B.F.A. in Theatre Arts (Acting)

Courses

THE 100 Introduction to Drama
This course is an introduction to textual and performance analysis in theater through critical,
historical and dramatic readings. Introduction to Drama is a lecture-based course with an integral discussion component that may include group projects; for Theater Majors only.
Credits: 3
Every Semester

THE 111 The Art of Theatre
This course is a practical introduction to theater and performance through exercises and scene study.
Creation and performance of theater pieces in a workshop format. Relation of practical work to theories of acting, directing, theatrical performances, and structure.
Prerequisite of a Non Theater or Non Dance major is required.
Credits: 3
Every Semester

THE 142 Modern Theatre History 
This second semester of theatre history investigates historical periods, dramatic genres and theatre literature from Realism to the present.
Credits: 3
Every Semester

THE 143 Shakespeare in Performance
This course surveys developments in theory and practice of Shakespearean performance. The stylistic analysis of selected plays, performance techniques and theatrical conventions, including contemporary and non-traditional approaches, is examined. Students can expect to gain an understanding of the historical trends of Shakespeare in Performance, and read Shakespeare as performance texts in addition to literary works. Prerequisite of THE 241 is required or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3
Annually

THE 193 Theatre Research/Perf Wkshop: Devising
Following the Creative Impulse is designed to give undergraduate level students exposure to and experience working with ensemble generated theatre. Students will get hands on experience working with a wide range of methodologies that can be utilized to create generat ive forms of expression. This class will be a laboratory environment to rigorously investigate how innov ative, divergent, and multidisciplinary thinking can create inspired works. Students will deconstruct the principles of creativity and inspiration to build thei r own methodology of generating material that can be used in theatre or any other discipline they choos e.
Prerequisites of THE 221 and 222 are required or permission of the instructor.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

THE 201 Department Contract
This course is a practicum for theatre majors; a service contract offering the upperclass student a hands-on opportunity to serve as a peer mentor, a company coach, a company publicist, or another position in support of the department and the Post Theatre Company. Required for all upperclass majors in residence. Students will gain practical experience in the area in which their contract is executed.
Credits: 0
Every Fall and Spring

THE 202 Department Contract
This course is a practicum for theatre majors; a service contract offering the upperclass student a hands-on opportunity to serve as a peer mentor, a company coach, a company publicist, or another position in support of the department and the Post Theatre Company. Required for all upperclass majors in residence. Students will gain practical experience in the area in which their contract is executed.
Credits: 0
On Occasion

THE 203 Design Concepts for Visual Artists
This course is a conceptual approach to lighting, scenic, and costume design for the actor/director/designer 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. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the components of design across a range of theatrical disciplines. Credits: 3 Alternate Fall

THE 204 Department Contract 1
This is a theatre major service contract, a required practical lab for first year students. Students will gain practical experience in the area in which their contract is executed. This is a co-requisite for THE 214.
Credits: 0
Every Fall and Spring

THE 210 Stage Management
This course covers the basic principles and skills of stage management, including: script analysis, preparation of prompt book, rehearsal organization, production coordination and running of productions. Instruction will include both lecture- based and experiential components. Students will gain the skills necessary to execute the job of a stage manager or assistant stage manager. May be repeated a maximum of two semesters.
Prerequisites of THE 214 & 215 or permission of the instructor are required.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 213 Scene Design I
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. This course is both lecture-based and practical in nature. Students will gain an understanding of the art and craft of scenic design.
Prerequisites of THE 214, 215, and 108 or the permission of instructor are required.
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

THE 214 Technical Theater Practices 1
This course is a comprehensive survey of the theoretical and practical aspects of technical theater production including organization, equipment, materials, methods and vocabulary. This course is a lecture-based course that includes a strong practical component. The course is intended to provide the student with a working vocabulary and the basic knowledge necessary to function effectively in the theater.
Prerequisite of a Theater major, Dance major, Arts Mangement major, or Theater Minor and a Co- requisite of THE 204 are required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

