M.S.S.U.

Course Descriptions

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TH 101, 102, 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 401, 402 (F, S, S) 1 hr. cr. Theatre Performance

The performance of a role, service as a designer or stage manager which has met departmental standards on a major production. A student may accumulate up to 8 hours of credit. Credit is applied for after production closes. Credit applies only to accumulative graduation hours.

TH 110 (F, S, S) 3 hrs. cr. Theatre Appreciation

Introduction to theatre as a communicative and fine art emphasizing collaborative efforts of playwright, artistic director, designer, actor, and crew. Activities include the interpretation and evaluation of plays through scripts, live and taped performances. Satisfies 3 semester hours of Core Curriculum requirement in Area 2A or 2C (Humanities and Fine Arts).

TH 121, 122, 221, 222, 321, 322 (F, S) 2 hrs. cr. Theatre Laboratory

A laboratory devoted to mounting the theatre's season. Meets two hrs. in sequence twice a week.

TH 141 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Improvisational Acting

Development of individual's ability to express motivation, objective, thought, action, and dialogue improvisationally. Daily discussions and improvisational exercises which lead to more believable stage performance.

TH 142 (S, Even or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Theatre Technology

Hardware and tool usage and technical drawing as applied to theatre. The use of electricity, sound and electronics in theatre. Stage rigging.

TH 212 (S, Even) 3 hrs. cr. Oral Interpretation

Principles and techniques for the public presentation of oral reading. Selection, analysis and preparation of different types of literature with emphasis on platform presentation of prose, poetry, drama and Readers Theatre.

TH 231 (F, Odd) 3 hrs. cr. Speech for Stage

Exercises and drills to improve projection, quality, flexibility and effectiveness of the speaking voice leading to good usage in Standard American speech, based on the International Phonetic Alphabet.

TH 232 (F, Odd or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Costume Technology

Basic techniques for construction of stage costumes from designer's sketch. Areas covered are: fabrics, pattern development, cutting, sewing, dyeing and crafts. No previous skills required. Two hours lecture, 2 hrs. lab per week.

TH 233 (F, Odd or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Stage Makeup

Introduction to the design and application of makeup for the stage. Focus is on the application of two dimensional makeup's for both large and small theatre. The uses and sources of a variety of materials will be discussed. Students must provide individual makeup supplies.

TH 234 (S, Odd or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Introduction to Theatrical Design

Theoretical information which is common to all theatrical design courses. Emphasis is on developing creativity, script analysis, techniques of scenography, and collaboration, as well as the application of basic elements and principles of design in relation to the theatre.

TH 235 (F, Even) 3 hrs. cr. Speech for the Stage II

A continuation of stage speech training, emphasizing resonance, range, vocal dynamics, vocal expressiveness, and stage dialects. The course provides training in the most current and most significant voice methods for actors and speakers, and utilizes the International Phonetic Alphabet to develop performance skills in American regional and foreign dialects. Prerequisite Th 231

TH 240 (S, Odd) 3 hrs. cr. Stage Combat and Physical Characterization

Survey of historic and theatrical contexts for several combat forms; basic training in non-violent approaches to hand-to-hand combat, quarter staff, broadsword and rapier. Introductions to character and emotional centers, acting with whole body, and movement and voice for period styles in acting, (selected from Shakespeare, Classical Greek, Social Comedy, and Farce).

TH 241 (S, Even or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Acting I

Development of individual's ability to express thought and emotion through effective use of the voice and body. Character analysis and creation revealed in exercises and scene work.

TH 242 (S, Even) 1 hr. cr. Theatre Movement I

Historical development and implementation of theatrical movement. Exercises and assignments focus on the enhance- ment of nonverbal character interpretation through individual study and in-class application of movement, gestures and postures, including an assimilation of cultural influences, pantomime, masque and improvisation. Two 1 hr. labs per week.

TH 243 (F, Odd) 3 hrs. cr. Musical Theatre

History, production and performance of musical theatre. Academic concentration on scenes from musicals with emphasis on acting, music, and dance techniques needed for musical productions, and focus upon representative musicals from the past fifty years and more specifically on the particular musical selected for production the spring semester of that school year. Course also offered under Mus 243.

TH 251 (F, Even) 1 hr. cr. Audition Techniques for the Actor

Techniques of auditioning and interviewing in the theatre: selecting audition pieces, rehearsing and performing auditions. Instruction in preparing résumés and photographs for professions.

