Theatre Arts

College of Arts and Humanities
Department of Theatre and Dance

Program Description for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts prepare students in the areas of Performance, Theatrical Design and Technology, and Literature/History. The B.A. in Theatre Arts offers courses in the ﬁeld of acting and directing, design and technical theatre, theatre history, dramatic literature, multicultural children's theatre, speech, and drama for the classroom. Students and faculty often collaborate with other departments including Art, Dance, Music, Digital Media, English and Humanities.

Our program is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic by nature and offers a wide range of theatre techniques to explore. The Theatre Performance Minor focuses on acting and directing, while the Theatre Education Minor doubles as both a general program and preparation for future teachers. The Speech Minor trains students in speech support, articulation, organization, and non-verbal delivery skills preparing students for public speaking, debate, oral interpretation, and theatrical performance.

Features

Theatre Arts Majors and Minors participate in the department's ambitious production program through acting; scenic, lighting, and costume design; set construction; stage management; and theatre production. Students receive academic credit for their participation. Freshperson and sophomore Theatre Arts majors have the opportunity to secure roles in Theatre productions. The department presents four Theatre shows each year, in the University Theatre or Edison Studio Theatre that range in styles from Contemporary, Multicultural, Shakespeare to Musical Theatre. Students have the opportunity to participate each year at KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival), USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Speech and Debate Competitions, and other performance venues throughout the year.

The Department of Theatre and Dance maintains active membership in KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival), USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology, and ACDA (American College Dance Association. The Theatre Arts Program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). NAST is located at

11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Ste. 21,
Reston, VA 22090.

Academic Advisement

The Theatre Arts Program places great importance on the advisement process. We request that students meet with their respective advisors for consultation. To obtain an advisor, students should contact Donis Leonard or Shaunté Caraballo to schedule a ﬁrst meeting. Educational goals and previous theatre experience will be discussed during the ﬁrst advisement meeting. Based on this discussion, the progression of the student's major and minor requirements will be planned. Career opportunities will also be discussed.

Dedication and commitment are the keys to the successful pursuit of a career in theatre. To help students achieve high academic and production standards, the department requires all majors and minors to pass their required classes with a "C" grade or better. Students who receive lower than a "C" will need to "Repeat and Cancel" that course in the following semester.

Preparation

Since theatre performance makes use of the whole person, awareness and development of the human body and voice are equally important as the development of the human mind. Students interested in performance can prepare by taking courses in speech, diction, singing, dance, fencing, stage combat, yoga, Pilates, and other recreational activities. Students interested in technical theatre and design may want to get experience in shop, drawing, sewing, sound, lighting, and scenic design.

Student Organizations

Toro Forensics- is an award-winning Speech team that competes annually in Public Speaking, Debate, Oral Interpretation, and theatrical performance tournaments held throughout Southern California. Students acquire excellent training in speech support, articulation, organization, and non-verbal delivery skills.
Teatro Dominguez our multicultural theatre company, provides touring shows that offers cross-cultural understanding both on campus and throughout the community.
Black Theatre Collective is a performing arts company comprised of students, alumni, and guest artists. The Black Theatre Collective offers performances, industry showcases, and community outreach that illuminates the Black experience for people of all ages and ethnic groups.
ETF (Equality Task Force) created by Faculty, Staff, and Students come together for spontaneous activities such as open mic night giving everyone an opportunity to share their artistic skills.

Graduation with Honors

An undergraduate student may graduate with Honors in Theatre Arts if the following criteria are met:

A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills.
A minimum GPA of at least 3.5 in all courses is used to satisfy the upper-division requirements.

Career Possibilities

The BA in Theatre prepares students to further their education and professional career by pursuing an MA, MFA, or PhD in Theatre. With these advanced degrees there are positions available for teaching in the performance, history, or technical theatre areas in university and community college programs.

The ﬁelds of acting and directing are expanding as a result of year-round professional acting companies, the growth of summer and winter stock companies, outdoor and regional theatre, repertory companies, dinner theatre, and community theatre programs. Media platforms, commercial television, cable television, and the movie and music industry employ many actors, as well as other talented personnel in theatre management and technical theatre fields.

Related careers available to graduates include the following occupations: actor, playwright, drama coach, dramaturg, theatre historian, critic, designer (set, lighting, sound, costume), make-up artist, technician, theatre manager, director, producer, announcer, recreation director, dancer, musician, entertainer, arts administrator, sales representative, model, and dramatic agent.

Many graduates from the Theatre Arts Program ﬁnd secondary careers in the ﬁelds of primary and secondary education. Our Theatre Arts majors and Theatre Education minors learn how to adapt theatre games, improvisation, pantomime, and storytelling, to help their students in primary and secondary classrooms to develop social, communication, creative, and problem-solving skills.

