|
 |
| Theatre Arts (Thea) |
 |
Burgess, Cutler, Lyons,
McLennan (Chair), Reissig and Williams
The mission of the Department of Theatre Arts is to achieve the following: 1) empower students to discover and fulfill their own potential as artists for the enrichment of the global community; 2) engage in a dialogue of ideas about the complex human condition through research, scholarship, and creative work within the campus community and throughout the world; and 3) develop in students a sense of social responsibility and arts advocacy through service to the community, region, and state.
The Department of Theatre Arts strives to promote integration of the creative arts for the campus, community and region by fostering a climate of creativity and cultural enrichment, and instilling an appreciation and understanding of theatre and drama in our students, faculty and the community. While serving the university academically and culturally, the theatre offers diverse practical and aesthetic assets whether the student has professional or non-professional aspirations. Participation and training in theatre arts leads the student to an understanding of the creative process in the performance and the technical areas of the theatre arts.
The University of North Dakota is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The curriculum of the Department of Theatre Arts provides students with opportunities to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Arts, or a Minor. The Department offers a Master of Arts degree at the graduate level (see Graduate section for details). All undergraduate theatre majors share a common set of core courses. The Bachelor of Arts offers a well-rounded curriculum for theatre majors. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance is a pre-professional acting degree that requires a higher level of proficiency in theatrical performance and is an appropriate preparation for students who desire acting careers.
The Department of Theatre Arts integrates the classroom curriculum with applied, experiential learning in production. Our production season offers a rich variety of styles and genres, including musicals. Student directors and designers may apply to stage a production in the Studio Theatre.
The Burtness Theatre facility and the adjacent Chandler Hall house offices, labs, and classrooms for Theatre Arts. The Burtness Theatre building boasts a fully-equipped, 365 seat, proscenium-stage, a set-construction shop, a costume shop, and a 100-seat Studio Theatre. Chandler Hall is home to an acting/movement and voice studio, a high-tech lecture classroom, a computer design studio, a conference room, rehearsal space, student stage manager and publicity offices, a student lounge, and faculty offices.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance is offered to students with marked abilities who desire an intensive undergraduate concentration in Theatre Arts, in preparation for either a career in professional theatre, or graduate study leading to the MFA, or both. Candidates accepted for the program will be expected to maintain a high standard of excellence and to demonstrate significant artistic growth.
Candidates seeking admission to the BFA program must submit an application spring semester of their sophomore year to the chairperson who will then schedule an audition and personal interview for the candidate with the Theatre Arts faculty. BFA applications are generally accepted in March with screening held in April. Upon acceptance, the student will be assigned to the BFA faculty adviser. Each student will be reviewed annually by Theatre Arts faculty who will make a recommendation concerning the student’s status in the BFA program based on the student’s performance in classes and in production activities. If probation is recommended, students may apply for readmission at the completion of a full semester of satisfactory work. Readmission will be contingent upon faculty evaluation.
As part of the department’s outcomes assessment plan, all Theatre Arts majors are required to complete an exit interview, an attitudes survey upon entrance to and completion of the degree, along with various other assessment tools beyond those specifically listed for BFA students. For complete information concerning outcomes assessment in Theatre Arts, consult the departmental chairperson.
