Theatre (THEAT.BA)

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Communication Arts

The theatre emphasis is designed to train students in the areas of acting, directing and technical theatre. Students are given the opportunity to craft their own program of study, and are prepared for graduate school or the professional stage.

Degree Checklist

For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Education Requirements - Total Hours: 53-59

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

This program requires six hours of foreign language at the intermediate level.

THEA 201 is not an "Exploring the Humanities" option for Theatre majors.

Religion Requirements - Total Hours: 16

Three hours of the 16-hour religion requirement are fulfilled through the following course:

THEA 495 - Christianity and Theatre Credit Hours: 3

This capstone course is designed to provide theatre majors with opportunities to study, discuss, defend and integrate a Christ-centered worldview in the theatrical arena. Students will learn to integrate their faith into their careers and give practical responses to cultural and historical shifts in worldviews.

Prerequisites

THEA 450, THEO 230 and THEO 231

Specialty Area Requirements

THEA 203 - Theatre Production Credit Hours: 1

Experience in the practical aspects of play production as an actor and/or technician. Requires a minimum of 45 hours as a cast and /or crew member of a theatrical production.

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor. Repeatable for credit.
THEA 204 - Technical Theatre Production Credit Hours: 1

Experience in the technical aspects of a theatrical production. Requires working on a major production and overseeing a major element of that production throughout rehearsals and performances.

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor. Repeatable for credit.
THEA 211 - Introduction to Acting Credit Hours: 3

(Majors Only) An introduction to the development and the skill training of the actor with focus on the basic techniques which form the foundation for further study and performance. 

Prerequisites

Theatre majors only or permission of instructor.
THEA 212 - Intermediate Acting Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of Introduction to Acting. This course concentrates on expanding the actor's techniques with exercises from master acting teachers such as Uta Hagen and Michael Chekhov.

Prerequisites

THEA 211. Theatre majors only or permission of instructor.
THEA 220 - Stagecraft Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the theory and craft of construction and design for the theatre. Topics to include set construction, scene painting, light, sound and props. Requires a lab component to construct sets for the current season.

Prerequisites

Requires co-requisite enrollment in THEA 220L
THEA 280 - Introduction to Theatrical Design Credit Hours: 3

An examination of the basic principles of scenic, costume, and lighting design for the theatre. Topics covered include the design process, research, design elements, and practical considerations.

Prerequisites

None.
THEA 330 - Theatre Management Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to familiarize students with the techniques of stage management and theatre organization.

Prerequisites

THEA 212
THEA 331 - Survey of Drama Literature and Theatre History I Credit Hours: 3

A survey of dramatic literature within its historical context. This course will emphasize the development of theatre practices that have had an impact upon the playwrights through analysis of selected plays from ancient Greek, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Restoration and Classical Asian Theatre.

Prerequisites

ENGL 110
THEA 332 - Survey of Drama Literature and Theatre History II Credit Hours: 3

A survey of dramatic literature within its historical context. This course will emphasize the development of theatre practices that have had an impact upon the playwrights from the rise of realism to contemporary theatre, including non-western theatre and plays.

Prerequisites

ENGL 110
THEA 400 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism Credit Hours: 3

This course is a survey of dramatic theories from classical to modern times and their influence on Western Drama and Theatre.  This course examines the interdependency between theory and practice and how each shapes a play's structure, content, and purpose.    

Prerequisites

THEA 331 and THEA 332
THEA 450 - Directing Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to the techniques of directing for the theatre including blocking, character development and play production.

Prerequisites

Junior or Senior status
THEA 495 - Christianity and Theatre Credit Hours: 3

This capstone course is designed to provide theatre majors with opportunities to study, discuss, defend and integrate a Christ-centered worldview in the theatrical arena. Students will learn to integrate their faith into their careers and give practical responses to cultural and historical shifts in worldviews.

Prerequisites

THEA 450, THEO 230 and THEO 231
THEA 499 - Senior Seminar Project Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to prepare students for graduation.  Students are required to create a portfolio of materials to prepare them for their post graduation plans.  Students will focus their portfolio towards performance, technical theatre, theatre managment or graduate study. 

Prerequisites

Senior class standing.

(Select one of the courses listed below) - Credit Hours: 3

THEA 221 - Period Styles and Theatre Design Credit Hours: 3

A study of the intersection of history and visual art for theatre designers.  Emphasis is placed on the connection between visual styles throughout historical periods and their correlation to scenic, costume, and lighting design.
THEA 315 - Scene and Set Design Credit Hours: 3

A study of scenographic design for theatre. Emphasis will be on practical application and design from the initial conception to the final product.

Prerequisites

THEA 220
THEA 327 - Light Design Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on lighting equipment, installation, and designing of lights in a theatrical setting.

Prerequisites

THEA 220
THEA 328 - Costume and Makeup Design Credit Hours: 3

This course covers the art of costume and makeup design for the stage.  Emphasis will be placed on creating original designs for costumes and makeup as well as identifying key elements of design. 

