed page, from mere recitation to performance. It teaches theater tips and helpful techniques used in one of the hottest mediums in performance art today, rekindling love of poetry, from Robert Frost, to T.S. Eliot, to Ezra Pound, from Sterling Brown, to Langston Hughes to Sonia Sanchez.

0115. Theater of Protest (3 s.h.) F.

Behind nearly every successful social movement, thwarted military coup or insurgent political revolution there has always been the Theater of Protest. A unique, cross-culturally distinct genre, the plays, the performers and oftentimes, even the playwrights themselves, that have added their political "bent" to the discourse on the Theater of Protest, have put their lives "on the line" as resistance warriors in cultural movements, sometimes even paying the ultimate price for their art.

0117. Performance Art (3 s.h.) F.

An introduction to performance art. Lecture and discussion of the history and aesthetics of the form. Students will create projects which may combine music, art, dance and theater. The course culminates in an original performance piece presented to the Theater Department at the end of the semester.

0119. Creativity: Basic (3 s.h.) F S.

The introductory course to creativity in theater. Techniques to encourage creative self-expression and ways of presenting ideas and materials.

Note: Restricted to majors, Creativity is the matrix course for all theater students and leads to the various emphasis programs.

0120. Basic Acting II (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Theater C025.

This course is a continuation of C025, Acting for Non-majors. It is intended for the student who wants more than a basic introduction to acting but may not be able to major in theater. Exercises, scene study, script analysis.

Note: No audition.

0121. Voice for the Actor (3 s.h.) F S.

Fitzmaurice Technique applied to increase the power, range and expressivity of the voice. Through Yoga and bioenergetics the actor achieves relaxation. Through rib, diaphragmatic and abdominal exercises, the actor finds the freedom of the voice possible in strength and structure.

Note: Required for Acting Emphasis.

0123. Basic Movement (3 s.h.) F S.

Introduces the student actor to basic skills, concepts and techniques of movement for the actor. Modern dance, improvisation and physicalization of dramatic text are integral parts of the course.

Note: Required for Acting Emphasis.

0126. Basic Acting Technique (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Grade of B or higher in Theater 0027 or permission of the department.

The actor applies the Uta Hagen Technique to scene work. Exploration of scenes from 20th century American dramatic literature.

Note: Required for Acting Emphasis. May be repeated with permission of the department.

0127. Speech for the Actor (3 s.h.) F S.

Fundamentals of speech for the performer: the goal is clarity, dissipation of regional accents, learning IPA, and American Standard speech.

Note: Required for Acting Emphasis.

0223. Movement for the Actor (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0025, 0123.

Experience in various dance idioms including modern, social, jazz, and character choreodram especially designed for the actor.

0225. Intermediate Acting (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Grade of B or higher in Theater 126 OR permission from the department.

Exploration of the physical life of the character through Uta Hagen's exercises, as well as through Michael Checkov technique. The actor is introduced to concepts of the center and psychological gesture through the performance of works from the following playwrights: Chekov, Shaw, Wilde, Coward, O'Neill, Wilson, Miller, Shepard and Kushner.

Note: Required for Acting Emphasis.

0243. Principles of Design (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0041.

The basic compositional elements of line, form, texture, and color. A context for viewing all areas of theater design.

Note: Theater majors must pass Theater 0243 with a grade of C or better.

0246. Stage Management I (3 s.h.) F S.

The basic organization of stage productions with emphasis on the relationship of management to artists and product. Production participation required.

0276. Scene Painting I (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Theater 0041 or permission of department.

Traditional theatrical scene painting techniques.

0277. Scene Painting II (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0276 or permission of department.

Advanced and experimental scene painting techniques.

W303. Classical Tradition (3 s.h.) F S. Core: WI.

Required of all majors. The dramatic literature, criticism, and theater history of ancient Greece and Rome and their influence on Western theatrical development, studied in appropriate cultural contexts.

Note: Theater majors must pass Theater W303 with a grade of C or better.

W304. Romantic Tradition (3 s.h.) F S. Core: WI.

The dramatic literature, criticism, and theater history of the Renaissance in England and subsequent developments in Europe in the late 18th and early 19th centuries studied in appropriate cultural contexts.

Note: Required of all majors. Theater majors must pass Theater W304 with a grade of C or better.

0305. Modern Directions (3 s.h.) F S.

The dramatic literature, criticism, and theater history of the modern period studied in appropriate cultural contexts.

Note: Required of all majors. Theater majors must pass Theater 0305 with a grade of C or better.

0307. Seminar in Drama (3 s.h.) F S.

Intensive research into a specialized topic in dramatic literature, criticism, or theater history. Written and/or oral presentation required.

Note: Required of all majors. American Musical Theater (0312) and History of Modern Scene Design (0372) will be accepted as alternates for 0307. Theater majors must pass Theater 0307 with a grade of C or better.

0312. American Musical Theater (3 s.h.) F.

In this course you will study the form of the American Musical through a detailed analysis of the "Book" of the show. Focus on the subject matter, complexity of the situation, character development, and the introduction of the song. A study of musicals ranging from the 1920s to the present.

Note: Theater majors must pass Theater 0312 with a grade of C or better.