College of Arts and Sciences
B.F.A. IN PERFORMANCE WITH A MAJOR IN
THEATRE ARTS
Required 125 credits (36 of which must
be numbered 300 or above, and 60 of which
must be from a 4-year institution) including: |
| |
I. |
General Education Requirements (see University
GER listing): 39 credit hours. |
| |
II. |
The Following Curriculum: |
| |
|
A. |
Core
I (courses normally taken during
the first year of study): 19 credits
| Thea
122 |
Makeup
for Theatre and Television |
(1) |
| Thea
130 |
The
Art and Craft of Theatre |
(3) |
| Thea
161 |
Acting
I |
(3) |
| Thea
201 |
Theatre
Practicum |
(3) |
| Thea
226 |
Intro
to Design |
(3) |
| Thea
250 |
Readings
in Dramatic Literature |
(3) |
| Thea
270 |
Stagecraft |
(3) |
|
B. |
Core
II (courses normally taken during
the second year of study): 18 credits
| Thea
230 |
Text
Analysis |
(3) |
| Thea
300 |
Play
Direction I |
(3) |
| Thea
330 |
Contemporary
Theatre |
(3) |
| Engl
315/316 |
Shakespeare |
(3) |
| Thea
423 |
History
of the Theatre: Classical,
Medieval, |
|
| |
Renaissance |
(3) |
| Thea
424 |
History
of the Theatre: 17th Century
to the Present |
(3) |
|
C. |
Acting,
Voice, and Movement Sequences: 31
credits
| Thea
120 |
Voice
and Movement I |
(2) |
| Thea
162 |
Introductory
Acting II |
(3) |
| Thea
220 |
Voice
and Movement II |
(2) |
| Thea
271 |
Intermediate
Acting I |
(3) |
| Thea
272 |
Intermediate
Acting II |
(3) |
| Thea
320 |
Voice
and Movement III |
(2) |
| Thea
371 |
Advanced
Acting I |
(3) |
| Thea
372 |
Advanced
Acting II |
(3) |
| Thea
420 |
Voice
and Movement IV |
(2) |
| Thea
471 |
Advanced
Acting Styles |
(3) |
| Thea
481 |
Theatre
Practicum |
(1) |
| Thea
494 |
Senior
Project |
(4) |
|
D. |
Electives:
12 credits from the following:
| Thea
222 |
Advanced
Makeup |
(1) |
| Thea
229 |
Creative
Dramatics (on demand) |
(3) |
| Thea
325 |
Scenecraft |
(3) |
| Thea
326 |
Lighting
I |
(2) |
| Thea
339 |
Production
Design |
(3) |
| Thea
404 |
Acting
for the Music Theatre |
(3) |
| Thea
425 |
Directing
II |
(3) |
| Thea
426 |
Scene
Design |
(3) |
| or |
|
| Thea
427 |
Costume
Design |
(3) |
|
|
B.A. WITH A MAJOR IN THEATRE ARTS
Required 125 credits (36 of which must
be numbered 300 or above, and 60 of which
must be from a 4-year institution) including: |
| |
I. |
General Education Requirements (see University
GER listing). |
| |
II. |
Level II proficiency in a foreign language. |
| |
III. |
8 additional hours in the same or a second foreign language or 8 additional hours in a cognate area: courses to be approved by adviser (suggested cognate course topics include: Women’s Studies, Minority Studies, Anthropology, English, Psychology, Computer Science, Indian Studies, Peace Studies, Music, Communication, Visual Arts, etc.) |
| |
IV. |
The following curriculum: |
| |
|
32 credits, including: |
| |
|
Thea 130 |
The Art and Craft of Theatre |
(3)
|
| |
|
Thea 161 |
Acting I |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 201 |
Theatre Practicum |
(2) |
| |
|
Thea 226 |
Intro to Design |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 230 |
Text Analysis |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 250 |
Readings in Dramatic Literature |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 270 |
Stagecrafts |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 300 |
Play Direction I |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 330 |
Contemporary Theatre |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 423 |
History of Theatre I:
Classical Medieval & Renaissance |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 424 |
History of Theatre II: 17th Century to
the Present |
(3) |
| |
|
4 hours from the following: |
| |
|
Thea
122 |
Makeup for Theatre and Television |
(1) |
| |
|
Thea 222 |
Advanced Makeup |
(1) |
| |
|
Thea 229 |
Creative Dramatics (on demand) |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 271 |
Intermediate Acting I |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 325 |
Scenecraft |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 326 |
Lighting for Stage I |
(2) |
| |
|
Thea 425 |
Play Direction II |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 427 |
Costume Design |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 481 |
Theatre Practicum |
(1) |
| |
|
Thea 488 |
Playwriting |
(3) |
MINOR IN THEATRE ARTS
Required 23 credits, including: |
| |
|
Thea 130 |
The Art and Craft of Theatre |
(3)
|
| |
|
Thea 161 |
Acting I |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 201 |
Theatre Practicum |
(1) |
| |
|
Thea 270 |
Stagecrafts |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 300 |
Play Direction I |
(3) |
| |
|
3 hours from the following: |
| |
|
Thea 423 |
History of Theatre |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 424 |
History of Theatre |
(3) |
| |
|
3 hours from the following |
| |
|
Thea 250 |
Readings in Dramatic Literature |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 330 |
Contemporary Theatre |
(3) |
| |
|
Courses from the following to total 23
hours: |
| |
|
Thea 122 |
Makeup of Theatre & Television |
(1) |
| |
|
Thea 222 |
Advanced Makeup |
(1) |
| |
|
Thea 229 |
Creative Dramatics |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 230 |
Text Analysis |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 271 |
Intermediate Acting I |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 326 |
Lighting for Stage I |
(2) |
| |
|
Thea 425 |
Play Direction II |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 426 |
Scene Design for Stage |
(3) |
| |
|
Thea 481 |
Theatre Practicum |
