Catalog 2015-2016

Theatre Arts and Dance

Teaching Faculty

Professorsย Graceย and Museย 
Associate Professor Rogers (chair)ย 
Adjunct Teaching Staff C. Campbell, Moore, and Richardson

Description

The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance offers a major in Theatre Arts, a minor in Theatre Arts and a minor in Dance. Students choosing to major in Theatre Arts and minor in Dance may double count courses required for the major toward the completion of the minor. Students who declare a major in Theatre Arts must engage a member of the department as their academic advisor no later than the fall semester of their junior year.

Major in Theatre Arts

13 courses distributed as follows:

  • TART 120ย  Voice for the Theatreย 
  • TART 140ย  Beginning Acting ย 
  • TART 150ย  Movement for the Theatreย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  orย 
    DANC 215ย  Modern Dance ย 
  • TART 210ย  Script Into Performance: Text Analysisย 
  • TART 260ย  Theatre Production: Scenery and Lightingย 
  • TART 280 ย Theatre Production: Costume and Make-up ย 
  • TART 310ย  History of the Theatre and Drama Iย 
  • TART 311 ย History of the Theatre and Drama IIย 
  • TART 430ย  Stage Directing ย 
  • TART 450 ย Production Designย 
  • TART 497ย  Senior Seminarย 
  • One additional course, 200-level or above, in Theatre Arts or Dance.ย 
  • Theatre Production Practicum (.25 credit each, all four are required, 1 course credit total) Department faculty register students with the Registrarย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P21ย  House & Publicity, Assistant Stage-Manager, or Propertiesย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P22ย  Acting, Stage-Manager, Dance Captain, Sound, or Choreography ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P23ย  Scenery & Lighting ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P24ย  Costume & Make-up

Senior Capstone Experience

The Senior Capstone Experience for the Theatre Arts major consists of three parts. Parts one and two are completed during the fall semester and part three is completed during the spring semester of the senior year. Part One consists of a written document of the student's manifesto for the Theatre, and Part Two consists of a public oral presentation of that manifesto. Part Three is completion of TART 497 Senior Seminar . The grade average of these three components is entered on the student's transcript but is not calculated in the GPA.

Minor in Theatre Arts

7 courses distributed as follows:

  • TART 210ย  Script Into Performance: Text Analysisย 
  • 1 course from the following:ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  DANC 160ย  Reading and Writing Dance: An Introduction ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 120ย  Voice for the Theatreย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 140ย  Beginning Acting ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 150ย  Movement for the Theatreย 
  • 1 course from the following:ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 260ย  Theatre Production: Scenery and Lightingย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 280ย  Theatre Production: Costume and Make-up ย 
  • 1 course from the following:ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 310ย  History of the Theatre and Drama Iย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 311 ย History of the Theatre and Drama IIย 
  • 1 course from the following:ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 290ย  Beginning Playwriting ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 430ย  Stage Directing ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TART 450ย  Production Design ย 
  • 1 additional course, 200 level or above, in Theatre Arts or Danceย 
  • Theatre Production Practicum (.25 credit each, all four are required, 1 course credit total) Department faculty register students with the Registrarย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P21ย  House & Publicity, Assistant Stage-Manager, or Propertiesย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P22ย  Acting, Stage-Manager, Dance Captain, Sound, or Choreography ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P23ย  Scenery & Lighting ย 
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  TARA P24ย  Costume & Make-up

Minor in Dance

7 courses distributed as follows:

  • DANC 160ย  Reading and Writing Dance: An Introductionย 
  • DANC 325ย  Choreographyย 
  • 2 courses from the following:ย  ย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  DANC 215ย  Modern Dance Technique ย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  DANC 216ย  Ballet Techniqueย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  DANC 217ย  Jazz Dance Techniqueย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  TART 150ย  Stage Movement and Alexander Techniques ย 
  • 1 courses from the following:ย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  TART 260ย  Theatre Production: Scenery and Lightingย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  TART 280ย  Theatre Production: Costume and Makeupย 
  • DANA A30 ย Dance Ensemble -four semesters (.25 credit each semester)ย 
  • Theatre Production Practicum (.25 credit each, all four are required, 1 course credit total) Department faculty register students with the Registrarย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  TARA P21ย  House & Publicity, Assistant Stage-Manager, or Properties ย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  TARA P22ย  Acting, Stage-Manager, Dance Captain, Sound, or Choreographyย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  TARA P23ย  Scenery & Lightingย 
    ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  TARA P24ย  Costume & Make-up

Hendrix Players

Participation in dramatic productions is open to all Hendrix students. Students who participate in the activities of the Hendrix Players perform in plays that cover a wide range of dramatic literature, build sets and costumes, and participate in other technical aspects of dramatic performance. The activities of the Hendrix Players take place in the Cabe Theatre and Staples Auditorium.

Hendrix Dance Ensemble

Auditions for the Hendrix Dance Ensemble are held during the first week of the fall semester. The ensemble meets to rehearse on Tuesday, Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the Dance Studio. The work of the ensemble culminates in a faculty choreographed performance in the fall semester, a faculty and student choreographed Dance Ensemble Concert in the spring semester, and participation in the American College Dance Festival Association.


Students who successfully complete two semesters of TARA A30 fulfil two Physical Activities capacities requirements toward graduation. Students may count only one whole credit of TARA A30 toward graduation.

