Theatre Arts (THE)

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

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

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, All terms

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

Offered Fall

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

Offered Fall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offered Spring

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

Offered Infrequent

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

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

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

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

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 deign, combined with practical exercises from individual skill-building projects.

Offered Spring odd

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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 Fall, All terms

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

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

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

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

Offered Infrequent

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 odd

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 Fall

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

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

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

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 Spring

Offered Fall, Spring

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

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

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