Undergraduate Curriculum
A Bright Room Called Day, 2006-2007
THEATER:
Academic Representative: Prof. Catherine Albers
Eldred Hall 216-368-5927
catherine.albers@case.edu
DANCE:
Academic Representative: Prof. Karen Potter
Mather Dance Center 216-368-1491
klp13@case.edu
For information on the Dance division, including courses and requirements, please see their website at http://dance.cwru.edu/.
COURSES REQUIRED BY CONCENTRATION
ALL THEATER MAJORS (12 hrs.)
THTR 101, 102, 201, DANC 103.
At least 4 but not more than 8 hours of THTR 385/386 and 6 hours of English above the 300 level.
The department strongly recommends ENG 324 and 325.
Students must take at least 24 but no more than 42 semester hours in theater courses above the 100 level. Total theater hours (including 100 level courses) should not exceed 60.
GENERAL THEATER: (27 hrs.)
THTR 223, 224, 228, 229, 231 or 232, 329, 330, 375, 312 or 327
Total hours, not including THTR 385/386 - 45
ACTING: (31 hrs.)
THTR 228, 229, 231, 232, 306, 311 (1 hr.), 330, 375, 376, 223 or 224 or 352, 327 or 329.
Total hours, not including THTR 385/386 - 49
DIRECTING: (30 hrs.)
ARTH 271, MUSC 221, THTR 223, 224, 228, 229, 327 or 329, 330, 331, 380
Total hours, not including THTR 385/386 - 48
DESIGN/TECH: (30 hrs.)
THTR 105, 223, 224, 228, 229, 330, 352, 380, 327 or 329, 424 or 440
Total hours, not including THTR 385/386 - 48
DRAMATIC WRITING: (30 hrs.)
THTR 223, 228, 229, 312, 314, 316, 327, 329, 330, 399
Total hours, not including THTR 385/386 - 48
All majors are encouraged to apply for Honors Studies, THTR 397 and 398, in their final year.
This adds 6 hours to the total.
THEATER AND SOCIETY: (36-37 hrs.)
THTR 228, 229, 235 or 370, 312, 327 or 329, 330, 352 or 223
Choice of 3 classes from a least two different departments from
the following list, in addition to those chosen as core requirements:
9-10 Hours
Four hours of Modern Languages; ANTH 212, 306, 314, 334, 345, 365; ARTH 271; COSI 260, 332; ENTP 311; PSCL 300, 315; POSC 306, 327; SOCI 222, 372; WLIT 285, 300; WMST 326
Look Back in Anger, 2005-2006
MINOR (for the B.A.)
Concentration for the Minor:
Hours: 18
General Theater: THTR 101, DANC 103, THTR 223, 224 or 352, and 228, 229, or 327.
Acting: THTR: 101, 102, 231, 228, 229, and 375.
Design/Tech: THTR: 105, 228, 229, 327, and two of the following: 223, 224, or 352.
Dramatic Writing: THTR: 101, 228, 229, 312, 316, 331
Humanities
Sequence (for the B.S. based Engineering Core)
Hours: 9
Note: All sequences must include THTR 123 or 124 and TWO additional
courses selected in consultation with advisor.
Sample programs:
1. Acting: THTR 123 or 124, 101, 102.
2. Stagecraft: THTR 123 or 124, 105, and 223 or 224.
3. Costume Crafts and History: THTR 123 or 124, 352, and one
of the following: 228, 229 or 327.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES IN THEATER
The following are course listings offered for undergraduate students in the Department of Theater Arts.
100-Level Courses
THTR 100. Intro to Performance (3). A course designed to provide the non-major or undeclared liberal arts major limited experience with a basic understanding of performance and the theater. Fundamentals in improvisation, vocabulary, and scene study are stressed. This course fulfills THTR 101 should the undeclared student select theater as his or her major or minor. Fall/Spring
THTR 101. Acting I: Fundamentals of Acting (3). This course is designed to expose the theater major or minor to the development of the actorís basic tools. Relaxation, concentration, and improvisation are taught along with basic scene study work. Fall.
THTR 102. Acting II: Exploration of Craft (3). This course continues the work begun in THTR 101 with emphasis on action, emotional life, and text analysis as the essential elements of the actorís work. Spring.
THTR 105. Introduction to Stagecraft (3). Introduction to the physical stage as well as basic tools and techniques used in the production of scenery for the modern stage. Fall/Spring.
THTR 123. Theater in Culture: From Shaman to Steam Engine (3). An introductory exploration of theater forms and practice from their origins in ritual to the scripts and staging of 19th century Europe. In addition to material presented in lecture/discussion format, the class will attend local university and professional theater productions.
THTR 124. Theater in Culture: From Steam Engine to Cyberspace (3). Using selected dramatic texts from the 19th century to the present day, the course explores the roles of production participants and audiences in their historical, cultural, and contemporary contexts. Material is presented in lecture/discussion format, augmented by live theater performances and audiovisual resources.
200-Level Courses
THTR 201. Movement for the Actor I (3). The course focuses on developing a kinesthetic awareness of the body and its use as a theatrically expressive instrument. Exercises will encompass development of flexibility, strength building, alignment, motor skills, and concentration. Fall.
THTR 223. Scene Design (3). Exploration of scenic design for the theater. Study of both the process and the implementation of a design from a script to the stage. No prerequisites. Fall.
