This survey course reflects how contemporary playwrights (1960 to the present) have utilized theatre and drama to examine identity and culture, including race, gender, and sexuality, within their historical and present-day contexts. Content is adjusted to reflect current scholarship and dramatic literature that examines these topics. Prerequisites: ENGL-104 or 105 or 195, LDW course. LA
A study of plays, current production, playwrights, actors, and theatrical practices in selected cities, either in the U.S. or abroad. This course culminates in a required field trip which allows on site observation of theatrical practices, and consists of attending productions and guest lectures as well as backstage tours. Additional fees required. May be repeated for credit with different content. Graded CR/NC.
The focus of this advanced-level acting class is learning the play Shakespeare. Students will explore and strengthen the actors basic tools (body, voice and imagination) as they learn to analyze text for playable clues to character and circumstance. Specific attention will be given to understanding scansion and learning to identify basic figures of speech that will increase understanding, strengthen character development, and above all, help the actor play with clarity, purpose, and humanity. Prerequisites: 107, 121, 207.
This course continues exploration of the physiological and phonetic foundations of voice for the actor. Students will extend the use of voice and body to play heighten language texts, and learn to use the International Phonetic Alphabet as a tool for dialect study. Prerequisite: 121.
This course will provide students an opportunity to explore theatrical design with special emphasis on the collaborative development of design solutions and the support that design elements provide to the theatrical narratives. Students will build skills in visual and verbal communication, design visualization, script analysis and creative idea development. Assigned projects will include activity in a multiple traditional fields of design (scenery, costumes, lighting, properties and/or sound). Prerequisites: 230. May be repeated once for credit with permission.
This course will provide students an opportunity to explore theatrical design with special emphasis on the collaborative development of design solutions and the support that design elements provide to the theatrical narratives. Students will build skills in visual and verbal communication, design visualization, script analysis and creative idea development. Assigned projects will include activity in a multiple traditional fields of design (scenery, costumes, lighting, properties and/or sound). Prerequisites: 230. May be repeated once for credit with permission.
This course focuses on the major painting mediums, styles of illustration, and techniques utilized in the visual presentation of scenic, costume, properties, and lighting designs for the theatre. AE
This course covers the basics of sound use in live performance venues. System design, assembly, and use are discussed, as well as some theory and applicable electrical principles.
A study of application techniques for the theatre painter, the course focus is on class projects designed to provide the student with opportunities to handle a wide range of subject matter and to employ a variety of painting methods. Emphasis is placed upon the ability to reproduce details, colors, and styles. AE
This course will provide students an opportunity to explore the dynamics of theatrical production. The process will be explored from early idea development through post production evaluation. The course will also provide an opportunity for students to develop practical skills in the areas of leadership, team building, collaboration, production communication and creative problem solving. The content of this course work will be designed to amplify the education benefit of practical experience gained through the departmental production assignments. Prerequisite: 256.