THDN 120A Art of the Theatre
4 Semester Hours
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 a mainstage production, and one final exam are required.
THDN 200A Topics: Teaching Children’s Dance
4 Semester Hours
Heston, Melissa
Prerequisite: None
Teaching Children’s Dance is a general dance pedagogy course on class and workshop planning, implementing, and evaluating dance in an educational setting (K-12), community center or studio. This course will focus on planning appropriate and developmentally sounds classes, teaching national and state standards in the classroom, and utilizing local and national resources for support of teaching artists.
THDN 211A Dance Composition
4 Semester Hours
Chang, Shih-Ming Li
Prerequisite: None
The dance composition course focuses on the development and presentation of choreography. Improvisation, authentic movement study, journal writing, class discussion, and composition exercises will be incorporated throughout the semester. The course will cover introduction to movement vocabulary, the language of dance, creating movement phrases, and the crafting of choreography. All students are expected to explore new movement ideas physically in each class. Assessment will be based on class participation, completion of assignments, and a final project.
THDN 226A-1W Improvisation
4 Semester Hours
Georges, Corwin
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces students to theatre improvisation, its principles, techniques, uses, and history. Upon completion of the course the students will:
This course is structured primarily as a workshop; however, some sessions are discussion-centered and deal either with the subject or with students’ writing. Students are required to participate daily in class. They are required to complete various writing assignments including: lab reports, essays, reviews of literature, and a written final examination. Evaluation is based on written assignments, three exams, and demonstrated proficiency in improvisation as a performer. Text: Viola Spolin’s Improvisation for the Theater. Writing Intensive.
THDN 230A Stagecraft
4 Semester Hours
Humphries, Jimmy
Prerequisite: None
This course is an introduction to the basic elements of theatre production. Primarily a laboratory experience, students will also examine the historical development of technical conventions for the stage through lectures. The class will focus on the safe application of modern stage technology through hands-on participation. Two projects, a mid-term test, and a final comprehensive exam are required.
THDN 250A Child Drama
4 Semester Hours
Klaben, Marilyn
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces students to drama activities with and for children. It is designed for students who wish to work with children in drama settings such as camps, recreation centers, or theatres, and for students who wish to use drama as a teaching tool in a classroom.
Upon completion of the course the student will:
This course will have lecture, discussion, and laboratory sessions. Laboratory sessions will include participating in drama activities with fellow students and conducting drama workshops with school children. Students will be required to complete weekly exercises/projects based upon the text and a culminating project that will consist of developing: a) an exemplary subject or theme-based drama workshop session; or b) an exemplary lesson using drama as a teaching tool. Students will lead laboratory sessions and write critiques of these sessions. Assessment will be based on the portfolio of work the student creates throughout the term, the culminating project, and his or her demonstrated skill as a workshop leader.
Texts: The Dramatic Difference-Drama in the Preschool and Kindergarten Classroom by Victoria Brown and Sarah Pleydell; Dramatic Literacy-Using Drama and Literature to Teach Middle-Level Content by J. Lea Smith and J. Daniel Herring
THDN 322 Advanced Acting
4 Semester Hours
Reynolds, Steve
Prerequisite: THDN 222A
We will continue to do scene work, character notebooks, and a final monologue. Additional work will include further text analysis and in-depth character study of period plays. Acting II students will be asked to re-examine their own strengths and weaknesses as they continue to develop their acting craft.
THDN 401 Topics: Senior Seminar
2 Semester Hours
Reynolds, Steve
Prerequisite: Senior Class Standing
This course is for senior Theatre majors only. We will look at major plays and playwrights and prepare for Senior Swan Song.
