Theatre
Program web page
210 Theatre Building
Faculty
Sara Goff, Jeffrey Sanders, Jessica Ray, William Ledbetter.
Degrees
Minor–Theatre
Minor–Theatre/Elementary or Secondary
Required courses in these programs of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.
General Admissions Requirements for Theatre
High school graduates and community college transfer students who want to major in theatre should possess high verbal aptitude and effective skills in reading and writing. Moreover, theatre majors should possess an attitude of teamwork, strong self-discipline and a commitment to hard work for long hours. Previous coursework and participation in music, dance, acting, singing and back stage production is highly desirable, but not mandatory.
Students wishing to major in theatre should declare this major early in their university career. Entering freshman or transfer students should contact the Theatre Program immediately upon arrival at the campus for the assignment of an academic advisor and evaluation of transfer credits.
Undergraduate Programs
The Theatre Program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre for those who wish to enter the profession or prepare for graduate school. A minor is available. This program is designed to give the student thorough preparation in all aspects of theatre, with the knowledge and skills to support any graduate school specialty. The range of elective courses permits a small amount of specialization within the curriculum, but the primary intention is to provide fundamental preparation for theatre professionals. In addition to classroom studies, the program offers valuable hands-on experience in virtually every phase of theatrical production, including acting, directing, singing, costuming and technical and design skills. Each major is expected to be available to work on every production in the program’s season.
Each university season is chosen for balance and variety. Productions range from classical to modern plays. Plays are produced in the University Theatre, a modern, well-equipped plant, opened in 1972 and historic Showalter Hall.
The University Theatre is located in the university’s Fine Arts Complex in close proximity to the Music, Art and Film programs. Students are encouraged to supplement their theatre studies with study in other fields in order to better understand theatre as an art form, a field of study in the liberal arts and as an area of human activity and endeavor.
Graduates with Bachelor of Arts degrees are traditionally employed in a variety of careers including: professional actors, dancers, arts administrators, and technicians in scenery, lighting, properties and sound design. Graduates are also employed in public relations, sales, management and other careers that require daily person-to-person contact and effective self-presentation. Recent Eastern graduates have been accepted in nationally recognized graduate programs in theatre and related fields. Many also teach at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Theatre Courses
THTR 110. MOVEMENT AND VOICE. 3 Credits.
Movement and Voice is beginning training in the use of voice and body for the actor. The course is designed to offer students a wide variety of exercises and experiences that contribute to self-awareness, ensemble building, actor preparation, effective communication and strength and flexibility.
THTR 111. ELEMENTS OF IMPROVISATION AND DANCE COMPOSITION. 2 Credits.
An exploration of movement for self-expression and an introduction to dance composition as a process for exploring creative impulses and creating new movement material using problem solving.
THTR 150. FUND OF MUSIC/DANCE THEATRE. 3 Credits.
An introduction to skills necessary to perform musical theatre roles. Fundamentals of singing and basic dance techniques are emphasized.
THTR 161. BALLET I. 2 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit three times.
An introduction to ballet for the beginning student or those at the elementary level. The course includes ballet technique, style, vocabulary and background information. Ballet is the universal language of Western Concert Dance and familiarity with this genre allows the artist to communicate across disciplines of dance. While this course is an opportunity for physical health, it also focuses on dance as an art form.
THTR 176. MODERN DANCE I. 2 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit three times.
An introduction to modern dance for the beginning student or those at the elementary level. The course includes modern dance technique, style, vocabulary and background information. While this course is an opportunity for physical health, it also focuses on dance as an art form.
THTR 180. JAZZ DANCE I. 2 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit three times.
An introduction to jazz dance for the beginning student or those at the elementary level. The course includes jazz dance technique, style, vocabulary and background information. While this course is an opportunity for physical health, it also focuses on dance as an art form.
THTR 196. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
THTR 198. SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
THTR 201. DANCE IN THE HUMANITIES. 4 Credits.
Satisfies: a BACR for humanities and arts.
General Introduction to dance, its forms, elements and history, and the roles it plays in societies.
THTR 202. THEATRE IN THE HUMANITIES. 5 Credits.
Cross-listed: HUMN 202.
Satisfies: a BACR for humanities and arts.
This course focuses on the relationship of theatre to various cultures throughout history. Students will survey different periods, styles and genres of theatre through play reading, discussion and viewing and critiquing theatrical performances. Students are introduced to the various elements of the production process.
THTR 203. THEATRE GRAPHICS. 5 Credits.
