University Catalog 2023-2024

Theatre (THE)

THE 103  Introduction to the Theatre  (3 credit hours)  

An introduction to artistic, technical, historical, and literary areas of theatre, including performance, design and production, and criticism. Backstage hours in one of three production shops and production attendance required.

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

THE 203  Theory and Practice of Acting  (3 credit hours)  

Basic contemporary theories on acting, with practical application through classroom exercises. Role analysis, adaptation of voice and body to performance demands, and role development through various rehearsal activities.

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

THE 223  Stagecraft  (3 credit hours)  

Fundamentals of scenery design, set construction, and related technical activities. Practical applications with use of design media and shop facilities. Required production participation in University Theater presentations.

Typically offered in Fall only

THE 293  Theater Practicum  (1-6 credit hours)  

Practical experience in one or more of the various areas of artistic and technical theater through active participation in Thompson Theater's play production program.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

THE 303  Stage Directing  (3 credit hours)  

Basic theory of directing and its application to theatrical production. Play reading, evaluation, casting procedure, staff organization, and rehearsal planning and practices. Laboratory productions of short plays.

Typically offered in Spring only

THE 334  Advanced Acting  (3 credit hours)  

Advanced methods in role preparation through exercises in concentration, imagination, sensory and emotional recall, and other Stanislavskian techniques. Analyses and critiques of plays and in-class performances.

Prerequisite: THE 203 or demonstrated competence in acting

Typically offered in Spring only

THE 340  African American Theatre  (3 credit hours)  

This course examines African American dramaturgy and its impact on American theatre. We will study plays from the early period, 1847-1938, and from the recent period, 1935-present. This course will investigate the thematic structure of each section of plays including family life, social protest, and religion. The course will also help students to better understand the social milieu that shaped the content of each play. THE 103 Intro to Theatre recommended prior to course.

GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

THE 353  Fundamentals of Theatre Design  (3 credit hours)  

Fundamentals of Theatre Design provides a framework for the designer's artistic process and practical foundation for scenic, costume, and lighting design for the theatre. Students will learn design terminology, text and performance analysis, design development and presentation, design and production communication and collaboration. Recommended completion of THE 223 Stagecraft. Students may be required to provide their own transportation to and cover the cost of on- or off-campus performance events not to exceed $20.

Typically offered in Spring only

THE 398  Special Topics in University Theatre  (1-3 credit hours)  

Presentation of material normally not available in regular course offerings, or offerings of a new course on a trial basis.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

THE 433  Period Styles in Acting  (3 credit hours)  

Interpreting daily lives in earlier eras through reading, discussion, research, and performance. Plays of complex heightened language, in verse and prose, studied from perspective of character's daily lives and their relevance to contemporary performance skills. Scenes, monologues, and soliloquies rehearsed and performed.

Prerequisite: THE 203

Typically offered in Fall and Spring