DEPARTMENT OF THEATER AND DANCE
                                                                                                                          

THDN  112A  Dance in Popular Culture
4 credits
Pinheiro, Ligia

Prerequisite: None
What do A Chorus Line, Fred Astaire, a Madonna video, and many television commercials have in common? All of them make use of American show dance. This class attempts to sharpen your interpretive, descriptive, and evaluative skills as you watch tap, jazz, ballroom, MTV, and musical theatre dance. Assessment is based on tests and writing assignments.

 

THDN 120A 01 Art of the Theatre
4 credits
Reynolds, Steve

Prerequisite: None
An overview of the development of the Theatre, this course is designed to introduce students to dramatic literature and Theatre practice. This survey will explore the role of Theatre in Western culture within a historical context. The lecture/discussion format is designed to provide insights needed to understand and value Theatre as part of our culture. During the term there will be three exams, two theatre reviews, a field trip, and a final project assigned. We will also read plays and see all Wittenberg Theatre productions.

 

THDN 120A 02 and 03 Art of the Theatre
4 credits
Humphries, Jimmy

Prerequisite: None
An overview of the development of the Theatre, this course is designed to introduce students to dramatic literature and Theatre practice. This survey will explore the role of Theatre in Western culture within a historical context. The lecture/discussion format is designed to provide insights needed to understand and value Theatre as part of our culture. During the term the students will read four plays. Four projects, four tests, one critical essay, attendance at mainstage productions, and one final exam are required.

 

THDN 210C Dance Ethnology
4 credits
Chang, Shih-Ming Li

Prerequisite: None
The purpose of this course is to provide knowledge and understanding of different cultures around the world by comparing and analyzing the differences of their dances. Through the understanding of the basic elements of time, space, and movement quality, the course will help students develop the ability to analyze different styles, forms, and functions of the dances of different countries and cultures. The course format includes video viewing, lecture/discussion, research, and learning some folk dances. Grading is based upon participation, assignments, a midterm, a final exam, and a presentation.

 

THDN 222A Acting I
4 credits
Steve Reynolds

Prerequisite: None
This course assumes no previous experience with the craft of acting. Acting I introduces the student to acting fundamentals through exercises, scene work, improvisations, character analysis, and a final monologue.

 

THDN  232 1.2 Scene Design
2 credits
Humphries, Jimmy

Prerequisite: THDN 230 Stagecraft or by permission of the instructor.
This course will develop the student’s ability to communicate ideas in a visual medium through the use of images and metaphors. Students taking this course will learn to articulate these ideas by means of sketches, renderings, and scale models. Three design projects will be used to examine current scenic design practices used in theatre production. A final project will include the design of a property plot. Second half of the semester.

 

THDN 233 1.1 Lighting and Sound Design
2 credits
Humphries, Jimmy

Prerequisite: THDN 230 Stagecraft or by permission of the instructor.
This course will cover the techniques of designing lighting and sound for a variety of stage applications. This course is designed not only to acquaint the student with the fundamentals of instrumentation, color, and current design theory, but also to allow the student practical hands-on experience of cueing and focusing. First half of the semester.

 

THDN 270A Contemporary Drama
4 credits
Reynolds, Steve

Prerequisite: None
This course will investigate the new dramatic literature produced by American theatres. We will look at over 20 plays from the current repertoire including work by August Wilson, Suzan Lori Parks, Tony Kushner, and others. Literary quality, production demands, and how the play reflects our contemporary value systems will be analyzed. A journal, mid-term, final, paper, and a playwright presentation are required.

 

THDN 300 Directing I
4 credits
Georges, Corwin

Prerequisite: THDN 222 and THDN 230
This course studies the art of play production for proscenium, thrust, and central stages. Basic fundamentals such as script analysis, composition, picturization, movement, and rhythm are considered. Production procedures related to auditions, casting, and rehearsals are studied. Special emphasis is placed on studying techniques and methods of working with the actor. The class has lecture/discussion and laboratory sessions. Each student is provided the opportunity to direct a one-act play during the semester. Evaluation is based on the student’s directorial work, examinations, and other assignments.

 

THDN 400 Senior Seminar I
2 credits
Reynolds, Steve

Prerequisite: For Theatre majors only
We will concentrate on career development. Each senior will create a portfolio consisting of projects in design, acting, criticism, or directing based on his or her interests. In addition, we will explore major styles and playwrights that have not yet been covered in other courses.