The first in a series of courses in technical theatre. Introduction to drafting, blueprint reading, sketching, perspective drawing, rendering in watercolor and model making for theatrical settings, lighting and properties.
THTR 210. ACTING I. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 110.
Acting I is an introduction to the actor's creative process using exercises, improvisations and scenes with a special emphasis on the Stanislavski method.
THTR 226. STAGE MAKE-UP. 1 Credit.
Lecture and laboratory where the student may learn basic and advanced techniques and principles of straight and character make-up.
THTR 260. BALLET II. 2 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit three times.
Pre-requisites: THTR 161 or permission of instructor.
Development of classical ballet technique at the high elementary level. The course includes ballet technique, style, vocabulary, and background information. Ballet is the universal language of Western Concert Dance and familiarity with this genre allows the artist to communicate across disciplines of dance. While this course is an opportunity for physical health, it also focuses on dance as an art form.
THTR 275. MODERN DANCE II. 2 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit three times.
Pre-requisites: THTR 176 or permission of instructor.
Development of modern dance technique at the high elementary level. The course includes modern dance technique, style, vocabulary and background information. While this course is an opportunity for physical health, it also focuses on dance as an art form.
THTR 280. JAZZ DANCE II. 2 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit three times.
Pre-requisites: THTR 180 or permission of instructor.
Jazz dance technique at the high intermediate level. The course includes jazz dance technique, style, vocabulary and background information. While this course is an opportunity for physical health, it also focuses on dance as an art form.
THTR 295. THEATRE INTERNSHIP. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Internship experience at University Theatre in the scene shop, costume shop, or publicity office.
THTR 296. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-15 Credits.
Experimental.
THTR 299. DIRECTED STUDY. 3-10 Credits.
THTR 303. SURVEY OF THEATRE HISTORY. 5 Credits.
Cross-listed: HUMN 303.
Pre-requisites: THTR 202 or upper class standing.
Surveys the major periods of Western theatre from Greek to modern trends.
THTR 310. ACTING II. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 202 and THTR 210.
Acting II is a continuation of Acting I. Acting II continues an exploration of the Stanislavski method through exercises, improvisations and advanced scene-work.
THTR 312. SPECIAL SKILLS FOR ACTORS. 1-5 Credits.
Notes: repeatable six times for credit with permission of instructor.
Pre-requisites: THTR 110.
Special Skills for Actors is a practical course in developing special skills for actors, such as juggling, dialects and theatrical swordplay.
THTR 319. REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE. 1-5 Credits.
Notes: repeatable for credit.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor.
Performance on stage in a University Theatre production. Amount of credit is determined by role played.
THTR 321. PLAY PRODUCTION. 3 Credits.
Techniques of producing a play for public performance. Methods of selecting scripts, casting, rehearsal procedure, and performance responsibilities. Elements of the business of production, including contractual policies and limitations.
THTR 326. CREATIVE DRAMATICS. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor.
Aims, objectives and role of creative dramatics in education; includes participation with children.
THTR 330. STAGE COSTUME. 3 Credits.
Principles of costumes for the stage. The nature and function of this area of production including procedures, policies, sources plus historical and professional data.
THTR 331. THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY I. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: Permission of the instructor.
Theatre Design and Technology I introduces students to design and execution of theatre scenery, lighting and sound.
THTR 332. THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY II. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 331.
Theatre Design and Technology II continues to help students develop skills in the scenographic arts. Students will operate the machinery and utilize the crafts of scenic construction including rigging, painting, rendering, modeling, drafting and wiring. Programming for sets, lights and audio in the theatre are other topics covered in this course.
THTR 336. STAGE LIGHTING. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 203 or consent of instructor.
A beginning course in basic electricity and lighting for the theatre. Introduction to types of instruments and lamps, their uses and capabilities. Color media, circuitry and patching for manual and computer boards. Computation of electrical loads; safety measures. Three lectures and two laboratory sessions per week.
THTR 337. STAGE LIGHTING DESIGN. 3 Credits.
An intermediate course concerned with the methodology of physically designing lights for the stage.
THTR 338. CONCEPTS OF THEATRICAL DESIGN. 3 Credits.
A beginning course in the styles, history, and examples of theatrical scenic design.
THTR 339. ACTING WORKSHOP: VARIABLE TOPICS. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 110.
Acting Workshop is a special topics performance course, including, but not limited to, The Meisner Technique, Chekhov and improvisation.
THTR 340. SCENE CONSTRUCTION. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 203 or consent of instructor.
