Courses
THEA 1101 Survey of Theatre: 3 semester hours.
An audience-oriented course in the creative processes and aesthetic principles which guide artists of the live theatre, film and television in the shaping and reflection of human value. Partially satisfies Objective 4 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su
THEA 1107 Theatre and Dance Showcase: 0 semester hours.
Attendance at weekly showcase hour. Enrollment in this course is required of all students in Theatre and Dance majors and minors. Graded S/U. F, S
THEA 1111 Stagecraft: 3 semester hours.
Shop and crew based course in building scenery, hanging lights, painting and properties. Lectures are based on construction theories and practical application. Required for majors. F, S
THEA 1118 Oral Interpretation of Literature: 3 semester hours.
Development of skills conveying an understanding of prose, poetry, and dramatic literature through the use of body, voice, and mind, thus enhancing one's communication and critical thinking skills. Students learn the art of communicating to an audience the various genres of literature through thorough analysis and interpretation of the selection. Satisfies Objective 7 of the General Education Requirements. S
THEA 1121 Script Analysis: 3 semester hours.
A introductory course designed to help students read and understand playscripts at a higher level. This course will help theatre students make better informed choices as actors, directors and designers. S
THEA 1131 Voice and Diction: 3 semester hours.
A performance-based course focusing on basic breathing, tone, diction, and other aspects of speech for stage. Students will demonstrate acquisition of these skills through lab performances. F, S
THEA 1191 Theatre Production: 1 semester hour.
Supervised work in theatre production. Enrollment must be approved by a theatre faculty member and does not presume casting in a given production. May be repeated for up to 8 credits. F, S, Su
THEA 1199 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
THEA 2201 Fundamentals of Theatre Design: 3 semester hours.
An introduction to theatrical design concentrating on the creative and collaborative process through scenic, lighting, costume and sound design. This course examines the various roles of the production team in achieving aesthetic concepts, understanding color theory and the elements of design. S
THEA 2214 Makeup: 3 semester hours.
Introduction to makeup techniques for the stage. Application of makeup and design concepts will be developed. F,S
THEA 2215 Theatrical Improvisation: 3 semester hours.
Studio course designed for students to cultivate essential improvisatory skill sets including spontaneity, playfulness, characterization, content creation, ensemble-building, and playing the inherent truth in comedy.
THEA 2218 Stage Dialects: 2 semester hours.
A practical course in the production of commonly used stage dialects. Students study the international phonetic alphabet (IPA), and train in dialect development techniques. PREREQ: THEA 1131. D
THEA 2221 Stage Costume Construction: 3 semester hours.
Fundamental knowledge of fabrics, costume construction techniques, domestic and industrial machines. Laboratory component for practical experience on how to costume a stage production. F, S
THEA 2235 Singing for Actors: 2 semester hours.
Introduction to sound vocal technique and basic musicianship through the study of folk song and musical theater repertory. Selecting and preparing audition repertory. Vocal health issues. F
THEA 2251 Fundamentals of Acting: 3 semester hours.
Introduction to acting theories and "action" based methodology. Skills demonstrated in areas of imagination, observation, improvisation, text analysis, and some monologue and scene work. Satisfies Objective 7 of the General Education Requirements. F, S
THEA 2252 Intermediate Acting Scene Study: 3 semester hours.
A continuation of "action" based methodology through scene study in Dramatic Realism. Focus on character development, scoring analysis, and repeatable performance technique. PREREQ: THEA 2251 or permission of instructor. S
THEA 2275 Applied Theatre - Simulation: 3 semester hours.
This course explores the theory and practice of applied theatre, including community-embedded arts, educational drama, service-learning in the performing arts, theater for social change and health education simulation.
THEA 2299 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
THEA 3300 Theatre Movement Workshop: 2 semester hours.
Exploration of techniques of movement improvisation and the text/movement synthesis of physical theatre. Equivalent to DANC 3311. D
THEA 3301 Theatre Voice Workshop: 1-2 semester hours.
Intensive vocal workshop for the actor, resulting in an understanding of phonetics using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The class will correct regional and other speech deficiencies, and aid the student in attaining a clear, articulate, and standardized American Speech for the stage. D
THEA 3302 Beginning Costume Materials Workshop: 1-2 semester hours.
Beginning costume materials, including millinery, jewelry, and mask making. D
THEA 3303 Advanced Costume Materials Workshop: 1-2 semester hours.
