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Admission to the Theatre Program

Requirements for Major

Theatre Arts Major (BA/BS Degree)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree

Minor

Teacher Licensing

Theatre Arts Courses

Dance Courses

Theatre Arts

Theatre Arts 111
541-552-6346
Chris Sackett, Chair

Professor
Craig N. Hudson
Dale R. Luciano
Dennis L. Smith
Associate Professor
Maggie McClellan
Deborah Rosenberg
Chris Sackett
Lecturer
Daniel Carlgren
Jim Giancarlo

The Department of Theatre Arts offers educational and practical experience in all areas of theatre, including acting, directing, costuming, stage scenery and lighting, sound, makeup, management, dramatic literature, and theatre history. Theatre arts majors participate in the department’s active and ambitious production program and experience the close working relationships that develop between faculty and students as they produce live theatre together.

Through its presentation of classic and contemporary dramatic works, the Theatre Arts Department contributes significantly to the social and cultural enrichment of the SOU and southern Oregon communities. Dedicated to creating opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in practical ways, the department not only supplies performance opportunities for students, but it also mounts productions that are often designed and predominantly executed by students.

The Theatre Arts Department maintains a positive formal relationship with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). Adjunct faculty, guest artists, and lecturers from OSF enhance the department’s curriculum. Students of merit may be recommended for internship positions during their junior and senior years.

BA or BS in Theatre Arts

BFA in Theatre

Minor

Theatre Arts

Minor

Theatre Arts

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Admission to the Theatre Program

Whether incoming freshmen or transfers, all students wishing to pursue a theatre arts major are admitted to SOU as theatre premajors and must apply to the Department of Theatre Arts for formal admission to the major. Application forms are available in the department office and may be filed during the first term in residence. New students are required to enroll in Theatre Foundations (TA 166) during their first term at SOU and complete the application process as part of the class.

The theatre arts faculty considers applications at the end of each term. Typically, students are not admitted to the major until their third term in residence. However, students who clearly demonstrate that they meet the criteria for admission may have their applications approved prior to their third term. Also, students who do not meet department standards by the end of their third term may not be accepted into the major.

The department limits the number of students admitted to the major. Priority is given to students who:

  1. possess the intellect, interest, and aptitude to successfully complete the academic requirements of the theatre arts degree program, as demonstrated by overall GPA and GPA in the major;
  2. demonstrate that they can meet their responsibilities and obligations to both the intellectual and production life of the department, as demonstrated by GPA in major classes and work undertaken in Theatre Practice (TA 255); and
  3. will contribute to the creative and scholarly activities of the program and exercise a positive influence on the learning environment.

The department chair notifies each student of formal acceptance to the theatre major and assigns the student a faculty advisor. The chair utilizes the above criteria to determine the master roster of new majors being admitted to the department.

Transfer Students

To facilitate a fluid transition into the program, transfer students are strongly encouraged to contact the department at least two full terms prior to arrival at SOU. Transfer students should arrange for an audition and/or interview, which will determine appropriate placement within the training sequence. Students interested in a performance (acting) emphasis must contact Dennis Smith, head of the acting program, to arrange an audition for appropriate placement in the acting sequence. Students with a scenic design, lighting design, stage management, or technical orientation must contact Craig Hudson, head of the design program, to arrange for a portfolio review and/or interview, while students with an emphasis in sound should contact Chris Sackett, head of the sound program. Students interested in a costume design or costume construction emphasis must contact Deborah Rosenberg, head of the costume program, for a portfolio review and/or interview.

Early contact with the department will minimize difficulties in registering for appropriate classes within the training sequence.

Upon commencing studies at SOU, transfer students must schedule an appointment with a theatre arts faculty member for an evaluation of which credits listed in the Advanced Standing Report (ASR) may be used to satisfy core requirements for the theatre major.

Transfer students who have not completed lower division core requirements in theatre may not be allowed to register for upper division theatre classes until they have completed those requirements.

