Curriculum

The curriculum balances a sequence of literature and history courses, with the traditional theatre process courses in performance and production. Theatre students develop simultaneously their analytical and research skills with their imaginative and creative skills. In the classroom, in the laboratory and in performance, students acquire the knowledge and experience essential to becoming a gifted theatre artist and an informed audience member.

111: Theatre Arts (1) Fall, Spring.  A study of the nature and foundation of theatre as a unique art form.  The course explores the elements which make up dramatic production, the theatre's historical development and how the theatre relates to contemporary life. (Staff)

134: Ballet Technique (½) Fall, Spring.  A study of basic to intermediate movement vocabulary in the ballet discipline.  Class structure consists of barre, center floor, progressions, and the occasional study of ballet variations.  Historical reference and movement analysis is explored through video viewings, lecture, readings, and some brief writing assignments.  This course may be repeated one time for credit toward the dance minor.  (Vaughan-Southard)

135: Jazz Technique (½) Spring.  A study of jazz dance technique and history through classic, contemporary, and musical theatre styles.  Historical reference and movement analysis is explored through video viewings, lecture, readings, and some brief writing assignments.  This course may be repeated one time for credit toward the dance minor.  (Vaughan-Southard)

151: Basic Acting (1) Fall.  An introduction to methods and techniques of acting for the student with limited previous acting experience.  Students explore exercises and games to expand physical, mental and emotional awareness used in acting.  Includes script analysis and scene work.  (Staff)

185: Ballroom (¼) Spring.  A study of basic social dances in partner and group structures with historical references and opportunities to fuse traditional social dances with contemporary styles.  Styles may include: waltz, swing, tango, foxtrot, mambo, cha-cha and others as time permits.  No previous dance experience is necessary; theoretical concepts will be addressed in lectures, video viewings, readings, and occasional brief writing assignments.  Repeatable one time for credit toward dance minor.  (Vaughan-Southard)

186: Modern Technique (½)  Fall.  A study of basic intermediate movement vocabulary in modern dance utilizing a range of movement styles, philosophies, and techniques that represent modern and post-modern aesthetics.  The history and movement analysis of modern dance is explored through video viewings, lecture, readings, and some brief writing assignments.  The course may be repeated one time for credit toward the dance minor.  (Vaughan-Southard)

208: Dance Repertory (½) Spring.  An exposure to the creative process of concert dance production through rehearsal and performance in the Spring Dance Concert.  Audition required.  Students will perform in faculty and guest artist works as well as have the opportunity to adjudicate choreography to be included in the concert program.  This course may be repeated one time for credit toward the dance minor.  (Vaughan-Southard)

209: Survey of Dramatic Literature (1) Fall.  A survey of western dramatic literature from the ancient Greeks to the late 20th century.  Emphasizes the analysis of texts from the point of view of contemporary performance, while noting their historical context. (Chapman)

210: Women in the American Theatre (1) An examination of the contributions of women in all aspects of the American Theatre; a study of the images of women as portrayed in American drama; an introduction to feminist theory and criticism as it relates to theatre and drama. (Staff)

211: Introduction to Theatrical Design and Technology (1) Spring.  An introduction to the technical skills used in theatre (scenic construction and painting, costume construction, lighting and sound technology), and the basic principles of scenic, costume, lighting and sound design.  (Hoffland)

251: Acting I (1) Spring.  An introduction to acting for the student with previous acting experience.  Students explore exercises, games and pantomimes to expand physical, mental and emotional awareness used in acting.  Includes script analysis and scene work.  (Starko)

260: The Art of Dance (1) Fall, Spring.  A survey dance history course exploring the evolution of ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance forms through lecture, readings, video viewings, research and beginning-level dance technique.  Major themes include the analysis of historical, choreographic, and technical examples within four dance disciplines and a range in styles of dance presentation.  (Vaughan-Southard)

280: Historical Perspectives on Theatre: Ancient Greece to 1850 (1) Spring.  An examination of the major periods of theatre history, theatre architecture and conventions, and dramatic literature from fifth century B.C. Greece to mid-nineteenth-century Europe.  Offered periodically.  (Chapman)

281: Historical Perspectives on Theatre: 1850 to Present (1) Fall.  The second of two classes in the theatre history sequence.  An examination of dramatic styles, literature, theory and criticism, and movements primarily of the twentieth century.  Offered periodically. (Chapman)

288, 289: Selected Topics in Theatre (½, 1) Fall, Spring.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.  An examination of a special topic which is not included in the regular curriculum.  These courses are offered to meet the evolving needs and interests of students. (Staff)

311: Designing Scenery for the Theatre (½) Fall.  Prerequisites: Theatre 211 and permission of instructor.  A theoretical and practical course in designing scenery for the theatre.  Students design projects in realistic and non-realistic production styles and in various media.  Offered periodically. (Hoffland)

312: Lighting and Sound Design for the Theatre (½) Fall.  A theoretical and practical course in designing lighting and sound for the theatre.  Students will produce projects as well as have the opportunity for hands-on experience in both lighting and sound.  (Hoffland)

