Department of Theatre Arts

The Department of Theatre Arts seeks to develop effective and creative communicators, in order to challenge others to thoughtful examination of ideas, culture and values. Students majoring in theatre arts will develop skills and thinking that reflect the historical foundations of the discipline as well as recent advances. Through both traditional classroom instruction and performance and production experience, students will enhance their skills of observation, analysis, development and performance in order to better prepare them for their careers and lives. A major in theatre serves the purpose of (a) providing more intensive study in the discipline as the emphasis within the student’s liberal arts education, (b) preparation for advanced training leading to a career in the professional theatre, (c) preparation for graduate work leading to a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre, or (d) preparation for work in a non-commercial field of theatre such as community theatre.

Students majoring in theatre arts may concentrate in theatre performance or theatre design and technology. Students in either concentration will complete common courses consisting of TH 212 Beginning Acting, TH 221 Stagecraft I (or TH 222 Stagecraft II), TH 311 History of the Theatre, TH 391/2 Play Production (at least four semesters), and TH 445 Directing. Students in the theatre performance concentration will select, in addition to common courses, twenty additional hours from remaining theatre courses, and CO 171 Introduction to Communication; to total thirty-six hours. Students in the theatre design and technology concentration will include, in addition to common courses, TH 222 Stagecraft II (or TH 221 Stagecraft I whichever was not taken above), TH 231 Scene Painting, TH 321 Scene Design, TH 322 Lighting Design, TH 323 Stage Costuming, TH 345 Stage Management and additional hours from theatre design courses and AR 141 or AR 142 Basic 2-D or 3-D Design to total thirty-six hours. After completing eighteen hours toward the major, design and technology students will participate in a formal portfolio review to evaluate their progress and suitability for continuing in the design and technology concentration.

A minor in theatre arts requires twenty-two hours in theatre including TH 212, TH 221 or 222, TH 391/2 (at least four semesters), TH 445, and additional hours to total twenty-two in theatre.

Any student majoring in theatre arts may elect to add a concentration in film studies by completing 16 hours in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Film Studies Program in Hollywood.

Courses in Theatre Arts

TH 115 Introduction to Theatre (2)

This course in theatre appreciation provides an introduction to the audience experience in theatre, including an emphasis on the history and traditions of theatre, and the role of the theatre in our contemporary social context. Consideration is given to the important contributions of actor, designer, director and playwright. Attendance at theatrical productions required.

TH 212 Beginning Acting (3)

An introduction to the art of acting and to a variety of staging techniques. Topics will include improvisation, scene study, acting styles, voice and movement.

TH 221 Stagecraft I: Construction (3)

An introduction to the techniques, materials, equipment and procedures employed in scenic construction and rigging. Studio experience in drafting, construction, painting, rigging and shifting scenery and properties. Emphasis on developing technical solutions to production problems.

TH 222 Stagecraft II: Lighting and Sound (3)

An introduction to the theory, techniques, equipment and procedures employed in lighting and sound production. Studio experience in creating and executing drafted plots and specifications for lighting and sound designs. Emphasis on developing technical solutions to production problems.

TH 231 Scene Painting (2)

Studio exploration of drawing and painting for the theatre. Introduction to theory and use of color, highlight and shadow, and scale. Emphasis on visual analysis and development of painting techniques to produce basic textures for scenery. Prerequisite: TH 221 or consent

TH 253 Creative Dramatics (2)

A study of techniques of improvisational dramatics including, physical, social and psychological exercises. Special attention will be given to ways of expressing ideas and emotions and to the use of original dramatizations as teaching tools. Particularly useful for education and recreation majors.

TH 261 Children’s Theatre (2)

Children’s dramatic literature will be studied and performed with particular emphasis on staging theatrical productions with children and for young audiences. Particularly useful for education and recreation majors.

TH 311 History of the Theatre (3)

A history of theatre from the Greek theatre to the contemporary with emphasis on Elizabethan theatre and on the development of modern theatre. The role of theatre as an expression of art and reflection of culture, representative plays and playwrights of the various periods and countries and the development of theatre architecture will be studied.

TH 321 Scene Design (3)

An introduction to the design theory, techniques, materials and processes employed in scene design. Exploration of the principles and elements of scene design through studio experience in drafting, sketching, rendering and modelmaking. Consideration of theatre styles, and the development of creative methods and technical solutions to design problems. Prerequisite: TH 221

TH 322 Lighting Design (3)

An introduction to the design theory, techniques, materials and processes employed in lighting design. Studio experience in creating storyboards, color keys, light plots and specifications. Consideration of theatre styles, and the development of creative methods and technical solutions to lighting design problems. Prerequisite: TH 222

TH 323 Stage Costuming (3)

An introduction to the design theory, techniques, materials, and processes employed in costuming for the theatre. Exploration of the principles and elements of costume design through studio experience in pattern drafting, draping, sketching, figure drawing and color rendering. Consideration of theatrical styles, and the development of creative methods and technical solutions to design problems. Prerequisite: Consent

TH 331 Selected Topics in Theatre (3)

Selected topics or studies in theatre will be offered as needed and based on student interest on the following topics. May be repeated for credit in different topics.

TH 331dl Dramatic Literature studies plays from each of the great periods of drama with emphasis upon analysis, criticism and the development of dramatic theory and form.

TH 331cp Creative Performance will focus on techniques of creative expression and improvisation in performance.

TH331rt Religion and Theatre will study religious themes in drama and the use of theatre as a medium for exploration of religious ideas.

TH 345 Stage Management (3)

An introduction to the functions of theatrical stage management from pre-production organization through rehearsal procedures and the production in performance. Consideration of managerial responsibilities, production schedules, budgeting, supervision of facilities and personnel, and communications. Emphasis on development of technical solutions to production problems. Prerequisite: TH 212, 221 and 391

TH 365 Techniques of Musical Theatre (2)

Survey of the history and repertoire of musical theatre and a study of the knowledge and skills required of the singer, actor, director, and producer of staged musical works. Identical with MU 365. Prerequisite: music or theatre major or consent

TH 391 Play Production: Technical (1)

Practical experience in technical theatre wherein students assist in the production of a play with possible emphasis on scene design, scene building, scene painting, makeup, costuming, lighting, props, sound, stage managing, house managing, and play promotion. May be repeated for credit up to four times.

TH 392 Play Production: Acting (1)

Practical experience in acting, play analysis, stagecraft and acting is provided in scheduled productions. May be repeated for credit up to four times.

TH 431 Shakespeare (3)

A study of the major plays of Shakespeare and a number of minor plays. Additional reading of Shakespeare criticism. Identical with EN 431. Prerequisite: EN 151 or 311 or 321

TH 441 Advanced Acting Styles (3)

An advanced study of principles and theories of acting for dramatic productions. Laboratory experiences in character and role analysis, movement and voice exercises, and in acting, including improvisation. Prerequisite: TH 212 and 392, or consent

TH 445 Directing (3)

A study of the procedures, practices, and problems of directing dramatic productions. Experience is provided in script analysis and blocking. Each student will select, cast, stage, and direct a one-act play. Prerequisite: TH 212, TH 221 (or 222) and consent

TH 490 Independent Study (1-4)

The study of a problem, a research paper or a project related to the theatre major on a subject of mutual interest to the student and the professor. Prerequisite: Consent

 TH P30 Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop (0,1)

An acting, singing, and stage movement workshop culminating in scenes for performance from musical theatre, operetta, and opera. Must be able to read music. C- or better in MU A06 Class Voice I or one semester of applied voice.

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