Theatre

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Theatre courses are open to all students, regardless of major, provided they satisfy prerequisites and requirements. Theatre productions are also open to the entire student body. The Department prepares theatre majors for graduate study, a theatre career and careers in other fields that benefit from the creative, oral communication and managerial skills developed by the discipline. Department productions are an integral part of the instructional program, enhance student aesthetic abilities and enrich the College community and general public.

Theatre Major

Consists of 32 credits, including the following required courses:

  • THE 115 Introduction to Theatre
  • MUS 130 Applied Voice or MUS 133 Class Voice
    (see Music Department course listings)
  • PHE 150 Jazz Dance or PHE 150 Rhythmic Skills or PHE 150 Ballet
    (see Physical Education Department course listings)
  • THE 215 Fundamentals of Acting
  • THE 240 Stagecraft
  • THE 315 Principles of Directing
  • THE 450 Senior Project
  • Choose two courses from:
    • THE 320 Theatre History I
    • THE 321 Theatre History II
    • THE 322 Theatre History III
    • THE 350.01 Seminar: World Dramatic Literature
  • Three practicums selected from:
    • THE 302
    • THE 303
    • THE 304
    • THE 305
    • THE 306
    • THE 307

Participation in main stage productions is expected. Special emphases in acting/directing, design/technology, music theatre or theatre management are available.

Theatre Minor

Consists of 21 credits, to include:

  • THE 115
  • THE 215
  • THE 240
  • THE 315
  • One practicum selected from:
    • THE 302
    • THE 303
    • THE 304
    • THE 305
    • THE 306
    • THE 307

Participation in main stage productions is recommended.

Theatre (THE)

LOWER DIVISION
THE-101 Theatre Ensemble 1.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Not offered 2002-2003. Guided participation in technical crews or the acting company of Department main stage or student stage productions. May be repeated.

THE-115 Introduction to Theatre 3.0 cr.

Appreciation of the live theatre event through a survey of its dominant philosophy, principles and practice. Supplemented by historical perspectives, reading representative plays and access to the production experience. (FINE ARTS THEORY)

THE-215 Fundamentals of Acting 3.0 cr.

Fall. Basic principles and technique in voice, movement and approach to the role. Involves simple improvisation and scene work.

THE-216 Voice & Diction 3.0 cr.

Winter. Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 215 or permission. Exploration into the mechanics, articulation and vocal techniques vital to stage performers and other public speaking related fields. Uses text and exercises to free the voice, develop effective breathing, flexibility of vocal production and projection. Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and study of dialects will also be explored.

THE-239 Stage Management 3.0 cr.

Prereq.: THE 240. An exploration of the process and principles of stage management. This course will teach students the tools used to confidently oversee the rehearsal and performance procedures of a stage production. Students will gain experience in organizing a prompt book, running a rehearsal, supervising crew chiefs and successfully calling a performance. Students will also be required to create a stage manager's kit.

THE-240 Stagecraft 3.0 cr.

Fall. Study of principles, techniques and materials involved in scenery construction and stage lighting. Lab linked to production.

THE-270 Theatre & Arts Management 3.0 cr.

Alt. years. Company structure, financing, marketing, promotion, box office and house management associated with theatre and the performing arts. Lab (as appropriate) linked to production.

UPPER DIVISION
THE-302 Applied Theatre: Lighting 1.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: THE 240 or permission. By contract. Stage lighting practicum in a creative leadership capacity linked to production. Practical application of acquired knowledge. A written report of the process is required.

THE-303 Applied Theatre: Costuming 1.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: THE 115 or permission. By contract. Stage costuming practicum in a creative leadership capacity linked to production. Practical application of acquired knowledge plus a written report of the process.

THE-304 Applied Theatre: Management 1.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: THE 270 or permission. By contract. Theatre management practicum in connection with a main stage production. It focuses on the practical application of acquired knowledge and requires a written report of the production management process.

THE-305.1 Applied Theatre: Acting 1.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: THE 215 or permission. By contract. Acting practicum linked to a main stage or senior project production. Practical application of acquired knowledge plus a written report of the process.