314: Stage Management (1/2) Fall.  Covers the mechanics and methods of theatrical stage management/production management, including running rehearsals and performances, and the rules of the Actors' Equity Association.  Presents the basics of production stage management such as scheduling and budgeting.  Offered periodically. (Staff)

330: Dance Pedagogy (½) Fall.  This course is designed to introduce students to teaching methods within the dance discipline for K-12, studio, and higher educational settings.  Content includes: structuring the technique, improvisation, dance history, and composition courses for the K-12 audience, curriculum planning, lesson plan development, dance technique and historical reference for the studio teacher, and planning for the subject specific course. (Vaughan-Southard)

331: Dance Composition (½) Fall.  This course examines the tools and elements needed in crafting concert dance works.  Major themes revolve around the generation of movement, the crafting of choreography, and modes for delivering verbal and written criticism.  (Vaughan-Southard)

332: Albion Repertory Dance Company (½) Fall, Spring.  A touring dance ensemble that explores dance management, dance production, and dance performance and choreographic analysis.  Requires audition and participation fall and spring semester of one academic year.(Vaughan-Southard)

350: Play Direction (1) Spring.  Prerequisites: Theatre 251 and permission of instructor.  An examination of the role of the director in the theatre, with emphasis on the relationship between the director and the actor and the technical problems which arise in rehearsal and performance. (Starko)

360: Identity in Dance (1) Spring.  This course is designed to introduce students to dance as a cultural, contextual, creative, and disciplined art form through the lens of gender and ethnic studies.  Topics include: who is responsible for making contemporary theatrical dance the soapbox we understand it to be, and how gender and ethnicity have impacted choreographic and performance identities as well as teaching practices.  The course also examines how dance performance has evolved in response to, and as a result of, changing times and attitudes throughout history, social and political events, and popular culture.  (Vaughan-Southard)

361: Vocal Technique and Movement (1) Fall.  An advanced acting course designed to give students greater control over their vocal and physical expression.  The course includes individual assessment of strengths and weaknesses coupled with exercises to broaden individual students' abilities.  In addition, students will prepare monologues for future auditions.  (Starko) 

365: Interpreting Shakespeare for the Actor (½) Spring.  An advanced acting course that examines the textual clues inherent in the Folio versions of the texts, discovering how they help to illuminate the actor's role.  It will also focus on the vocal and physical aspects of performing Shakespeare, while placing the shows in proper historical and critical perspective. (Starko)

366: Acting Styles (½) Spring.  The study of a particular style of acting associated with a specific period or playwright.  Involves textual analysis of the playwright or plays of the period as well as specific vocal and physical techniques associated with those works.  Topics may include but are not limited to: The Restoration, Brecht, Ancient Greece and Shaw.  The topics will vary based on departmental needs and student interest.  Course may be repeated once for credit for a total of one full unit.  (Starko)

371: Feminist Theatre (1) Spring.  Surveys various expressions of feminist theatre from several locales (Latin America, Europe, Britain) that have appeared since 1960.  The first half of the semester traces an evolution of a feminist theatre "movement" by examining several succeeding forms of feminism and their influences on theatre practices.  The second half of the semester covers related issues through appropriate plays and production practices, and theatre criticism.  (Chapman)

372: Postmodernism and Theatre (1) Spring. This course explores the concept of postmodernism, in all of its various manifestations, and what it means in the context of “theatre” and more generally, “performance.”  We will focus our attention on the multiple meanings of “identity” within the postmodern moment, and examine how theatre and other performance forms (dance, music, television, film) embrace hybridity and multiplicity around issues of identity.  This course also examines theoretical texts that attempt to explain or define postmodernism and applies those ideas to works we look at.  Finally, we will look at postmodernism in relation to the modernist avant-garde, and we will investigate how postmodernism is both a break from and a continuation of the ideas of the previous era. (Chapman)

374: Theatre, Youth and Global Society (1) Spring.  An examination of the role of theatre as an agent of social change in the lives of young people, and the impact of global politics on theatre for and by youth.  Explores three theatrical forms—drama-in-education, theatre-in-education, and theatre for young audiences—and explores their applications in the United States and abroad.  (Chapman)

375: Shakespeare I (1) Fall.  Same as English 375. (Crupi)

376: Shakespeare II (1) Spring.  Same as English 376. (Crupi)

388, 389 Selected Topics in Theatre (½, 1) Fall, Spring.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.  An examination of a special topic which is not included in the regular curriculum.  These courses are offered to meet the evolving needs and interests of students. (Staff)

391, 392: Internship (½, 1) Fall, Spring.  Offered on a credit/no credit basis. (Staff)

402: Seminar (1) Fall, Spring.  Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.  Detailed study of significant and relevant problems in theatre.  Specific topic for consideration each year will be determined before fall registration. (Staff)

411, 412: Directed Study (½, 1) Fall, Spring. (Staff)

Practicum  A practical experience in department-sponsored activities.  Students may repeat the course up to four times in any combination for a total of one unit.  Offered either semester on a credit/no credit basis.

175, 176: Theatre (¼, ½) Fall, Spring.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.  Acting, direction, assistant direction, production design.  (Staff)