Theater
Faculty
Robinson Professor: D'Andrea
Associate Professor: Davis
Assistant Professors: Austin, Gero, Johnsen-Neshati (Director), Kurtz,
Raybuck
Course Work
The Theater Division offers all course work designated THR
in the Course Descriptions section of this catalog.
Undergraduate Program
B.A. Degree with a Major in Theater
The Theater Division offers a B.A. in Theater. The course of study stresses the breadth
of a liberal arts education in the belief that such study, combined with serious
practical training and experience, offers the best preparation for a life in the
theater.
Students electing to major in theater complete the Theater Core, a group of courses
that provides a broad introduction to the various arts of the theater and strives
to create a shared body of knowledge within the division's student population. The
Theater Core, in conjunction with certain electives, also satisfies the requirements
of a minor in theater.
To organize their advanced work within the major, students elect a course of study
that includes classes in at least two of three areas: performance, design and technical
theater, and theater studies. The division aims to prepare students for graduate
study and/or possible entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and
individualized training. However, students are encouraged to maintain wide-ranging
interests both inside the division and throughout the university's extensive offerings.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing
intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students in the B.A. in
Theater program fulfill this requirement by successfully completing THR 350 or 351.
Diagnostic Examination
Theater students are required to take a diagnostic examination during their junior
year or upon reaching 30 credits in Theater Division courses, whichever comes first.
This examination cannot be "passed" or "failed"; it is a tool
with which the faculty can assess each student's progress in the major to provide
better advising for the student's final year and for preparation for life after college.
The exam also serves to assess the curriculum's effectiveness. Arrangements for the
diagnostic exam are initiated by the student through the division director.
Degree Requirements
| General Education |
45-57
|
| Major |
47
|
| Electives |
16-28
|
| A.General Education |
45-57
|
- Language
|
18
|
a. English
ENGL 101, 302. Non-native speakers of English
with limited proficiency in the language may
substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. A student
must attain a minimum grade of C to have ENGL
100 or 101, & 302 fulfill degree requirements.
Students are reminded that the English Department
offers proficiency exams for credit and exemption
from this requirement.
|
6
|
b. Foreign Language
Students must demonstrate proficiency (at the
intermediate level) in one foreign language offered by
the university either by examination or course work.
|
0-12
|
- Analytical Reasoning
MATH, PHIL 173, or CS
|
3
|
- Humanities
|
16
|
a. Literature
ENGL 201, & 202, 203, or 204; the 300 level or
above in modern and classical languages; PHIL
253; or CLAS 250
|
6
|
b. Fine Arts
DANC 125, 131, 150, or 161 recommended but
any DANC course is acceptable (3 credits).
ARTS 200, 202, 203, 322, or 399 recommended
but any ARTS course is acceptable (3-4 credits).
ARIN, MUSI, or ARTH (3 credits)
|
9-10
|
- Social Science
ANTH, ECON, GEOG, GOVT, HIST, PSYC, SOCI
|
6
|
- Natural Science
ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, PHYS
|
8
|
- Non-Western Studies
Three credits must be earned in courses devoted to
non-Western culture. This requirement is waived for
the student who has attended a native school in a
non-Western country (for more than four years).
Requests for a waiver should be made through the
director of academic affairs of IOA. The following
courses, which are designated as meeting this
requirement, may also be presented in partial
fulfillment of requirements stated in other sections.
ANTH 114, 300, 301, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 311,
313, 332
ARTH 319, 320, 380, 381
FREN 451
GEOG 101, 316, 325, 330
GOVT 332, 333
HIST 130, 251, 252, 261, 262, 281, 282, 328, 329,
353, 354, 356, 463, 464, 465, 466
MUSI 103
RELI 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 337, 490
RUSS 353, 354
|
3
|
- PHIL or RELI
|
3
|
|
Core Requirements
The Theater Core consists of 23 credits.
|
23
|
|
Theater Core (and Minor in Theater)
THR 150, 151 Drama, Stage, and Society I and II
|
6
|
THR 200 Play Production Practicum (1-2 each, repeated for a total of 4)
|
4
|
|
|
3
|
THR 230 Introduction to Technical Theater I
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
THR 350 Script Analysis
One from the following group of one-credit mini- courses: THR 201 Stage Management,
THR 202 Literary Management, THR 203 Production/ Company Management
|
3
|
Practicum Credit
Students must acquire practicum credit in different areas
(e.g., performance and technical production work).
Professional Productions
Theater of the First Amendment (TFA), a professional theater in residence within
IOA, offers students the chance to work closely with professional artists. TFA productions
regularly employ student assistants in stage management, directing, dramaturgy, technical
crews, and production/company mAnagement. Students are eligible to audition for roles
or understudy assignments in TFA productions and may participate in the membership
candidate program through Actor's Equity Association.
Participation in Theater Division productions is expected of all declared majors.
Up to four practicum credits can be awarded for satisfactory completion of two to
four production assignments in the major (i.e., faculty- or guest-directed) productions
or on TFA productions.
Upper-Level Units
Twenty-four credits of 300- and 400-level courses, chosen from at least two of the
following areas: performance, design and technical theater, and theater studies.
Performance
This area is designed for the serious student of acting with performance aspirations.
Solid grounding in the fundamentals of analysis and basic training of the actor's
instrument is complemented by intensive, individualized instruction in the various
facets of the actor's craft.
NOTE: Acting Ensemble (THR 320, 321, 420, 421) is open by audition only
and may require concurrent enrollment in required courses. Auditions are held at
the beginning of each semester and by appointment.
THR 300 Voice and Speech Fundamentals (3)
THR 301 Voice and Speech for the Performer (3)
THR 310 Acting II (3)
THR 320, 321 Acting Ensemble I, II (6)
THR 322 Alexander Technique/Stage Combat (3)
THR 420, 421 Acting Ensemble III, IV (6)
THR 422 Stage Make-up/Styles (3)
THR 423 Audition Techniques: Stage and Camera (3)
Design and Technical Theater
This area helps prepare students for further study and work in the design and
technical fields. Courses in this area are also strongly recommended for students
interested in directing.
THR 330 Seminar in Technical Theater (3+)
THR 333 Stage Design (3)
THR 334 Lighting Design (3)
THR 335 Costume Design (3)
THR 336 Advanced Theater Technology (3)
THR 343 Costume Draping and Drafting (3)
Theater Studies
This area is designed to provide the theater generalist with thorough preparation
for further study and work in directing, dramaturgy, theater criticism, theater scholarship,
playwriting, and teaching. For specific teacher licensure (certification) requirements,
students are directed to the Office of Teacher Education.
THR 340 Directing II (3)
THR 351 Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3)
THR 352 Dramatic Literature Seminar (3)
THR 355 Moral Vision in American Theater (3)
THR 380, 381 Playwriting I, II (3), (3)
THR 440 Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy (3)
THR 480 Advanced Playwriting (3)
THR 490 Special Topics in Drama, THR 494 Field Experience, and THR 497 Independent
Study may be applied to the appropriate area.
Minor in Theater
The minor in theater requires 23 credits as follows:
THR 150 and 151 Drama, Stage, and Society
|
6
|
THR 200 Play Production Practicum
|
4
|
|
|
3
|
THR 230 Introduction to Technical Theater
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
THR 201 or 202 or 203 Stage, Literary, or Management/Production Management
|
1
|
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|