0319. Acting for Film and TV (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with FMA 0322.

This course is designed for theater majors to develop their skills before the camera. Actors are given experience in texts for commercials, soap operas, sit-coms, and film scenes, so that they are prepared for auditions in these areas.

0325. Advanced Acting (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Grade of B or higher in both Theater 0126 and 0225 OR permission of the department.

Acting theory and technique in expressing style, characterization, and interpretation as applied to classical dramatic literature, such as Shakespeare, Moliere, the Greeks, and Restoration. Requires intensive outside preparation of exercises and scenes for presentation in class.

Note: Required for Acting Emphasis.

0326. Thesis for Acting Emphasis (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Grade of B or higher in Theater 0126, 0225 and 0325 OR permission of the department.

Selection, preparation, and performance of one-act plays. Focus on characterization, scene analysis, and a deeper understanding of acting technique as applied to the dramatic structure of the one-act. As far as casting, there are no small parts -- all roles are substantial. Plays are presented at the end of the semester in a Festival of One-Acts. This opportunity enables the actor to grow and develop in a way that only a major performance challenge can provide. Requires intensive outside rehearsal for presentation in class.

Note: Required for Acting Emphasis.

0328. Stage Combat (3 s.h.) F S.

Introduces the student actor to basic concepts and attributes needed to build the illusion of violence on the stage in a safe and cooperative manner. Emphasizes expanding the student's movement vocabulary and special awareness. Specific instruction on rolls, tumbles, breakfalls, and unarmed combat.

0329. Theater as a Profession (3 s.h.) F.

This course is designed for Theater majors who expect to work in the profession. Instruction in auditioning, resumé preparation, and basic information about the business of show business. Intense study, preparation, and performance of at least five monologues.

Note: Theater majors must take and pass this course with a grade of B or better in order to be considered by the Theater Department for direct submission to the Finals of the University/Resident Theater Association Auditions in NYC.

0335. Introduction to the Director's Art (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0011, 0027, 0041, and 0243, or permission of the department.

Introduction to the fundamental process and tools of directing. Focus on script analysis, the principles of composition, movement and rhythm and their application, and the practicalities of rehearsal and working with actors.

Note: Theater majors must pass Theater 0335 with a grade of C or better.

0338. Advanced Directing (4 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0335, 0328 or equivalent, 0126, or permission of the department.

The focus of this class will be on advancing the director’s storytelling techniques of script analysis, concept work, staging and working with actors and design elements by applying them to a challenging variety of material and longer forms beyond the single scene, culminating in the presentation of a one act play or one act of a full-length play.

0341. Technical Direction for the Theater (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Theater 0041 and permission of department.

Drafting technical and management skills necessary to mount the theatrical production.

0351. Lighting for the Theater (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Theater 0041.

Basic mechanics of lighting and an introduction to the design process.

Note: Production participation required.

0352. Lighting Design I (4 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0351 or permission of department.

Lighting design projects for a variety of plays and stage forms. Graphic projects required.

0353. Creativity in Lighting (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Theater 0351 or permission of instructor.

Lighting design projects in the Lighting Laboratory. The purpose of the course is to expand the designer's vision beyond naturalistic effect and explore how painting, architecture, music, and other arts can provide inspiration and the basis for design in all media.

0360. Costume Design I (4 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0243 or permission of instructor.

Costume design for the stage. Graphic projects required.

0361. Costume Design II (4 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Theater 0243 or permission of instructor.

Costume design for the stage. Graphics projects required.

0363. History of Costume and Architectural Decor (3 s.h.) F.

A survey of social costume, architectural styles and decoration in the principal periods with which Western world theater is concerned. The adaptation of such material for use in design for stage, television, and film.

0364. History of Costume and Architectural Decor II (3 s.h.) S.

Continuation of Theater 0363.

0367. Costume Production (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Permission of department.

Study of basic planning and construction skills in all aspects of costume production.

0368. Draping and Flat Pattern Drafting (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0367 and permission of department.

Development of advanced skills in costume production.

0372. History of Modern Scenic Design (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0011, 0305, and permission of department.

Survey of major historical periods of theatrical design. Intensive reading in the period 1880 to present. Oral and written projects.

0373. Drawing and Rendering Techniques (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Permission of department.

Basic techniques of rendering the human figure, furniture, architecture, and landscapes in pencil and watercolor.

0378. Scene Design I (4 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Theater 0041, and 0243, or permission of department.

Scenic design for the stage. Graphic projects required.

0379. Scene Design II (4 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Theater 0041, and 0243, or permission of department.

Scenic designs for a variety of plays and stage forms. Graphic projects required.

0381. Playwriting (3 s.h.) S.

This course is designed to familiarize students with the dramatic art, examining plot, characterization, theatricality, and other elements of the playwright’s craft. The course functions as a playwriting workshop as students present exercises in class to be discussed by their peers. Utilizing techniques learned, students will begin work on a one-act play.

0390-0399. Independent Study in Theater (1-3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Permission of department.

Open to superior students by invitation or application. Directed research or project work.

0390. Independent Study in Sound (1-3 s.h.) F S.

Arranged each semester, please consult with the instructor

0391. General Study (1-3 s.h.) F S SS.