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 Theatre Arts Course Descriptions RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

THA 110 Theatre Appreciation Cr. 2  
A study of theatre as an art form. Emphasis on the role of the audience members as collaborators in the performance and their understanding and appreciation of the elements of a theatrical production.

THA 220 Acting I: Fundamentals Cr. 3  
Theory and practice of the fundamentals of stage acting, including improvisational techniques, audition techniques, acting terminology and development of dramatic action. Lab required. Usually offered Sem. II.

THA 221 Movement for the Stage Cr. 3 
Theory and practice in training the actor's body to serve as a skillful and expressive means of communication. Emphasis on the student's awareness of movement as a foundation for character development. Lab required. Usually offered Sem. I even-numbered years.

THA 222 Voice and Diction for the Stage Cr. 3 
Theory and practice of the fundamentals of vocal production: breathing control, articulation, projection, quality, and expressiveness for the actor. Usually offered Sem. I.

THA 230 Fundamentals of Play Production Cr. 3 
Theory and practice of the production elements comprising the theatre arts: scene design and stage craft, lighting design and technology, and costume and make-up design as each contributes to the realization of a play. Usually offered Sem. I.

THA 231 Stagecraft Cr. 3 
Theory and practice of scenic construction. A study of the stage and its equipment; the planning, building and painting of scenery; and the practical aspects of stage lighting. Lab required. Prerequisite: THA 230. Usually offered Sem. II even-numbered years.

THA 232 Costume Crafts Cr. 3  
Theory and practice of basic costume construction. Emphasis on the construction of stage costumes and accessories, including, but not limited to, basic pattern adaptation, millinery techniques, costume jewelry techniques and mask construction. Prerequisite: THA 230 for Theatre Arts majors and minors. Usually offered Semester II of even-numbered years.

THA 240 Theories and Techniques of Theatrical Design Cr. 3  
A study of the elements and principles of design and their application to the theatre stage. An application of the techniques used by the designer in the creative process of interpreting a play script and translating it into visual form. Prerequisite: THA 230. Usually offered Sem. I odd-numbered years.

THA 241 Stage Makeup Cr. 3  
The theory and practice of the fundamentals of painted theatrical makeup, including various theatrical makeup materials and their applications. The course will rely heavily on the imagination and creative skills of the student and will include research in physical analysis, character analysis and color theory. Each student will serve as the makeup designer for all projects in this course. Lab required. Prerequisites: THA230 for Theatre majors and minors. Usually offered Sem. I even-numbered years.

THA 250 Theatre Studies I: Origins through the Middle Ages Cr. 3  
Survey of Western theatre history, dramatic literature and theory in cultural context from origins through the Middle Ages.  Particular attention is paid to the relationship of theatre to religion and to ancient theatre as the foundation for later Western theatre.  Recommended to be taken before THA 251, THA 350, and THA 351.  Offered Sem. I odd-numbered years

THA 251 Theatre Studies II: Renaissance through Mid 19^th Century Cr. 3 
Survey of Western theatre history, dramatic literature and theory in cultural context from the Renaissance through late 19th century.  Attention is focused on the relationship of theatre to the emergence of the early modern period, the rise of nationalism, the Enlightenment, and the growing middle class.  Recommended to be taken after THA 250 and before THA 350 & THA 351.  Offered Sem. II even-numbered years

THA 260 Participation in Theatre Arts Activities Cr. 1  
A course for any university student who wishes to gain academic credit for participation in theatre arts.  Students receive individual counsel, criticism and evaluation.  Registration with consent of the instructor in charge of the specific activity.  Repeatable for credit. No maximum.

THA 290 Stage Management for the Arts Cr. 3
This course will provide an introduction to Stage Management for the arts as well as a working understanding of the job of a stage manager.  Emphasis on practical theory as well as the history of stage management will be combined with critical theories of running a production.  The course will culminate in preparing students to stage manage for a realized production.  Usually offered Sem. II odd-numbered years

THA 320 Acting II: Characterization Cr. 3 
Theory and practice of realistic acting techniques and textual analysis in the development of characterization.  Monologues and scenes from realistic drama to be performed.  Prerequisite:  THA 220.  Usually offered Sem. I.

THA 321 Acting III: Styles Cr. 3 
Theory and practice of advanced techniques of acting with emphasis on styles of acting from Greek to the present.  Monologues and scenes from various theatrical periods to be performed.  Prerequisites:  THA 220 and THA 320.  Lab required.  Usually offered Sem. II.

THA 330 Scene Painting Cr. 3 
A course on the theory and practice of scene painting techniques for the theatre. By studying theories utilized by professional scenic artists, students will learn to interpret a designer's rendering or scaled elevation. Practical exercises will introduce students to the techniques necessary to reproduce the aesthetics of designer's renderings or scaled elevations as actual scenic pieces. Prerequisite: THA 230 for Theatre Arts majors and minors. Usually offered Sem. I. of even- numbered years.

THA 331 Theatre Technology Cr. 3 
The research and application of current technology in the Theatre, including the exploration of new materials and construction techniques. The course will include an introduction to Computer-Assisted Drafting and Design, the operation and maintenance of new technologies in the theatre facility, and the examination of health, safety, and liability issues. Lab required. Prerequisites: THA 230 and THA 231. Usually offered Sem. II of odd-numbered years.

THA 340 Scenery Design Cr. 3 
A course in the principles and practice of designing stage scenery. Emphasis on developing the creative capabilities of the designer. Prerequisite: THA 230, THA 231, THA 240 Usually offered Sem. II. of even-numbered years.

