Course Offerings
Below is a list of available courses offered by the Theatre Department. Consult the Registrar’s Office and the College Catalog for registration information.
THTR 107 - PRODUCTION LAB
Practical experience with departmental productions in the area of performance, stage management, technical production, or design, based on audition and/or assignment to a specific project with the current production. A minimum number of laboratory hours will be required for satisfactory completion of the assignment, based upon the nature of the project and dependent upon credit hours elected.
Hours credit: .5, 1, or 1.5 (management only). Prerequisite: permission of the Department. Offered on a Pass/Fail basis only. May be repeated for credit.
THTR 111 - STAGECRAFT
An introduction to stage scenery, stage organization, and terminology. The methods and materials of set construction. Formal and self-scheduled laboratories provide practical experience with productions of departmental/Sock & Buskin and senior theatre majors' productions.
Hours credit: 3.
THTR 117 - BASICS OF DESIGN
An introduction to the principles of design as they apply to performance and the design process. This is primarily a project-based class in which students will deal with the basic principals of costume, scenery, and lighting design. Practical experience with departmental/Sock & Buskin and senior theatre majors' productions.
Hours Credit: 3.
THTR 123 - BEGINNING ACTING
A study of acting for beginners as a performance experience. Emphasis on the fundamentals of performance, including concentration, improvisational exercises, interaction, objective work, and transitions. Also included is the study of various acting techniques as a basis for further development as an actor. The course will culminate in a final scene presentation at the end of the semester.
Hours credit: 3
THTR 142 - INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE
A general orientation to dramatic and theatrical conventions, theatre periods and styles, dramatic genres, theatre organization and production. The roles of audience, actor, director, playwright, and designer. The reading and discussion of plays and musicals. Viewing and reviewing the play in production.
Hours credit: 3. Offered first semester.
THTR 212 - TOPICS IN THEATRE
Specialized study in areas of theatre technology, production, styles, or genres. Depending upon topic, course work may extend from a minimum of four weeks to the entire semester, and may call for practical experience with departmental/Sock & Buskin and senior theatre majors' productions. Hours credit: 1, 1.5, 2, or 3. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Offered at the discretion of the Department. May be repeated for credit when topic differs.
THTR 214S - INTERNATIONAL STUDY-TRAVEL SEMINAR
A study-travel seminar that focuses on a region where historical context can be compared with contemporary practice, such as the Theatre of Great Britain, the renaissance Theatres of Italy, the Noh Theatre of Japan, and Oberammergau in Germany with its medieval passion play. Students research the theatrical traditions, history, and culture of the region prior to the trip to begin to understand how Theatre has developed as a unique expression. While on the tour students will attend performances and other cultural events to seek evidence of how the arts and community interact. There will be a pre-trip component on campus and a concluding presentation following the trip which for summer trips must be completed by the fourth week of the fall semester.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisites: THTR 111R, 117R, 123, 142 or permission of the instructor.
THTR 215 - LIGHTING DESIGN
An introduction to stage lighting. Emphasis will be placed on the study of elementary electricity, optics, manual and computerized control, and the principles of lighting design. Application of basic light designs using current standard graphic conventions. Practical experience with departmental/Sock & Buskin and senior theatre majors' productions.
Hours credit: 3.
THTR 216 - SCENIC DESIGN
An introduction to the design and execution of theatrical scenery. Basic design techniques to be explored include thumbnail studies, scaled drafting of ground plans and working drawings, architectural rendering, and scale model building. Practical experience with departmental/Sock & Buskin and senior theatre majors' productions.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Theatre 117R.
THTR 219 - COSTUME DESIGN
An introduction to the art of design with specific emphasis on its relation to costuming for the theatre. Students will explore the use of various media and techniques used for the creation of costume design. A variety of rendering techniques may be explored including collage, watercolor, and transfer drawing. Practical experience with departmental/Sock & Buskin and senior theatre majors' productions.
Hours Credit:3. Prerequisites: Theatre 117R. Offered alternate years.
