Theatre and Dance Majors

The Department offers several major options as well as minors in Theatre.

Students can tailor this major experience, with special emphases in the following areas:

Theatre history
Acting or Directing
Design and Communication
Dance
Arts Administration

Requirements for Majors/Minors

Major in Theatre: The major in theatre requires 39 semester hours, including 21 hours of core requirements and 18 hours of electives. Theatre majors are also required to complete 40 hours of production work per semester for 4 semesters. Courses counting towards the major may not be used to fulfill general education requirements.

Core Requirements: THEA 120, 220, 221, 223, 227, 401, and 460. Under special circumstances, the departmental advisor may allow substitutions in the core requirements if the spirit of the original course is met in the substitution.

Electives: The major program in theatre leads to a B.A. degree and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the role theatre plays in society. Students may emphasize a variety of areas in the general discipline of theatre by individualizing the major within the 18 hours of electives. The theatre advisor will work closely with the students to plan a program consistent with their interests. Several examples of such programs are listed below with suggested electives for students to consider. In addition, as part of the requirements for THEA 460, senior students are expected to produce a capstone project that reflects their area of interest.

Interest in Theatre History: Students with an interest in theatre history should complete THEA 321, 322, 350, 356, and two additional theatre courses numbered 200 and above. Students considering graduate work in theatre history are advised to minor in English with course work that includes ENGL 310 and ENGL 325.

Interest in Acting and Directing: Students with an interest in acting and directing should complete THEA 224, 321, and 323; SPCH 200; and two additional theatre courses numbered 200 and above. Serious acting students are advised to take voice lessons through the Department of Music and to spend at least one summer pursuing an acting internship.

Interest in Scenography and Technical Theatre: Students with an interest in scenography and technical theatre should complete THEA 321, 327, 328, 329, and two additional theatre courses numbered 200 and above. Students considering graduate work in design are encouraged to minor in art or add the major in fine arts with an art emphasis, taking courses recommended by the design professor.

Interest in Dance and Choreography: Students with an interest in dance and choreography should complete THEA 224, 321, 324, 325, and two additional theatre courses numbered 200 and above. Serious dance students are advised to spend at least one summer pursuing further dance training under the advisement of the dance professor.

Interest in Film Studies: Students with an interest in ?lm studies should complete ART 270, THEA 211, ENGL 323, INTD 300, and two additional theatre courses numbered 200 and above. Students interested in ?lm production should consult with their advisor about recommended summer/semester abroad programs.

Interest in Communications: Students with an interest in communications should complete THEA 323, an internship in communications (THEA 444), SPCH 200 and 201, INTD 300, and an English course in creative writing. Students interested in careers or further study in communications are encouraged to pursue the minor in media studies/journalism track.

Minor in Theatre:

The minor in theatre requires 18 semester hours. The students must choose six hours from THEA 220, 221, 321, 322, 350, or 356 and twelve hours from THEA 223, 224, 227, 323, 290 (3 semesters), 325, 327, 328, 329, 340, 401, and SPCH 200.

Minor in Arts Administration: The minor in arts administration requires a total of 22 semester hours and can be completed in one of the following areas: public relations, box office management, house management, art gallery curation, stage management, and other approved areas. Required courses are: ART 220, ACCT 203, and ECON 202; BADM 325 or SPCH 201; BADM 307, 315, or 353; a one-hour seminar in arts administration; a one-hour internship in arts administration; and six hours beyond the general education requirements from any advisor-approved courses in art and theatre.

Complete Departmental Course Listing

 Theatre (THEA)

120. Introduction to Theatre (3)
A general survey designed to give the beginning student an overview of the history and practice of theatre. Emphasis given to the history of the theatre and study of the relationship of theatre to society, the creative nature of the theatre, theories of the theatre, the relationship of theatre to the other fine arts, theatre and crafts, and dramatic literature.