Prerequisites

THEA 220

Theatre Electives - Credit Hours: 12

(Select 12 hours from the courses listed below)

THEA 203 - Theatre Production Credit Hours: 1

Experience in the practical aspects of play production as an actor and/or technician. Requires a minimum of 45 hours as a cast and /or crew member of a theatrical production.

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor. Repeatable for credit.
THEA 204 - Technical Theatre Production Credit Hours: 1

Experience in the technical aspects of a theatrical production. Requires working on a major production and overseeing a major element of that production throughout rehearsals and performances.

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor. Repeatable for credit.
THEA 215 - Improv Acting Credit Hours: 3

This course utilizes participation, lecture material, and selected readings to convey a well-rounded experience in the history, theory, and creation of improvisational theatre.
THEA 221 - Period Styles and Theatre Design Credit Hours: 3

A study of the intersection of history and visual art for theatre designers.  Emphasis is placed on the connection between visual styles throughout historical periods and their correlation to scenic, costume, and lighting design.
ASIA 230 - Introduction to Traditional Asian Theatre Credit Hours: 3

 This course is an introduction to the variety and history of traditional Asian performance styles focusing on history, development, techniques, theories and literature.
THEA 230 - Introduction to Traditional Asian Theatre Credit Hours: 3

 This course is an introduction to the variety and history of traditional Asian performance styles focusing on history, development, techniques, theories and literature.
THEA 250 - Critical Writing About the Theatre Credit Hours: 3

A study of the art of theatre criticism and review, with emphasis placed on written analysis of theatrical performances, identifying key elements of productions, and critiquing performance choices.  Attendance at performance events is a required part of the course.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
THEA 300 - Creative Drama Credit Hours: 3

This interactive course is designed to introduce students to the practical applications of creative drama in the classroom. An understanding of the various creative drama theories, cognitive learning theories and current curricular models is presented. Offered in the summer only in conjunction with the Summer Theatre Camp.

Prerequisites

None
THEA 315 - Scene and Set Design Credit Hours: 3

A study of scenographic design for theatre. Emphasis will be on practical application and design from the initial conception to the final product.

Prerequisites

THEA 220
THEA 327 - Light Design Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on lighting equipment, installation, and designing of lights in a theatrical setting.

Prerequisites

THEA 220
THEA 328 - Costume and Makeup Design Credit Hours: 3

This course covers the art of costume and makeup design for the stage.  Emphasis will be placed on creating original designs for costumes and makeup as well as identifying key elements of design. 

Prerequisites

THEA 220
THEA 352 - Advanced Acting Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of THEA 211 and THEA 212. Contemporary means of developing character and intensity outside the realm of traditional acting will be presented.

Prerequisites

THEA 211 and THEA 212
THEA 363 - Introduction to Playwriting Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a study of the craft of playwriting by reading and watching establiched plays, as well as writing, critiquing, developing and staging original monologues and short plays in a workshop setting.

Prerequisites

ENGL 110 and ENGL 221 or ENGL 222
THEA 380 - Computer Drafting for the Theatre Credit Hours: 3

This course provides students with an introduction to computer-aided drafting.  Students will work with industry-standard programming software to create theatre renderings and drafting. 

Prerequisites

THEA-220
THEA 403 - Internship Credit Hours: 3

A course designed for Junior and Senior level students in theatre with a special interest in gaining practical skills in a specific theatre occupation.

Prerequisites

Junior or Senior major/minor status
THEA 405 - Drama Lab Credit Hours: 1

Laboratory course in drama. Emphasis on the application of acting and production skills in a variety of settings.

Prerequisites

None
THEA 410 - Shakespeare Credit Hours: 3

A study of theatre during Shakespeare's time.  Students will study many of Shakespeare's plays and engage in the study of the history of theatre during the Early Modern Period in England.  Additionally, students will engage with various literary and performance theories surrounding Shakespearean plays. 
THEA 240 - History of Musical Theatre Credit Hours: 3

A study of the history and development of musical theatre in its social, political, and historical contexts from inception to the present.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
THEA 451 - Advanced Directing Credit Hours: 3

A rigorous exploration of the theoretical and practical influences on directing contemporary works with opportunities to experience collaboration, devised theatre, and found locations.

Prerequisites

THEA 450 and permission of instructor.
THEA 475 - Practicum in Drama Teaching and Research Credit Hours: 3

A practicum giving students the opportunity to gain teaching experience, enhance their knowledge of theatre, and acquire skills that makes them more attractive to prospective graduate schools and theatres. May be taken a maximum of two times for credit.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of 12 hrs of required theatre major courses or permission of instructor. Registration requires approval of application and permission from instructor.
THEA 491 - Contemporary Topics in Theatre Credit Hours: 1

A course presenting various topics of contemporary interest. Topics will change each semester.

Prerequisites

None
THEA 492 - Contemporary Topics in Theatre Credit Hours: 2

A course presenting various topics of contemporary interest. Topics will change each semester.

Prerequisites

None
THEA 493 - Contemporary Topics in Theatre Credit Hours: 3

A course presenting various topics of contemporary interest. Topics will change each semester.

Prerequisites

None