THTR 107: Introduction to Theater
Through lectures, discussions, hands-on experiences, master classes with visiting theater professionals, and performances outside of class, this course introduces students to significant texts, ideas, and crafts essential to the study of theater. Projects involve acting, directing, design, and theater criticism; writing assignments familiarize students with the analytic tools and accepted vocabulary of theater scholarship. [H]
Stephanette Schwartz-Smith TR 9:30-10:45am, Oechsle Hall 211
THTR 120 Practicum THTR 121 Practicum
Mary Jo Lodge, Suzanne Westfall Alex Owens
THTR 130: Acting 1
This workshop style course will introduce students to various fundamental techniques of acting and improvisation, with special emphasis on sensory awareness, observation, concentration, body movement and vocal development. Students will develop their imaginations and creative processes through performance situations involving improvisation, scene study and monologue work. Second semester seniors must have permission of the instructor to take the course. [H]
Mary Jo Lodge TR 1:10-3:00pm, 248 Studio Thtr.
THTR 221: Basic Stagecraft
An introduction to the history, theory, and practice of technical theater, focusing upon stage management, construction, painting, rigging, and electrical practices. Laboratory sessions in the theater shop and backstage assignments ensure hands-on exposure to topics discussed in class. [H]
Alex Owens MW 10:00-11:50am, Buck Hall 106
THTR 273: Writing Comedy
Stand-up, sketch, sit-com, satire — this course introduces students to writing for theater, media, and film, offering them intensive practice composing texts that function within the conventions and boundaries of each genre. Students will compose multiple texts in drafts, meet with practicing writers, attend performances, revise, film, and perform original scenes. [W, V]
Robert Goodman F 1:10-4:00pm, 248 Studio Thtr.
THTR 280: Speaking Power
Intending to be a lawyer? Public Relations in your future? Need to master the arts of persuasion? Feeling unconfident while speaking in public? Planning on any career in business that requires speaking with authority? You’ll need to become proficient at rhetorical technique. This course will focus on effective speaking strategies for life and for professions, including: analyzing effective speeches; writing and delivering persuasive rhetoric; building confidence and authority; mastering argument techniques; fostering “presence” for public performances; and channeling anxiety to build focus. [VWH]
Sarah Cohea MW 7:00-8:15pm, 248 Studio Thtr.
THTR 312: Plays in Performance: Age of Shakespeare
Contrary to popular conception, Shakespeare did not spring, quill in hand, from the forehead of Queen Elizabeth. Rather, his work is firmly grounded in the rich theatrical traditions of the “not-so-dark-ages” that he observed in his boyhood (the mystery cycles, miracle plays, moralities, interludes, folk plays, masques, disguising, tournaments, and household revels), and reflected the works of his contemporaries like Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson. Those that succeeded him, writing bloody revenge tragedies of which Hamlet is an early example, took the stage by storm. We will sample works from the 15th to the 17th centuries to put him in proper context. [WHGM1]
Suzanne Westfall MWF 10:00-10:50am, Buck Hall 102
Signature Required Suzanne Westfall:
THTR 391 Independent Study THTR 400 Senior Project
THTR 495 Honors Thesis