THE-306 Applied Theatre: Scenery 1.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: THE 240 or permission. By contract. Scenery practicum in a creative leadership capacity linked to production. Practical application of acquired knowledge plus a written report of the process.

THE-307 Applied Theatre: Directing 1.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: THE 315 or permission. By contract. Directing practicum in a creative leadership capacity linked to production. Practical application of acquired knowledge plus a written report of the process.

THE-315 Principles of Directing 3.0 cr.

Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 215 or permission. Theory and practice in staging a play, including performance analysis, composition, picturization, movement, pantomime dramatization, tempo and pace, rehearsal techniques and problem solving.

THE-316 Period Styles Movement 3.0 cr.

Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 215 or permission. An exploration in acting, emphasizing the importance of character in plays belonging to a period style including Shakespeare, Restoration Comedy and others such as Ancient Greek, Moliere and Coward. Students will gain knowledge and technique through combining scene work with period dance. Use of props and elements of costume may also be incorporated.

THE-320 Theatre History I 3.0 cr.

Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 115 recommended. A survey of world theatre history from 5000 B.C. to Medieval (1400), including the reading of representative plays. (FINE ARTS THEORY)

THE-321 Theatre History II 3.0 cr.

Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 115 recommended. A survey of world theatre history from 1400 A.D. to mid-1800, including the reading of representative plays. (FINE ARTS THEORY)

THE-322 Theatre History III 3.0 cr.

Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 115 recommended. a survey of world theatre history from 1870 (Beginning of Realism) to the present, including the reading of representative plays. (FINE ARTS THEORY)

THE-340 Scenery & Lighting Design 3.0 cr.

Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 240 or permission. Principles and techniques for creating the stage environment through scenery and lighting. Includes theoretical concepts, presentation of the design idea and design technology culminating in the creation of a concrete design.

THE-350.01 Seminar: World Dramatic Literature 3.0 cr.

Spring. Alt. years. (Same as ENG 350.01). A study of selected plays of significant periods and movements of world drama from Greek tragedies to Japanese Noh to Theatre of the Absurd. This course does not fulfill the general graduation requirement in literature. (FINE ARTS THEORY)

 

THE 355 Acting Shakespeare 3.0 cr.

Alt. years. Prereq,: THE 215. This course focuses on the challenges of bringing the plays of William Shakespeare to life on stage. Students will incorporate various techniques to comprehend and communicate the works of Shakespeare. These include: defining of words, acting approaches derived from the written structure of the verse; study of the First Folio; and vocal/emotional connection to the text. (FINE ARTS THEORY)

THE-390 Creative Drama 3.0 cr.

Prereq.: THE 215. An introduction to the principles and practice of a game-based, improvisational approach to theatre. Focus on improvisational games and open scenes to explore acting/storytelling without scripted materials as well as examination of other problems in performance.

THE-391 Stage Combat 3.0 cr.

Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 215 or permission. Theory and technique for use in armed and unarmed stage combat. This course will allow students to polish their skills in illusionary stage violence while promoting safety and strong technical skills. Students will learn falls, rolls, hand to hand, rapier, and broadsword fighting techniques. Extra fee for weapon rental.

THE-407 Advanced Directing 3.0 cr.

Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 315. A more indepth examination of the art of stage direction using advanced methods, live performance study, advanced theory and culminating in each student directing a one-act play for public performance.

THE-430 Scenic Painting 3.0 cr.

Winter. Alt. years. Prereq.: THE 240. An introduction to theatrical scene painting techniques and execution. This course will explore painting equipment and supplies, priming and preparation of surfaces and materials, standard techniques and use of texture for ornamental effects. Extra fee.

THE-450 Senior Project 3.0 cr.

Prereq.: permission. An advanced individual integration of knowledge and experience in theatre performance, design and technology or management. Supervised by faculty who serve as a jury for demonstration of skills in the area addressed. A senior project proposal must be submitted in the junior year to be considered for inclusion in the senior year. (INDEPENDENT WORK)

THE-494 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. Advanced problems in theatre not covered in courses normally available. See independent study guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)

THE-497 Internship 1.0 to 3.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. Individually arranged and supervised internship with a sponsor such as The Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Designed to provide practical experience in the student's area of interest. Periodic reports and papers may be required. See internship guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)