2007-08 Academic Catalog	home FAQs request

Courses 

Theatre Art Courses

THR 122 — Theatre Production Organization and Procedures, 1.0 credit. E1.
THR 122 provides the framework for understanding the role, responsibility, relationship and skills of key personnel in a theatre production or theatre building. Students combine classroom information with experiential learning to develop a sampling of projects and skills for the producer/director and theatre managers, plus costume, scenic and lighting designers, artists and technicians. Theatre arts and theatre art are integrated into the life experiences and learning available to every liberal arts student.

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 learn how to analyze plays as actors, directors and designers do.

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 212 — Lighting Design and Execution, 1.0 credit. A2 (2009-2010).
Students will learn the necessary skills required to design and set up the lighting for a theatrical event. They will learn to design and draft a light plot, work with lighting instruments and color media, cue a show, and how their designs interact with other members of the design and directorial team. Students will be expected to complete practical projects in lighting design as well as written assignments. The class will end with a realized, small scale, lighting design presented to the rest of their peers.

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

THR 224 — Theatres and Cultures: Origins to Elizabethan, 1.0 credit. A2 (2009-2010).
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 227 — Intermediate Acting: Scene Study, 1.0 credit. E2.
Students will continue the exploration of self from beginning acting, exploring the relationship of the actor to the role by examining intention, relationship and environment while working on scenes together. Students will be expected to complete both analytical and performance objectives. Scene study projects will also include in-class rehearsals and a public performance-level showcase. The course will center on the examination of characters in conflict in contemporary drama.
Prerequisite: THR 127 or consent of the instructor

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 and THR 127, or consent of instructor

THR 250 — Pre-May Seminar in Theatre, 0.5 credit. A2 (2007-2008).
This 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 theatre research in historic archeological sites, museums or a variety of contemporary performances.

THR 280 — Individualized Study, 0.25 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 (four topics) can be applied to the theatre major or minor.
Prerequisite: THR 122 and permission of the instructor

THR 300 — May Seminar in Theatre, 1.0 credit. MS (2007-2008).
This May Seminar explores the historic and contemporary theatres and cultures of Europe. Students may 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 research projects by visiting historical, social and cultural sites. Discover how European cultures were reflected by their historical theatre practices, and the myriad ways in which theatre still serves these societies today.

THR 322 — Applied Design and Creativity, 1.0 credit. A2 (2007- 2008).
This course focuses on methodologies used in transforming scripts to designs for musicals and classical theatre productions. The student is then expected to develop a portfolio-ready project in costumes, scenery and lighting that incorporate creative problem-solving with crafts and skills developed in THR 222. 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 and THR 222

THR 323 — Women and Theatre, 1.0 credit. A1 (2007-2008).
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 coursework, students will engage in discussion and write journals to further develop their artistic identities. This course is part of the women’s studies program.

THR 327 — Advanced Acting, 1.0 credit. A2 (2007-2008).
An advanced course for mature students of acting, whether 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, or music theatre.
Prerequisites: THR 127 or permission of instructor

THR 328 — Theatre Arts Management, 1.0 credit. A2 (2008-2009).
A study of the principles of theatre arts management with special emphasis on philosophy, principles and plans of operation in commercial, educational or 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 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, 127, 222, 229 and significant cocurricular responsibility

THR 334 — European History of Western Theatre, 1.0 credit. A2 (2009-2010).
This course tracks changes in theatre from its origins in ancient Greece and Rome, through the upheavals of the Medieval, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Romantic periods. Students will integrate historical, cultural and literary sources to achieve an understanding of how and why theatre practices have changed. Students develop skills in reading texts for historical understanding, analyzing contemporaneous criticism, and investigating architecture and artifacts.

THR 335 — Non-Western Theatres and Cultures, 1.0 credit. A1 (2008-2009).
This course investigates traditional and post-colonial theatre practices in non-Western cultures. Students will study a variety of traditional theatres and dramatic dance, including those of Japan, China, India and Africa. Students will research colonial experiences and read contemporary post-colonial plays. Students will investigate a variety of source materials — texts, architectural remains, images and commentary — in order to understand the interaction of historical, commercial, political and artistic forces that have shaped traditional and contemporary non-Western theatre.

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, 0.5 to 2.0 credits. E.

THR 421 — Senior Seminar, 0.25 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, THR 124, THR 127, two 200-level courses and senior status

THR 422 — Senior Thesis Project, 0.25 to 0.5 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 or dramaturgy.
Prerequisites: THR 122, THR 124, THR 127, two 200-level courses and senior status

THR 480 — Independent Study, 0.25 to 1.0 credit. D.
This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct an in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact department or program chair for more information.