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, cultures and values. Students majoring in theatre arts will develop technical and artistic skills and engage in critical thinking that reflects the historical foundations of the discipline as well as more current advances in theatrical training. Through traditional classroom instruction and production experience, students will enhance their skills of observation, analysis, development, performance and artistry in order to better prepare themselves for their careers and lives. A major in theatre serves the purpose of (a) providing more intensive study in the discipline within the student’s liberal arts education, (b) preparing for graduate work leading to a master of arts or a master of fine arts degree in theatre or (c) preparing for a career in professional and/or non-commercial fields of theatre.
Students in the theatre arts program who wish to pursue a bachelor of arts degree may major in theatre, theatre (NYC), theatre performance or theatre technology.
Students in the general theatre major will complete 24 hours in theatre, consisting of TH 212, 311, 312, 331RP, 341, and 345; one course from TH 221, 222 or 223; TH 391/392 (at least three credits). An additional 12 elective hours must be completed from theatre courses (excluding TH 391 and 392) to total 36 hours in the major.
Students in the theatre (NYC) major have the opportunity to spend a semester in New York City at The King's College. Students will complete 24 hours in theatre, consisting of TH 212, 311, 312, 331RP, 341, and 345; one course from TH 221, 222 or 223; TH 391/392 (at least three credits). An additional 12 elective hours must be completed from theatre courses (excluding TH 391 and 392) to total 36 hours in the major. Students may substitute up to 12 approved credit hours from The King's College in place of required courses in the major.
Students in the theatre performance major will complete 48 hours, including TH 212, 224, 241, 311, 312, 316, 331RP, 341, 345, 361, 365, 431, 441, 442, and 485; one course from TH 221, 222 or 223; TH 391/392 (at least three credits).
Students in the theatre technology major will complete 48 hours, including TH 212, 311, 312, 331RP, 341, 345, 350, 431, and 485; one course from AR 141 or 142; two courses from TH 221, 222, or 223; one course from DM 160, 231, MU265, TH 224, or 231; two courses from TH 320CO, 320LI, 320SC or 320SO; and TH 391/392 (at least three credits with two being TH 391).
A minor in theatre arts requires 22 hours in theatre, including TH 212; one course from 221, 222 or 223; 311 or 312; 391/392 (at least three credits); and additional hours to total 22 in theatre.
A minor in production technology requires the completion of 23-25 hours, including TH 221, 222, 223; one course from MU 265 or DM 160; three credit hours from DM 395FDN, 395FILM, 395RADIO, TH 391/392; and nine credit hours from DM 120, 155, 251, 281, TH 224, 231, 320CO, 320LI, 320SC, 320SO, 345, 350.
Courses in Theatre Arts
This dance intensive course will introduce students to the fundamentals of tap dancing. Students will master basic tap techniques and learn a few short routines. Tap shoes (not provided) are required for this course and should be acquired prior to the first day of class.
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.
This course explores human creative expression through role play, scene study, improvisation and acting exercises. The course introduces basic terminology and physical activities that lead to a foundational understanding of theatre arts and performance skills. The course is intended for students who might suffer from stage fright or want to increase confidence in public speaking/performing. The course will also serve both the theatre major and non-major who have an interest in developing skills in basic acting/performing.
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. May be counted as an elective in the theatre majors or as a creative studio arts course in the core curriculum.
This course provides an introduction to the art and craft of acting. Students will explore basic acting techniques, theories and principles through specific exercises, monologue and scene study work.
An introduction to the techniques, materials, equipment and procedures employed in scenic construction for the theatre. Studio experience in hand drafting, construction, painting, rigging and shifting scenery and properties. Emphasis on developing creative solutions to production challenges.
Includes laboratory experience.
An introduction to the theory, techniques, materials, equipment and procedures employed in lighting for the theatre. Studio experience in hand drafting, wiring, rigging and focusing. Emphasis on developing creative solutions to production challenges.
Includes laboratory experience.
An introduction to the techniques, materials, equipment and procedures employed in costuming for the theatre. Studio experience in pattern drafting, draping, cutting and sewing. Emphasis on developing creative solutions to production challenges.
Includes laboratory experience.
An introduction to the theory, techniques, materials, equipment and procedures employed in make-up for the theatre. Emphasis is placed on design, character development, application techniques and basic skin care.
Studio exploration of drawing and painting for the theatre. Introduction to color theory, highlight, shadow and scale. Emphasis on visual analysis and development of painting techniques to produce basic textures for scenery.
Prerequisite: TH 221
An introduction to technique and theory as it pertains to the development and exploration of the stage-speaking voice for clear and effective communication. Focus is on physical awareness, proper body alignment, tension/release, breath, vibration, the vocal channel and resonance. Special attention will be given to developing vocal sensitivity and power needed to meet the special vocal and physical demands of the actor.
Students will learn basic principles of on-camera presentation and creating an authentic character/personality. Emphasis is on commercial/industrial work, news presentation, and self-taping.
Identical with DM 271.
A history of theatre from Greek theatre through the eighteenth century. Representative plays and playwrights of the various eras and cultures will be studied.
A history of theatre from the early nineteenth century through the contemporary period. Representative plays and playwrights of the various eras and cultures will be studied.
A continuation of the techniques and skills covered in Beginning Acting. Emphasis will be placed on character transformation, in depth scene study and a more detailed exploration of objective, obstacle, subtext and the active actor.
Prerequisite: TH 212
An intermediate course in design for non-realized productions. Emphasis is placed on the collaborative design process experienced in professional theater. Consideration of theatre styles and the development of creative methods to solve design challenges.