THTR 224. Stage Lighting (3). Exploration of lighting design in the theater. Ground-up approach to technical and conceptual design of lighting for a play. No prerequisites. Spring.
THTR 228. Theater History (3). A review and critical study of the classical theaters of Ancient Greece, Asia, Medieval Europe, Elizabethan and Jacobean England and the Central European Renaissance. Readings are coordinated with specific Eldred Theater seasonal productions. Fall.
THTR 229. Theater History (3). Modern periods in Western theater history, from the seventeenth century to the turn of the twenty-first century. The course investigates materials, texts, and artifacts of the theaters from the Restoration to the Modern era. Representative Asian and African theater forms studied as well. Spring.
THTR 231. Acting III: Contemporary Technique (3). An exploration of advanced contemporary acting technique based on the work of Michael Chekhov. Provides advanced acting students with the tools necessary to work effectively and consistently with contemporary texts, with emphasis placed on psychological gesture and geste. Fall.
THTR 232. Acting IV: Classical Technique (3). An exploration of techniques to approach classical theater, with emphasis on the works of Shakespeare. Presents the challenges of working with heightened language, classical texts and provides skills necessary to transfer modern acting methods to these more poetic plays. Spring.
300-Level Courses
THTR 306. Advanced Acting (3). Acting for the camera class with emphasis on how it differs from onstage work. Interviews, scenes and exercises will be used to highlight the differences and similarities. Emphasis on contemporary works. Prerequisite: 231 and 232 or consent of instructor. Spring.
THTR 311. Audition Lab (1). The development of audition materials and the skills necessary for various kinds of auditions. Prerequisite: Acting track concentration or consent of instructor. Must be a senior. Fall
THTR 312. Playwriting (3). Theory and practice of dramatic writing. Fall.
THTR 314. Advanced Playwriting (3). Theory and practice of dramatic writing with special focus on the craft of writing a full-length play. Prerequisite: THTR 312 or consent of instructor. Fall.
THTR 316. Screenwriting (3). A critical exploration of the craft of writing for film, in which reading and practicum assignments will culminate in the student submitting an original full-length screenplay. Prerequisite: THTR 312. Spring.
THTR 327. American Theater and Playwrights (3). A study of selected playwrights who are making a contribution to theatrical experimentation. Fall.
THTR 329. Dramatic Literature (3). Dramatic text analyzed in the context of theatrical production. Major analytical roles introduced. Spring.
THTR 330. Play Directing I (3). An examination of the fundamentals of directing a play, including a history of the art, directoral text analysis, conceptual styles and approaches, and general problem-solving. Course format is a combination of theoretical lecture and practical lab experiences. Prerequisites: upperclass status and permission of department. Fall
THTR 331. Play Directing II (3). A continuation of THTR 330 focusing on the practical application of directing in production. Course format is a combination of theoretical lecture and practical lab experiences, culminating in a directing project. Prerequisites: THTR 330, upperclass status and permission of department. Spring. SAGES CAPSTONE.
THTR 334. Shakespeare I (3). Tragedies. (Also listed as ENGL 324.) Prerequisite: ENGL 150 or consent of instructor. Theater majors take under the English listing. Spring.
THTR 335. Shakespeare II (3). Comedies and histories. (Also listed as ENGL 325.) Prerequisite: ENGL 150 or consent of instructor. Theater majors take under the English listing. Fall.
THTR 352. Costume Construction (3). Design and ornamentation of stage costumes and accessories. Laboratory. Prerequisites: THTR 123 and 124 and consent of instructor. Fall.
THTR 375. Voice for the Stage I (3). Development of the actorís vocal instrument. Work in articulation, range, and flexibility. Prerequisite: Theater major or consent of instructor. Fall.
THTR 376. Voice for the Stage II (3). Continuation of THTR 375. Prerequisite: THTR 375 or consent of instructor. Spring.
THTR 380. Stage Management (3). Designed to acquaint students with the numerous aspects of stage management. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Fall.
THTR 385. Rehearsal and Production (1-3). Practicum credit for work on departmental productions, with emphasis on production and crew work. Fall/Spring.
THRT 386. Rehearsal and Performance (1-3). Practicum credit for work on departmental productions, emphasis on performance experience. Fall/Spring.
THTR 397. Honors Studies I (3). Individual projects in acting, design, dance, directing, playwriting and management/ outreach. Prerequisite: Faculty consent. Fall.
THTR 398. Honors Studies II (3). Continuation and completion of THTR 397. Spring.
THTR 399. Independent Study in Theater Arts (1-3). Available to all theater majors for special projects and internships. Prerequisite: Director/Undergraduate Theater Studies consent. Fall/Spring.
ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATE STUDY
Those undergraduates who show an aptitude and discipline
in the 100, 200, and 300-level courses may register in 400-level
courses. (This is done only with the consent of the instructor.)
Several of the 400 level courses most frequently available to
advanced undergraduate students are:
400-Level Courses
THTR 424. Stage Lighting (3). Elements of stage lighting design and technology. Laboratory lighting experience with mainstage productions. Laboratory requirement. Prerequisite: THTR 223 and 224 or consent of instructor. Fall/Spring.
THTR 440. Portfolio Designs (3). Independent projects involving presentation and criticism of scenic, costume, or lighting design for a given play, dance, musical, or opera. Culminates in presentation of portfolio project, including concept of design, plots, working drawings, renderings. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Fall/Spring.