Introduction to style and types of scenery; materials; tools; stage mechanics and construction. Three lecture hours and two two-hour laboratory sessions per week.
THTR 375. MODERN DANCE III. 3 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit three times.
Pre-requisites: THTR 275 or permission of instructor.
Modern dance technique at the intermediate level. The course includes modern dance technique, style, vocabulary and background information. To understand, achieve and maintain the level of a professional dancer, the student must experience and work in a consistent, constant and formal manner. While this course is an opportunity for physical health, it will also focus on dance as an art form.
THTR 380. THEATRE EXPERIENCE. 1 Credit.
Notes: repeatable for credit up to eight times with instructor approval.
Theatre Experience provides students with internship experience at the University Theatre in the scene shop, costume shop, publicity office, box office, stage management or in performance.
THTR 381. FIBER AND TEXTILES. 5 Credits.
Cross-listed: ART 381.
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
In this studio course, students develop skills and cultivate conceptual concerns related to the fiber and textile arts. Traditional and experimental materials will be used to explore such techniques as dyeing, looping, felting, weaving, piecing, and quilting. Critiques and discussions will be informed by lectures, articles, and independent research.
THTR 395. UNIVERSITY THEATRE INTERNSHIP. 1 Credit.
Notes: repeatable for credit.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
THTR 396. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
THTR 398. SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
THTR 399. SPECIAL STUDIES. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Subjects studied vary according to faculty and student interests.
THTR 410. ACTING III. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 310.
Acting III combines an intensive practical analysis of heightened language with the performance skills needed to bring classic plays to life.
THTR 412. ACTING: THE PROFESSION. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 110.
Students will acquire practical skills to select, prepare and perform audition pieces. They will learn about headshots, resumes, unions and professional etiquette.
THTR 419. REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE. 1-5 Credits.
Notes: repeatable for credit.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor.
Practical experience of working backstage during actual stage productions. Amount of credit to be determined by work done on the production.
THTR 421. DIRECTING I. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 303, THTR 310, THTR 330, THTR 332.
Directing I focuses on the process of stage directing, with emphasis on action analysis, principals of staging, composition, picturization, casting, effective use of a rehearsal process, artistic vision and collaboration with designers.
THTR 422. DIRECTING II. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 421.
Directing II builds upon the foundation of Directing I. The focus is on creating believable and engaging dramatic action and exploring the primary relationship between the actor and director through intensive scene-work.
THTR 425. PROFESSIONAL STAGE MANAGEMENT. 3 Credits.
A study into the preshow production and post-show requirements, supervised by a stage manager. Includes work description of related department heads and the interaction therein, both in academic and professional theatre.
THTR 430. THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY III. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 332.
Theatre Design & Technology III serves as the advanced course work in design arts for the theatre and methodology of constructing, rigging, painting, shifting, lighting, wiring and finishing of set pieces and properties for theatrical stage production.
THTR 438. SCENE DESIGN. 3 Credits.
A course in the methods available to the scene designer in presenting the design idea.
THTR 439. TOPICS IN THEATRE. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: THTR 202.
Topics in Theatre examines specific issues related to theatre arts.
THTR 445. SCENE PAINTING. 2 Credits.
Cross-listed: ART 445.
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing.
A practicum in techniques and mechanics of choosing, mixing, and applying scene paint for theatrical production.
THTR 491. SENIOR THESIS PROJECT. 5 Credits.
Notes: senior theatre majors whose schedules will not allow them to complete this course as their capstone, must enroll in an ITGS 400 course and complete the theatre department’s senior comprehensive written and oral examination.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
The final exit assessment instrument for graduation. Senior theatre majors expecting to graduate following the spring quarter of their senior year must undertake either the direction or design of a one-act play produced and presented on the main stage of the University Theatre as a capstone project during spring quarter. This project will result in the production of a major thesis document. The project will be conducted under the supervision of the faculty.
THTR 494. STAGE DOOR TO THE FUTURE. 1-5 Credits.
Opportunity to work with professional theatre company on two or more productions each summer.
THTR 495. FIELD EXPERIENCE IN THEATRE. 1-15 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Experience in production, performance, or management of a theatre outside the university. Amount of credit is dependent on responsibilities undertaken.
THTR 496. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
THTR 497. WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
Group workshop projects in a selected field of theatre.
THTR 498. SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
THTR 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Individual study projects in a selected special field of theatre. Limited to Senior and graduate students.
THTR 599. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1-10 Credits.
THTR 696. COLLEGE TEACHING INTERNSHIP. 1-15 Credits.