Faculty

Doris Ressl, Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance, Professor of Dance

Brittany Bodley, Assistant Professor of Theatrical Design and Technology

Shaunté Caraballo, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Speech

Bill DeLuca, Professor of Theatre

Donis Leonard, Professor of Theatre

Doris Ressl, Chair: LCH A343, 310-243-3732

Program Ofﬁce: LCH A-109, (310) 243-3588

Emeriti Faculty

Sydell Weiner

Bill DeLuca

Courses

THE 100. Television Film & Theatre. (3 Units)

Appreciation of the performing arts of television, film, and the live theatre through the viewing of films and videotapes, as well as attendance at plays and musicals.

Offered Fall, Spring

THE 120. Fundamentals of Speech. (3 Units)

Introduction to the basic principles of speech communication. Classes cover the use of organization and evidence in speech preparation, and emphasize research and performance techniques. Students develop speeches for a variety of topics and situations. A-C-/NC grading.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer

THE 160. Acting For Non-Majors. (3 Units)

Introductory course for non-majors who wish to develop awareness and control of the voice and body while building self-confidence, and improving concentration and imagination.

Offered Fall, Spring, All terms

THE 251. Script Analysis. (3 Units)

A study of classical and contemporary dramas in terms of plot, character, theme, and language. Students analyze one script per week.

Offered Fall

THE 264. Acting I. (3 Units)

An integrative approach to the actor's emotional, intellectual, physical, and vocal tools. Exercises in characterization, voice, and movement will be emphasized.

Offered Fall

THE 269. Voice and Movement. (3 Units)

Foundational course for anyone interested in performing in Theatre, Film, or Television, or improving their speaking voice and strengthening their body. Voice and Movement allows students to engage their voices and body to effectively speak and communicate.

Offered All terms, Spring

THE 313. Voices of Contemporary Women Playwrights. (3 Units)

Prerequisite: Upper division integrative coursework must be taken after 60 semester units and the lower division components of General Education (or their equivalent) have been completed. By analyzing their dynamic writings, this course investigates the contributions of women to the modern dialogue on gender issues. Students will demonstrate how female playwrights have continually crossed boundaries to break with traditions and sculpt new cultural conventions.

Offered Fall, Spring

THE 315. Key Concepts: The American Musical. (3 Units)

Participation in any aspect of campus theatre or television production including (but not limited to) acting, stage management, scenery, lighting, costume, construction, audio, properties, box office, promotion, and running crews. This participation includes attendance at Theatre Arts productions for the semester enrolled.

Offered Infrequent

THE 317. Theatre of Revolt. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: Upper division integrative coursework must be taken after 60 semester units and the lower division components of General Education (or their equivalent) have been completed. Investigates the revolutionary impulse that has promoted modern drama in African, European, American and Asian/Pacific societies. Students learn how modern playwrights have continually crossed boundaries to break with traditions and sculpt new conventions.

Offered Fall

THE 319. The Power of Masks. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: Upper-division integrative coursework must be taken after 60 semester units and the lower division components of General Education (or their equivalent) have been completed. Covers the significance and function of ritual masks in African, European, American and Asian/Pacific societies; mask usage in literature, and the visual and performing arts; and the integration of psychological masking in human behavior.

Offered Fall

THE 320. Speech Skills and Techniques. (3 Units)

Effective and persuasive oral communication in a variety of situations: formal address, group discussion interviews, chairing of meetings, and others. Of particular value for Liberal Studies majors, managers and business persons.

Offered Spring

THE 322. Oral Interpretation of Literature. (3 Units)

Principles and practice in the effective delivery of readings in drama, poetry, and prose.

Offered Spring

THE 323. Interpersonal Communication. (3 Units)

Prerequisite: THE 120. Introductory study of interpersonal communication in face-to-face interaction; consideration of interpersonal roles, needs, barriers, perceptions, and adaptation.

Offered Infrequent

THE 326. Persuasion. (3 Units)

Discussion of techniques in argumentation and debate; logic, reasoning, and fallacies of reasoning; gathering and testing of evidence, construction of bases, and skills of refutation; practical application through debates about current issues.

Offered Infrequent

THE 329. Forensics Workshop. (3 Units)

Introduces the basic principles used in debate, persuasive speaking, oral interpretation, reader's theatre, and other competition events. Students discuss the use of organization and evidence in speech preparation, and research and performance techniques. Students participate in local intercollegiate competition events.

Offered Spring

THE 337. Creative Dramatics. (3 Units)

Creating, planning and assessing dramatic exercises, including theatre games, pantomime, and improvisation. Of particular value to prospective teachers of young children.

Offered Spring, All terms

THE 339. Multicultural Children's Theatre. (3 Units)

Analysis of educational theatre, multicultural plays, and folktales. Students discuss educational theatre production and how to create culturally-enriching programs at K-12 schools.

Offered Fall

THE 340. Costuming. (3 Units)

An introduction to the principles, elements and practicalities of costume design and their relation to design in the Theatre. Lectures on the elements and procedures in costume design, combined with practical exercises from individual skill-building projects.

Offered Spring odd

THE 341. Makeup and Hair. (3 Units)

An introduction to the principles, elements and practicalities of Makeup and Hair for theatre production. Students learn how to communicate design choices both visually and verbally through research, drawing and three dimensional makeup.