Admission to the Acting Sequence

Auditions before the full faculty for admission to TA 247 (Acting I) will be administered under the auspices of TA 166 (Theatre Foundations) during the fall term each year. Auditions are also conducted by the full faculty each spring term to determine the roster of students who will be permitted to take TA 248 (Acting II) and other courses in the advanced acting sequence.

Admission to the BFA Program

All students admitted to the major are admitted as majors in the BA or BS degree program. Admission to the BFA program is by audition only. Each student should consult a departmental advisor to determine a course of study. Students may apply for admission to the BFA no earlier than the end of their sophomore year by means of audition, interview, and/or résumé-portfolio presentation. (Transfer students should wait until they have been in residence at least two full terms prior to auditioning.) For more information about audition guidelines and dates, please contact the Theatre Arts Department.

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Requirements for Major

  1. Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements as stated beginning on page 15.
  2. All theatre arts majors are required to participate in the department’s production program by enrolling in Theatre Practice each term until they have earned the maximum credits available for TA 255 and 455.
  3. Continuation as a major in any of the degree programs is contingent upon a yearly evaluation. The criteria used to determine whether students shall be retained or dropped from the major include:
    1. satisfactory fulfillment of the Theatre Practice requirement;
    2. a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA overall and 3.0 in the major; and
    3. successful completion of the following courses by the end of the sophomore year: TA 144, 146, 166, 167, 168, 245, and 247 or 270.
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Theatre Arts Major (BA/BS Degree)


(81 credits)


Requirements must be evaluated by an advisor and approved by the department chair. A total of 32 upper division theatre credits is required.

Stagecraft (TA 144)3
Costume Fundamentals (TA 146)3
Theatre Foundations (TA 166)3
Script Analysis (TA 167)3
Playreading (TA 168)3
Stage Lighting (TA 245)3


Choice of one design class:

Lighting Design (TA 445)3
Scene Design I: An Introduction (TA 143)3
Costume Design (TA 262)3
Acting I (TA 247) or Acting Aesthetics (TA 270)4
Theatre Practice (TA 255)16
Capstone Experience (TA 400)2
OSF Plays in Production (TA 439)3
Theatre Practice (TA 455)16
Forms and Meaning of Drama (TA 459)4
Drama in Western Culture (TA 466, 467, 468)12
Courses in dramatic literature9–12
Theatre electives14

Summary

General education67
Theatre arts major (BA/BS Core)67
Theatre electives14
Miscellaneous electives32
Total for graduation180

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Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree


(59 credits)
Adjunct or paraprofessional requirements and theatre arts major requirements must be evaluated by the advisor and approved by the chair.

Stagecraft (TA 144)3
Costume Fundamentals (TA 146)3
Theatre Foundations (TA 166)3
Script Analysis (TA 167)3
Playreading (TA 168)3
Stage Lighting (TA 245)3


Choice of one design class:

Lighting Design (TA 445)3
Scene Design I, An Introduction (TA 143)3
Costume Design (TA 262)3

Acting I (TA 247) or Acting Aesthetics (TA 270)4
Theatre Practice (TA 255)16
Thesis (TA 403)3
OSF Plays in Production (TA 439)3
Theatre Practice (TA 455)16
Forms and Meaning of Drama (TA 459)4
Drama in Western Culture (TA 466, 467, 468)12

--- Footnotes ---
1TA 255, 455: 6 credits minimum and 9 credits maximum each; TA 455 for BFA is 6 credits minimum and 12 credits maximum. All full time theatre arts majors are required to register for at least 1 credit in Theatre Practice (TA 255 or 455) each term until they reach the maximum allowable credit. Students earning 5 credits in two consecutive terms of an academic year may be exempt from the 1-credit requirement during the third term of that academic year.

