Theater Courses Spring 2025

INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
THTR 100
M/W/F: 9:30 – 10:20 AM | 10:35 – 11:25 AM | 11:40 AM – 12:30 PM |
G. Przybylak | A. Farrell
A course designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of acting and performance. Fundamentals in improvisation, technique, and scene study are stressed. At the end of the course, the student will demonstrate their knowledge of acting technique by presenting a monologue from a play. This course is required for, but not limited to, students who intend to major or minor in theater.

ACTING: SCENE STUDY
THTR 103
T/Th: 10:00 – 11:15 AM
C. Bohan
This course continues the work begun in THTR 100 with emphasis on action, emotional life, and text analysis as the essential elements of the actor’s work.

INTRODUCTION TO STAGECRAFT
THTR 105
T/Th: 10:00 – 11:15 AM
H. Farr
An introduction to theater terminology and technology with an emphasis on scenic construction, lighting, stage rigging, painting, and production. A practicum in wood shop and stage construction.

INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN
THTR 111
T/Th: 1:00 – 2:15 AM
A. Herin
This course offers the opportunity to learn, develop, and practice the art of set, costume, and lighting design by concentrates specifically on the processes, skills, and disciplines of design for performance. Furthermore, students will read several plays and examine ways in which theater design can suggest meaning and interpretation of the script. Students will learn basic design elements and principles of composition through interactive, collaborative projects and exercises in addition to critically analyzing other designers’ works from a broad spectrum of design styles. Emphasis will be placed on creativity, discovery, analysis, and collaboration.

THEATER PRACTICUM
THTR 185
H. Farr
This Practicum is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a variety of positions, both on stage and behind the scenes. Students will register for one credit-hour per semester unless directed otherwise by the Director of Undergraduate Theater Studies. Each student will meet with the Director of Undergraduate Theater Studies to determine his/her position for the semester. Credit will be awarded on a P/NP basis.

LIGHTING DESIGN
THTR 224
T/Th: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
J. Davis, N. Drashner
This course introduces lighting design techniques and approaches by combining theory with practical application. The basics of lighting instruments and control consoles are used for practical projects examining light on the stage. The design process is explored through script analysis, visual research, and choice of instrumentation, and communicated with the drafted light plot.

ACTING: CLASSICAL TECHNIQUE
THTR 232
T/Th: 2:30 – 3:45 PM
S. McGee
An exploration of techniques to approach classical theater, with emphasis on the works of Shakespeare. Presents the challenges of working with heightened language in classical texts, and provides skills necessary to transfer modern acting methods to these more poetic plays.

VIDEO PRODUCTION
THTR 240
T/Th: 10:00 – 11:15 AM
M. Muglio
Video Production presents a hands-on introduction to video creation. Students are introduced to visual storytelling through concepts of single-camera production. The course will explore all areas of pre-production, followed by production with the use of a camcorder and accompanying aids, and finished in post-production through the use of nonlinear editing software. Students will learn the necessary skills to create short videos from paper to finished product.

ACTING: ADVANCED CAMERA TECHNIQUES
THTR 307
T/Th: 1:00 – 2:15 PM
D. Vegh
This course will build upon the fundamental skills learned in Camera Technique and focus on preparation for those seeking potential professional opportunities as performers in the film and television industry. In this course, students will come to understand the unique attributes explicit to varying genres of film & television, and develop an informed approach specific to both auditioning for and performing in each.

SCREENWRITING
THTR 316
M: 3:20 – 6:05 PM
G. Vovos
A critical exploration of the craft of writing for film, in which reading and practicum assignments will culminate in the student submitting an original full-length screenplay. Offered as ENGL 316, THTR 316 and THTR 416.

TOPICS IN DESIGN
THTR 323
M: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
A. Herin
This course will examine various topics relating to theatre design and technology not covered in other design courses. Students will be provided with practical and theoretical knowledge on a specific topic in order to increase their design and/or technical skills. In addition, each course offering will have its own stated objectives. This course may be repeated by students with each new topic.

MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY DRAMA
THTR 329
M/W/F: 11:40 AM – 12:30 PM
R. Ullom
This course explores the development of western drama and theatre from 1860 through present-day productions. The course emphasizes the relationship between different theatrical representations and their historical and social context. Shakespeare’s well-known dictum that “theatre holds a mirror up to nature” is expanded when one examines who is holding that mirror, and how their actions participate in the constantly shifting construction of culture. Given this premise, the course investigates the development of specific European cultures (England, France, Germany, and Italy) as well as other regions (the United States, South America, and Russia) through the – live and literary – representations they make of themselves. Offered as THTR 329, WLIT 329 and THTR 429.

PLAY DIRECTING II
THTR 331
T/Th: 2:30 – 3:45 PM
D. Vegh
This course continues with the basic concepts learned in THTR 330 and expands them in regard to the mechanics of production. Topics covered include ground planning and staging, working with actors, the casting process and communicating effectively with a design team. The course will culminate in a faculty-supervised directing project for public performance. Offered as THTR 331 and THTR 431.

SHAKESPEARE: COMEDIES AND ROMANCES
THTR 335
M/W: 3:20 – 4:35 PM
M. Vinter
Close reading of selected plays of Shakespeare in the genres of comedy and romance (e.g., “The Merchant of Venice,” “Twelfth Night,” “Measure for Measure,” “The Tempest”). Topics of discussion may include issues of sexual desire, gender roles, marriage, the family, genre conventions. Assessment may include opportunities for performance. A student may not receive credit for both ENGL 325 and ENGL 325C. Recommended preparation: Academic Inquiry Seminar (AIQS) or SAGES First Seminar. Offered as ENGL 325, ENGL 325C, ENGL 425, and THTR 335.

CONCEPTS OF RACE WITHIN AFRICAN AMERICAN PLAYS
THTR 336
T: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
H. Burton
This course provides an interdisciplinary study of race and African Americans within the context of African American plays. It will use the basic principles of African and African American history, urban studies, theater, sociology, economics and family life, etc. to identify aspects of race and racism. The course will provide an overview of race and racism in America through the lens of African American plays. The semester long course will analyze and discuss a conceptual understanding of how aspects of race serve as central themes within African American plays. The course will engage in various theories, discussions and debates about the African American experience and the relationship to race and racism displayed within the context of plays.

ADVANCED TOPICS IN DESIGN/TECHNOLOGY
THTR 390
J. Davis
This is an advanced-level course designed to provide an opportunity for Design/Technical Theater Undergraduates to do an advanced project in scenic, costume, or lighting design, or in a technical area such as stage management or technical direction, as would be expected in the professional theater. This project may be a realized departmental production or an unrealized project. Working on a departmental production requires attendance at production meetings, technical rehearsals and other scheduled meetings.

SENIOR CAPSTONE: DRAMATURGY
THTR 393
R. Ullom
This course introduces students to theories of textual analysis and contextual research within the framework of theatrical performance. Students will investigate the history and methodologies of dramaturgy, and then apply the best practices of the profession to the study and production of contemporary plays. Because dramaturgy is a collaborative endeavor, students will participate with others in the production of a theoretical adaptation from a non-dramatic source, as well as the creation of an interdisciplinary theatre event and a multi-media performance project. By course end, students will be able to support their theatrical interests with dramaturgical insights and to work collaboratively to create productions that reflect the cultural and aesthetic diversity of the 21st century.

HONORS STUDIES II
THTR 398
R. Ullom
Individual projects in acting, design, playwriting, and directing.

INDEPENDENT STUDY IN THEATER ARTS
THTR 399
Independent research and project work in areas of acting, design, voice, theater history, playwriting, directing, or theater management.