Accademia dellโ€™ Arte

Hendrix is the accrediting institution for courses through the Accademia dell' Arte in Arezzo, Italy. Located in a beautifully restored sixteenth-century villa just south of Florence, the Accademia dell' Arte offers intensive work in theatre, dance, music, and film production. Courses are offered during fall, spring, and two summer semesters. Additional information and application forms are available at www.dell-arte.org, or by emailing info@dell-arte.org. Contact the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance chair for information about how to use Accademia dell' Arte courses for the Theatre Arts major, minor or Dance minor.

Program Course Listings

The courses for this program are organized into the following categories:

Theatre Arts Courses

TART 100

Introduction to Theatre

Engaged understanding of the nature of theatre, and of those whose creative and collaborative processes bring texts to the stage through informed choices.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 110

The Art of Public Speaking

Emphasis on intrapersonal, interpersonal, problem solving discussion, and public address. A module bearing AC Odyssey credit may be available.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 120

Voice for the Theatre

Focus on freeing the natural voice; International Phonetic Alphabet, and text reading.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 140

Beginning Acting

Students study Stanislavski as a basis for scene work. The approach frees the actor from mechanical, self-conscious behavior on stage and enhances the awareness of the given circumstances and finding truth in the moment.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 150

Movement for the Theatre

A study of the performer in movement through theatrical space.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 210

Script to Perform: Text Analysis

Study and analysis of dramatic texts for the purpose of transforming scripts into theatrical productions.

Expressive Arts EA
Literary Studies LS
TART 260

Production: Scenery & Lighting

Techniques of lighting, sound, scenery and property construction for the theatre.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 280

Production: Costume & Make-up

Techniques of make-up and costume design and construction for the theatre.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 290

Beginning Playwriting

Construction of the dramatic text through in-depth research and disciplined creativity.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 310

History of Theatre and Drama I

Study of Theatre history and dramatic texts from the Classical Era through the Eighteenth Century. Offered in alternate years.

Historical Perspectives HP
Literary Studies LS
TART 311

History of Theatre and Drama II

Study of Theatre history and dramatic texts from Romanticism through Modernism. Offered in alternate years.

Historical Perspectives HP
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
TART 390

Advanced Playwriting

An extension of TART 290. Construction of the dramatic text through in-depth research and disciplined creativity.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 391

Special Topics in Acting

A special topics course in theatrical, textual, and kinesthetic studies. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Recent section topics include Modern Scene Study and Audition Technique, Acting Meisner. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 392

Special Topics in Design

A special topics course in set and costume design. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 393

Special Topics in Performance

Specific topics in theatrical, textual and kinesthetic studies, determined by student interest and faculty availability. Can be repeated with emphasis on various topics within performance. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above.

sophomore standing or above.
Expressive Arts EA
TART 430

Stage Directing

Study of play analysis and of the techniques of staging plays. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

consent of instructor.
Expressive Arts EA
TART 450

Production Design

Process of unified design for the technical elements of a play. Prerequisites: TART 260 and TART 280 or consent of instructor.

TART 260 and TART 280 or consent of instructor.
Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 497

Theatre Arts: Senior Seminar

A collaborative synthesis: Theory transformed into theatrical practice. Prerequisite: Senior Theatre Arts Majors or consent of instructor.

Senior Theatre Arts Majors or consent of instructor.
Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
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Theatre Production Practicum Activities

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring. The grade earned in each Practicum is included in the computation of the student's grade point average. Students must complete all four areas of practicum in order to receive a full course credit, EA credit and Odyssey [AC] credit. Theatre Practicum fractional credits may NOT be combined with any other fractional credit for whole course credits.ย 

TARA P21

Prac H&P Asst Stage Mang or Props

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
TARA P22

Prac Acting Sm Dance Capt Sound

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
TARA P23

Prac Scenery and Lighting

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
TARA P24

Prac Costume and Make-up

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
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Dance Courses

DANC 160

Reading & Writing Dance

An introduction to dance design and focusing on the interpretive processes of viewing through the Liz Lerman critical response process or โ€œreadingโ€ dance and the creating/revising processes of choreographing โ€œwritingโ€ dance using historical and contemporary dance artists and styles as the foundational โ€œgrammar.โ€

Expressive Arts EA
DANC 215

Modern Dance Technique

A modern dance technique class focusing on developing the basic fundamentals, theories, vocabulary and theatricality of modern dance along with a holistic approach to a life-long learning of physical health and fitness.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
DANC 216

Ballet Technique

A ballet technique class, focusing on developing the basic fundamentals of classical ballet movement and alignment, vocabulary, theories and style along with a holistic approach to a life-long learning of physical health and fitness.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
DANC 217

Jazz Dance Technique

A jazz dance technique class focusing on the introduction to and the development of various styles, vocabulary and theories of jazz along with a holistic approach to a life-long learning of physical health and fitness.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
DANC 325

Choreography

A study of the fundamentals of the craft of choreography through a variety of improvisational components, a study of contemporary choreographers, theory and process.

Expressive Arts EA
DANC 394

Special Topics in Dance

Advanced analysis of specific topics in theatrical, textual and kinesthetic studies. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught.

Expressive Arts EA
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Dance Activities

DANA A30

Dance Ensemble

A performance ensemble of choreographed dance that may accrue 1/4 course credit per semester. Acceptance is by audition. Two semesters of DANA A30 fulfill the two Physical Activities capacities requirement toward graduation. Students may only count one whole credit of DANA A30 toward graduation.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
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