DESCRIPTION OF COURSES

241. Acting (3). Focuses upon the actor’s approach to developing a role through points of training including improvisation, character and scene study, and analysis.                     (Fall, Spring, May.)   
242. Introduction to the Theatre (3). The appreciation of theatre as an expressive art form and as a business. A general survey of acting, directing, designing, playwriting, and audience participation. (Fall, Spring, May, Summer I.)    
243 Play Analysis for Designers and Technicians (3). Study of plays to develop artistic and technical solutions for production.
250, 350, 450. Student’s Theatre (1) (1) (1). Active participation in the department’s plays in the areas of scenery construction, painting, lighting, costumes, and make-up. Three laboratory hours per week . (Fall, Spring, May, Summer I.)
255, 355, 455. Music Theatre Dance (1) (1) (1). Dance for musical theatre: a practical application of dance and movement in performance. Choreography includes works from such composers as Gershwin, Bernstein, Sondheim, and Webber.
260. Summer Theatre Workshop (3). An intensive course in which students work on all phases of theatre production from building scenery to performing in a major play which will be produced for the public during the last week of the course.  (May, Summer I.)  
270. Computer Graphics for the Theatre I (3). Prerequisite: CS 201. Training in the use of CAD software with emphasis on specific applications of CAD to Theatre Design and Production. (Fall.)        
281, 381, 481. Dramatic Laboratory (1) (1) (1). Experiments in the basics of acting. Limit 1 hour credit per semester.     (Each semester.)
284. Stage Crafts (3). Introduction to physical theatres, scenery construction and painting, properties, lighting, and sound.  (Fall and Summer I.)
290. Speech for the Performing Arts (3). A course designed to improve diction, pronunciation, accent, reading, and intonation. (Fall.)
342. Directing (3). Prerequisites: DR 241 and permission of instructor. Fundamental principles
of theatrical directing. (Spring.)    
343. Auditioning and Portfolio (3). Exercises in preparing actors, directors, designers, technical directors, and stage managers for auditions and portfolio review. (Fall.)  
344. Careers in Performance (3) An advanced acting course concentration on the performance and business aspects of acting professionally.
351. Playwriting (3). Prerequisites: DR 242 and permission of instructor. Exercise in dramaturgical technique and the completion of a stage-worthy script by each student. (Offered in alternate years, Spring.)     
354. Movement for the Stage (3). The examination and application of the theories of stage movement and the metakinetic process. Emphasis placed on the imaginative and artistic use of the whole body in the development of acting roles, including stage combat. (Spring.)   
361, 362. Theatre History (3) (3). Conditions under which the great plays of the world have been produced. Audience, actors, patrons, physical conditions, architecture, and the relation to the other arts. 1st semester: Antiquity to 1600. 2nd semester:1600 to present. (Fall and Spring.)   
370. Computer Graphics for the Theatre II (3). Prerequisite: DR 270. Training in the use of 3D Graphics and paint programs with emphasis on Scenic Design and Costume Design. (Spring.)       
371, 372. Theatrical Design I & II (3) (3). Principles and problems of staging in arena, thrust, proscenium, and flexible theatres. Designs for settings of plays in models and perspective rendering. (Fall.)      
375 Stage Management (3) A practical study of stage management duties, responsibilities, procedures, and organization during auditions, rehearsals, production meeting, and performances.
377, 378. Costume Design I & II (3) (3). Exploration of basic design elements and fabrics and their culmination into stage costume: period, character, and stylized. (Offered in alternate years, Spring.)
383 Puppetry (3) Scope and development of puppetry throughout the world. Practical experience in and performing puppets.
385 Stage Carpentry (3) A practical carpentry course that explores specialized woodworking and finishing techniques for the stage including scenery, furniture, tools, and materials.
386. Stage Lighting (3). Principles and problems of lighting for mood and effect in play production. (Fall.)
387. Stage Make-up. (3). Creation of straight, character, middle-age, old-age, beards, rubber prosthesis, and stylized make-up to aid the actor. (Fall, Spring, Summer I.)  
388. Stage Costume History (3). History of costume as to styles, period fabrics, construction, and movement for theatrical performance. (Offered in alternate years, Spring.)     
389. Sound Design and Production (3). Introduction to the principles of sound and the equipment used in sound production with an emphasis on digital audio, computer based editing, and Midi.      
391. Scene Painting (3). Techniques of scene painting to include drop painting, perspective illusion, lighting consideration, budget, and equipment. (Spring.)  
392 Scene Painting II (3). Advanced techniques of scene painting, molding, frescos, glazes, glosses, foliage, metals, and skies. (Spring)
398. Costume Techniques (3). Basics of construction of stage costumes; alteration and repair of existing costumes, and the implementation of professional costume shop practices. (Fall and Spring.)    
399. Study Tour (3). Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by department. May be duplicated for credit; however, only (3) credits may be applied toward any major or minor. Infrequently scheduled and subject to minimum and maximum numbers.                                         
441. Acting II (3). Prerequisites: DR 241 and DR 290. Advanced acting scenes and problems of various periods. (Spring.)
445 Child Drama (3) Instruction in the supervision of preschool through elementary grade children in the spontaneous expression of ideas and characters through the theatrical form. Emphasis on the contribution of informal drama to the total development of the child.
451,452,453. Design-Technical Practicum (1)(1)(1) Major Production assignments in the department's plays in the areas of scenery, management, painting, lighting, sound, costumes, and makeup arranged with drama faculty.
463. Dramatic Theory (3). An investigation into the major theories of drama from Aristotle to the present. Extensive reading of play scripts as well as analytical works. (Fall.)
465 Musical Theatre (3) A historical study of musical theatre in America from 1735 to the present. Emphasis is on theme, composers, performers, producers, and choreographers.
475. Special Problems in Drama (3). Prerequisite: Successful completion of 30 hours of drama or by advisement. Individually designed and supervised research projects or production assignments. (Each semester.) 
482,483,484. Performance Practicum (1)(1)(1) Major performances in the department's plays in the areas of acting, directing, and playwriting.
486. Stage Lighting II (3). Prerequisite: DR 386. Advanced lighting techniques and design problems in theatre, film, and television. . (Spring.)  
487. Stage Makeup II (3). Prerequisite: DR 387. Advanced makeup techniques for theatre, film, and television. Creation of false teeth and prosthetics for three dimensional, old-age, and specialty makeup. (May.)   
490. Senior Practicum (1). Prerequisites: Senior standing, 36 hours in drama, and instructor’s permission. Directed practicum in one of these areas: acting, directing, design, management, technology, or theatre education. (Each semester.)
498 Costume Techniques II (3) A continuation of DR 398. Methods of transforming a costume into a stage costume. Projects in period draping, construction, corseting, and trimming.