The request to establish THEA 1140, 1201, 1202, 2200, 3203, 3205, 3206, 4205, 4231, 4234, 4235, 4236, 4670

Date: October 1, 2010
To: College of Arts + Architecture
From: Clarence Greene, Faculty Governance Program Assistant
Approved On: July 21, 2010
Implementation Date: 2010

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

THEA 1140. The Theatre Experience. (3) This course explores the theatre experience through basic concepts of playmaking, from the script’s meanings to director’s, designers, and actors’ choices. It also considers how certain plays, performed in specific ways, might affect various people in the audience today. Plays from different historical periods will be read, discussed, and seen onstage in the Theatre Department season. (Fall)

THEA 1201. Theatre Collaboration. (3) Prerequisite: THEA 1140. This course applies the theoretical knowledge of the first required course for majors, Theatre Experience, with a practical application. Students participate in the collaborative creation, adaptation, or re-presentation of a play, production, or performance process from three perspectives: dramaturgy, performance, and design/production. The process results in a final class project performance or presentation. Four contact hours. (Spring)

THEA 1202. Introduction to Technical Theatre. (3) Students will be introduced to production in theatre through individual/group activities. Study and practice of scenery construction, electrical theory, and costume construction as well as theatre lab safety and operation. Three contact hours. (Fall, Spring)

THEA 2200. Introduction to Design for the Stage. (3) Introduction to the fundamental elements and principles used in creating design, and their application in theatrical design and directing. Students practice creating visual compositions and learn the vocabulary necessary for communicating about design. The class focuses on analyzing how the elements and principles of design are used in scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design, as well as directing. Three contact hours. (Fall, Spring)

THEA 3203 Acting for the Camera. (3) Prerequisite: B or better in THEA 2201. The goal of this course is to give the intermediate to advanced student actor an overview of a successful acting technique for the creation of performances in television, motion pictures, and commercials. Through exercises and on camera scene work, students will learn how to mold organic acting technique elements to the subtle technologically based demands of the various media. Four contact hours. (On demand)

THEA 3205. Voice for the Actor. (3) Prerequisite: B or better in THEA 2201. The goal of this course is to help the student develop clear and efficient use of their vocal instrument, and to develop range and flexibility to create a multitude of roles. Students will be taken through excises developed by leading voice practitioners such as Catherine Fitzmaurice, Kristin Linklater, and Patsy Rodenburg. Areas of focus include pitch, volume, resonance rhythm, projection and articulation. Four contact hours. (On demand)

THEA 3206. Movement for the Actor. (3) Prerequisite: B or better in THEA 2201. The goal of this course is to help the student develop clear and efficient use of their physical instrument, and to develop range and flexibility to create a multitude of roles. Students will be taken through exercises developed by leading physical theatre practitioners including work on Viewpoints, Alexander Technique and Commedia Dell Arte mask work. Areas of focus will include balance, articulation, rhythm, centers and relationship to space. Four contact hours. (On demand)

THEA 4205. Stage Dialects. (3) Prerequisite: B or better in THEA 3201 or THEA 3205. The objective of this course is to provide the student with a process in dialect acquisition. Upon completion of the course the student will have a basic understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), demonstrate knowledge of specific vowel and consonant changes for dialects covered, and be able to demonstrate specific dialects through performance. Four contact hours. (On demand)

THEA 4231. Drawing for the Theatre. (3) Prerequisite: THEA 2200. Semester-long course in foundational drawing concepts developed for students of the theatre. Discrete exercises will explore a variety of entry points into drawing what the eye sees free from old habits, as well as strengthening clear graphic communication in theatrical sketching and rendering. Three contact hours. (Fall, alternate years)

THEA 4234. Stage Properties. (3) Prerequisites: THEA 3230. This course is an introduction to the work of a theatre props department. Focuses on the functions and role of the Properties Manager in the production process. The course will also address several common properties fabrication techniques through hands-on projects. Three contact hours. (On demand)

THEA 4235. Welding and Metal Working. (3) Prerequisite: THEA 1202. This course covers the equipment, materials, and techniques used in the welding and cutting processes most often employed in the manufacturing of scenery. These include: oxyfuel gas welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and tungsten gas arc welding. (On Demand)

THEA 4236. Audio Engineering. (3) Prerequisite: THEA 1202. This course covers the basic techniques of controlling, editing and distributing of sound and audio for the theatre. Emphasis on system design, equipment use, and sound systems integration. Three contact hours. (On demand)

THEA 4670. Theatrical Production Management Techniques. (3) Prerequisite: THEA 2670. A study of management techniques needed by all of those who perform a management role in the performing arts. Topics include communication skills, team building, assertiveness, goal setting, time management, stress management and an overview of production organizations. This will be accomplished with thorough discussion of texts and actual production experiences. Three contact hours. (On demand)