THEATRE (TH)
TH 100 - THEATRE PRACTICUM
Prerequisite: None
This is a studio course for students participating in Theatre Department productions directed by faculty or guest artists. Students participate in one of three areas as: a) performers, b) run crew/designers and c) managers. May be repeated.
Credit: 0
TH 109 - DANCE I: INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
Prerequisite: None
An introduction to dance skills for the theatre. Students will learn fundamentals of ballet, jazz, and tap, and explore the careers of musical theatre dancers. May be repeated once.
Credit: 1
TH 150 - THEATRE PRODUCTION LABORATORY
Prerequisite: None
This is a studio course for students participating in Theatre Department productions directed by faculty or guest artists. Students participate in one of four areas as: a) performers, b) run crew c) technical production assistants and d) managers. May be repeated.
Credit: 1
TH 203 - THEATRE AESTHETICS
Prerequisite: None
Students will examine ways in which theatre art and theatre artists suggest meaning and invite interpretation of the human experience. Critical standards and theories specific to theatre will be discussed and then applied to the study of selected play scripts and performances. Meets Core credit for aesthetics.
Credit: 3
TH 204 - SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces students to methods of script analysis or how to read a play. Analysis will focus on dramatic structure, content and meaning from a theatrical point of view and will be based on principles established by Aristotle in the Poetics. Methods of script analysis will be discussed and applied to representative play scripts. Meets Core credit for aesthetics.
Credit: 3
TH 207 - THE VISUAL ART OF THEATRE
Prerequisite: None
The course offers the opportunity to learn, develop and practice the art of set, costume and lighting design. Students are required to critically analyze all visual and other sensory aspects of a live production. The course concentrates specifically on the processes, skills and disciplines of design for performance- the handling of forms, textures and colors in real, fictional and metaphorical spaces. Students will read several play scripts and work to discover the metaphors within. They will examine ways in which theatre design can suggest meaning and interpretation of the script. Meets Core credit for aesthetics.
Credit: 3
TH 209 - DANCE II: BALLET
Prerequisite: TH 109 or permission
Ballet concentration class building on fundamentals presented in TH 109. Classroom performance, demonstration of knowledge of ballet vocabulary, and development of ballet skills are stressed. Using ballet technique, lyrical styles of movement will also be explored. Students will explore the careers of Broadway choreographers who use this style. May be repeated once.
Credit: 1
TH 210 - DANCE III: TAP
Prerequisite: TH 109 or permission
Tap concentration class building on fundamentals presented in TH 109. Classroom performance, demonstration of knowledge of tap vocabulary, and development of tap skills are stressed. Students will explore the careers of Broadway choreographers who use this style. May be repeated once.
Credit: 1
TH 211 - BASIC ACTING TECHNIQUE
Prerequisite: For Theatre majors and minors only
An introduction to the acting system of Konstantin Stanislavski. A strong emphasis on practical aesthetics of acting. Students will discover the importance of using voice, body, and character analysis techniques when performing.
Credit: 3
TH 212 - BUILDING ACTING TECHNIQUE
Prerequisite: TH 211
A more in-depth study of Stanislavski’s system and how an actor prepares for a performance. A stronger emphasis is placed on the development of the actor’s inner psychological drives and the actor’s creative state. Students will continue training the skills gained in TH 211.
Credit: 3
TH 214 - ACTING FOR NON-MAJORS
Prerequisite: None
This course is a study of acting as an art form. It emphasizes an acting process and skills utilized by the beginning actor. The approach to acting is grounded in contemporary acting theory and practice. Meets Core credit for aesthetics.
Credit: 3
TH 241 - INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL THEATRE I
Prerequisite: None
The course is an interactive introduction to basic techniques of technical theatre and theatre operations. It covers basic scenic, properties, and costume construction, and reading and creating the associated construction drawings. Lab hours required.
Credit: 3
TH 242 - INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL THEATRE II
Prerequisite: TH 241
The course is an interactive introduction to more advanced techniques of technical theatre and theatre operations. It covers intermediate scenic construction, basic stage lighting, and traditional make-up application, as well as basic scene painting techniques for theatre. Lab hours required.
Credit: 3
TH 303 - AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE
Prerequisite: None
This course is an exploration of the development of the Broadway musical during the twentieth century. Representative musicals will be examined in terms of style, elements, and structure in order to identify criteria for aesthetic evaluation. The contributions of the major musical theatre artists and practitioners of the 20th century will be discussed as they relate to the evolution of this uniquely American theatrical form. Meets Core credit for aesthetics.
