Theater
Theater | Courses
| Faculty
112 Fine Arts Center
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Contact: Miguel Romero
Office: 112 FAC
Phone: 545-3490
Department Chair: Associate Professor Harley Erdman. Professors Golden,
Olf, Remsen, Uno, Warner; Associate Professors Gaeke, McCauley, Nelson, Romero;
Assistant Professor Borg; Lecturer Reynolds.
The Field
The course of study in the Department of Theater is grounded in the belief
that the performing arts draw on a unique combination of intellectual and artistic
skills and talents which are most fully developed when theory and practice are
integrated in the learning experience. Students in the program gain expertise
in all the fundamental areas of theatrical art in graduated sequences of study
designed to bring into focus rigorous critical thinking, precise methods of
research, and imaginative expression in performance.
A theater major is also a member of a larger community, the Colleges of Arts
and Sciences. There is nothing gained by learning about the theater in isolation.
Since the theater draws upon and touches many fields of study, the most meaningful
study of theater is in a liberal arts context.
The Major
For the B.A. degree in Theater, majors must fulfill all University General
Education requirements as well as appropriate requirements of the College of
Humanities and Fine Arts. In addition, theater majors must complete 14 courses,
42 credits in theater, as follows:
Dramaturgy (3 cr)
120 Play Analysis for Theatrical Production
Dramaturgical Electives (9 cr; choice of three)
130 Contemporary Playwrights of Color
320 Classical and Neoclassical Repertory
321 Medieval and Renaissance Repertory
322 Modern Repertory
323 Special Topics in Historical Repertory
324 Special Topics in Contemporary Repertory
330 American Repertory
331 African American Repertory
333 Contemporary Repertory
425 Playwriting
439 Projects in Dramaturgy
Some approved University or Five College courses will also fulfill the Dramaturgy
Elective.
Note: Successful completion of THEATR 120, plus any one of THEATR 320,
321, 322, 323, or 324 fulfills the Junior Year Writing requirement.
Design (12 cr)
160 Beginning Techniques in Design
360 Scene Design
361 Lighting Design
362 Costume Design
Performance (3 cr)
140 Beginning Techniques in Performance
Performance Electives (9 cr; choice of three)
240 Beginning Voice
340 Advanced Voice
341 Stage Movement
342 Acting
345 Directing
441 Styles of Stage Movement
442 Acting II
443 Period Acting
445 Directing II
Management (3 cr)
110 Performance Management (1 cr; must be taken for three semesters)
General Elective
Any additional three credits in Dramaturgy, Performance, or Design
Any student starting work in the major after the first semester of the sophomore
year may not be able to complete the major requirements within five semesters.
Transfer students may also find that they are not able to finish the major without
one or more extra semesters because of the sequence and scheduling necessities
of the coursework.
With the exception of Introduction to Theater, Performance Management, Beginning
Techniques in Performance, and the dramaturgy courses, enrollment in theater
courses is by consent of instructors only. It is imperative, therefore, that
all majors, prospective majors, and nonmajors consult with a department adviser
to determine eligibility for, and appropriate placement within, the various
activities.
Currently, the design sequence takes four semesters to complete. Many of the
300- and 400-level dramaturgy and performance classes rotate and are not offered
every semester. Although taking the required four courses in three semesters
might be possible, it is not recommended.
Nonmajors with appropriate qualifications are welcome to participate in the
activities of the department. Introduction to Theater, a general education course,
is primarily for nonmajors. Enrollment of nonmajors in all upper-level courses
is permitted after completing beginning techniques in the specific area(s) of
interest. Department majors are given preference in placement at all levels
within the program.
Career Opportunities
The theater major forms a sound basis for further professional or scholarly
work in theater (for the M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. degrees). In addition to helping
prepare for work in the field, theater skills regularly prove useful in a variety
of related fields such as public relations, broadcasting, management, advertising
and promotion, arts administration, teaching or coaching, community recreation,
and social work.
Theater | Courses
| Faculty
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