(1) |
| |
|
Thea 488 |
Playwriting |
(3) |
Courses
110. Introduction to Theatre Arts. 3 credits. Basic orientation and historical perspective to theatre arts. Study of the roles of playwright, director, actor, designer, producer, and audience members in current theatre practice. Course will include attendance at area performances. F, S
120. Voice and Movement I. 2 credits. Development of the student’s physical and vocal awareness. Emphasis on freeing the actor and identifying personal habitual response patterns. F
122. Makeup for Theatre and Television. 1 credit. Principles of theatrical and television makeup with practical experience in the classroom. F, S
130. The Art and Craft of Theatre. 3 credits. Introduction to basic principles, theory, and techniques of theatrical performance. Examines theatre with emphasis on participatory roles. For prospective majors and minors. F
161. Acting I. 3 credits. Basic principles of acting with emphasis on movement; basic character development through improvisation and script. F, S
162. Introductory Acting II: Playing the Part. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 161 or consent of instructor. A continuation of Theatre 161, integrating the creative process in acting with the dramatic text. S
201. Theatre Practicum. 1 credit. Participation in theatre pre-performance and performance capacities, both technical and acting, under faculty direction. Repeatable to 8 hours. F, S
210. Selected Topics in Theatre. 1-3 credits. Repeatable up to 9 credits. Topics of special interest to faculty and students, such as Stage Management, and others. On demand.
220. Voice and Movement II. 2 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 120 or consent of instructor. A continuation of Thea 120 with a focus on freeing the channel for sound, range, resonance, tone, economy of movement, neutral mask and movement improvisation. S
222. Advanced Makeup. 1 credit. Prerequisite: Thea 122 or consent of instructor. A continuation of 122 with emphasis on various prosthetic techniques, mask building, and non-realistic styles.
226. Intro to Design. 3 credits. Introduces the student to the principles and elements of design, the design process, and the methods of presentation of design ideas. F
229. Creative Dramatics. 3 credits. The study of theatre games, improvisations and techniques as they relate to the education and development of creativity in children. On demand.
230. Text Analysis. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 130. An analysis of the dramatic text from the standpoint of production and performance. F
240. Ballet I. 2 credits. An introductory ballet class designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of ballet. This class will contain a ballet barre, warm-up, barre stretch, an adagio center combination and floor exercises designed to enhance alignment, flexibility, strength and center. F
241. Jazz Dance I. 2 credits. This course is designed to introduce the student to principles and techniques characteristic of jazz dance. Students will execute movement combinations in a variety of jazz styles. Emphasis will be placed on movement fundamentals of alignment, flexibility, endurance, dynamic range, and strength. F
242. Tap Dance. 2 credits. This class is designed to introduce the student to the basic principles of tap dance. Warm-up, exercises, and combinations in tap technique will provide opportunities for the student to develop an efficient use of weight, alignment, articulation of footwork, coordination, and musicality. F
250. Readings in Dramatic Literature. 3 credits. Readings in dramatic literature from ancient to contemporary, with a strong emphasis on written and verbal analysis of realist texts. S/2
270. Stagecraft. 3 credits. Designed to familiarize the student with crafts and technologies of production; scenery construction, costume construction, painting, lighting equipment, sound techniques. Practical experience, shop procedures and safety practices are tied to lab experience in University productions. S
271. Intermediate Acting I: The Actor in You. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 161 or 162 or consent of instructor. An introduction to the Meisner Technique with special emphasis on working together and discovering your truth in your art. Students advised to enroll concurrently in Thea 120. F
272. Intermediate Acting II: The Meisner Challenge. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 271 or consent of department. Special problems and challenges for the actor to overcome through advanced study in the Meisner Technique. Primary focus on emotional preparation. Students are advised to enroll concurrently in Thea 220. S
300. Play Direction I. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 161 and two credits in dramatic literature, or equivalent acting experience, or consent of instructor. Principles and techniques of directing for the theatre. Student laboratory directing experiences. F
320. Voice and Movement III. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 220. A sequential continuation of Thea 220. Vocal emphasis on shaping and muscularity of sounds and words, articulation, love of language and vocal flexibility. Physical emphasis on creating physical characterizations through mask work. F
325. Scene Craft. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 226 and 270. Specialized construction and rigging of scenery, advanced technology applications to the stage, drafting projects and practical problem solving. On demand.
