THTR

This course begins with a deeper exploration of the theories within the Stanislavsky system of acting, focusing on psychological, emotional, physical, and intellectual processes that aid the actor when entering the world of the realistic play. The course then moves to physical approaches to character based in clown traditions as a bridge toward absurdism. Over the semester students explore both physical and emotional approaches to developing characters and apply them to a range of dramatic styles in both lab and class work.

Student participation in acting, scenery construction, lighting, costuming, and properties for a departmental production.

Through the lens of tradition and innovation, students explore the dramaturgy of contemporary world theatre from the 1960s to the present with an emphasis on plays from North America and the United Kingdom. Students in this and all contemporary world theatre courses engage with and collaborate in a set of informed, imaginative explorations of plays with a particular emphasis on dramatic action.

This course introduces students to materials and methods used in the execution of designs for the stage. Projects provide hands-on experience with shop equipment for construction of two- and three- dimensional scenery, theatrical drafting, color mixing, scenic painting, and in the business of planning, scheduling, and organizing crews and the scenery shop for production. Reading assignments introduce major reference books in technical theatre and students begin the study of the history of scenery and technical practice.

Through dramaturgical analysis, studies of artist biography, and creative projects, students explore how, why, when, and where people have made theatre from the mid-seventeenth century to the contemporary moment. Encompassing Western and Non-Western traditions, the class emphasizes the discontinuities produced by European modernism. Coursework includes scene reconstruction performances, research projects, oral presentations, exams, and an exploration of the student's personal vision for theatre in the contemporary world.

Incorporating a discussion of theories on the origins of theatre, this course explores the development of Western and non-Western dramaturgical techniques from the earliest records of performance through the Spanish Golden Age in Europe. Students examine the intersection of cultural history, theatrical practice, and dramatic literature by focusing on cultural context, the theatrical space, and performance conventions. Coursework includes scene reconstruction performances, research projects, oral presentations, and exams.

The course introduces students to the art and craft of screenwriting and playwriting by combining seminar and workshop formats in which members write, present, and revise monologues, dialogues, and sketches. Students work toward a final portfolio of revisions of this material, as well as the completion and submission of a 10-minute stage or screenplay to a competition or festival.

Through the lens of tradition and innovation, students explore the dramaturgy of contemporary theatre from the Americas, north and south, including plays that speak to Latina/o experience. Students in this and all contemporary world theatre courses engage with and collaborate in a set of informed, imaginative explorations of plays with a particular emphasis on dramatic action.

Through the lens of tradition and innovation, students explore the dramaturgy of Asian theatres from classic forms (e.g. - Noh drama) to contemporary plays by Asian American/Canadian authors. Students in this and all contemporary world theatre courses engage with and collaborate in a set of informed, imaginative explorations of plays with a particular emphasis on dramatic action.

In this introductory course, students collaborate in the rehearsal and performance of scenes from contemporary plays. They engage mind, body, and voice in the fundamentals of acting: behaving truthfully in imaginary circumstances. In doing so, students develop greater confidence and awareness of the body and the voice as flexible instruments of communication. They acquire skills in relaxation, concentration, creativity, script analysis, and action execution, along with an introductory understanding of the Stanislavsky system of acting.