Summary

General education67
Theatre arts major (BFA core)59
Theatre electives30
Miscellaneous electives24
Total for graduation180

BFA students may concentrate on one of the following areas: acting, costuming, directing, stage lighting, sound, stage management, stage scenery, or theatre business. Students must earn 12 credits (some of which may come from core courses) in their area of concentration.
BFA students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA for all work in theatre arts and a 3.0 for all University work. They must also meet the graduation requirements of the University.
Coursework leading to the BFA in theatre is strictly monitored. Once admitted to the BFA program, students are required to plan a program of coursework that follows departmental guidelines. This coursework is planned in consultation with the departmental advisor and is subject to faculty approval. Published guidelines and requirements for developing an area of concentration and for the successful proposal and completion of a BFA thesis are available in the departmental office.
Retention in the BFA program is dependent on academic performance and continued development of talent and acquisition of skills as evaluated by faculty assessment. Although it is possible to complete all requirements within four years, a successful course of study may take longer, since graduation depends as much on demonstrated proficiency as on credits.

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Minor


(40 credits)

Students interested in pursuing a minor in theatre arts should complete an application (available in the Theatre Arts Office), and submit it to the department chair. If theatre major enrollment meets full capacity of the department, the department chair may deny the application.

Stagecraft (TA 144)3
Costume Fundamentals (TA 146)3
Theatre Foundations (TA 166)3
Script Analysis (TA 167)3
Playreading (TA 168)3
Stage Lighting (TA 245)3


Choice of one design class:

Lighting Design (TA 445)3
Scene Design I, An Introduction (TA 143)3
Costume Design (TA 262)3

Acting I (TA 247) or Acting Aesthetics (TA 270)4
Theatre Practice (TA 255 or 455)3
Drama in Western Culture (TA 466, 467, 468)12

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Teacher Licensing

Students who would like to teach theatre arts at the middle school or high school level in Oregon public schools must complete a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts before applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at SOU. Interested students should consult the department chair for an appropriate advisor and the Education Department regarding admission requirements for the MAT teacher education program.

Students must prepare in advance to increase their chances of acceptance into this competitive program. Practica, internships, and volunteer experiences working with children in the public schools prior to application to the MAT program are required.

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Theatre Arts Courses

See Course Prerequisites Policy

Lower Division Courses

TA 143 Scene Design I: An Introduction
3 credits
Introduces the basic principles of scene design and the influence of visual choices on the audience's understanding of the play. Explores scenery design and enhances understanding of the role of theatrical scenery. Covers the use of design elements such as line, color, shape, mass, and texture; the arrangement of stage space; and the importance of research in making appropriate choices. Introduces students to the variety of scenic styles and approaches. Students produce ground plans, color elevations, and models.

TA 144 Stagecraft
3 credits
Examines the basic principles and techniques of scenery construction, including theatre terminology, tools, woodworking, and shop practices. Students must also register for a lab section.

TA 146 Costume Fundamentals
3 credits
Introduces students to the basic principles of theatrical costuming. Explores both construction and design through lecture and lab classes. Purchase of materials is required.

TA 147 Introduction to the Theatre: Drama in Production
3 credits
Introduces all aspects of theatre production. Offers an opportunity to view stage productions. Purchase of tickets is required.

TA 157 Introduction to Musical Theatre Dance
3 credits
Intended for students with little or no previous dance experience. Introduces common musical theatre dance styles, the language of dance, and techniques for picking up steps.

TA 166 Theatre Foundations
3 credits
Required for all freshman theatre majors. Introduces the collaborative art of theatre and all aspects of producing theatre. Acquaints new majors with the requirements, expectations, and opportunities within the theatre program.

TA 167 Script Analysis
3 credits
Required for all freshman theatre majors. Develops students’ abilities to read and interpret dramatic material for direction, performance, or design. Discusses what makes plays unique from other forms of writing; how to initially read a play; how to plot the action of the play and its characters; and how to interpret information offered by the playwright by asking questions that illuminate the inner meaning of the play.

TA 168 Playreading
3 credits
Required for all freshman theatre majors. Offers an intensive analysis and discussion of key works in dramatic literature. Students apply critical skills developed in TA 166 and 167.

TA 199 Special Studies
Credit to be arranged

TA 210 Movement for the Actor I
4 credits
Offers a beginning study of the physical component of acting. Designed to develop an actor’s awareness and use of his or her primary tool, the body. Emphasizes learning the fundamental skeletal and muscular structures; building strength, coordination, and stamina; and creating a basic, all-purpose warmup that is adaptable to individual physical needs and situations. Improvisational exercises explore awareness of the physical self, neutral alignment, physical creativity, and relaxation and breathing techniques.
Prerequisite: TA 247 and instructor consent.
Corequisite: TA 224 and 248.