Credit: 3
TH 305 - TOPICS IN PERFORMANCE
Prerequisite: None
This course will examine various topics relating to theatre performance. Repeatable with different topics, but only three hours count toward the major.
Credit: 3
TH 306 - TOPICS IN THEATRE DESIGN/TECHNOLOGY
Prerequisite: None
This course will examine various topics relating to theatre design and technology. Repeatable with different topics, but only three hours count toward the major.
Credit: 3
TH 308 - VOICE AND MOVEMENT FOR THE PERFORMER
Prerequisite: None
A studio class designed to train the voice and body for performing. Intensive exercises focus on the physical embodiment of the performer—the voice and body trained simultaneously with a variety of techniques. Students will reduce habitual tensions in voice and movement in order to heighten range when performing.
Credit: 3
TH 309 - DANCE IV: JAZZ
Prerequisite: TH 109 or permission
Jazz concentration class building on fundamentals presented in TH 109. Classroom performance, demonstration of knowledge of jazz vocabulary, and development of jazz skills are stressed. Students will explore the careers of Broadway choreographers who use this style. May be repeated once.
Credit: 1
TH 313 - ACTING STYLES
Prerequisite: TH 211, 212
A continuation of study into the Stanislavski system and the process of Building a Character for a performance. Emphasis is placed on Stanislavski’s physical embodiment techniques. A study in constructing characters from various dramatic styles and historical periods through research and performance is emphasized.
Credit: 3
TH 321 - ARTS MANAGEMENT
Prerequisite: None
A study of arts management principles and techniques. Attention will be given to each of the major functions of arts managers, including organization, planning, board governance, human resources, programming, marketing, financial management, fundraising, evaluation, and advocacy.
Credit: 3
TH 326 - STAGE MANAGEMENT
Prerequisite: None
This course is an investigation of the role of the stage manager in the theatrical production. Students will explore all of the organizational and communication skills needed to excel in this position. Course will culminate in both a written and practical exercise of skills.
Credit: 3
TH 341 - PRODUCTION DESIGN I
Prerequisite: TH 207, 241, 242
Students will explore styles and methods of scenic and lighting design for theatrical productions. This course will also focus on the collaborative process of working and communicating with directors and other fellow collaborators. May be repeated.
Credit: 3
TH 342 - PRODUCTION DESIGN II
Prerequisite: TH 207, 241, 242
Students will explore styles and methods of costume and makeup design for theatrical productions. Continued practice in drawing and rendering techniques will be stressed. Advanced stage makeup application techniques, as well as the relationship of makeup to developing a character will also be covered. May be repeated.
Credit: 3
TH 404 - MODERN DRAMATIC STYLES
Prerequisite: TH 204; 418 or 419
How have the events of the 20th century influenced drama and performance? How have theatre artists responded to the events of the 20th century? The social, cultural, political, and technological events of the 20th century have inspired numerous styles and movements in theatre. This course examines the drama, performance styles and theories for the early Modern Period through the present.
Credit: 3
TH 405 - MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE
Prerequisite: TH 211, MUSIC 211, 2 semesters of MUSIC 140 or 340
A workshop course where students examine the craft and techniques of acting a song. Students will study and prepare musical theatre selections and learn audition techniques with a variety musical theatre styles and genres.
Credit: 3
TH 411 - DIRECTING
Prerequisite: TH 211
A study of the functions of the director as an administrator, interpreter, and artist. Attention will be given to the director’s relationship with the playwright, the actor, the technical staff and the audience.
Credit: 3
TH 418 - HISTORY OF THEATRE I
Prerequisite: TH 204
A survey of the periods, practices and theories of the theatre. Covers ancient Greeks to Neoclassical France (mid 1600s).
Credit: 3
TH 419 - HISTORY OF THEATRE II
Prerequisite: TH 204
A survey of the periods, practices and theories of the theatre. Covers the English Restoration (1660) to the present day.
Credit: 3
TH 499 - SENIOR PROJECT
Prerequisite: Senior standing, approval of advisor, and prior approval of a prospectus by faculty one semester in advance of registration
An activity that integrates the student's theatrical experiences and studies at A.U. The project should be of great interest to the student and should provide sufficient depth and rigor to help guide the student to the next professional or academic step. The student conceives, creates, and presents theoretical or executed theatrical productions as part of the requirements for graduation.
Credit: 3