The development of theatre and drama from tribal origins to 1640 (including Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Medieval/Renaissance periods). May not be taken concurrently with THTR 21200 or THTR 21300.
3 hr./wk.
The development of theatre and drama from 1640 to 1900, including Jacobean, Restoration, Romanticism, Early Melodrama, Naturalism. May not be taken concurrently with THTR 21100 or THTR 21300.
3 hr./wk.
The study of plays and production styles prevalent throughout the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries in Europe and America. This course will consider a selection of important plays and such important movements as: Symbolism, Futurism, Dada, Surrealism, Expressionism, Theatre of the Absurd, Theatre of Images, the rise of the Broadway musical, the Off-Off Broadway theatre movement, the rise of Afro-American and Latino schools of writing and production, New German Realism, Post-Modernism, etc. May not be taken concurrently with THTR 21100 or THTR 21200.
3 hr./wk.
An introduction to the role of dramaturgy and the dramaturg in American Theatre. The dramaturg assists the director in analyzing the play's text and the playwright in developing their original play through various stages and in doing historical and production research. Combining theory with practical application, students will work as a dramaturg for a variety of individual and collective class assignments.
3 hr./wk.
A brief historical overview of the development of musical theatre in the United States from the late 1800s through the twenty-first century.
3 hr./wk.
A survey of non-western traditional theatrical forms and contemporary drama from around the world. By examining plays, films and readings from a global perspective, this course aims to expand the student's understanding of the contemporary world through appreciation of other cultures.
3 hr./wk.
An exploration of GLBT identity as portrayed in predominantly American dramas of the past century. Exploration of key figures and texts, starting with Oscar Wilde. Consideration of stereotypical and groundbreaking portrayals of gay people; explores plays with themes of homophobia, self-hatred, acceptance, AIDS, familial interaction, and the evolution of the GLBT rights movement in a hetero-normative society.
3 hr./wk.
This course explores Jewish identity as portrayed in twentieth and twenty-first century United States drama and musicals. Consideration of Yiddish theatre; the impact of black-face minstrelsy on Jewish artists; plays dealing with anti-Semitism, assimilation, generational conflict, and the counterpoint of outward success and inward disappointment. These works are all fused to a historical overview of Jews and Jewish culture in America.
3 hr./wk.
This course is an exploration of the predominant themes and concerns of 1960's American Popular Culture through the reading of plays and musicals of that time period. The selected subject matter will be supplemented with the viewing of several films outside of class time, plus the assignment of novels, nonfiction works, and essays of the period. The predominant themes of the period (women's rights, the civil rights movement, the gay pride movement, the sexual revolution, and so forth) will be surveyed.
3 hr./wk.
This course will examine the development of a female dramatic tradition throughout the world. Students will gain an overview of women's roles in writing and creating theatre by examining plays by women, theoretical pieces relating to the plays and playwrights, as well as historical materials relating to the contextualization of the dramatic literature.
3 hr./wk.
Through close readings of their plays and an examination of their historical contexts, we will study dramatists who have won the Pulitzer Prize. Students will explore how the literary works of these playwrights have both influenced and been influenced by the ideas of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
3 hr./wk.
This course will explore the similarities and differences between two art forms. We will study a series of noteworthy playscripts that have been adapted into films. Consideration will be given to the disparate nature of the theatrical and cinematic modes of expression as well as to the art of adaptation itself. In each case the class will study the play as text and view the film which grew out of it.
3 hr./wk.
An introduction into the playwriting and production trends in Latin America over the course of the last sixty years. Consideration will be given to issues of dramatic structure, post-colonial theory and historical background, and influences from North America and Europe. This course will attempt to address specific characteristics of national theatres of the region and areas of commonality amongst them. Script analysis will be coupled with production analysis based on DVDs of productions where available.
3 hr./wk.
Spanning the period, 1821-1950, this introductory course offers an intensive exploration and analysis of the evolution of black dramatic literature in the United States of America. Through the process of close reading of dramatic texts, this course will offer insights into the movements, institutions, actors, playwrights and other related artists contributing to African-American theatre.
3 hr./wk.
Focusing on the contemporary period, from 1950 to the present, this introductory course examines the development of recent African American drama. Through the process of close reading of dramatic texts, this course will focus on the contributions of African-American playwrights, actors, designers, critics, and producers.
3 hr./wk.
Introduction to techniques of directing actors; scene and beat analysis; creative considerations of setting, properties, staging, and dramatic rhythm.
Fall only
4 hr./wk.