THE 215 Technical Theater Practices 2
This course is a comprehensive survey of the theoretical and practical aspects of technical theater production including organization, equipment, materials, methods and vocabulary. This course is a lecture-based course that includes a strong practical component. The course is intended to provide the student with a working vocabulary and the basic knowledge necessary to function effectively in the theater.
Prerequisite: Theater or Dance or Arts Management majors or Theater Minor Corequisite: THE 205
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

THE 215 Lighting Design
This course is an introduction to lighting design, theory and practice, with considerations of light plots, color theory, and media; electricity, lighting instruments, and control; physics and optics of stage lighting are considered. This is a practice- based course with lecture components. Also included is the application of theatrical lighting techniques in related fields, such as television and film. Students will gain an understanding of how to design lighting for a variety of mediums. Prerequisites of THE 214, 215, and 108 or the permission of instructor are required.
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

THE 219 Stagecraft
This course is a detailed and intensive study of the materials, processes and techniques necessary for constructing, rigging and shifting the visual elements of scenic settings. This is a practice-based course. Students will leave with the skills necessary to execute basic scene construction. Prerequisites of THE 214 & 215 or permission of the instructor are required.
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

THE 220 Advanced Stagecraft
This course is an advanced intensive study of the materials, processes and techniques necessary for constructing, rigging and shifting the visual elements of scenic settings. This is a practice-based course. Students will leave with the skills necessary to execute advanced scene construction.
Credits: 3
On Occasion

THE 221 Basic Acting I
Basic Acting I is an introductory studio course focused on acting exercises, improvisations, and basic scene work. Through practical explorations, the course intends to develop the student's imagination and ability to identify intentions and given circumstances. Students can expect to leave with the necessary vocabulary and practical skills to undertake the work of the actor working with contemporary material.
Prerequisite of Theatre major OR a Dance/Arts Management major are required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

THE 222 Basic Acting II
Introduction to scene study and basic character development; continuation of THE 221. Basic Acting II is a practice-based studio course. Students can expect to leave with the necessary vocabulary and practical skills to undertake the work of the actor working with contemporary material. Prerequisite of THE 221 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 223 Intermediate Acting I
Intermediate Acting I introduces voice, speech, and movement techniques to the actor's process, to build upon the skills developed in Basic Acting I and II. This is a practice-based course, with a focus on strengthening the connection to given circumstances and character development. Students can expect to integrate acting tools with more complex texts.
Prerequisite of THE 222 or permission of the instructor is required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

THE 224 Intermediate Acting II
The course is a continuation of THE 223. Intermediate Acting II continues to integrate voice, speech, and movement techniques into the actor's process, to build upon the skills developed in Basic Acting I and II and Intermediate Acting I. This is a practice-based course, with a focus on strengthening the connection to given circumstances and character development. Students can expect to integrate acting tools with more complex texts, particularly those of early modern realism.
Prerequisite of THE 223 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 225 Advanced Acting I 
This course offers two different options, both are practice-based studio courses:
Option I focuses on scene and monologue study with texts ranging from Shakespeare to contemporary texts. Somatic performance techniques will be coupled with Stanislavski to give students a process that fully incorporates mind and body. Co-requisite of THE 542.
Option II focuses on scene and soliloquy study of Shakespeare's texts, including an emphasis on original performance practices and their relevance for contemporary performance. Students will focus on developing heightened kinesthetic awareness and receptivity to impulses in performance. Co- requisite of THE 268.
Students in both options will focus on developing a synergy between body, voice, and text to create embodied performances in complex genres.

THE 226 Advanced Acting II
A continuation of Theater 125, with the continued two options. Option I focuses on texts from Greek classics to post-modern and contemporary texts. Through script analysis and practical physical performance tools, students will continue to develop a personal process that incorporates a broad range of performance tools to create dynamic performances. Option II focuses on a strong foundation in Laban technique and the use of Elliptical Energy theory in practice. Students will build on their development of kinesthetic awareness, a sense of playfulness, collaboration, and openness to heighten creativity and physical expressiveness.
Students in both options will leave with strong physical presence that supports strong acting both in theatre and in other mediums. Prerequisite of THE 225 is required.

