1500. Auditions and Portfolios. Survey of the department programs, policies, practices, and facilities, with particular emphasis on the needs of theater majors. Various aspects of theater study which may increase chances for success in the field. Creation of production records, portfolios, and vitae pertinent to the theater artist. To be taken within the first 30 hours of coursework. 1 s.h.

1512. Survey of Musical Theater. An examination of the history and development of the musical theater genre, including an in-depth study of significant works and individual practitioners. 3 s.h.

1559. Play Production. An introduction to the processes of analyzing, directing, staging, and producing plays; demonstration and practice. Includes the equivalent of two hours lecture and four hours production lab per week. 3 s.h.

1560. Understanding Theater. The theory, history, cultural role, and physical characteristics of the theater as an institution in human society. 3 s.h.

1561. Stagecraft. The technical elements of play production, with emphasis on stage mechanics, set construction, and scene painting. Includes the equivalent of two hours lecture and four hours production lab per week. 3 s.h.

1563. Costume Construction and Crafts. Introduction to stage costuming through the study and application of costume construction techniques and costume crafts, the use of appropriate equipment, and costume maintenance through various projects involving the special techniques used for stage costuming. Includes the equivalent of two hours lecture and four hours production lab per week. 3 s.h.

1590. History of Motion Pictures. The history of the motion picture from its beginnings to the present, with emphasis on the milestones of film as a performing art. Viewing of significant films from various periods and countries. 3 s.h

2600. Theater Participation. Expected involvement in main stage productions of the department.  Students will audition for all main stage productions or accept a significant assignment in stage management, costume, scenery, lighting or other technical element of production.  Must be taken once each semester during the time that a student is in residence as a theater major, for a minimum of 3, or its equivalent.  Prereq.: a declared major in theater and faculty permission.  1 s.h.

2607. Puppetry. An overview of the history of puppets in world drama, combined with practical exercises in making inanimate objects come to "life" for the purpose of creating works of theater. Includes puppet construction and performance. Prereq. Sophomore standing. 3 s.h.

2661. Stage Management. Basic principles and techniques of stage management, including job functions and responsibilities, production organization, problem solving and specialized paperwork. Stage management of a production and one hour of lecture per week. Stage management of a production is a requirement of the class. Prereq.: THTR 1559. Grade: Traditional/ PR. 1 s.h.

2662. Practicum in Theater and Dance. Practical application of theater or dance skills through participation in special programming of the department, or specified studio/laboratory activities. Expected participation should amount to a minimum of thirty hours per semester. May be repeated to a maximum of 5 s.h. Prereq.: THTR 1561 or 1559 or special permission. 1 s.h.  Cross listed with DNCE 2662.

2664. Musical Theater Lab. Applied skills course dealing with styles and techniques of performing for the musical theater. Covers auditioning, rehearsal process, and expressive delivery and gesture through song. Culminates in public recital. May be repeated up to four semester hours. Prereq.: Past or concurrent registration in THTR 2668 (may be waived at the discretion of the instructor), at least one semester of Voice or other evidence of vocal training, and Sophomore standing. 1 s. h.

2667. Acting 2: Voice for the Actor. Technical elements of voice for the stage. Physical exercises to improve stage speech, vocal projection, articulation and clarity. Application of principles and skills to a variety of texts from a performer's perspective. Prereq.: THTR 2668 . 3 s.h.

2670. Oral Interpretation. The development of skills necessary for the oral interpretation of various types of literature: prose, poetry and drama. The thorough analysis of each literary work and communication of the work to an audience. 3 s.h.

2668. Acting 1: Fundamentals. The fundamental theories and techniques of acting. Major emphasis on theater acting, but consideration is given to radio and television acting. Two hours lecture and four hours production lab per week. Prereq.: THTR 1559 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

2690. The Art of Motion Pictures. Analysis of the structure of the motion picture, the development of the script, the function of editing, the approach to acting in film production, and the problems faced by a director in film production. Criteria of artistic film making. Examples from motion pictures are screened and discussed. Prereq.: Sophomore standing. 3 s.h.

3700. Theater Participation 2. Advanced involvement in the main stage productions of the department.  Students will audition for all main stage productions or accept a significant assignment in stage management, costume, scenery, lighting or other technical element of production.  Must be taken each semester during the time that a student is in junior/senior residence as a theater major, for a minimum of 4, or its equivalent.  Prereq.: 3 s.h. of THTR 2600 or permission of the instructor.  1 s.h.

3761. Stage Makeup. Design and application of makeup for the stage including techniques for character and age makeup, making and applying facial hair, and other specialized makeup procedures. Includes the equivalent of two hours lecture and four hours production lab per week. Prereq.: THTR 1559 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

3762. Directing 1. An intensive study of the process of directing plays. Whenever possible, students direct the equivalent of a one-act play for public presentation. Lab hours by arrangement. Prereq.: THTR 1559 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

3763. Scene Design. The history of design in terms of stage scenery; an investigation of current trends, techniques, and media; practical execution of models and sketches by the student. Prereq.: THTR 1559 and 1561 or consent of the instructor. 3 s.h.