TA 211 Movement for the Actor II
4 credits
Continues the development of actor movement skills begun in TA 210, including hand-to-hand stage combat techniques. Special emphasis is on exploring different movement philosophies in conjunction with improvisational movement exercises as they relate to the process of acting, creating a character, and physicalizing text. Draws from techniques by Laban, Chekhov, Decroux, and others.
Prerequisite: TA 210 and instructor consent.
Corequisite: TA 225.

TA 212 Movement for the Actor III
4 credits
Specialized movement course focusing on advanced development of an actor’s physical skills through a variety of specialized movement techniques and disciplines. Encourages the physical articulation of the actor’s process through aspects of neutral and character mask work and advanced improvisational exercises in creating characters and physicalizing text.
Prerequisite: TA 211, 248, and instructor consent.
Corequisite: TA 226.

TA 224 Voice and Speech for the Stage I
4 credits
Provides a beginning study of an actor’s vocal instrument through an understanding of the basic physical structure, the mechanics of the voice, and the production of sound. Includes the creation of a basic vocal warmup that is adaptable to individual needs and situations. Exercises concentrate on natural breathing and a centered, tension-free body alignment and on how these relate to correct vocal production and expressiveness. Introduces exercises that help the actor to cultivate muscular control and articulation skills and to distinguish standard vowel consonant action and pronunciation.
Prerequisite: TA 247 and instructor consent.
Corequisite: TA 210, 248.

TA 225 Voice and Speech for the Stage II
4 credits
Continues the development of the actor’s vocal instrument begun in TA 224. Students expand vocal strength and flexibility by refining and personalizing the vocal warmup. Addresses the projection of a solid sound with ample, easy resonance. Emphasizes heightened articulation, text analysis, and language skills appropriate for classical theatre.
Prerequisite: TA 224, 248, and instructor consent.
Corequisite: TA 211.

TA 226 Voice and Speech for the Stage III
4 credits
Specialized voice and speech course focuses on the specific analytical and vocal skills necessary for Shakespearean text, including punctuation, scansion, and text analysis of verse and prose. Introduces IPA and dialect work.
Prerequisite: TA 225, 248, and instructor consent.
Corequisite: TA 212.

TA 242 Theatre Sound
3 credits
Introduces the artistic and technical aspects of sound production and design for theatrical applications.

TA 243 Scene Design II, Techniques
3 credits
Explores scenic designs that address the requirements of plays from realistic and abstract genres. Develops communication skills for expressing design ideas verbally as well as with models and two-dimensional sketches and renderings. Teaches perspective drawing and shading. Provides experience with various color media.
Prerequisite: TA 141
Prerequisite: TA 144
Prerequisite: TA 167

TA 244 Stage Properties
3 credits
Addresses techniques of constructing furniture and properties for theatrical use. Includes prop management, finishes, upholstery, decoration, materials, and tool use.
Prerequisite: TA 144.

TA 245 Stage Lighting
3 credits
Examines the basic theories and mechanics of stage lighting, with emphasis on equipment, lighting instruments, control, and stage-lighting graphics. Students must also register for a lab section.

TA 247 Acting I: Fundamentals of Acting
4 credits
Offers an introductory exploration of stage acting theory and methodology through exercises and beginning scene/monologue work. Emphasizes use of the actor’s individual energies, character analysis, theatrical technique, and application to contemporary dramatic realism. Admission to the class is by audition (see Admission to the Acting Sequence on page 66). Restricted to majors.

TA 248 Acting II: Intermediate Acting
4 credits
Further develops acting technique and theory through exercises, improvisation, and monologue/scene work. Emphasizes contemporary comedic realism, rehearsal procedure, and the actor/director relationship. Restricted to majors.
Prerequisite: TA 247 and instructor consent by application.
Corequisite: TA 210 and 224.

