Theatre (THE)
Major:
- THE 115 or 215 or 310;
- THE 107 or 108;
- THE 201;
- THE 311;
- One of the following: THE 343, 344, 345, 348, 376-379;
- THE 346 and 347;
- Two credits comprised of eight adjunct quarter-credit courses as follows: at least one quarter-credit of THE 715; at least two quarter-credits of THE 750 (taken as early as possible); at least one quarter-credit of THE 751, 752, 753, or 754; and the remaining four quarter-credits earned at the election of the student from any of the following: THE 715, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754; and
- Three other full-credit courses from the Theatre Department. At least one of these three courses must be at or above the 300 level. One of the following courses may be substituted: CLA 364 (Masterpieces of Greek and Roman Theatre), ENG 240 (Theatre, Architecture, and the Arts in England), ENG 323 (Shakespeare I: Comedies and Romances), ENG 324 (Shakespeare II: Histories and Tragedies), ENG 327 (Shakespeare after Shakespeare: Performance and Cultural Criticism).
Minor: THE 115 or 215 or 310; THE 107 or 108; THE 201; THE 346 or 347; any one of the following: THE 343, 344, 345, 348, 376-379; one credit comprised of at least two different adjunct quarter-credit courses chosen from the following: THE 715, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754.
107. Stagecraft
Introduction to methods and materials of building theatrical scenery for production. Students are required to help build scenery for upcoming Theatre Department productions through lab work, utilizing methods learned in classroom component. Stage lighting instruction covers basic electrical theory, functions and properties of light, and hanging and focusing of various theatrical lighting fixtures. (Fine Arts) OLINGER
108. Costume Construction
Introduction to costume construction technology, including sewing, pattern making, draping, and millinery through classroom and laboratory work. A brief survey of dress throughout history is included. Students are required to help in the construction of costumes for an upcoming Theatre Department production. (Fine Arts)
115. Basic Acting
Study and practice in the essentials of the art and craft of acting. (Fine Arts) CLARK or HOVLAND
160. Fundamentals of Theatre Design
Exploration of the role and process of design as it relates to theatrical production. Students complete practical exercises in scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design, and learn to critically analyze and respond to design work with the elements of design vocabulary. (Fine Arts) KELCHEN
201. Play Analysis
Study and practice of play analysis with an emphasis on exploring the potential for live performance embedded in a written text. Students will learn to employ a three-tiered approach to analyzing plays: textual/structural, dramaturgical/contextual, and creative/intuitive. Offered three out of every four years. (Fine Arts) HUNTER
206. Sound Design
Explores the role of the theatrical sound designer and sound engineer in the design and production process. Course includes understanding the principles and properties of sound, especially as a design element in the theatre; digital and analog recording; and editing, mixing and playback techniques. Projects focus on the challenges and difference in recording, playback, and the use of sound in theatrical settings and configurations. The concepts and techniques are applicable in a variety of other contexts, especially in composing and/or mixing music. Recommended prerequisite: at least one Theatre production adjunct credit (THE 750, 751, 752, 753, or 754); THE 753 is particularly recommended. (Fine Arts) SCHNEIDER
215. Advanced Acting
Advanced study of the working process of the actor in both classical and contemporary plays. The work includes physical and vocal technique, performance of sonnets, monologues, scenes, and audition preparation. Prerequisite: entrance by audition. Alternate years. (Fine Arts) CLARK or HOVLAND
260 through 265. Topics in Theatre Production
Various techniques and processes explored in relation to theatre production. Recent topics have included Rendering, Props, and Photoshop. See Topics Courses. (Fine Arts)
266. Drafting for the Theatre
Instruction in computer-aided drafting for theatre applications. Focuses on scenic and lighting design. Course uses AutoCAD. Alternate years. OLINGER
267. Stage Make-up
Design and application of theatrical make-up in a laboratory setting. Alternate years. (Fine Arts) OLINGER
268. Scene Painting
Instruction in the craft of painting for the stage in a laboratory setting. Alternate years. OLINGER
270 through 279. Topics in Theatre History and Drama
Introductory studies in analysis, critical theory, and dramaturgical skills. See Topics Courses. (Humanities)
280/380. Internship: see Courses 280/380.
281. Dance Workshop
Improvisation, technique, choreography, and historical perspective for beginning dance students. Offered subject to availability of faculty. May be repeated for credit. (Fine Arts)
290/390. Individual Project: see Courses 290/390.
