22 - Theatre

Five one-hour practicums are required of all majors in the Theatre concentration. Each one is arranged with an individual instructor and is designed to give the student practical experience in different areas of theatre. The practicums consist of work on one of the five main stage productions offered by the department each year. Students may take more than the required number.

This course provides students the opportunity to study concepts in theatre arts. Subject matter will vary.

A study of basic movement, ballet, and theatre dance aids students in developing sufficient agility necessary for role preparation. (See 16-120.)

This continuation of 22-120 emphasizes individual progress. (See 16-121.)

This course provides a study of the process of play production, from script to finished stage presentation. Basic theatre history is also covered. Attendance at three plays and a critical evaluation of each are required. This course fulfills the fine arts requirement.

A study of script analysis for actors, designers and directors is presented. Major historical periods and genres are examined.

Students look at the development of the voice as an instrument of communication. The International Phonetic Alphabet is studied as a tool for analyzing and reproducing career speech.

The focus of this course is the creation of a script for stage presentation. Elements of the craft are explored and culminate in finished texts.

This course offers a study of the technical process of theatre, set construction, basic design, technical terminology and stage lighting. Class work is supplemented with active crew participation in departmental productions.

This course provides further practical training in and theoretical knowledge of lighting programs, special effects devices, sound equipment, carpentry, computer set design, design concept, research methods, and safety issues affecting all aspects of stage technology.  Class work is supplemented with active crew participation in departmental productions.

Straight and character make-up for the stage is studied, along with special problems in period and stylized make-up.

This course will familiarize students with theatrical costuming in all aspects: costume history, costume design and production technologies, and application of principles to specific scripts and characters.

Students study the basic steps an actor follows in the preparation of a role, including exercises, preparation of short scenes and systematic approach to the creation of a role.

This intensive course focuses on scene preparation, monologue study and cold reading, with particular emphasis on the audition process. The workshop is intended for the experienced actor.

An exploration of the basics of stage combat, this course teaches the techniques of unarmed (western brawling, flips, throws, martial-arts) and single rapier.

A continuation of the basic course, this course adds the dagger, broadsword and student choreography for stage combat.

Students study the process of preparing and presenting solo, duets, chorus numbers and scenes from Broadway musicals. Basic musical theatre history and the study of the many diverse elements of the musical are also covered.

This performance class studies and applies the techniques of improvisation as begun at Chicago's Second City.

As a continuation of Improvisation 1, this course reviews and enhances basic skills of improvisation, focuses on transforming short episodes into sustained scenes, and provides for creative possibilities and the development of a personal style.

This course provides a study of representative plays of the major playwrights and movements in modern drama, from Ibsen to the present.

Students gain the skills necessary to execute scenic and lighting designs for the stage. They investigate the theories and concepts of various styles of scenic and lighting design. They also execute several design projects.

A series of practical projects provides advanced, working knowledge of contemporary sound and lighting systems in the theatre and entertainment industry.

Styles of acting are studied through preparation of short scenes, each representing a different acting style.

Students study the specialized acting techniques and technical terminology essential for the actor working in television. Monologues, commercials and scenes are taped and critiqued.

Periodically, a specific course is offered in one of the specialized areas of theatre that is not part of the general departmental curriculum.

Emphasized in this course are learning computer ticketing programs, working with the public, creating box office reports and cash drawer audits, and collaborating with the House Manager.

Required for Theatre majors.

Required for Theatre majors.

Required for Theatre majors. Props and Sound Practicums should be taken first.

Required for Theatre majors during their second to last semester.

This course reviews the major periods of the theatre, from the Greeks to the Restoration, including historical background, dramatic form, playwrights and the physical theatre. The course partially fulfills the advanced writing requirement.

This continuation of 22-431 covers the Restoration to the present day. This course partially fulfills the advanced writing requirement..

Basic concepts of play direction are studied as they apply to the preparation of scenes and short plays.

Students are placed in theatre companies arranged with an advisor to provide them with on-the-job experience.

Students conduct independent research projects directed by a departmental instructor. The projects are an area of theatre not covered by other courses. Students must present a brief outline of the project and obtain the instructor's approval before registration.