TA 252 Stage Makeup
3 credits
Introduces the principles of makeup for the stage. Class is taught through both lecture and lab to allow students the opportunities to plan, develop, and perfect different aspects of stage makeup techniques.

TA 255 Theatre Practice
1 to 3 credits each term (maximum 9 credits)
Students gain practical experience in acting, stagecraft, lighting, sound, costuming, makeup, business management, promotion, house management, and stage management by participating in scheduled theatre productions.

TA 257 Musical Theatre Dance
3 credits
Further develops dance technique, with emphasis on musical theatre dance routines. Also examines popular and theatrical dance styles of the twentieth century and musical theatre history. Prerequisite: TA 157 or demonstrated ability in dance technique.

TA 262, 263, 264 Costume Design
3 credits each
Introduces theatrical costume design as both a theoretical and practical discipline. Covers major topics in theatrical costuming, including play analysis, director's concept, research, collaboration concerns, character analysis, the elements of design, effective drawing and painting, project assets and limitations, costume paperwork, and an overview of the entire process of costume design. Includes lecture and lab. Students complete three costume rendering projects and several smaller written or oral reports.
Prerequisite: TA 146

TA 266, 267, 268 Costume Construction
3 credits each
Introduces basic principles of flat patterning and draping as means of translating costume designs into actual costumes. Students work in pairs to develop measuring, drafting, and draping skills for a variety of projects, including the basic body block or sloper, sleeve and collar variations, and skirt and trouser construction. Emphasizes accuracy and care. Develops good work habits, proper fitting protocols, and pattern coherence.
Prerequisite: TA 146

TA 270 Acting Aesthetics
4 credits
Offers an introductory explanation of acting theory and methodology through exercise and beginning scene/monologue work. Emphasizes use of the actor’s individual qualities, character analysis, performance techniques, and acting as an aspect of life. Primary focus is on contemporary realism. Priority is assigned to non-performance–oriented theatre majors.

Upper Division Courses

Core 101, 102, 103; TA 144, 146, 166, 167, 168, 245, and 247 or 270 are prerequisites to all upper division classes.

TA 334 Stage Management
3 credits
Explores the concepts and principles of stage management, concentrating on organizational and management skills. Students learn to anticipate potential production problems, determine causes, and develop solutions to help promote the artistic achievement in a production.
Prerequisite: Previous theatre production experience
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 342 Sound Engineering
3 credits
Offers advanced training in the use of sound in theatre. Focuses on recording techniques, editing, acoustics, and live mixing.
Prerequisite: TA 242

TA 343 Scene Painting
4 credits
Explores the theories and practice of scene painting, including color mixing, textures, and various painting techniques. Students must purchase lining brushes.

TA 344 Drafting for Theatre
3 credits
Examines the conventions and techniques of drafting, specifically oriented toward the types of drawings required for stage scenery and properties.

TA 346 Costume Crafts
3 credits
Considers special problems in accessory construction, with projects in armor, millinery, masks, and dyeing. Introduces new techniques for accessory construction.
Prerequisite: TA 146.

TA 348 Acting III: Advanced Acting
4 credits
Covers acting theory and technique for advanced improvisation, scene, and monologue work. Emphasizes detailed character development and relationships. Restricted to majors.
Prerequisite: TA 248 and instructor consent by application.

TA 349 Fashion Through the Centuries
4 credits
Offers a comprehensive survey of Western civilization's garment fashion history from the beginning of recorded time to the present. Discusses social and political trends; technological innovations; and the human spirit's creative impact on fashion, history, and culture.