Continuation and development of the principles of acting, with intensive work on study of scenes from the modern realistic repertoire.
This course may be taken two times for credit.
4 hr./wk.
Work on classical and modern poetic schools of dramatic works, featuring in-depth exploration of theatrical language, including consideration of emphasis, meter, connecting breath with thought, verbal imagery, and word-as-action. Two-character scenes and monologues and soliloquies are required.
4 hr./wk.
This course emphasizes auditioning for professional theatre, film, television and interactive media. Consideration is given to building an audition repertoire, developing a resume, professional comportment, etc. The student will have experience in both the presentation of monologues and in doing cold readings.
4 hr./wk.
Guided individual work in one of the following areas: Stage Management, Costume Design and Construction, Set Design, Painting, and Construction, Stage Lighting, Property Construction and Acquisition, Sound Design.
3 hours
Guided individual work in one of the following areas: Stage Management, Costume Design and Construction, Set Design, Painting, and Construction, Stage Lighting, Property Construction and Acquisition, Sound Design. This course may be taken up to eighteen credits. By permission of the department.
Variable hours; 1-3 cr./sem.
This course emphasizes acting through singing. The students will gain familiarity with the various genres of songs within the musical comedy rubric and gain experience in performing them. There will also be choral work and an elementary workshop in jazz dance. This course may be taken two times for credit.
3 hr./wk.
Students, using extant film scenarios, act in scenes from movies and gain practice in acting for television dramas and commercials. Performances are video-taped, played back, and analyzed. This course may be taken two times for credit.
4 hr./wk.
Introducing students to the art of stage combat. Begins with basic exercises and culminates in a comprehensive and choreographed scene. Students learn the importance of partnering, discipline, and the difference between actual violence and effective illusion. Emphasis is on safety, acting values and telling the story of the fight in a theatrical setting. This course may be taken 2 times for credit.
4hr./wk.
The fundamentals of classical ballet, including intense barre and floor work on basic steps and positions as well as consideration of the history of ballet, from its roots as a court diversion to its present hybrid manifestations. This dance form will be placed in its context as a mode of theatrical expression, as a means to tell a story, to symbolize the full range of human emotion, and as abstract movement. Students will gain basic mastery as well as train and discipline their bodies.
4 hr./wk.
Emphasis will be placed on perfecting basic dance techniques, creating basic jazz compositions, and developing a more in-depth understanding of the historical development of American jazz dance from its African, social and modern dance roots to its contemporary influences and its symbiosis with American Musical Theatre.
4 hr./wk.
Students will work to develop alert, strong and intelligent bodies. They will be exposed to a variety of approaches to dance technique and aesthetics. The students will learn through improvisation to develop movement material, to work alone and in collaboration with others. Students will increase their strength, suppleness and grace through a series of warm-ups, energetic center floor exercises, and spatially oriented movement.
4 hr./wk.
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese exercise based on centering and balance which has proven helpful to strengthen the body, increase flexibility, develop patience, and discipline the mind. Students will be instructed in the first of the three parts of the classical form, a series of slow rhythmical movements that center and integrate the mind and body.
4 hr./wk.
An introduction to Tadashi Suzuki's physical and vocal discipline and Anne Bogart's actor/director collaborative system, Viewpoints. The physical exercises aim to increase physical stamina, strengthen the body and develop an intuitive awareness of the actor's body in space.
4 hr./wk.
This course will explore the unique and nuanced performance and playwriting techniques required in performing Theatre for Youth. This course will expose students to a broad range of dramatic activities, directing and teaching strategies to help prepare you for work as a Teaching Artist and obtain experience-leading activities. Students will develop confidence creating and facilitating rehearsals, schedules, production meetings, aspects of technical theater and other activities relating to directing students in theatre.
3 hr./wk.
An introduction to the art of lighting design. Students will learn how to determine the lighting needs in a given dramatic text and venue; the equipment and materials employed; basic lighting drafting; the use of color; lighting technology.
3 hr./wk.
Costume Design is an introductory, hands-on course in the art and practice of developing costume designs for live theater productions. Consideration is given to understanding the costume needs as expressed in play scripts, the individuality of both characters and the actors who will wear the costume, materials, styles, and the steps in the design-to-costume construction process. No previous drawing or costume construction experience is necessary. Individual opportunities will be tailored to students with higher levels of proficiency
4 hr./wk.
An introduction to the art of set design. Students will learn how to determine the set needs in a given dramatic text and venue; the equipment and materials employed; basic set design drafting; the use of color, texture, shaping of space.
4 hr./wk.