Courses Offered Major Requirements:
Theatre Arts majors should generally adopt the following courses sequencing guidelines:
100-level courses for first year students; 200-level courses for second year students; 300 and 400-level courses for third year students and for fourth year students. With occasional exceptions all major coursework is offered yearly.
TART 120 Voice, Articulation, and Text Reading
TART 140 Beginning Acting
TART 150 Stage Movement and the Alexander Technique
TART 210 Script into Performance: Text Analysis
TART 220 Theatre Practicum
TART 260 Theatre Production: Scenery and Lighting
TART 280 Theatre Production: Costume and Makeup
TART 310 History of the Theatre and Drama I
TART 311 History of the Theatre and Drama II
TART 497 Senior Seminar
TART 430 Stage Directing
TART 450 Production Design
Minor Requirements:
A minor in Theatre Arts will consist of at least six courses distributed as follows:
TART 210 Script into performance: Text Analysis
TART 220 Theatre Practicum
Any one of the following:
TART 120 Voice, Articulation, and Text Reading
TART 140 Beginning Acting
TART 150 Stage Movement and the Alexander Technique
TART 160 Reading and Writing Dance--an Introduction
Any one of the following:
TART 260 Theatre Production: Scenery and Lighting
TART 280 Theatre Production: Costume and Makeup
Any one of the following:
TART 310 History of the Theatre and Drama I
TART 311 History of the Theatre and Drama II
Any one of the following:
TART 390 Playwriting
TART 430 Stage Directing
TART 450 Production Design
Independent Study: The department will consider proposals for Independent Study that are attempted to deepen an understanding of the theatre arts. Independent Studies may not replicate regular course offerings. Courses taught on alternate years will not be offered through individualized instruction.
Course Descriptions
100 Introduction to Theatre (EA)
An introduction to the major theatrical modes, their functions, components, and procedures.
110 Speech Communication
Emphasis on intrapersonal, interpersonal, problem solving discussions, and public address.
120 Voice, Articulation, and Text Reading (EA)
Focus on freeing the natural voice and on text reading
130 Shakespeare and Performance (EA, LS)
An exploration of choices made and methods used by Shakespeare in the building and the presentation of a dramatic work through selection, analysis, and adaptation of source materials.
140 Beginning Acting (EA)
Focus on first problems in acting and on text analysis
150 Stage Movement and the Alexander Technique (EA)
A study of the performer in movement through theatrical space as related to the Alexander Technique.
210 Script into Performance: Text Analysis (EA, LS)
Study and analysis of dramatic texts for the purpose of transforming scripts into theatrical productions.
220 Theatre Practicum (EA)
Extensive experience in the production of plays. Theatre Practicum is a special opportunity available to students who seek to create with their fellows the "delicate illusionary reality that we call theatre." The department believes that the education of students is enriched by participation in the actual process of creating a performance and by participation in a variety of experiences in that process. The emphasis of all the course requirements is on commitment, teamwork, and dedication to a common goal shared by all in the process. (Course extends over three semesters)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructors
240 Intermediate Acting: Modern Scene Study (EA)
Focusing on the study of modern scenes and techniques.
Prerequisite: TART 140
260 Theatre Production: Scenery and Lighting (EA)
Techniques of lighting, sound, scenery and property construction for the theatre.
280 Theatre Production: Costume and Makeup (EA)
Techniques of makeup and costume construction for the theatre.
310 History of the Theatre and Drama I (HP, LS, W2)
Study of Theatre and dramatic texts from the Classical Era through the Eighteenth Century.
311 History of the Theatre and Drama II (HP, LS, W2)
Study of Theatre and dramatic texts from Romanticism through the modern era.
330 Theatre and the Challenges of the Contemporary World (CW, W2)
A study of theatrical responses to selected challenges of the contemporary world such as gender, racial, ethnic, environmental and world citizenship issues.
340 Advanced Acting: Classical Styles (EA)
Focus on classical styles of acting with particular emphasis on Shakespeare.
Prerequisite: TART 140
390 Playwriting (EA)
Construction of the literary text through in-depth research and disciplined creativity.
Prerequisites: Theatre Arts major requirements 100 through 300 or consent of instructor.
430 Stage Directing (EA)
Study of presentational play analysis and of the techniques of staging plays.
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts major requirements 100 through 300.
450 Production Design (EA)
Process of unified design for the technical elements of a play.
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts major requirements 100 through 310
497 Senior Seminar (EA, W2)
A collaborative synthesis: Theory transformed into theatrical practice.
Prerequisite: Senior Theatre Arts Majors only.