Theatre Minor

Script analysis for theatre artists. How to take a script from initial reading to production.

Introductory acting theory and practice. Students present brief monologues and scenes in class.

Practical work in theatre production for first-year students.

An introductory class to major types of stagecraft for live theatre. Students learn in formal classes and in 30 hours of scheduled laboratories about set construction, costume construction, and lighting technology. Students learn the vocabulary of technical theatre and learn geometric and mathematical methods required for each of the 3 main areas covered.

Survey of world theatre including from its ritual origins through the classical era, medieval era, the Renaissance, the Restoration, and the modernist revolution to the present day. This global approach includes historical examples from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and South America.

This is a fundamental design course for live theatre, but also applies to other design fields. Drawing, both freehand and digital, is studied. Students learn the elements and principles of design and how to apply them to scenic, costume, and lighting design as well as other modes of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art. Additive and subtractive color theory are covered. Students learn the specialized language of design and study how to approach the 3 areas of design aforementioned.

An introduction to the craft of stage management focusing on the techniques, responsibilities, and duties necessary to manage both rehearsals and performances.

Theatre students create a senior thesis project/capstone in acting, directing, design, playwriting, craft, or dramaturgy, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor and demonstrating the skills learned in their studies. The capstone may be part of a mainstage production or a student-generated project. Each capstone project is accompanied by a written analysis showing their research or full documentation of their process.

Training to strengthen the natural voice, develop diction, learn period movement, and develop spatial awareness on and off stage.

Organization of children’s theatre, script selection, visual design, rehearsal, and performance. Investigation of creative drama as a teaching tool in elementary education.

Principles and techniques of leading improvised dramatic activities with children and adults. Involves sensory awareness, imagination, movement, and story dramatizations.

Training in armed and unarmed combat for the stage. Emphasis is placed on safety in the choreography of stage fighting.