3764. History of Stage Costume. A survey of stage costumes based on western styles from the ancient Egyptians to the present with emphasis on periods in which the theater flourished. Prereq.: THTR 1560 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

3765. Lighting Design. A study of historical development, basic electrical theory, switch boards and lighting instruments; color theory, principles and practices n stage lighting. Lab hours to be arranged. Prereq.: THTR 1559 and 1561 or consent of instructor. 3 s.h.

3766. Stage Combat. A specialized approach to armed and unarmed combat for the stage. Safety factors in stage fighting, including the safe use of rapier and dagger. Performance in public required. Two hours lecture, four hours lab/recital. Prereq.: THTR 2668 or MUSEN 0012 or HPES 1514 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

3768. Script Analysis. A study of various critical approaches to dramatic literature. The student will read and analyze a variety of dramatic works in order to find their production values. The aim is to gain greater competence as a director, designer, critic or actor. Prereq.: THTR 1559 and 2668. 3 s.h.

3769. Costume Design. Costume design for the stage through a study of script analysis, design concepts and principles, and costume rendering techniques. Prereq.: THTR 1559 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

3791. Rehearsal and Performance. Faculty-supervised study and practical application of the performance aspects of a play. Credit given for significant acting roles, assistant directing, or stage management assignments in University Theater productions, For students with appropriate experience. May be taken twice. Prereq.: THTR 2668 and theater faculty committee approval. 3 s.h.

3792. Projects in Production. Faculty-supervised study resulting in the design and/or execution of scenery, lighting, or costumes for public performance. For students with appropriate experience. May be taken twice. Prereq.: THTR 3763 or 3765 or 3769 and theater faculty committee approval. 3 s.h.

4800. Special Methods in Theater Education. An investigation of current methods and materials in theater education. Prereq.: Senior standing. 1 s.h.

4860. Theater History after 1700. History of the physical theater and representative dramatic texts from 1700 to the modern era. Emphasis on theater architecture, stagecraft, audiences and performance histories. Prereq.: Junior standing with at least 9 hours of THTR coursework or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

4863. Acting 3: Styles. A study of specific theories, techniques, and approaches to creating the various styles of acting. Emphasis on scene study featuring important historical styles of performance. Two hours lecture, four hours lab per week. Prereq.: THTR 1559 and 2668. 3 s.h.

4866. Summer Theater Workshop. Participation in the summer theater program involving all aspects of theatrical production. Positions of significant responsibility. Prereq.: Junior standing in Theater, or permission of instructor. 1-3 s.h.

4868. Children's Theater. A study of the process of theater production by and for elementary school children, including theory, objectives, and methods. Prereq.: THTR 3762 or senior standing in Elementary Education with permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

4869. Creative Dramatics. Basic elements of playmaking, improvisation, story dramatization, pantomime, dialogue, and characterization. Experience with area school children provided when possible. Intended for elementary education majors and drama certification. Prereq.: Junior standing with 9 s.h. of theater courses (including 1559 and 2668) or junior standing in Elementary Education with permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

4870. Acting 4: Acting on Camera. A exploration of the theory and technique of film and video performance, and the special demands they make upon an actor. Prereq.: THTR 2668 and 2667 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. 3 s.h.

4891. Theater History before 1700. History of the physical theater and representative dramatic texts from the Classical period to 1700. Emphasis on theater architecture, stagecraft, audiences and performance histories. Prereq.: Junior standing with at least 9 hours of THTR coursework or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

4893. Independent Study in Theater. Independent work in theater production under faculty/staff guidance. Intended as a continuation of individualized creative work beyond THTR 3791 or THTR 3792. Project dependent upon approval of the evaluating faculty member and the student. May be repeated with different topics for a total of 9 s.h. Prereq.: THTR 3791 or 3792. 1-3 s.h.

4895. Arts in Education Internship: Theater. A practical application of drama/theater in education theories and skills in a field-based lab experience in the schools. Students submit project proposals geared either to the elementary or secondary level. Proposals must be approved by a theater faculty committee. Repeatable for a total of 6 s.h. Prereq.: THTR 1561, 1559 and 3762; or THTR 1559, 3761 and 4868. 1-3 s.h.

4898. Senior Project. Capstone experience expected of all seniors in the degree programs of the department. Significant demonstration of practical ability in one of the sub-disciplines comprising or supporting the theater or dance disciplines. Project should give evidence of solid writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. Portfolio/resume review. Senior standing with the expectation of graduating by the end of the following semester. Grading is A, B, C/NC/PR. 3 s.h.

4899. Topics in Theater. In-depth study of selected aspects in theater scholarship, theory or practice. May be repeated if the topic changes. Prereq.: Junior standing or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.

5864. Directing 2. A study of specific theories, techniques, and various important styles in play directing. Prereq.: THTR 1559 and 3762. 3 s.h.

Click here to view the contract form and instruction sheet for the Theater capstone course, THEATER 4898: Senior Project. (PDF file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)