Repeated twice. Students choose two of the four offerings from TH 320CO, 320LI, 320SC and 320SO.
Further development of design theory, techniques, materials and processes employed in costume design. Exploration of the principles and elements of costume design through studio experience in creating script breakdown and analysis, research methods, sketching, rendering, costume plots and fabric specifications.
Prerequisite: TH 223
Further development of design theory, techniques, materials and processes employed in lighting design. Exploration of the principles and elements of lighting design through studio experience in creating script breakdown and analysis, research methods, drafting, sketching, rendering, color keys and equipment specifications.
Prerequisite: TH 222
Further development of design theory, techniques, materials and processes employed in scene design. Exploration of the principles and elements of scene design through studio experience in creating script breakdown and analysis, research methods, drafting, sketching, rendering and model making.
Prerequisite: TH 221
Further development of design theory, techniques, materials and processes employed in sound design. Exploration of the principles and elements of sound design through studio experience in creating script breakdown and analysis, research methods, drafting, spatial acoustics and equipment specifications.
Prerequisite: One course from TH 221, 222, or 223
Selected topics or studies in theatre will be offered as needed and based on student interest.
May be repeated for credit in different topics.
An introductory class into the various styles of dance within musical theatre. Basic ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance techniques will be explored as well as distinct styles of contemporary choreographers who have heavily influenced American musical theatre. Emphasis is on body awareness, physical coordination and a heightened sense of performance through dance.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
Students will examine a selection of well-known plays, classical and contemporary music, as well as selections from the modern performing arts that are topical and relevant. Through analysis and critique, the students will look at these works from both secular and Christian world views. Class will include in-depth discussions of religious themes presented in the works and the place of the Christian artist in the secular world of the performing arts.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
A study of the procedures, practices and problems of directing dramatic productions. Emphasis is given to script analysis and theory. Each student will experience process of preparing to direct a full-length production and will gain practical experience directing in-class scenes.
Prerequisite: TH 212
An introduction to the business of non-for-profit theatre as well as to the functions of theatrical stage management from pre-production organization through rehearsal procedures and performance. Topics of producing, casting, directing, managerial responsibilities, production schedules, budgeting, supervision of facilities and personnel and effective communication are covered. Emphasis is on development of creative solutions to production challenges as the class culminates in the student produced One Act Festival.
Prerequisites: TH 212 and 341
An intermediate course in drafting for the stage (scenery, lighting and sound plots). Focus is on the development and creation of industry standard drafting documents for the purpose of communicating design ideas to technical and creative collaborators.
Prerequisite: TH 221 or 222
An introduction to the study of the vocal mechanism as it relates to dramatic text. Topics include the International Phonetic Alphabet, phrasing, stress, rhythm, intensity and attention to individual speech problems pertaining to the development and exploration of the stage-speaking voice for clear and effective communication. Dialects are also explored in class through monologue and scene work.
Prerequisite: TH 241
This course is an introduction to the skills essential for today's musical theatre performer. Topics such as song preparation, dance/movement, ensemble and duet work, musicality and acting the lyric will be covered. The semester will conclude with a public performance of music and scenes.
Identical with MU 365.
Prerequisites: Music or theatre major and sophomore standing
Students will learn and apply character and text analysis skills to create in-depth characters and perform them in narrative scenes. Special emphasis is given to multi-person and multi-camera scene work.
Identical with DM 373.
Practical experience in technical theatre wherein students assist in the production of a play/musical with possible emphasis on scene design, scene building, scene painting, makeup, costuming, lighting, props, sound, stage management, house management or backstage crew duties.
May be repeated for credit up to three times.
Prerequisite: Consent
Practical experience in acting and performance is provided in scheduled productions.
Student must audition and be cast in a production prior to adding the course. May be repeated for credit up to three times.
Prerequisite: Consent
Practicum in some aspect of theatre designed to give student practical, directed experience.
Prerequisite: Consent
More than any other author who wrote in English, William Shakespeare has shaped our world in complicated ways. How has Romeo and Juliet shaped our ideas of romantic love? How has Hamlet influenced our ideas of our inner lives? Has Othello influenced the development of racism, or has it helped us to address the problems of racism? William Shakespeare's plays have an ongoing presence in our lives. This course will examine as many as eleven Shakespeare plays with attention give to their presence today, on stage and transformed in our culture. (Attending a play, performed professionally if possible, is a requirement for this course.)
Identical with EN 431.
Prerequisite: EN 151
An advanced study of principles and theories of acting as it relates to Period Styles. Laboratory experiences in character and role analysis, movement and voice exercises and in acting, including improvisation.
Prerequisites: TH 212, 241, 316, 361
Study of staging and performance aspects of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. The focus is on the development of a process with which to approach Elizabethan drama, emphasizing rhythm and phrasing necessary for performance. Through scene, monologue and exercise work, the actor learns the demands of heightened characterization and style.
Prerequisites: TH 441 and 431 or concurrent
A seminar course covering advanced topics such as resumes, portfolios, auditioning and interviewing techniques, as well as Christian theatre worldviews. In addition, students will complete a research project with a public presentation. Students in the performance track will produce a formal evening of scenes and monologues. Students in the design and technology track will complete a portfolio exhibit and an assigned realized design. Theatre students in the BA program will select one of the above options or write a thesis on a topic of sufficient scope.
The study of a challenge, 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
A field experience in theatre which provides an opportunity for the student to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Student maintains close cooperation with the supervisory personnel in the field.
Prerequisite: Consent
An acting, singing and stage movement workshop, culminating in scenes for performance from musical theatre, operetta and opera.
Must be able to read music.
Prerequisite: C- or better in MU A06 Class Voice I or one semester of applied voice