TA 350 Auditioning I
4 credits
Involves the study and practical development of skills for prepared auditions. Focuses on the research necessary to develop a solid repertoire of monologue material.
Prerequisite: TA 348

TA 351 Auditioning II
4 credits
Continues development of auditioning skills. Explores career development opportunities beyond undergraduate school. Includes study of graduate programs, regional theatres, guilds, unions, major markets, and professional expectations.
Prerequisite: TA 350

TA 354 Fundamentals of Directing
4 credits
Provides an overview of the directing process. Emphasizes play selection, analysis, and preproduction preparation. Explores theories and techniques through text analysis, in-class exercises, and short scenes. Restricted to majors.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Prerequisite: All lower division major requirements
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 355 Intermediate Directing
4 credits
Emphasizes play selection and preproduction preparation as the primary source for choice of ground plan, development of blocking strategies, and communication with the actor. Explores the rehearsal process through direction of a scene or one-act play. Restricted to majors.
Prerequisite: TA 354
Prerequisite: Instructor consent by application

TA 357 Musical Theatre Workshop
3 credits
Combines dance with singing. Students learn complete choreographed musical numbers in a range of styles.
Prerequisite: TA 257
Prerequisite: Vocal training

TA 358 Auditioning for Musical Theatre
4 credits
Develops effective auditioning skills for musical theatre. Includes resumé preparation, how to find out about auditions, selection and presentation of appropriate songs, and audition etiquette. Also addresses dance auditions.

TA 359 Modern Musical Theatre History
4 credits
Offers a comprehensive survey of Western civilization's modern musical theatre history from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. Discusses the social and political trends and technological innovations that affected the development of the musical theatre genre.

TA 360 Creative Dramatics
4 credits
Advanced acting course that explores the craft of acting through improvisational philosophies and techniques. Uses a number of improvisational methods, including those developed by Augusto Boal and Viola Spolin, to create original performance pieces.
Prerequisite: TA 211
Prerequisite: TA 225
Prerequisite: TA 248
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 366, 367 Advanced Costume Construction
4 credits each
Continues the development of skills acquired in Costume Construction. Projects expand in complexity and scope and may include corsetry, tailoring, and period patterning.
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 371 Playwriting
3 credits
Employs a variety of creative exercises to stimulate the creation of a one-act play based on the model of traditional Western dramatic structure.
Prerequisite: TA 167
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 399 Special Studies
Credit to be arranged

TA 400 Capstone Experience
2 credits
Creative project, research, or experience supervised by a faculty advisor that draws upon the knowledge, skills, and interests a student has developed through theatre studies. A written component is generally expected. The capstone project may be developed in the context of an upper division, advanced level course. Senior-year BA or BS candidates only.

TA 401/501 Research
Credit to be arranged

TA 403/503 Thesis
Credit to be arranged
Involves the preparation and presentation of a theatrical production or appropriate theatre project. BFA candidates only.
Prerequisite: Departmental consent

TA 405/505 Reading and Conference
Credit to be arranged

TA 407/507 Seminar
Credit to be arranged (maximum 9 credits)
Involves acting, business management, directing, design, or production experience with an established repertory, regional, stock, or summer theatre. Must be accepted by the company.
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 408/508 Workshop
Credit to be arranged

TA 409/509 Practicum
Credit to be arranged

TA 424 Film Acting
4 credits
An advanced acting class that bridges the gap between stage and film performance techniques. Explores classic and current trends in film acting. Includes exercises and projects in film and camera technique based on traditional, contemporary scene, and monologue work.
Prerequisite: TA 348
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 434/534 Theatre Business Management
3 credits
Covers the principles and methods of budgeting, promotion, box office management, and operations.

TA 436/536 Studies in Shakespeare
4 credits
Offers an intensive study of a limited number of Shakespearean plays within their social, political, and intellectual contexts. Plays are chosen to correlate with Oregon Shakespeare Festival offerings. Repeat credit is allowed for different topics.
Cross-listed with Eng 436/536

TA 439 Oregon Shakespeare Festival Plays in Production
3 credits
Involves discussions, individual projects, and student and lecturer observations. Offers opportunities to observe production techniques at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Purchase of tickets is required. Theatre majors only.