Experimentation with several types of fabric dye and fabric modification, such as stenciling, screen painting, batik methods, Devore, and piping. D
THEA 3304 Stage Management: 3 semester hours.
An introduction to the administrative aspects of play production with emphasis on stage management. Required for Theatre major. S
THEA 3310 Drafting for the Theatre: 3 semester hours.
Studio class which introduces computer aided drafting needs in the performing arts with a focused emphasis on scenic and lighting design. 2D and 3D elements and lighting previsualization will be discussed and produced.
THEA 3311 Scene Design: 3 semester hours.
Studio class that introduces the methods and practices of scene design emphasizing the utilization of the elements of design: shape, line, color, form, and texture. Concept development, drafting techniques/requirements, color theory, perspective drawing, rendering, paint elevations and model building will be introduced. PREREQ: THEA 2201. F
THEA 3312 Stage Lighting Design: 3 semester hours.
A studio class that introduces the theory and practice of stage lighting design emphasizing the utilization of the elements of design and the controllable qualities of light. Includes concept development, drafting techniques/requirements, color theory, angles and systems, and basic programming of lighting consoles. PREREQ: THEA 2201. S
THEA 3313 Period Styles: 3 semester hours.
This course covers the history of aesthetics, focusing mainly on architecture, furniture and art from the major periods of the world?s history. We will focus on the main aspects that make the buildings and furniture unique to each period of time in history and how we can make period appropriate theatre designs. These discussions incorporate some theatre structure/design history and lighting history as well.
THEA 3315 Theatrical Clown and Mask Work: 3 semester hours.
Studio course designed for students to engage with theatrical mask work. Topics of study may include clowning, commedia, neutral mask, character mask, and more. S
THEA 3330 Stage Combat: 2 semester hours.
Students learn to safely perform a wide variety of combat moves and styles for the stage. Focuses on creating the illusion of violence through specific actions, physical storytelling, and acting techniques. This course is extremely physical and incorporates both hand-to-hand combat and swordplay. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. S
THEA 3331 Materials and Methods for High School Speech Arts: 3 semester hours.
Required for teaching majors in speech and theatre. D
THEA 3390 Practicum Theatre Arts: 1-2 semester hours.
Performances, projects, workshops, and regional/community technical design assistance. Focus for the course is determined by the faculty of record. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits with different titles. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D
THEA 3391 Theatre Production: 1 semester hour.
Supervised work in theatre production. Enrollment must be approved by a theatre faculty member and does not presume casting in a given production. May be repeated for up to 8 credits. F, S, Su
THEA 3393 Independent Research Projects I: 1-3 semester hours.
Under the supervision of the Theatre faculty, intermediate students will undertake special research projects in theatre, focusing on themes, methods and/or problems encountered early in one's stage life. May be repeated once with different content for a maximum total of 6 credits. F, S
THEA 3399 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
THEA 4400 Theatre History I: 3 semester hours.
A study of Western and world theatre from origins to the Renaissance. The course covers the development of dramatic forms, theatre architecture, and plays. F
THEA 4401 Theatre History II: 3 semester hours.
An overview of the aesthetic movements, innovators, architecture, theatrical practices and plays from the late Renaissance through Realism. S
THEA 4402 Stage Costume History: 3 semester hours.
A survey of the history of western clothing from Ancient Egypt through the present. Study of the social context and motivations behind the evolution of clothing, silhouette, and costume components. AF
THEA 4403 Stage Costume Design: 3 semester hours.
Costume design for the theatre incorporating the influence of period, concept, and mood. Course work includes text analysis, research, drawing, painting, and collage. PREREQ: THEA 2201. AS
THEA 4404 Special Topics in Acting: 3 semester hours.
Focuses on special acting challenges and techniques. Content varies with each semester offered. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with permission of the instructor. PREREQ: THEA 2251, THEA 2252, or permission of instructor. D
THEA 4405 Advanced Costume Construction: 3 semester hours.
A study in period corset, costume styles and construction techniques. Working with understructures to achieve specific time period silhouette. PREREQ: THEA 2221. AF
THEA 4406 Advanced Light Design: 3 semester hours.
Studio class emphasizing the study of upper level aesthetics of lighting design in the performing arts. Students work developing portfolio-quality designs, drafting packets and previsualizations for realized and non-realized projects mainly in theatre, opera and dance. PREREQ: THEA 1111, THEA 3311, and THEA 3312. D
THEA 4412 Scenic Painting: 3 semester hours.
