Identity and the American Theatre

Identity in Theatre explores the ethical and moral evolution of identity through the scripts and practices of our contemporary Theatre. It approaches this through the dialectic as well as class projects such as the personal diversity statement as outlined in the PowerPoint (pdf) submitted for review. In this course, we find that there are no dichotomous answers but much of our discussion examines the grey spaces in between and how there is no one right answer or structure that will solve everything. Ultimately, the course requires the students to examine pre-held belief structures and evolve their way of thinking into a more nuanced and fluid process. Prerequisites: LDW course, ENGL-104 or 105 or 195.

Scene Painting

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

Design and Production Studio

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. Restricted to students with sophomore standing or higher. May be repeated once for credit.

Stage Combat Styles

This course addresses a practical and introductory approach to stage combat styles. Students will safely explore the craft of stage violence through the skills of unarmed and armed combat. Styles may include (dependent on rotation): hand-to-hand, small -sword, rapier & dagger, broadsword, or quarterstaff. Prerequisites: 121, 207. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit.

Advanced Construction Techniques: Scenic

This will explore advanced construction techniques used in theatrical scenery construction. Topics related to scenery construction that will be addressed are budgeting, structural design, construction of more complex scenic elements and metal working. May be repeated for credit.

Graphics for Entertainment Design

This course is intended to give students comprehensive training in technical drafting for the theatre. Students will gain skills in hand drafting as well as various computer graphics programs such as Auto CAD, Vectorworks, and Photoshop. This course will focus on communicating through graphics utilizing drawings in the scenic, properties and lighting disciplines. Advanced projects will be given. May be repeated for credit.

Directing I

This course examines and applies the fundamentals of play direction: play selection, casting, blocking, movement, interpretation, and production organization. Prerequisites: 225.

Verse Drama

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.

Voice and Text

This practical performance laboratory course continues exploring the physical and vocal foundations for the actor. Students will continue learning techniques for a healthy, effective, and expressive voice and body. Particular attention to expanded range and resonance will be applied to text. Prerequisite: 121. OC

Theatrical Design: Collaboration and Story Telling

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.

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