303. Scenic Design
Exploration of the role of the scenic designer in the design and production process. Emphasis on creating an environment for the play based on analysis of the script and utilizing elements of design - line, form, balance, composition, color, etc. Through project work, students explore the uses, problems and practical considerations of proscenium, thrust, and arena configurations. Building upon the principles learned in THE 107 and 266, students are expected to have an understanding of basic construction techniques and drafting. Prerequisites: THE 107, 266, and sophomore standing. Alternate years (alternates with THE 304). (Fine Arts) OLINGER
304. Lighting Design
Exploration of the role of the lighting designer in the design and production process. Emphasis on employing a lighting inventory to develop mood, achieve focus, and provide visibility for theatrical productions, based on analysis of the script and the visual approach to the play. Project work focuses on the challenges and differences in designing lighting for the proscenium, thrust, and arena stages. Building upon the principles learned in THE 107 and 266, students are expected to have an understanding of basic lighting equipment and drafting. Prerequisites: THE 107, 266, and sophomore standing. Alternate years (alternates with THE 303). (Fine Arts) OLINGER
305. Costume Design
Exploration of the role of the costume designer in the design and production process. Building upon skills learned in THE 108 and through script and character analysis, students begin to develop the visual design of clothing for a play using line, color, silhouette, texture, etc. Project work focuses on developing research and rendering skills, as well as budgeting and allocation of costume technology assets. Prerequisites: THE 108 and sophomore standing. Alternate years (alternates with THE 267). (Fine Arts)
310. Acting Studio
Scene study and acting approaches for the advanced theatre student. Issues relating to solo performance, approaches to characterization, building an audition repertoire, and marketing of the working actor. Recommended for students who are seriously considering theatre graduate studies and/or professional theatre work. Prerequisite: entrance by audition. Alternate years. (Fine Arts) CLARK or HOVLAND
311. Directing I
Theory and practice of directing with emphasis on the realistic genre. Prerequisite: THE 115. Recommended prerequisite: one-quarter credit in a Theatre adjunct course (THE 715, 751, 752, 753, 754); 715 is particularly recommended. HUNTER
312. Directing II
Advanced directing with emphasis on rehearsal and production procedures. Prerequisite: THE 311. May be taught as a tutorial. Offered upon request.
315. Voice and Movement
Development of vocal and physical vocabularies for the stage. Prerequisites: THE 115 and junior standing. Alternate years. CLARK
316 through 320. Topics in Theatre Performance
Special topics in acting and direction. See Topics Courses. (Fine Arts)
321. Playwriting I
Techniques of, and practice in, writing scenes or short plays. Prerequisites: THE 115 and writing-designated course (W). Offered subject to availability of faculty. (Fine Arts)
322. Playwriting II
Development and implementation of skills learned in Playwriting I. Prerequisite: THE 321. May be taught as a tutorial. May be repeated once for credit. (Fine Arts)
343. Women and Theatre: Historical and Theoretical Perspectives
Examination of the historical role of women in theatre and the interrogation of gender and sexuality in contemporary theatre practice. The course has parallel tracks: a consideration of women's historical participation in the theatre as performers, writers, and directors; a critical inquiry into the ways that women have been represented in the theater from the seventeenth century to the 1990s. Prerequisite: writing-designated course (W). Offered every third year. (Humanities) HUNTER
344. History of Music Theatre
Examination of the evolution of music theatre, from its beginnings in European operetta to its flowering in the Broadway theatre of the mid-twentieth century. Topics include music theatre's unique fusion of music, lyrics, and libretto, and its elaboration and development in recent decades. Prerequisite: writing-designated course (W). Offered every third year. (Humanities) HUNTER
345. Twentieth Century Performance
An examination of representative works from the twentieth century that deal with ideas and formal elements that are not bound up in traditional narrative. The course explores the historical circumstances of the creation of these works and argues for an expanded understanding of theatre that encompasses all kinds of aesthetic performance. Prerequisite: writing-designated course (W). Offered every third year. (Humanities) HUNTER
346. Canon Shots: Classics of Dramatic Literature and their Contexts
This course in dramatic literature surveys playtexts which have been especially influential in theatre history prior to the mid-twentieth century. Plays studied include acknowledged masterpieces from ancient Greek, early modern, Elizabethan, and Restoration comedy texts, as well as an assortment of nineteenth and early twentieth century classics. Prerequisite: writing-designated course (W). (Humanities) HUNTER
347. Contemporary Drama
This course in contemporary playwriting focuses on selected playtexts written after the mid-twentieth century. It is intended to survey the range of contemporary dramaturgy, emphasizing plays acclaimed for their quality and influential impact on other writers. Prerequisite: writing-designated course (W). (Humanities) HUNTER
348. Theatre and the Arts in New York City
The study of American art and culture, focusing particularly on theatrical performance, opera, and dance. Typically includes backstage tours, museum and gallery visits, and workshops with local actors, designers, and other theatre artists. Taught in New York City. Registration entails additional costs. Prerequisite: writing-designated course (W). Alternate years. (Humanities) HUNTER, OLINGER, or VAN VALEN
350. Advanced Theatre Production
Prerequisites: permission of the Department and appropriate coursework and/or production work to fulfill the project. Available only as a tutorial. May be repeated for credit with the permission of the Department. Offered upon request.
370 through 379. Topics in Theatre History and Drama
Studies centering on a particular nationality, period, playwright, or genre. See Topics Courses. Prerequisite: writing-designated course (W). (Humanities)
485. Advanced Study
Advanced studies in the areas of directing, acting, design, theatre history, speech, or communications media. Prerequisite: permission of the Department. Offered upon request. May be repeated for credit.
715. Directing and Performance (1/4)
Participation within a semester in one major role in a full-length play or the equivalent. (Fine Arts) (CR)
750. General Production Practicum (1/4)
Practical exploration of the production process in the areas of scenery and prop construction, costuming, lighting, and sound. Requires three hours per week over the course of terms one through four or five through eight. Hours are scheduled with instructor. (Fine Arts) (CR)
751. Scenery and Props (1/4) (Fine Arts) (CR)
752. Costumes and Make-up (1/4) (Fine Arts) (CR)
753. Lighting and Sound (1/4) (Fine Arts) (CR)
754. Theatre Administration and Stage Management (1/4) (Fine Arts) (CR)
964. Chicago Arts Semester: see Index. Chicago Arts Program (ACM).