210. Introduction to World Cinema (3)
(Prereq: ENGL 110-111; crosslisted with ENGL 210 and INTD 210) A survey of the important genres, theories, techniques, and international movements of ?lm history. Representative films from the silent era to the present, and from America to Europe and Asia, will be covered. (Alternate years)

220. Theatre History I (3)
A survey of the history of theatre practice and critical theory from ancient times until the end of the eighteenth century. Emphasis will be placed on the theatre of Ancient Greece; Medieval theatre; Asian theatre; the theatre of the Renaissance in England, Spain, Italy, and France; and the English Restoration theatre. Methods of study will include lectures, readings, class discussions, and group projects.

221. Theatre History II (3)
A survey of the history of theatre practice and critical theory from the nineteenth century to the present day. Emphasis will be placed on the development of style from romanticism through realism to the reactions to realism. Methods of study will include lectures, readings, class discussions, and group projects.

223. Fundamentals of Acting (3)
This course consists of exercises in increasing body and spatial awareness, integrating voice and movement, and rediscovering a neutral body and voice, unencumbered by habitual patterns. By honing observation skills and encouraging physical development, the actor will be prepared for character development and scene study.

224. Movement Styles (3)
(Crosslisted with PHED 224) An interdisciplinary approach to movement which incorporates yoga, ballet, and modern and jazz dance. With a focus on balance and alignment, students develop an awareness of dance through collaboration, ensemble performance, and choreography.

227. Introduction to Scenography (3)
An introduction to the process of designing for the stage, addressing general principles of design and text analysis in the movement from dramatic text to theatrical event. Emphasis is placed on developing basic communications skills, drawing, drafting, rendering and model building, and developing a model for text analysis. Students will develop a proficiency in and understanding of design techniques through lecture, discussion, research, and the completion of practical projects.

258. Special Topics (1-6). See page 29.

290. Theatre Production Laboratory (1 each sem)
Practical exploration of the skills and techniques involved in the theatrical production process, using the departmental productions as the primary experience. Students are graded on the quality of their contribution to the production process. Instructor works with each student according to his or her level of experience. May be repeated for credit.

321. Period Style for the Theatre (3)
This course explores the context for Greek theatre, Asian theatre, the theatre of the Renaissance, Neo-classic theatre, Romantic theatre, early Realistic theatre, and Modern theatre including the art and music of the times, costume history, period movement and acting style, and related cultural history. Teaching methods will include lecture, discussion, and hand-on experiences.

322. Aesthetics (3)
(Crosslisted with ART 322 and PHIL 322) A consideration of beauty and what various philosophers (such as Plato, Aristotle, Hume, and Kant) have had to say about it. The class will also consider art forms such as painting, sculpture, poetry, music, and photography to appreciate the presence or absence of beauty therein.

323. Acting II (3)
(Prereq: THEA 223) This course emphasizes styles of acting related to historic, realistic, post-realistic, and contemporary texts. The actor makes inquiry into both textual and psychological considerations faced in exploring a character and creating a role, emphasizing the demands made by the form and content of each script. (Alternate years)

324. Ballet I (3)
(Prereq: THEA 224) To speak the language of ballet requires great discipline and the mastery of specific technique. The traditional structure of the ballet class and the codified vocabulary of classical ballet will be taught in this class. This will give the student a universal language with which to understand various dance forms from other cultures. In this class we will focus on developing a personal movement style, specific to each student's ability and anatomy. We will continue the process begun in THEA 224 of working on focus, balance, and alignment through movement analysis and by introducing various ballet techniques. (Alternate years)

325. Modern Dance I (3)
(Prereq: THEA 224) Modern Dance is a means of physical communication, an abstract art form whose language can be recreated again and again to enact the dancer/choreographer's needs. In this class the students will focus on developing a personal movement style specific to each student's abilities; develop creativity and communications skills through movement, choreography, and writing; and continue the process begun in THEA 224 of working on focus, balance, and alignment through movement analysis and by introducing various modern dance techniques. (Alternate years)

326. Dance Ensemble (1)
By audition only. A guided experience in dance performance. Students will meet regularly to rehearse for a public performance.

The following three courses (327, 328, and 329) are taught concurrently; however, students may take only one course per semester.

