A survey of plays from different eras and performance traditions in diverse cultures, the course introduces students to evaluating, discussing, and writing about theater from a global perspective. Readings will be selected from The Recognition of Sakuntala, The Subscription List, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Pygmalion, Death and the King’s Horseman, Translations, Ti-Jean and His Brothers, The Rez Sisters, and A Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo. Students are required to attend evening Theater Department productions of Dancing at Lughnasa and Frankenstein 2029. Two short papers, midterm, final. [H, GM2]
Prof. O’Neill TR 9:30-10:45a.m.
Available to designated cast and crew of a faculty-directed department production. May be repeated up to four times for credit. 0.25 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of the Theater Department Head
Prof. O’Neill and Prof. Westfall
Available to designated crew and staff of a faculty-directed department production. May be repeated up to four times for credit. 0.25 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of the Theater Department Head
Mr. Tysinger
Greek tragedy is one of the most powerful, complex, and influential literary forms of all time. This course will introduce the Athenian institutional framework that made Greek tragedy possible; thoroughly familiarize students with representative works of the three Athenian playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides; trace how Greek tragedy has inspired later dramatists and filmmakers in their work; enhance “deep learning” by providing the opportunity to stage and direct select scenes from Greek tragedy. [H]
Prof. Dubischar TR 9:30-10:45 a.m.
This workshop course extends beyond basic acting and improvisation training to offer a more in depth, intermediate level study of the craft of acting. Students will utilize exercises, improvisation and detailed script analysis as they build and develop characters. In this course, students will perform in a range of scenes and monologues, including works drawn from the early Modernist plays of Ibsen, Strindberg and Chekhov. Class projects will include performances of scenes and monologues; rehearsals of performance projects both inside and outside of class; attendance at a variety of performances and research and analytical papers and presentations.
Prerequisite: THTR 130 or permission of the instructor
Prof. Lodge MW 2:10-4:00 p.m.
This broad based examination of Musical Theater combines an exploration of the history and literature of this uniquely American art form with a practical introduction to performance techniques used in the field. Students will study the structure, terminology, practitioners, organization and history of the musical while exploring repertoire through the preparation and performance of scenes and songs from musicals.Note:Students may take the class on a non-performance track.
Prof. Lodge MW 10:00-11:50 a.m.
Design and production comprise a collaborative process that involves a diverse pool of talent and abilities. This course will endeavor to give students a clear understanding of how the collaborative team works together to create an artistic piece that best serves the play. We will focus on two distinct areas: Design and Production. In design we will focus on the fundamentals of design, script analysis, research, and communication methods that result in the execution of theoretical designs. As we study design, we will focus on the production methods that lead us to the realization of these designs on stage. Requirements: quizzes on the readings, written production responses, project sketchbook, midterm, and final project. Students also are required to attend weekly lab sessions that will develop practical design and production skills.
Mr. Tysinger MW 9:00-9:50 a.m. (Lecture) F 9:00-10:50 a.m. (Lab)
Fifteen years into the third millennium C.E., dance artists around the world are quickly creating new models, aesthetics, and spaces. This velocity of change was precipitated by a revolution in digital telecommunications, which, for the first time in human history, allowed for rapid cultural exchange, virtual performance, and the ability to study choreographies remotely and in depth. Many visiting choreographers will come to our class to show their work, talk about their experiences over the past dozen years, and share their ideas about 21st-century dance.
Mr. Munisteri T 1:10-4:00 p.m.
This course will provide students instruction and opportunities to begin mastering the stylistic and technical demands for acting within a television studio environment. Topics include: adjusting to simultaneous camera coverage, hitting marks, mastering terminology and etiquette, and working with ever-changing casts, crews and material in digital media. We will also discuss the history and social implications of television, the genres inherent to the digital medium, and production hierarchy in a studio setting. Requirements: weekly assignments, scenes, short script research, final project for camera
Mr. Goodman F 11:00-11:50 a.m. (Seminar) F 1:10-4:00p.m. (Studio)
This course will provide an introduction to Shakespeare’s plays and non-dramatic works in the context of early modern history and culture, including consideration of staging conventions. [W]
Prerequisite: ENGL 205 and a literary history course (ENGL 206, 210, 211, 212, or 213), or permission of the instructor.
Prof. I. Smith TR 1:15-2:30 p.m.
This course offers students an intensive exploration of Sanford Meisner’s acting techniques, as well as a workshop environment in which they can apply those techniques to theatrical improvisation. Students will perform in projects drawn from diverse pieces in a variety of contrasting styles. Master classes with visiting improvisational groups are part of the course. The Thursday evening laboratory will not be held each week, but reserves a block of time for students to attend public performances by these visiting groups and to work on class projects. Students are required to keep a performance journal and to generate either a solo or group final performance project. Please Note: Because emphasis on particular styles is subject to change by semester, this course may be repeated for credit when offered with different emphasis.[H]
Prerequisite: THTR 230 or permission of the instructor
Prof. O’Neill R 1:10–4:00 p.m./7:30-10:30 p.m.
You’re ready: You’re going to produce your own performing-arts event. But where to start? Start here! Using written resources and advice from expert guests (including publicists, presenters, agents, fundraisers, foundation officers, technicians, designers, and box office and front-of-house personnel), you will fund-raise, market, advertise, get technical support, find a space, secure rights, obtain insurance, draw up contracts, and PUT ON YOUR SHOW!
Mr. Munisteri TR 11:00-12:15 p.m.
Frankenstein 2029 will explore the process of creating content and structure for interactive site-specific theater. Individuals will have opportunities to work collaboratively with others from a variety of disciplines from across the campus on the production of a multivenue, immersive performance. Based on an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel and the Nick Dear text. Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus, THTR/ART 377 will develop student skills in visual design, technical design, research, writing, acting, and theatrical production to embody one of the great and persistent myths of the modern era, a story of hubris, technology, trans-humanism, identity and love.No prerequisites; students will participate in rehearsals and performances for the production to be staged April 22-26.
Prof. Westfall and Prof. Kerns MW 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Practical experience in a professional theater or theater organization. Written reports are required of the student, as is an evaluation of the student by the supervising agency. Although a student may take two theater internships, normally in the junior and senior years, only one may be counted toward the Theater major. Advance approval of the Theater Department Head required.
Tutorial study in theater practice, initiated by the student and pursued independently under the guidance of an instructor from whom the student has gained approval and acceptance. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: THTR 107 or THTR 221, and permission of the instructor.
Under the guidance of theater faculty and normally during the senior year, the student will undertake an advanced project in one or more specialized areas of theater (e.g., acting, directing, design, criticism). The project will serve to assess the student’s theater education and demonstrate the student’s potential as a theater artist and/or practitioner.
Prerequisite: Advance approval of the Theater Department Head.
Tutorial sessions related to the student’s investigation of the area chosen for his or her honors essay. Open only to candidates for honors in theater, who have taken THTR 495 instead of THTR 400.
Prerequisite: THTR 495 and permission of the Theater Department Head.