Academic Program and Courses

The theatre program has long been recognized for a production schedule that provides numerous and varied opportunities in acting, directing, design and technical experiences in which students become actively involved throughout their course of study. A strong theatre history, literature, criticism curriculum enhances and supports the production program.

Courses include:  Acting, Stagecraft, Costume Design for Theatre, Directing, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Introduction to Musical Theatre and Theatre History I and II.

• Requirements for a Major in Theatre: 35 semester credits of theatre courses, including THTR 202, 205, 209, 304, 305, 380, 480  and 18 semester credits of theatre electives, and ENGL 303
• Requirements for a Minor in Theatre: 17 semester credits of theatre courses, including THTR 202, 205, 209, 304, 380, 480 and three semester credits of theatre electives.
• Requirements for a Secondary Speech and Theatre Teaching Major (7 - 12): 38 semester credits, including COMM 203, 205, 232, 325, 328, 329; THTR 2O2, 205, 209, 304, 305, 312, 380, 480;  For education courses required for a teaching major see Education Department section.
• Requirements for a Secondary Speech and Theatre Teaching Minor (7 - 12): 26 semester credits, including COMM 205, 232, 325, 328, 329; THTR 202, 209, 312, 380, 480

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
+THTR 105. Beginning Acting: Voice and Body for Non-Majors - 3 credits This course is designed to develop an individual's self-confidence through stage action techniques of relaxation and memorization, vocal and physical exercises tested in monologues and short scenes.

+THTR 202. Survey of the Theatre - 3 credits
Fundamental classification of plays, function of various production roles, and principles and theory of the drama.

THTR 205 - Acting: Voice and Body  - 3 credits
Designed to develop the student's basic acting skills and prepare them for future dramatic roles through physical and vocal exercises, monologues and scenes study. Prerequisite: Majoring or minoring in Theatre or permission of instructor.

THTR 206- Movement for Actors One     -3 credits    
This course is designed to explore and gain a basic understanding of movement as a means of expression in the creation of a theatrical production.  Self-exploration and movement concepts will be used to develop character analysis based solely on movement and physical attributes.

THTR 207- Movement for Actors Two   - 3 credits    
This course is designed to continue exploration and gain an understanding of several movement concepts as they apply to a means of expression in the creation of a theatrical production.  Emphasis will be placed on partner and scene work.

THTR 209 - Stagecraft - 3 credits
Planning, construction, painting, rigging, and lighting of scenery. Basic technique course. Shop participation required.

+WI-THTR 210 - Survey of American Film - 3 credits
Introduction to narrative fiction film as art and entertainment in the American social context. Aesthetic principles applied to film genres shown from silent era to modern color/sound productions.

THTR 220 - Topics in Theatre - 1-3 credits
Topic varies each semester. Depending on topic, explores critical and literary aspects of theatre, new forms of drama and performance, technical and design break through and applications techniques. Recommended: THTR 202.

THTR 240- Dance Fundamentals and Auditioning for Musical Theatre - 3 credits
This course is designed to train students in the fundamentals of ballet, tap and jazz as related to theatrical movement and musical theatre.  Students will gain expertise and put into practice the art of auditioning and performance in the area of dance in musical theatre.

+THTR 304 - Theatre History I: To 1642 - 3 credits
This course will deal with the global beginnings of theatre, incorporating pertinent information from cultures around the world while concentrating on the historical flow of Western theatre from the Greeks through the Elizabethan Age.

+THTR 305 - Theatre History II: 1642 to Present - 3 credits
Factual knowledge of theatre history from 1642 to the present. Aids in viewing theatre as a mirror of society and affords a better understanding of the cultures that surrounded and shaped the different theatrical movements and trends.  Recommended prerequisite: THTR 304.

+THTR 307 - Advanced Acting - 3 credits
Analysis of a character's ideas, emotions, purposes of being and relationship to others. Prerequisite: THTR 105 or 205.

