Theatre Minor
Minor Requirements
18 credit hours
Complete the following:
Do you ever wonder what happens backstage during a theatre production or concert? Come learn the magic of how scenery is built, colors are mixed, and lights move. Through a series of hands-on projects, this course is designed to introduce students to the diverse skills, equipment, and professional practices used in staging theatre productions. Learn to set up a sound system and light a stage. Explore scenic materials, hardware, rigging, and construction techniques. Learn how to correctly coil cables and ropes, tie knots, fold drapes, and safely use all the tools in a typical scene shop. The course culminates with teams participating in Tech Olympics. Additional course fee is required.
Whether you are interested in learning the fundamentals of acting or sharpening your current acting skill-set, this class is designed to take your work as an actor to the next level of excellence. Students will engage in fun acting games, rigorous training, performance of scenes, the study of acting theories, and critical analysis of performance throughout the semester. There are a number of variations of this course including Fundamentals of Acting, Contemporary Performance, Shakespeare & Music Theatre Performance. This course requires additional outside-of-class time for rehearsal and performance of selected material. Repeatable for credit.
This dynamic studio explores the cultural intersections between dramatic literature and performance through the eyes of the director. Each iteration of this course examines how cultural forces throughout history have created unique dramatic structures that impact the way stories are performed and received in their particular contexts. Students will analyze a wide variety of plays, do historical research, participate in directing exercises, and direct scenes throughout the semester. In doing so, students will examine how text impacts the audience’s reception of a play, and thus informs moment to moment directing choices, artistic interpretation and performance concepts. Specific topics rotate, and the course can be taken more than once with different topics. Prerequisite: THEA 205: Acting Studio or instructor’s permission. Repeatable for credit
This course introduces students to the design process for theatrical productions. There are a number of different variations of this course. Each variation picks a different topic through which to examine how the design process can be a tool for analyzing and understanding a script. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will explore the skills needed to work through the design process from conceptualization to implementation. While focused primarily on live theatre, the course will also explore how the topic applies to music, cinema, art installations and related industries. Examples of different variations of this course include: Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, and Projection Design. Repeatable for course credit. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor permission.
Complete 6 hours of the following:
The practical application of theatrical disciplines (acting, directing, design, technical & management) in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: instructor permission.
Participation in theatre's traveling drama ministry ensemble. Students must remain with the troupe the entire year. May be repeated to a maximum of four hours credit. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: Audition and invitation.
The practical application of theatrical disciplines (acting, directing, design, technical & management) in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Participation in theatre's traveling drama ministry ensemble. Students must remain with the troupe the entire year. May be repeated to a maximum of four hours credit. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: Audition and invitation.