THE 227 Meisner Technique
This is a practice-based acting class based on the technique of Sanford Meisner, a member of the Group Theater and the founder of the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. This method is an offshoot of the Stanislavski Technique, focusing on the reality of doing,and behaving truthfully in imaginary circumstances. Students will leave with an understanding of how to respond to their partners in the present moment in performance.
Prerequisite of THE 223 is required.
Credits: 3
Annually

THE 228 Sound Technology
Through lecture and demonstration the student will become familiar with the standard equipment that is used in theatrical sound production. The student will learn equipment function and proper operation. Students can expect to leave with the skills for basic sound recording, editing, communications systems, enhancement and repair.
Credits: 3
Alternate Spring

THE 229 Sound Design
This course is an introduction to sound design, theory and practice. This course includes both lecture and practice-based components and include design projects related to historical references, with an emphasis on the source needed for such a design. Students will gain an understanding of the art and craft of scenic design.
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

THE 230 Makeup & Mask
This course explores the techniques involved with theatrical makeup and mask making. This practice- based course covers instruction in makeup techniques taking into account factors of age, temperament, production style. Students can expect to leave with the basic skills required to execute theatrical makeup application and basic mask making.May be repeated for a maximum of two semesters.
Prerequisites of THE 214 & 215 or permission of the instructor are required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

THE 231 Directing I
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. Students can expect to gain the skills necessary for directing short plays. May be repeated for a maximum of four semesters. Prerequisites of THE 221 and 222 are required or permission of the instructor.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

THE 239 Production Laboratory
This course is an intensive experience in theatrical production for public performance. This practical experience synthesizes acting, design, technical and managerial elements in a theatrical production. Production concepts, process, rehearsal,and performances are evaluated by the director and advisor. Students will gain the practical experience of mounting a professional performance for public viewing. Must be repeated when a student is cast in a PTC production.
Prerequisites of THE 214, 215, 221 or permission of chair are required.
Credits: 1
Every Fall

THE 240 Production Laboratory
This course is an intensive experience in theatrical production for public performance. This practical experience synthesizes acting, design, technical and managerial elements in a theatrical production. Production concepts, process, rehearsal,and performances are evaluated by the director and advisor. Students will gain the practical experience of mounting a professional performance for public viewing. Must be repeated when a student is cast in a PTC production.
Prerequisite or Co-requisite of THE 222 & 214 or 215, in addition to pre requisites of THE 221 is required
Credits: 1
Every Spring

THE 241 Classical Theatre History
This course investigates historical periods, dramatic genres, and theater literature of Western theatrical culture from the Greeks through Romanticism. Students can expect to gain an understanding and historical perspective of theatre history from ritual through the Restoration.
Credits: 3
Every Semester

THE 244 Acting for Film & Television
This is an advanced level course to prepare the actor for the many demands placed on the performer by the camera.
Prerequisite of THE 226 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 245 Playwriting I
This course covers the theory and practice of writing for the stage. This lecture-based, practical course includes Intensive writing and rewriting, which leads to the creation of a one-act play, with critical evaluation and individual attention. Students can expect to gain the basic dramaturgical tools involved in writing plays. Selected plays may be produced as part of the Post Theatre Company schedule. May be repeated for a maximum of four semesters.
Prerequisites of ENG 110 and 111 and Sophomore status is required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

THE 248 The History of American Musical
This lecture-based course is a study of musical comedy from its origins in the 18th century through its fruition in the 19th, to its innovations in the modern era. Students can expect to gain an appreciation for musical theatre and an understanding of the evolution of the art from throughout history.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 251 Beginning Suzuki Technique
This course is an introduction to the Suzuki method of actor training. This is a practice-based studio course that develops rigorous physical training that enhances the actor's concentration and focus, discipline, and ability to create theatrical presence. Students will learn the basic principles of the Suzuki technique and its applications. Prerequisite of THE 221 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 252 Professional Skills: The Business of Acting
This course introduces the business practices of the acting profession, and introduces students to the current trends in the field. This course includes both lectures and experiential components, and is required for any actor participating in the Senior Showcase. Students can expect to gain an understanding of audition techniques, material selection, marketing, and strategies to engage members of the industry.
Prerequisite of THE 226 is required. Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 266 Beginning Voice and Speech I
This practice-based course focuses on the vocal instrument, teaching the fundamentals of breathing, vocal use, and vocal production. Through exercises and embodied practice, students explore breath and sound production. Through voice samples, analyses, and simple texts students learn the elements of dynamic voice and speech production. Throughout the semester there are opportunities to apply these skills to performance based projects. Students also acquire the knowledge to maintain healthy vocal production through an understanding of the vocal instrument. Prerequisite: THE 222
Credits: 3
Every Fall

