Theatre and Film

Students pursuing a major or minor in Theatre and Film engage in a two- step process of investigating both the act of aesthetic performance and the influence of performance in American and global culture. Because theatre and film synthesize all the arts and humanities, majors and minors will study the art of stage and screen acting, scenic design and stagecraft, directing for the screen and the stage, and the history of dramatic representation from Greece to the silver screen, as well as other courses in the department.

The Department of Theatre and Film offers course work and extracurricular experiences that foster an appreciation for the art and craft of theatre and film, as well as create a challenging, intellectually stimulating, professionally-based, participatory environment that encourages the creative process.

The department requires majors to:

know and identify the broad global history, literature, and function of theatre, including dramatic texts from various periods and cultures.
know and identify the broad global history and function of film, including motion pictures from various periods and cultures.
analyze a script from the viewpoint of a performer, designer/technician, and the director.
utilize basic performance and production skills in theatrical and cinematic productions.
apply critical thinking skills that connect performances, texts, and activities to broader cultural, ethical, and historical contexts.

Students are encouraged to take part in Maskrafter productions, student productions, departmental readings hours and performances, and Alpha Psi Omega (the national theatre honorary), as well as other campus organizations dedicated to visual and performing arts.

All majors require a senior comprehensive experience. Theatre and Film majors complete their comprehensive experience as part of THE450. A grade of C or better in THE450 reflects completion of the comprehensive experience.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Program Contact: Visiting Assistant Professor Carly Preston

Majors and Minors

Classes

THE107 : Theatre Appreciation

Introduction to the history and development of performance.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE171 : Topics

This course will introduce students to the study of script analysis and how it relates to the creation of live theatrical events and filmed adaptations while exploring a specific topic in one or more of the fields of performance production. The course is open to all students and may be counted toward the Theatre major or minor. This course may be repeated.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Spring

THE220 : Performance of Literature

Basic principles of performance, with attention to analysis as preparation for individual and group performance of literature.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Fall

THE225 : Acting

Concentration on the creation of dramatic characters through the development of the performer’s awareness of the physiological, psychological, and mental components inherent in performance as learned through experiential activities.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE227 : Theatre Production

Introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of theatre production: theatre styles, set construction, painting, sound, lighting, costuming, makeup, and theatre management.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE229 : Film Production

The class introduces theoretical and practical aspects of film production: film styles, script analysis, design (sets, costumes, props, etc.), basic color theory, composition, lighting, sound, and picture editing. The course carries a special emphasis on film production. Over the course of the class students will design and plan a spec one-act play, as well as produce a short film. By the end of this course, students will have a greater appreciation and understanding of film as a visual storytelling medium.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

THE266 : Practicum in Theatre

Practical experience in theatre production and performance. Serves as laboratory for the development of production skills and performance experience. No student may present more than two hours of practica credit for a major; one for a minor.

Credit Hour(s)

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE267 : Practicum in Theatre

Credit Hour(s)

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE268 : Production Practicum in Theatre

Implementation of performance/production position. A student may enroll for credit in conjunction with an assigned role in a department production. No student may present more than two hours of practica credit for a major; one for a minor.

Credit Hour(s)

Prerequisites

Permission of director or technical director and department chair.

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE320 : Advanced Performance Studies

Concentration on contemporary performance theory and practice in three different genres of solo performance.

Credit Hour(s)

Prerequisites

THE220, 225, or consent of instructor.

THE325 : Advanced Acting

Students will study further development of physical and emotional instruments; development of improvisational and dramatic scenes.

Credit Hour(s)

Prerequisites

THE225.

Semester Offered

Spring

THE327 : Directing

Basic play interpretation; casting-rehearsal procedures, director-actor relationship in analysis and creation procedures; creation of character, and the major tasks of the director. Each student will select, cast, rehearse, and present for class analysis several short dramatic scenes.

Credit Hour(s)

Prerequisites

THE225.

Semester Offered

Fall (even)

THE330 : Screenwriting

This course introduces students to the process of screenwriting, paying particular attention to the structure of traditional, Hollywood narrative by focusing on plot development, characterization, description, and dialogue.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Fall

THE335 : Acting For The Camera

This course is designed to introduce students to the different demands made on the actor when performing on camera.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Spring

THE347 : History of Film

Study of the history of film as a medium of communication, culture, and art through survey of significant films in the history of its development as well as its relationship to theatre and other arts.

Credit Hour(s)

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Spring (even)

THE366 : Advanced Theatre Practicum-Performance

Implementation of a performance position. A student may enroll for credit in conjunction with an assigned role in a department production. No student may present more than six hours of practica credit for a major; three for a minor.

Credit Hour(s)

1 - 3

Prerequisites

Permission of show director and department chair.

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE367 : Advanced Theatre Practicum-Production

Implementation of a theatre production position. A student may enroll for credit in conjunction with an assigned production position in a department production. No student may present more than six hours of practica credit for a major; three for a minor.

Credit Hour(s)

1 - 3

Prerequisites

Permission of technical director and department chair.

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE368 : Advanced Filmmaking Practicum

Implementation of a filmmaking position. A student may enroll for credit in conjunction with an assigned position in a department film production. No student may present more than six hours of practica credit for a major; three for a minor.

Credit Hour(s)

1 - 3

Prerequisites

Permission of director and department chair.

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE407 : Creative Dramatics and Children’s Theatre

Introduction to and overview of the theory and use of creative dramatics and children’s theatre activities in education.

Credit Hour(s)

2 - 3

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Fall

Spring

THE420 : Group Performance

Study of and experience in group performance of literature, including readers theatre and chamber theatre through adaptation of scripts, direction of, and participation in productions for public performance.

Credit Hour(s)

Prerequisites

THE220, 225, or by permission of the instructor.

THE422 : Independent Filmmaking

This course introduces students to the process of conceptualizing and producing independent digital cinema. Students will study and participate in all pre-production, production, and post-production elements of digital motion pictures.

Credit Hour(s)

Semester Offered

Spring

THE425 : Theatre History

Study of elements of theatre from Ancient Greece to the present, with an emphasis on dramatic literature.

Credit Hour(s)

Prerequisites

Sophomore or above or permission of instructor.

Area of Inquiry

Fine Arts: THE

Semester Offered

Spring (odd)

THE428 : Production Design

Techniques of production design; research, creative design, and development of set design ground plans, lighting plots, and costume renderings.

Credit Hour(s)

Prerequisites

THE227.

Semester Offered

Spring (even)

THE440 : Independent Study

With the approval and permission of a member of the Theatre and Film faculty and the chair of the Theatre and Film department, students may engage in reading, research, and performance on or in an area of their own choosing.