A Studio class covering the techniques and skills necessary in the profession of scenic painting. Topics include: terminology, tools, faux finishes, abstract techniques, realistic reproduction, as well as washes and glazes. The course will require the purchase of individual scenic painting materials. AF
THEA 4414 Advanced Makeup: 3 semester hours.
Concentrated study of makeup for both stage and film. Techniques include wig styling, airbrush, face casting, prosthetic piecing and mask work. PREREQ: THEA 2214 or permission of instructor. AS
THEA 4419 20th Century Theatre: 3 semester hours.
An overview of the artistic movements, theatre visionaries and plays that marked what has been called "the century of innovation." OF
THEA 4420 American Theatre History: 3 semester hours.
American theatre and drama from the beginnings to mid-twentieth century. D
THEA 4421 Pattern Drafting and Draping for Costume: 3 semester hours.
Understanding methods of flat-patterning and introduction of draping for the 20th and 21st Century costume silhouette. Basic stitching skill required. PREREQ: THEA 2221 or permission of instructor. AF
THEA 4422 Advanced Pattern Drafting and Draping for Costume: 3 semester hours.
Development of advanced pattern drafting methods to create historical costumes prior to the 20th Century. PREREQ: THEA 4421. AF
THEA 4426 Advanced Scene Design: 3 semester hours.
Studio class emphasizing the study of upper level aesthetics of scene design in the performing arts. Students develop portfolio-quality designs, drafting packets and 3D models for realized and non-realized projects mainly in theatre and opera. PREREQ: THEA 1111, THEA 3311, and THEA 3312. D
THEA 4431 Advanced Acting Shakespeare: 3 semester hours.
A continuation of the Stanislavsky based acting technique through monologue and scene study within Shakespeare's canon. Study of scansion, speech measures, use of imagery, focal points, spoken and unspoken subtext with the purpose of successfully orchestrating a Shakespearean text. PREREQ: THEA 2251, THEA 2252, or permission of instructor. AS
THEA 4432 Advanced Acting Audition Techniques: 3 semester hours.
This class will explore practical audition experience and professionalism for theatre performers; specifically focusing on monologue selection, preparation and performance. Additionally, headshot, resumes, cold readings, movement/dance calls, as well as basic audition /rehearsal etiquette and protocol will be covered. PREREQ: THEA 2251, THEA 2252, or permission of instructor. AF
THEA 4433 Advanced Acting in Musical Theatre: 3 semester hours.
Introduction to musical theatre styles and analysis of Broadway Composers and Lyricists. This course will focus on the Actor's approach to Musical Theatre Performance and audition techniques. Students will work on Musical theatre solos, and duets and begin creating a Musical Theatre Audition Binder. PREREQ: THEA 2251, THEA 2252, or permission of instructor. AF
THEA 4434 Advanced Acting Realism: 3 semester hours.
Experimentation and experience with dramatic literature, analysis and performance. Coursework includes stylistic work in Late 19th Century Realism and Late 19th and early 20th century-Naturalism. In this course the student applies and incorporates the skills learned in all departmental classes. PREREQ: THEA 2251, THEA 2252, or permission of instructor. AS
THEA 4455 Beginning Stage Direction: 3 semester hours.
Consideration of aesthetics of dramatic production and the relationship of basic techniques of stage direction. Includes the direction of scenes and one-act plays. PREREQ: THEA 2251, THEA 2252, or permission of instructor. F
THEA 4456 Advanced Stage Direction: 3 semester hours.
Advanced theories in techniques of stage direction including consideration of period styles. The student will direct a series of advanced projects including scenes and a full-length play. PREREQ: THEA 4455 or permission of instructor. AS
THEA 4465 Musical Theatre History: 3 semester hours.
The history of American Musical Theatre from its 19th century roots to today. The course will cover the elements and major creators of musicals, as well as a series of landmark and representational works of musical theatre. AS
THEA 4470 Contemporary Theatre: 3 semester hours.
An overview of the contemporary theatre scene: producers, actors, designers, companies, plays and trends. Although primarily focused on the United States, the course also covers current international theatre. AS
THEA 4490 Practicum Theatre Arts II: 1-3 semester hours.
Recital projects for advanced students in various areas of theatre arts. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits with different titles. AS
THEA 4491 Independent Research Projects II: 1-3 semester hours.
Under the supervision of the Theatre faculty, the advanced student will undertake special research projects in theatre, focusing on themes, methods and/or problems encountered later in one's stage life. May be repeated once with different content for a maximum total of 6 credits. F, S
THEA 4499 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