327. Scenography Studio: Set Design (3)
(Prereq: THEA 227 or consent of the instructor) General principles of visual design as applied to scenery for the theatre. The students will develop a model for the design process that emphasizes text analysis. Historical and visual research, sketching, drafting, and rendering and model building will also be covered.

328. Scenography Studio: Lighting Design (3)
(Prereq: THEA 227 or consent of the instructor) General principles of visual design as applied to scenery for the theatre. The students will develop a model for the design process that emphasizes text analysis. Visual research, sketching, drafting, and rendering will also be covered.

329. Scenography Studio: Costume Design (3) (Prereq: THEA 227 or consent of the instructor) General principles of visual design as applied to scenery for the theatre. The students will develop a model for the design process that emphasizes text analysis. Historical and visual research, sketching, drafting, rendering, and swatching will also be covered.

340. Scenic Art (3)
An introduction to the craft of the scenic artist, emphasizing the translation of style from model to full scale. Because of the nature of the material, this course is offered as a studio course, meeting for a total of six hours each week. (Alternate years)

350. Shakespeare (3)
(Prereq: ENGL 110-111; crosslisted with ENGL 350) A critical study of representative histories, comedies, tragedies, and romances with emphasis on Shakespeare's development as a dramatic artist. Lectures on Elizabethan political, philosophical, and religious backgrounds. Survey of chief Shakespearean criticism.

356. Modern and Contemporary Drama (3)
(Prereq: ENGL 110-111; crosslisted with ENGL 356) This course explores the influence of realism, naturalism, expressionism, and finally absurdism on contemporary drama, while paying particular attention to American and British playwrights. (Alternate years)

398. Honors Research (3-6). See page 25.

401. Play Directing (3)
(Prereq: THEA 223) Open to students who have demonstrated their ability in drama. A study of the theatre as an art, the techniques of the actor, picturization, movement and rhythm on the stage, and production procedures. Students direct a play of a length assigned by the professor. (Alternate years)

442. Directed Study (1-6). See page 28.
Open to juniors and seniors with approval of major professor. Directed independent study in one or more of the following areas: (1) the teaching of drama and speech, (2) public speaking, (3) play writing, (4) oral interpretation, (5) voice science and diction, (6) religious drama, (7) dramatic literature, (8) acting, (9) directing, and (10) technical theatre.

444. Internships in Theatre (1-6). See page 28.
(Prereq: THEA 120 and 15 additional hours of theatre) Open only to theatre majors. Internships in acting, stage managing, design, technical theatre, film, television, and related fields approved by the student's advisor and the drama faculty. The student's work will be closely supervised in the company in which the internship is undertaken, and he/she must submit weekly written reports and a final written report to his/her faculty supervisor. A student may not earn more than six hours in internship programs in theatre.

448. Research. See page 28.

450. Seminar. See page 29.

452. Special Projects (3-6). See page 29.
Open to juniors and seniors, although sophomores may occasionally participate with approval of major professor. This course will normally involve student participation in an off-campus project.

458. Special Topics. See page 29.

460. Capstone Experience (3)
(Prereq: consent of department; open to senior theatre majors only) This course is designed to allow theatre students to integrate their studies in theatre with a culminating project and to prepare them for the next stage in their artistic development. Specific instruction will be given in audition technique and/or portfolio development. Students will be encouraged to develop self-discipline in time management and continuing education.

 

Speech (SPCH)

200. Voice and Diction (3)
A study of speech development and the application of methods of improving voice production. Concentration on resonance, articulation, and pronunciation. The International Phonetic Alphabet is used. (Alternate years)

201. Public Speaking (3)
An introduction to the basic principles of effective communication. Speeches assigned on various topics and constructive criticism given. Poise and skill in public presentation of speeches emphasized.

 

Visit campus

Call our office at 1-800-960-7583. An admissions counselor will be glad to help you arrange a visit and meet with faculty, sit in on a class, or stay overnight in a dorm.
Email or call for more information - we look forward to hearing from you!