THE 267 Beginning Voice and Speech II
This practice-based studio course is a continuation of THE 266, which provides an applied approach to build the skills of vocal production, health, and communication learned in the first semester. It focuses on refining the use of the vocal instrument and provides a foundational embodied knowledge of how to navigate the International Phonetic Alphabet chart and its possible applications. Through exercises and text work, the student continues to explore the relationship of breath/voice to text and acquires the applied knowledge to care for the vocal instrument through healthy production and maintenance. Students will grow in their understanding of the voice/body, their ability to speak clearly and effectively, and the relationship between breath and listening as it pertains to re/acting on impulse.
Prerequisite: THE 266 or permission of instructor required.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 268 Advanced Voice and Speech I
This practice-based studio course is a Voice and Speech studio practicum integrating Laban technique and elliptical energy work with the vocal practices established in THE 266 & 267. This course is a co-requisite of THE 225, Option II. Students can expect to gain an advanced understanding of the application of voice/speech to heightened text, as a tool of the actor's process.
Prerequisites of THE 266 and 267 are required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

THE 280 Contemporary Musical Theatre Practices
This studio-based course is a practicum in musical theatre performance techniques with emphasis on developing a clear process for performing in musical theatre. Musical theatre repertoire and movement are also included in the course work. Students can expect to gain a working understanding of the vocabulary of musical theatre performance.
Pre requisites: THE 221, 222, MUS 288A or MUS 288B
Credits: 3
Every Fall

THE 292 Senior Acting Studio
A capstone class in which fourth year acting students work to synthesize the studio experiences of the previous three years through monologues and scene study. This is a practice-based studio course. Students can expect to develop a rationale for a personal process based on the genre of material.
Prerequisite of THE 226 or permission of instructor is required.
Credits: 3
Every Semester

THE 295 Musical Theatre Practices II
Musical Theatre Practices II is an upper level, practice-based studio course that develops advanced performance techniques in musical theatre. Students can expect to build an extensive musical theatre repertoire in preparation for the profession.
The pre requisite of THE 280 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 296 Musical Theatre Styles
This is an intermediate/advanced level musical theater dance class designed to better prepare the students for a career in musical theater. Students will learn a broad variety of iconic choreography and dance styles from throughout the history of musical theater. Additionally, students will develop a more advanced repertoire of different movement techniques to enrich their physicality and diversify their choices in stage performance.
Pre requisite: 4 of the following: DNC 244A, DNC 244, DNC 321, DNC 322, DNC 323, DNC 324
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 349 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 of THE 214 & 215 or permission of the instructor are required.
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

THE 388 Thesis
This course is an advanced performance or production project, including all appropriate research and written analysis on the creative process. This is a practice-based tutorial, that is offered on an individual basis. Students can expect to undertake a thesis project and document their process to provide an analysis of their investigation through practice.
Credits: 3
On Demand

THE 389 Advanced Individual Study in Theatre
This course presents an opportunity for individual faculty-guided projects in production, acting, design, management, playwriting, history and criticism.
May be repeated for a total of four semesters for 1, 2, 3, or 4 credits.
Credits: 1 to 4
Every Semester

THE 450 Stage Combat
This course introduces actors to the technique of stage combat. This is a practice-based studio course that emphasizes safety as well as integrates staged fighting and movement into the actor's process. Students can expect to gain the basic physical vocabulary and technique of stage combat.
Prerequisite of Theatre major or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

THE 471 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. This is a lecture-based course with practical components. Students can expect to gain an full understanding of the process of costume design, including its historical applications.
Prerequisites of THE 214 & 215 or permission of the instructor are required.
Credits: 3
On Occasion