THTR 309 - Costume Design for Theatre - 3 credits
This course will acquaint the student with the knowledge and methods to organize, plan, and design costumes for a theatre production. In addition the student will be given the basic methods of costume cutting and construction and be provided with an understanding of costume history. Prerequisite: THTR 202, or permission of instructor.

THTR 312 - Directing - 3 credit
Basic principles of directing theory and technique. Includes play selection, interpreting script, tryouts, casting rehearsal, and performances. Prerequisite: THTR 202, 105 or 205.

THTR 313 - Stage Lighting - 3 credit
This course will familiarize the student with the knowledge and abilities to organize and execute a lighting design for a theatre production. We will be looking at combining the equipment with aesthetic sensibilities to create an atmosphere appropriate for the production. Prerequisite: THTR 209 or instructor permission.

THTR 314 - Scenic Design for Stage - 3 credits
Production design from concept to execution.  Prerequisite: THTR 209 or instructor permission.

+WI-THTR 315 - Survey of Classic Dramatic Literature - 3 credits
Survey of classic dramatic literature from fifth century B.C. to 1900

+-WI-THTR 316 - Survey of Current Dramatic Literature - 3 credits
Survey of American dramatic literature written from 1950 to the present.

THTR 317 - Introduction to Musical Theatre - 3 credits
A cross-discipline course providing musical background for theatre majors and theatrical background for music majors. Also explores areas common to both disciplines and enables students to share strengths. Helps students develop basic and more advanced skills in the musical theatre and gives them a broad knowledge of the medium.

THTR 320 - Theatre Topics - 1-3 credits
Topic varies each semester. Depending on topic, explores critical and literary aspects of theatre, new forms of drama and performance, technical and design break through and applications techniques. Recommended: THTR 202.

+THTR 321 - Topics in Theatre with General Education Status - 1-3 credits 
Topic varies each semester.  Depending on the topic, explores critical and literary aspects of theatre, new forms of drams and performance, technical and design break through and applications techniques. Places the topic in a historical context and explores its cross-disciplinary status and possibilities. Recommended: THTR 202.

THTR 380- Junior Seminar - 1 credit
This course is designed to prepare the students exit portfolio. Including resume, examples of progression of work, evidence of a wide range of participation in department's productions. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the department.

+THTR 385 - Theatre In London - 3 credits
Survey of theatre in London, past and present.  This course is designed to meet one week on the SAU campus preparing students to see and appreciate London, England's theatre experience.  The final two weeks of the course are held in London, with the possibilities of out-of-town trips. London's fine arts history will also be explored through plays, museums, tours and lecture/discussions.

THTR 392, 393- Independent Study in Theatre - 1-3 credits
Research and paper, or practical exercise, such as design and execution of design for a major production.

THTR 399 - Internship in Theatre  - 3-5 credits
Work experience with professional supervision in one or several facets of theatre, including management, set design and construction, production-direction, acting, costuming, advertising, and public relations. Pass/No Pass course.

THTR 480 - Senior Seminar - 1 credit
This course designed to prepare the students exit portfolio. Including resume, examples of progression of work, evidence of a wide range of participation in the department's productions. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of the department.

+ denotes classes that meet general education requirements 

Name:                                Stage Management             THTR 260            3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:                                  

Frequency of offering:    Bi -annually in the fall

Catalogue Description:  The goal of this course is three-fold: to teach students the duties and responsibilities of a production stage manager, to develop the interpersonal skills and problem-solving techniques required of this position, and to understand the role of the stage manager in the production process.

Name:                 CAD for Theatre                 THTR 290                           3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:                                  

Frequency of offering:   

Catalogue Description:  Students will be introduced to Computer aided drafting, and become comfortable with its use in Theatre. Basic Computer skills will be necessary.

   Advanced Stagecraft           THTR 329            3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:     THTR 209

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Catalogue Description:  This course is designed to give students an opportunity to follow up basic knowledge with more advanced stagecraft topics such as sound, rigging and pyrotechnics. This is an important partner to stagecraft for those students who have interest in technical theatre or are looking at technical theatre as a career.

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