THA 341 Lighting Design Cr. 3 
An introductory course in the principles and practices of designing and executing stage lighting. Emphasis is on developing the creative abilities of the designer. Prerequisites: THA 230, THA 231, THA 240 Usually offered Sem. II of odd- numbered years.

THA 342 Sound Design and Engineering Cr. 3
The course provides the student with a working knowledge of sound design and engineering. It emphasizes the creation of sound for theatre, the theory and technique of sound design and the set up and maintenance of sound reinforcement and sound reproduction equipment. Prerequisite:  THA 230.  Usually offered Sem. I even-numbered years.

Theatre Studies III: Realism to the Present Cr. 3
Survey of Western theatre history, dramatic literature and theory in cultural context from the rise of realism in the late 19th century to the present day.  Particular attention is paid to realism and the explosion of styles in reaction to it, along with the study of political, environmental, feminist, multicultural, and postmodern theatre and performance art.  Recommended to be taken after THA 250, THA 251 and before THA 351.  Offered Sem. I even-numbered years.

THA 351 Theatre Studies IV: World Theatre Cr. 3 
Survey of historical and contemporary theatre in cultural context from various cultures/geographic regions around the world.  These areas include India and the near east, China, Japan, and the far east, Africa, Latin America,  and the middle east.  Particular attention is paid to local custom, religious practice and theatrical practice.  Recommended to be taken after THA 250, THA 251 & THA 350.  Offered Sem. II odd-numbered years.

THA 360 Theatre Arts Practicum Cr. 1-3 
Specialized, intensive study and participation in theatre. Projects are designed in consultation with a faculty adviser in the department. Prerequisite: permission of the supervising instructor. Repeatable for credit. No maximum.

THA 420/520 Directing Cr. 3
 A study of the theory and practice of directing for the stage. Emphasis on analysis, preparation and presentation of dramatic scenes. Lab required. Prerequisites: THA 220, THA 230, and six credits from THA 250, THA 251, THA 350, THA 351. Usually offered Sem. I. of even-numbered years.

THA 421/521 Performance Studio Cr. 3
This is an advanced performance studio that provides an opportunity for students to research, explore, and create performance within a specific style or genre.  The course will provide directing and/or acting students with both theoretical and practical experiences in the art of theatre performance and will occasionally feature a guest artist.  Examples of offerings include: improvisation, traditional (comedy of manners, commedia dell' arte) and non-traditional styles (absurdism, post-modernism, expressionism), auditioning and others.   May be repeated for credit.  Prerequisite THA 321 and/or THA 420.  Usually offered Sem. II even-numbered years.

THA 440/540 Costume Design/History Cr. 3 
A course in the principles and practices of designing stage costumes. Emphasis on the creative capabilities of the designer with a working knowledge of historical periods used in stage costuming. Lab required. Prerequisite: THA 230. Usually offered Sem. II. of odd-numbered years.

THA 450/550 Internship in Theatre Arts Cr. 3-15 
An academically relevant work experience focusing on career development through professional contexts.  Students pursue practical applications of course work in community or professional theatre or related areas.  A written project relating the internship experience to the academic preparation will be required.  Credit depends on the demands and complexity and the duration of the work the student performs.  Evaluation is a joint effort of the cooperating firm or group, the department supervisor, and the Cooperative Education Internship liaison. Prerequisites: Consent of department faculty, 15 credits in theatre, junior standing. Note: From three to six credit hours may count toward a theatre art major in the College of Liberal Studies.  Three credits maximum on graduate level.  Offered variable times.  See department chair.

THA 470/570 Symposium in Theatre Arts Cr. 1-3 
Study in a selected area of theatre arts. Varying topics will be offered at intervals, with a specific title assigned to each. For current content and credit assignment, consult the instructor or department chair. Repeatable for credit. No Maximum.

THA 471/571 Playwriting Cr. 3 
A study of the fundamentals of playwriting, with emphasis on creating stageworthy plots, characters, dialogue and spectacle, and finding venues for having plays produced. Course will culminate in the writing of a one-act or full-length play. Usually offered Sem. I of odd-numbered years.

THA 472/572 Theatre Management Cr. 3 
The principles and methods involved in the operation of the non-commercial theatre: organization, play selection, building an audience, publicity, advertising, graphic reproduction, ticket sales, box office routines, house management, touring, and business records. Prerequisite: THA 110 with the exception of Theatre Arts majors and minors. Usually offered Sem. II. of even-numbered years.

THA 481/581 Independent Study Cr. 1-2 
Directed individual study under an assigned faculty member. Student is responsible for submitting study proposal for approval before registration. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, junior standing. Repeatable for credit. No Maximum.

THA 482/582 Special Topics in Theatre Arts Cr. 1-3 
Workshops, directed individual readings, or projects involving significant content and/or activities not available through regular offering within the Department of Theatre Arts. Student is responsible for submitting a project proposal for approval before registration. Prerequisites: Consent of department faculty, junior standing. Repeatable for credit. 

THA 490 Senior Project Cr. 3 
Research and production of senior project in directing, acting, design, technical direction or dramaturgy involving significant research and activity under an assigned faculty member. This is considered the capstone course for Theatre Arts majors. Student is responsible for submitting a proposal for approval one semester before registration. Prerequisites: Consent of department faculty, senior standing.

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August 19, 2004