TA 442 Theatre Sound Design
3 credits
Offers an advanced study of theatre sound, with emphasis on providing practical experience in designing sound for various production styles.
Prerequisite: TA 242

TA 443/543 Scene Design Studio
3 credits (maximum 6 credits)
Covers all aspects of scene design, from conceptualization, development, collaboration, and documentation. Students work on theoretical projects and, in some cases, are involved in actual productions. Provides experience in all aspects of scene design and assists students in developing their design portfolios.
Prerequisite: TA 243

TA 444 Theatre Technology
3 credits
Studies stagecraft techniques, including scenic materials, metalwork, plastics, and stage equipment and machinery as they relate to theatre production.
Prerequisite: TA 144

TA 445/545 Lighting Design
3 credits (maximum 6 credits)
Advanced study of the artistic application of stage lighting, with an emphasis on providing maximum laboratory experience in designing lights for various theatrical styles and staging configurations.
Prerequisite: TA 245

TA 448/548 Costume History I
3 credits
Surveys costume and fashion from antiquity through the Elizabethan period. Emphasizes social motivation in the development of dress during key historical periods.

TA 449/549 Costume History II
3 credits
Surveys costume and fashion from the Jacobean period through the modern era. Emphasizes social motivation in the development of dress during key historical periods.

TA 450 Period Styles I
4 credits
Develops an understanding of the performance skills unique to the particular nonrealistic acting styles of Greek tragedy and classical Commedia del l’Arte by exploring the world view of the plays and experimenting with improvisational and structured scene work.
Prerequisite: TA 348

TA 451 Period Styles II
4 credits
Offers an intensive study of the skills required when acting in Shakespeare’s plays. Emphasizes scansion as a tool, verse speaking, text interpretation, exploration of the Elizabethan world of the playwright, and character development through improvisational and structured scenes and monologues.
Prerequisite: TA 450

TA 452 Period Styles III
4 credits
Develops an understanding of performance skills unique to those particular nonrealistic acting styles of the Restoration and Comedy of Manners. Explores the worldviews of the plays. Also experiments with improvisational and structured scene work.
Prerequisite: TA 451

TA 454 Advanced Directing
4 credits (maximum 8 credits)
Involves intensive exploration of the process of developing ideas about the physical staging of a production and communicating with designers regarding scenery, costumes, lighting, properties, makeup, and sound. Students complete a major project involving the selection, casting, rehearsal, and production of a short one-act play or a portion of a full-length play.
Prerequisite: TA 355
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 455 Theatre Practice
1 to 3 credits each term (maximum 12 credits)
Provides advanced practical experience in acting, stagecraft, lighting, sound, costuming, promotion, makeup, business management, house management, and stage management for scheduled theatre productions.

TA 459/559 Forms and Meaning of Drama
4 credits
Offers a critical analysis of the nature, dramatic forms, and characteristics of the theatrical event.
Prerequisite: Junior standing

TA 462, 463 Advanced Costume Design
4 credits each
Continues expanding the skills developed in Costume Design. Students generate a professional portfolio through further investigation of play interpretation, character analysis, research challenges, and intensive drawing and painting.
Prerequisite: Instructor consent

TA 466/566 Drama in Western Culture
4 credits
Explores the development of Western drama and theatre from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Involves intensive study of representative plays. Examines production techniques, theatre architecture, actors and acting styles, and significant political and cultural developments of the times.
Prerequisite: Upper division standing

TA 467/567 Drama in Western Culture
4 credits
Explores the development of Western drama and theatre from the Renaissance to the eighteenth century. Involves intensive study of representative plays. Also examines production techniques, theatre architecture, actors and acting styles, and significant political and cultural developments of the times.
Prerequisite: TA 466

TA 468/568 Drama in Western Culture
4 credits
Explores the development of Western drama and theatre from the eighteenth century to the present. Involves intensive study of representative plays. Examines production techniques, theatre architecture, actors and acting styles, and significant political and cultural developments of the times.
Prerequisite: TA 466, 467

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Dance Courses

See Course Prerequisites Policy

Lower Division Courses

D 192 Dance Lab I
2 credits
Beginning dance technique. Section I: Ballet; Section 2: Jazz. Additional fees may apply.

D 292 Dance Lab II
2 credits
Intermediate-level dance technique. Section 1: Ballet; Section 2: Jazz. Additional fees may apply.
Prerequisite: D 192

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