Offered Spring

THE 342. Fundamentals of Theatre Design. (3 Units)

A course in Theatre Arts Utilizing research, discussion and workshop demonstrations in order to integrate the six major areas of theatre design: scenery, costume, lighting, makeup, properties and audio.

Offered Fall

THE 343. Design/Tech II: The Design Experience. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: THE 243. Students are assigned design projects both on and off campus, where they can apply their skills. Students will work under the supervision of lead and/or master designers.

Offered Spring

THE 344. Stagecraft. (3 Units)

Study of basic skills and procedures used to realize a design idea into a finished stage production. Explores practical applications of artistic and structural design, project management, term development, construction techniques, and resource coordination.

Offered All terms, Spring

THE 345. Scene Design. (3 Units)

The basic techniques of the principles and practices of scenic design for stage. Included are design functions, construction, painting, modeling, history and theories of design.

Offered All terms, Spring

THE 346. Theatre Workshop. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair. Investigation of a single topic, chosen in consultation with a faculty member, culminating in a paper, presentation, or project. Repeatable course.

Offered Fall, Spring

THE 347. Stage Lighting and Sound. (3 Units)

A course in the design of theatrical lighting and sound, and in the practical application of those designs. Learning in this course will be done via lectures as well as hands-on experience and selected reading.

Offered Fall

THE 349. Scenery Design. (3 Units)

THE 353. Playwriting. (3 Units)

Theory and practice in writing for the stage. Students explore plotting, characterization, and dialogue; scenes and short plays are submitted for discussion and evaluation.

Offered Spring, All terms

THE 355. World Theatre and Drama I. (3 Units)

History and literature of the theatre from its origins through the 16th century. Emphasis on production styles, cultural background and literary trends.

Offered Fall, Spring, All terms

THE 357. World Theatre & Drama II. (3 Units)

History and literature of the theatre from the 16th century to the present with emphasis on production styles, cultural background and literary trends.

Offered Spring

THE 364. Acting II. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: THE 264 or consent of instructor. The actor's approach to a role, including text and character analysis. Performance of scenes from plays. Vocal work on dialects with concentration on melody, rhythm, and sound substitutions. Beginning movement work in body alignment, centering and balance.

Offered Spring

THE 367. Acting For The Camera. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: THE 160 or consent of instructor. Techniques of directing and performing before the camera. Scenes and presentations will be videotaped both in the studio and on location.

Offered Spring

THE 374. Stage Directing. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: THE 264 is recommended. Theories and techniques of directing for professional or educational play production. Students develop the ability to research, analyze and conceptualize in order to plan the rehearsal and performance of a play script. Attendance at the Theatre Arts two mainstage productions is required.

Offered Fall

THE 376. Stage Management. (3 Units)

Techniques of stage management, with practical applications. Covers stage manager responsibilities, pre-show preparations, scheduling, communication, and techniques for auditioning, rehearsing and running a production of live theatre. Attendance at department shows required.

Offered As needed

THE 440. Rehearsal and Performance. (1 Units)

Prerequisite: Audition or Approval of the Instructor Supervised activity as a performer or theatre technician in a Theatre Program approved, University sponsored production. Repeatable for credit.

Offered Fall, Spring

THE 453. Contemporary Drama. (3 Units)

A study of plays by American and international writers from the last twenty-five years. Emphasis on the works of playwrights from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Offered Infrequent

THE 464. Acting III. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: THE 264 and THE 364 or consent of instructor. Study and performance of period scenes involving methods of approaching various types of plays and specific problems they present the actor. Emphasis on the synthesis of analysis, action, characterization, subtext, vocal problems posed by verse and exploration of advanced movement techniques.

Offered Fall

THE 490. Seminar In Theatre Arts. (3 Units)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Discussion and exploration of advanced problems in Theatre Arts. Intensive study of one or more subjects relating to the theatre and drama. Three hours of seminar per week.

Offered Infrequent

THE 494. Independent Study. (1-3 Units)

Offered Fall, Spring

THE 495. Special Topics In Theatre. (1-3 Units)

Study of a single topic in drama and theatre, to be determined by the instructor. Topic varies each offering. Repeatable course. One to three hours of lecture per week.

Offered Infrequent

THE 496. Off Campus Internship. (1 Units)

Prerequisites: THE 326 and THE 328. Directed work experience in the industries of local professional theatre, cable television, broadcast stations and networks, production houses, or motion picture studios under the supervision of a professionally-qualified mentor. CR/NC grading only. Repeatable course. Ten hours of work experience per week.

Offered Infrequent

THE 499. Senior Project. (2 Units)

A capstone course culminating in the production of a final, collaborative project. Selected in consultation with and evaluated by a faculty panel.

Offered Fall, Spring

Theatre Arts

Program Description for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Features

Academic Advisement

Preparation

Student Organizations

Graduation with Honors

Career Possibilities

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor

Minor

Faculty

Emeriti Faculty

Courses

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