THTR 224 - INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED ACTING
A continuation of beginning acting, this course furthers the student’s skills, employing the fundamental theories and methods of acting. Emphasis on laboratory experience in the preparation of scenes. Consideration of various acting techniques through performance with maximum individual on-stage instruction. The course will culminate in a presentation of two final scenes at the end of the semester.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: THTR 123 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit with consultation with the instructor required after 9 credit hours.
THTR 233 - FUNDAMENTALS OF DIRECTING
Detailed play analysis. Development of the director's concept. Instruction in stage composition, picturization, movement, rhythm, and pantomimic dramatization. Direction of scenes from outstanding contemporary plays.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Theatre 142. Offered second semester.
THTR 275 - GREEK DRAMA
Identical with Classics 275.
Hours credit: 3. Corequisite: Theatre 275P.
THTR 276 - READING DRAMA
A study of tragedy, comedy, and other varieties of works for the theatre, with attention given to historical and social context. Students will examine periods such as the Restoration, types such as melodrama, and movements such as theatre of the absurd. Attendance at screenings and at live productions by the theatre department may be required. Representative authors may include Sophocles, Behn, Ibsen, Shaw, and O'Neill.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: ENGL 103R (or exemption) or the equivalent.
THTR 277 - SHAKESPEARE
Identical with English 277.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
THTR 279 - PLAYWRITING
Analysis of dramatic form and style. Examination of plot, character, and thought. Expression through dialogue. Exploring and expanding the one-page play. The writing of ten-minute plays. Identical with English 279.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: English 261 or Theatre 142 or permission of the instructor. Offered second semester.
THTR 309 - DESIGN STUDIO
Intermediate/advanced study of scenic, lighting, and/or costume design with an emphasis on collaboration with other artists. Students will develop the appropriate research, paperwork, and presentation materials to conceive, communicate, and realize their designs. Exploration of rendering and modeling techniques including computer applications, is encouraged.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisites: THTR 117R and THTR 215; 216; or 219. May be repeated for credit.
THTR 311 - DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Studio class with projects geared toward the development of the portfolio for graduate school and professional design auditions.
Hours credit: 1.5. Prerequisite: Theatre 215; 216; or 219. May be repeated for credit. Offered at the discretion of the department.
THTR 337 - DIRECTING WORKSHOP
Further study and practice of concepts and techniques developed in Fundamentals of Directing (Theatre 233). Detailed examination and application of twentieth-century directing theories. Direction of short plays or scenes from classic and modern plays. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Theatre 142 and 233. May be repeated for credit. Offered second semester.
THTR 341 - HISTORY OF THE THEATRE
A detailed survey of western theatre and drama. Analysis of representative plays with consideration of the script as social document and with particular emphasis on problems of production. Primitive times through the Restoration.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite for theatre majors: THTR 142. Offered alternate years.
THTR 342 - HISTORY OF THE THEATRE
A detailed survey of western theatre and drama. Analysis of representative plays with consideration of the script as social document and with particular emphasis on problems of production. Eighteenth century through modern.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite for theatre majors: THTR 142. Offered alternate years.
THTR 376 - RENAISSANCE DRAMA:MURDER&MADNESS
Identical with English 376.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor.
THTR 380 - PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP
Expansion of basic playwriting techniques. Examination of dramatic rhythm and of spectacle as metaphor. Extensive writing, classroom readings, critiques, and public readings. Writing of a one-act or longer play. Identical with English 380.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Theatre 142 and English/Theatre 279. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of nine hours. Offered first semester.
THTR 381 - ABSURD YOUNG MEN
Albert Camus proposes that man desires order in a world of chaos, leading to the absurd predicament. Question: whether to be angry about the human condition or, as Camus imagines Sisyphus, happy? Students will examine this existential paradox through the post-World War II dramas of playwrights such as Osborne, Pinter, Beckett, Ionesco, and Albee.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: 100- or 200-level literature course or permission of the instructor. Rotating
THTR 490 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
THTR 493 - SENIOR PROJECT
Arranged in consultation with the Department. Preparation and presentation of the senior production. Seminar study and research.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: permission of the Department.
THTR 494 - SENIOR PROJECT
Arranged in consultation with the Department. Preparation and presentation of the senior production. Seminar study and research.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: permission of the Department.
