Required Courses for the
Theatre Major
(40
semester hours):
THEA 274 Theatre History
(must be taken
twice, for a total of 6 semester hours)
THEA 278 Theatre Repertory Company
THEA 376 Theatre Design and Technology
(must be taken twice,
for a total of 6 semester hours)
THEA 377 Principles of Directing
One of the
following two courses:
THEA 277 Children’s Theatre
THEA 279 Creative Dramatics
Two of the
following three courses:
THEA 370 Voice, Movement and Modern Styles
THEA 371 Period Styles in Acting—Greek to
Restoration
THEA 372 Auditioning, Improvisation and
Career Management
One of the
following two courses:
THEA 490 Independent Study
THEA 497 Internship
Nine semester
hours of additional course work from outside
THEA to be approved by the Theatre
Department Chair.
A passing
evaluation on the THEA Senior Portfolio.
Students seeking teacher certification in
drama should confer as early as possible
with Prof. William Wallace of the Theatre
department and Prof. Craig Vivian, chair of
the Educational Studies department, to
ensure that their program will meet state
standards. Other requirements for
certification are described on pages 52-59.
(Note: Secondary certification in a “primary
teaching field” requires a minimum of 32
semester hours.) A second teaching field in
a related area of study is recommended.
Required Courses for the
Theatre Minor
(16
semester hours):
THEA 274 Theatre History
THEA 278 Theatre Repertory Company
THEA 376 Theatre Performance
THEA 377 Principles of Directing
One of the
following three courses:
THEA 370 Voice, Movement and Modern Styles
THEA 371 Period Styles in Acting—Greek to
Restoration
THEA 372 Auditioning, Improvisation and
Career Management
THEA 117G. Acting: Workshop 1 sem hr
Staff-supervised participation in acting.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
May be repeated for credit.
THEA 118G. Technical Theatre: Workshop 1 sem
hr
Staff-supervised participation in technical
theatre. Prerequisite: Permission of the
instructor. May be repeated for credit.
THEA 171G. Introduction to Theatre and
Cinema Appreciation 3 sem hrs
A course designed to give the beginning
student a critical platform on which to base
his or her own evaluation of plays and
films. Selected reading of play scripts,
film scenarios, and general criticism is
supplemented by planned viewing experiences
in both art forms. Offered each semester.
THEA 173G. Introduction to Technical Theatre
3 sem hrs
A study of the basic elements of technical
theatre, including stagecraft, lighting,
sound and costumes, as well as experience
running an actual production. Includes
laboratory. Offered each semester.
THEA 175G. Beginning Acting 3 sem hrs
An introduction to the art and history of
stage acting combined with practical
exercises and performances of short scenes.
Offered each year.
THEA 217. Acting and Directing: Advanced
Workshop 2 sem hrs
Continuation of THEA 117 with advanced work
and/or a position of responsibility in
theatre arts. Primarily for junior and
senior majors. Prerequisite: THEA 117 and
permission of the instructor. May be
repeated for credit.
THEA 218. Technical Theatre: Advanced
Workshop 2 sem hrs
Continuation of THEA 118 with advanced work
and/or a position of responsibility in
technical theatre. Primarily for junior and
senior majors. Prerequisites: THEA 118 and
permission of the instructor. May be
repeated for credit.
THEA 274G. Theatre History 3 sem hrs
A survey of theatre emphasizing the
evolution of dramatic literature, production
elements, theatre architecture, and audience
composition. Each year’s offering will
concentrate on a particular movement, genre,
or form. May be repeated for credit with
different topics.
THEA 277. Children’s Theatre in Performance
3 sem hrs
A study of the history, development,
structures, and techniques of children’s
theatre as a performance art. The course
will cover readings of the history of the
theatrical style, current companies and
practices, practical exercises in analysis
and structure, as well as a study of the
children’s theatre performance style. The
course will culminate in the performance of
scenes or short plays.
THEA 278. Theatre Rep Company 4 sem hrs
Under supervision of Theatre faculty,
students involved in this course take on the
full preparation of a play (acting, design,
promotion, etc.). Students will make
production decisions and assume leadership
roles in the preparation of the show. Open
to sophomore, junior and senior Theatre
majors and minors, or by permission of the
instructor. May be repeated once for credit.
THEA 279. Creative Dramatics 3 sem hrs
A study of the development of creative
dramatics as a performance, educational,
social, and political tool. The course
covers readings on play and drama as a
therapeutic and developmental tool,
practical exercises in the use of theatre
and drama as a teaching tool, and direct
application of creative dramatics in an
educational setting. Students will have
hands on opportunities to apply their
studies to an actual classroom setting.
THEA 297. Special Topics: Theatre 3 sem hrs
THEA 370. Voice, Movement and Modern Styles
3 sem hrs
A study of
performance techniques and modern
movement-based acting styles. Includes
readings on performance theory, laboratory
exercise, improvisation, scene study,
character development, personal reflection,
and the attendance of productions.
Techniques will be applied to modern acting
styles, and the course will lead to the
creation and performance of scenes and
monologues. Prerequisite: THEA 175 or
permission of the instructor. Offered once
every third year.
THEA 371. Period Styles in Acting—Greek to
Restoration 3 sem hrs
A study of Western acting techniques ranging
from Greek to Restoration. Includes readings
on performance history and theory,
laboratory exercise, improvisation, scene
study, character development, personal
reflection, and the attendance of
productions. The course will lead to the
creation and performance of scenes and
monologues. Prerequisite: THEA 175 or
permission of the instructor. Offered once
every third year.
THEA 372. Auditioning, Improvisation and
Career Management 3 sem hrs
A hybrid course that offers a study in
audition techniques, improvisational acting
skills, and techniques to developing and
managing a career in professional theatre.
Includes readings, laboratory exercise,
improvisation, scene study, cold-reading
techniques, creation of audition monologues,
character development, personal reflection,
and the attendance of productions.
Prerequisite: THEA 175 or permission of the
instructor. Offered once every third year.
THEA 376. Theatre Design and Technology 3
sem hrs
A study of the basic elements of design and
technology. Combines readings in design
theory with practice in drafting, plotting,
and rendering. Each offering will
concentrate on a particular design style
(lighting, costume, scenery, etc.).
Prerequisite: THEA 173 or permission of the
instructor. May be repeated for credit with
different topics.
THEA 377. Principles of Stage Directing 3
sem hrs
A study of the practical and theoretical
elements of directing for the serious
student of performance. Readings in theory
and production organization are combined
with practical exercises in analysis,
pictorial composition, and movement, and
lead to the actual production of a short
play. Prerequisites: Junior standing, some
theatre experience and THEA 171, 173 or 376,
and 175. Offered each year.
THEA 397. Seminar: Theatre 3 sem hrs
A seminar centered on a problem or topic as
announced before each offering. Designed for
juniors and seniors. Prerequisite:
Permission of the instructor. May be
repeated for credit.
THEA 490. Independent Study 1–6 sem hrs
A faculty directed program of individual
study consisting of reading, research, or
creative performance. Prerequisite: prior
approval of the department. May be repeated
for credit.
THEA 497. Internship in Theatre Arts 3–9 sem
hrs
An experience designed to allow the student
to use in the field concepts and ideas
developed during major study and to help
prepare the student for employment.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior
approval of the department. May be repeated
for credit.