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Course Descriptions

THA 101 Introduction to Drama

This course is an introduction to theatre textual and performance analysis through critical, historical and dramatic readings.
For Theatre Majors only
Fall, 3 credits

THA 2 Current Theatre in New York

Visits to theatrical productions include: Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off- Broadway and repertory; discussion and analysis of the theatrical experience; social and economic problems of the New York theatre; understanding the separate contributions of the author, actor, director and designer to the production.
Special ticket charge
Every Other Spring, 3 credits

THA 103 Design Concepts for Visual Artists

This course is a conceptual approach to lighting, scenic and costume design for the actor/director in theatre, dance, media and motion pictures. It includes an analysis of designers‚ drawings and the necessary communication skills in expressing concepts to designers and directors.
Class projects
Spring, 3 credits

THA 104 Technical Theatre Practices

This course includes an introduction to the materials, processes and techniques for scenic construction, painting for the stage and stage properties in addition to practical experience in laboratory exercises and production assignments.
Prerequisite for all courses in Design and Technical Production.
Crew requirement
Fall, 3 credits

THA 105 Survey of Technical Theatre

The course is a comprehensive survey of the theoretical and practical aspects of technical theatre including organization, equipment, materials, methods and vocabulary. The course is intended to provide the student with a working vocabulary and the basic knowledge necessary to function effectively in the theatre.
Spring, 3 credits

THA 110 Stage Management

The basic principles and skills of stage management, including: analysis of script, preparation of prompt book, rehearsal organization, production coordination and running of productions.
Crew requirement
Prerequisites: THA 104 and 105 or permission of the instructor.
May be repeated a maximum of two semesters.
Spring, 3 credits

THA 121, 122 Basic Acting

Exercises and improvisations are intended to develop the student’s ability to identify readily with various imagined situations and to act truthfully and spontaneously with each situation. May be repeated for a maximum of three semesters.
Prerequisite: Major or minor in Theatre, Dance or Film, or permission of the chair.
THA 121 is a prerequisite for THA 122.
Annually, 3 credits per semester

THA 123, 124 Intermediate Acting

The course continues scene work and improvisation with an emphasis on building technique. The student is exposed to elements of movement, voice and speech training. May be repeated for a maximum of three semesters.
Prerequisites: THA 21 and 22
Annually, 3 credits per semester

Music 88A Voice

Applied
Music Lessons.
Special fee, $300 each.
Every Fall, 3 credits

DAN 111, or 112 Composition and Choreography

This course studies new and individual modes of expression and the process of giving them order and form. Improvisation is explored, both for its value as an experience to individual participants and its potential as a group performance event.
Prerequisite: Dance Major or Minor or permission of instructor.
Fall, 3 credits

THA 131 Play Directing

This is a studio course in all basic elements of theatrical direction: play selection and analysis, pre-production planning, casting, rehearsals, integration of production elements. Students direct short plays for public performance. Substantial rehearsal time required. May be repeated for a maximum of four semesters.
Prerequisites: THA 121, 122, 110 or permission of the instructor.
Fall, 3 credits

THA 132 Play Directing II

An advanced studio course that explores the challenges involved with directing various forms of theatre, including classical, avant-garde, and post-modern plays. Students direct short plays for public performance. Substantial rehearsal time required.
Prerequisite: THA 131.
Spring, 3 credits

THA 145, 146 Playwriting

This course covers the theory and practice of writing for the stage. Intensive writing and rewriting leads to the creation of a one-act play, with critical evaluation and individual attention. Selected plays may be produced as part of the Post Theatre Company schedule. May be repeated for a maximum of four semesters.
Prerequisites: English 1 and 2 and Sophomore standing.
May be taken for English credits
Every Other Fall, 3 credits per semester

THA 113, 114 Scene Design

This course includes the art and craft of scenic design, including design sketches, model preparation, designer’s elevations and painter’s elevations. It also includes the principles and processes of analyzing a play in visual terms to create the scenic environment of productions.
Crew requirement
Prerequisites: THA 4, 5, and 8 or instructor’s permission. THA 113 is a prerequisite for THA 114.
Every other Fall, 3 credits each

THA 115, 116 Lighting Design

This course is an introduction to lighting design, theory and practice. The light plot, color theory, and media; electricity, lighting instruments, and control; physics and optics of stage lighting are considered. Also included is the application of theatrical lighting techniques in related fields, such as television and film.
Crew requirement
Prerequisites: THA 104, 105 and 108 or instructor’s permission. THA 115 is a prerequisite for THA 116.
Every other Fall, 3 credits per semester

THA 117, 118 Costume Design

This course is an introduction to the principles and procedures of costume design for the theatre; design projects are related to a study of costume history from the ancient Egyptians to the 20th century as are basic costume construction methods, including pattern-making, cutting, fitting, altering and maintenance.
Crew requirement
Prerequisites: THA 104 and 105 or instructor’s permission. THA 117 is a prerequisite for THA 118.
Fall, 3 credits per semester

THA 151 Professional Skills: Suzuki Technique

This course is an introduction to the Suzuki movement technique (focus, stillness, creating an inner world and an intense physical life on stage) with special emphasis on connecting the training to preparation for rehearsal and performance.
Prerequisites: THA 121.
Spring, 3 credits

THA 141 History of Theatre: Classical

This course investigates historical periods, dramatic genres, and theatre literature of Western theatrical culture from the Greeks through Romanticism.
Fall, 3 credits

THA 142* History of Theatre: Modern

This second semester investigates historical periods, dramatic genres and theatre literature from Realism to the present.
Spring, 3 credits
*Fulfills Fine Arts core requirement for non-majors

THA 143 Shakespeare in Performance

This course surveys developments in theory and practice of Shakespearean dramatic works. The stylistic analysis of selected plays, performance techniques and theatrical conventions, including contemporary and non-traditional approaches, is examined.
Prerequisite: THA 101 or permission of the instructor.
Fall, 3 credits

THA 166 Beginning Speech

This is the application of the fundamentals of American Stage Standard speech and a working knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet. The course culminates with basic dialect work.
Prerequisite: THA 121, 122 or permission of the instructor.
Fall, 3 credits

THA 167 Beginning Voice

This course focuses on the use of the vocal instrument. Through exercises based primarily on Linklater Technique, the student explores the relationship of breath to the text and acquires the knowledge to care for and maintain vocal health and production.
Prerequisite: THA 166.
Spring, 3 credits

THA 130 Makeup & Mask

This course covers practical instruction in makeup techniques taking into account factors of age, temperament, production style. May be repeated for a maximum of two semesters.
Prerequisite: THA 104, 105 or permission of the instructor.
Fall, 3 credits

THA 149 History of Style

This course is a survey of costume, architecture and decor of the major periods of Western civilization from pre-history to the present time with an emphasis on the sources of research needed for design. Visits to galleries, museums, libraries and historical sites.
Prerequisites: THA 104, 105.

THA 188 Thesis

This course is an advanced performance or production project, including research and paper (on an individual basis).
Prerequisite: Departmental permission.
On Occasion, 3 credits

THA 189 Advanced Individual Study in Theatre

This course presents an opportunity for individual faculty-guided projects in production, acting, design, management, playwriting, history and criticism. Appropriate when existing courses in student’s area of interest have all been taken. May be repeated for a total of four semesters.
Prerequisite: Departmental permission.
Theatre majors only.
Every Semester, 1, 2, 3 or 4 credits