TH 298 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Exploration in Theatre

Concentrated study on a variety of selected theatre topics. Each offering on a different subject. May be repeated, but same topic only once.

TH 311 (F, Even or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Stage Management

Fundamentals of stage management. Organization of call board, rehearsals and performances. Communication procedures between actors, director and designers. Calling the show. Prerequisite: Th 142.

TH 320 (S, Odd or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Stage Lighting

Lighting design approached artistically. The use of lighting for atmosphere, mood and emphasis. Lighting as applied to art, television, theatre and motion pictures. Prerequisites: Th 142 & 234.

TH 331 (F, Odd) 3 hrs. cr. History of Theatre

Theatre from primitive time through the Elizabethan period. Theatre and stage architecture, scene design, acting styles, theatre management and the culture surrounding the theatrical event. Analysis of their relationship to dramatic literature.

TH 332 (S, Even) 3 hrs. cr. History of Theatre

Plays, playwrights and dramatic criticism from the Elizabethan and Jacobean era to contemporary theatre and the evolution of the physical theatre, staging and production practices.

TH 333 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Eastern Theatre Tradition

The study of Eastern thought and culture in the discipline of theatre. All areas of design as well as acting and movement will be discussed.

TH 341 (F, Even or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Acting II

The dynamics of analysis, rehearsal and performance of scenes from contemporary and classic plays. Emphasis on the actor's relationship to the play and to other actors. Prerequisite: Th 241.

TH 351 (F, Even or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Directing I

A comprehensive study of various problems confronting a stage director. Techniques and procedures for play selection, analysis and mounting a production. Scene directing. Prerequisite: Th 241.

TH 361 (F, Even) 3 hrs. cr. History of Costume

Survey of the garments and fabrics worn in Western cultures from Ancient Greece through the 19th Century. Emphasis is on the social and economic reasons which caused styles to change. (Recommended as prerequisite for Stage Costume Design.)

TH 362 (S, Even) 3 hrs. cr. Stage Costume Design

Theory and practical aspects of costume design. Emphasis on non-verbal communication of theme, character and historical period through rendered costume designs. Recommended prerequisite is History of Costume. Prerequisite: Th 234.

TH 372 (S, Odd) 3 hrs. cr. Directing II

Study of the skills and role of a director, casting, production administration and director-actor relationship. Experience and group evaluation in directing one act plays before departmental or public audience. Prerequisite: Th 351.

TH 382 (S, Even or Demand) 3 hrs. Cr. Sound Design

Sound design approached artistically and practically. The use of sound effects and music for atmosphere, mood and emphasis. The research, recording, and playback methods for sound effects and music. Types of setup and the equipment used for sound as applied to theatre and live concerts. Prerequisite Th 142

TH 422 (S, Odd) 3 hrs. cr. Acting III

The study and presentation of selected historic performance styles, with particular attention to physical manners and speech. Emphasis on Shakespearean language an performance, farce and social comedy. Prerequisite: Th 341.

TH 431 (S, Odd) 3 hrs. cr. Creative Dramatics

Methods and techniques of teaching dramatic improvisations for young people through the exploration of various art forms appropriate for dramatic presentation with an emphasis on storytelling.

TH 441 (F, Odd or Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Stage Design

Scene design approached artistically. Focus on nonverbal communication between directors, designers, technicians and audience members. Prerequisites: Th 142 and Th 234.

TH 450 (F, S) 1 - 3 hrs. cr. Advanced Lab Practicum

Advanced practical implementation of techniques learned at beginning and intermediate levels of theatre production in the areas of directing and design. Play production for public performance.

TH 455 (Demand) 1 - 3 hrs. cr. Theatre Internships

Internship in theatre provides selected students on-the-job training and experience. The student is supervised and evaluated by a committee of faculty and by the supervisor at the facility where the student works. May be taken twice.

TH 498 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr. Theatre Studies

Seminar in theatre for advanced students. Topic open. Approval of department head. Prerequisite: Advanced standing in major field with a GPA of 3.0. Enrollment must be approved by adviser, department head and school dean.

TH 499 (F, S) 1 - 3 hrs. cr. Independent Study in Theatre

Structured by the adviser with approval of department head. Prerequisite: Advanced standing in major field with GPA of 3.0. Enrollment must be approved by adviser, department head and school dean.

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