326. Lighting for Stage I. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 270 or consent of instructor. The principles, mechanics and design of stage and television lighting; its relationship to set, makeup and costume design; plus laboratory participation in University productions. F/2
330. Contemporary Theatre. 3 credits. Readings in dramatic literature from 1880s to contemporary times. Strong emphasis on written and verbal analysis of current dramatic techniques beyond realism. S/2
336. Lighting for Stage II. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 270, or consent of instructor. This course is specifically designed to develop a lighting aesthetic for directors, designers, and technicians. There will be a script analysis with practical application, plus laboratory participation in University Theatre productions. F/2
339. Production Design. 3 credits. Prerequisites; Thea 130, 226, 270, and 300, or consent of instructor. The development of the entire theatrical event, from conception to closing, with particular attention to the collaboration of various artists, craftspersons, and managers. S
340. Ballet II. 2 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 240 or consent of instructor. Ballet II is a continuation of Ballet I. Students will continue to develop advanced ballet skills and technique in relationship to form, strength, flexibility, center, line, choreography and physical expression. S
341. Jazz Dance II. 2 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 241 or consent of instructor. This course is designed to be a continuation of Thea 241. Students continue to explore the principles and techniques characteristic of jazz dance through a variety of jazz dance styles. Emphasis will be placed on applying efficient form and dynamic energy to intermediate level movement combinations in center and across the floor. F
342. Modern Dance. 2 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 241 or 242 or consent of instructor. Students continue to explore the principles and techniques characteristic of modern dance through a variety of dance styles. Emphasis will be placed on applying efficient form and dynamic energy to intermediate level movement combinations in center and across the floor. S
350. Dramatic Production and Criticism. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 130 and 250, or consent of instructor. An examination of the principles of production criticism and the application of those principles to a series of theatrical productions. F/2.
371. Advanced Acting I: The Psychology of Acting through Advance Scene Study. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 272 or consent of department. An introduction to the psychology of performance and application of skills from Thea 271 and 272 to contemporary realist scripts making advanced demands on the actor. Students are advised to enroll concurrently in Thea 320. F
372. Advanced Acting II: Acting Styles. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 371 or consent of department. Intensive study, research in, and performance of a variety of advanced literary works and styles. Students are advised to enroll concurrently in Thea 420. S
397. Cooperative Education. 1-6 credits, repeatable to 12. Prerequisites: 2.5 GPA, junior standing. A practical work experience with an employer closely associated with the student’s academic area. Arranged by mutual agreement among student, department, and employer.
404. Acting for the Music Theatre. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Appreciation of and performance techniques for musical theatre including: voice and movement work, acting, and staging. S/2
415. Selected Problems in Theatre Arts. 1-3 credits. Repeatable up to 9 credits. Topics of special interest to faculty and students, such as Theatre Management, Women’s Issues in Drama, Polish Theatre and Drama, Improvisation, Scene Painting, and others. On demand.
420. Voice and Movement IV. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 320. A continuation of Thea 320 with emphasis on specialized and advanced voice and movement skills. S
422. American Theatre History. 3 credits. The development of Theatre Arts in America from Colonial times to the present. On demand.
423. History of the Theatre: Classical Medieval and Renaissance. 3 credits. The theatre in performance. The origins of theatrical forms and their relationships to acting style, physical theatre and audience with the cultural environment. F
424. History of the Theatre: Seventeenth Century to the Present. 3 credits. A continuation of topics covered in Thea 423 beginning with the Seventeenth Century and continuing to the present. Student need not take Thea 423 prior to enrolling in Thea 424. S
425. Play Direction II. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Thea 300 or consent of instructor. A continuation of Thea 300 with emphasis on contemporary theories, analysis, research, conceptualization, and implementation. Laboratory experience. S
426. Scene Design for the Stage. 3 credits. Repeatable up to 6 hours. The analysis, research, and conceptualization of the physical context of theatre productions. Emphasis on individual creative projects. F
427. Costume Design. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 226, 270, or equivalent. Repeatable up to 6 credits. Elements, principles, and styles of design applied to the visual creation of a dramatic character. S
471. Advanced Acting III: Shakespeare. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Thea 372 or consent of department. A detailed examination of Shakespeare in performance. F
481. Theatre Practicum. 1-2 credits. Repeatable to 8 hours. Projects in all areas of theatre and interpretation in a supervisory capacity. Specific assignments in production/planning with faculty approval. F, S
488. Playwriting. 3 credits. Repeatable up to 6 hours. Prerequisites: Sufficient background in theatrical arts and creative writing and consent of instructor. The playwright’s problems as revealed through practice of writing plays; experimental productions of the student’s creative work whenever possible. F, S
494. Senior Project. 4 credits. Individual work in an approved area. F, S |
|
|
|
