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