2005-06 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Theater (THTR)
Department of Theater and Dance
College of Fine Arts
Credit designation below each title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (cr) credits per semester.
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THTR 101 Introduction to Theater
3c-0l-3cr
An exploration of the theater arts, examining major periods of theater history, selected works of dramatic literature, and the primary theater arts of acting, directing, design, and technical theater. Class experience includes the analysis of at least two major works of drama, attending two live productions, and viewing of selected televised plays and musicals.
THTR 111 Foundations of Theater
3c-0l-3cr
A primary course for those engaged in theater and any other performance-related area so as to define the nature of theater art, develop one’s own individual system of analysis, and finally acquire an understanding of process, dramatic structure, composition, genre, theatrical styles, and a theory of performance.
THTR 116 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
3c-0l-3cr
Introduces the fundamentals of scene, costume, lighting, and sound design for theater and dance. Focuses on creative processes used by designers to make choices. Topics include script analysis, director and designer communication, and the integration of the design elements into a unified production.
3c-0l-3cr
An exploration of the material, methods, and procedures utilized in creating a scenic environment. Through instruction and practical applications, students learn the basis of scenic construction and develop competency with the basic materials and equipment used in a theatrical scenery shop.
3c-0l-3cr
Instruction and practical experience in the process of building costumes for the stage. Activities include fitting, cutting, sewing, dyeing, and painting. Also gives instruction in the maintenance of wardrobe, costume stock, materials, and properties.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: Theater majors only or instructor permission
Instruction in basic development of the vocal instrument of the actor in stage performance. Emphasizes resonance, quality, pitch, and projection of the voice while improving the student’s ability to articulate.
3c-0l-3cr
Instruction in basic stage movement and the physicalization of character. Includes work in character development through variety in movement, introductory work in juggling, stage combat, and mime, and the assessment, awareness, and correction of individual movement problems.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: HIST 195
A comprehensive survey of western theater from its origins to the beginning of the Italian Renaissance. Includes the study of significant plays of the period as well as the influence of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, and theorists of the era.
3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: HIST 195
A comprehensive survey of western theater from the Italian Renaissance to the end of the eighteenth century. Includes the study of significant plays of the period as well as the influence of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, and theorists of the era.
3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: HIST 195
A comprehensive survey of western theater from the time after the French Revolution to the outbreak of the First World War. Includes the study of significant plays of the period as well as the influence of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, and theorists of the era.
3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: HIST 195
A comprehensive survey of western theater from the early twentieth century to the present. Includes the study of significant plays of the period as well as the influence of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, and theorists of the era.
3c-0l-3cr
An introduction to lighting instruments, color media, control boards, physical laws of electricity and optics, graphics, and conventional techniques used in lighting theatrical productions.
3c-0l-3cr
Deals with practical application of straight and character makeup and may include instruction in creating beards, wigs, prosthetics, and masks.
3c-0l-3cr
The study of the primary elements of the Stanislavski system of character development. Includes text analysis and the development of physical action through a character’s subtext, as well as motivational and improvisational techniques.
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower-level undergraduate students.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: Junior or senior Theater major status or permission
Gives students of theater an opportunity to use what they have learned in the areas of theater (acting, directing, design, and playwrighting) toward the critical process of responding to theater productions. Examines differences between theater criticism and theater reviews while learning to write critical responses to live performances both on and off campus.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: THTR 116 or permission
An introduction to scenic design that applies the fundamental principles of theatrical design. Topics include an overview of current scene design practice, design conceptualization, graphic communication methods, and a method of designing theatrical scenery. Practical applications are emphasized through a series of class exercises.
THTR 321 Stage Lighting Design
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: THTR 116 or permission
An introduction to stage lighting that applies the fundamental principles of theatrical design. Stage lighting topics include an overview of current lighting methods and equipment, the controllable properties and functions of stage lighting, learning to see light, a creative approach to stage lighting, and design graphics. Practical applications are emphasized through a series of class exercises.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: THTR 116 or permission
An introduction to the discipline of costume design for the theater with an emphasis on script analysis, figure drawing, character definition, and control of the design elements, supplemented by an overview of costume history.
3c-0l-3cr
Covers the basic principles and theories of designing sound for the theater. Through demonstration and practical application, covers the following principal areas: basic electronics, recording techniques and equipment, musical and effects integration, theater acoustics, designing sound, and sound reinforcement.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: THTR 120 and 221, or permission
An advanced exploration of materials, methods, and procedures involved in operating a scenery studio and theater facility. Receive intensive practical experience in technical problem solving, studio planning, and project supervision. (Offered as THTR 220 prior to 2003-04)
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: THTR 240
A continuation of the study of Stanislavski system, focusing on his primary texts, towards a development of individual student techniques. Emphasizes scene study through applying techniques to scene rehearsal and role problems and exploring the relationships between psychological states, physical action, and truth in acting.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: THTR 130/131, 240 or instructor permission
A study and practice of advanced acting skills, with special emphasis on style and period. Possible areas of focus: Greek classical, Commedia Dell’Arte (farce), French Neoclassical, Restoration Comedy, Melodrama, High Comedy (Wilde/Coward), or Theater of the Absurd.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: THTR 240, 340 or instructor permission
An advanced acting studio which prepares students to perform in Shakespeare’s plays. Provides a background overview of the Elizabethan period in addition to various methods towards approaching the movement, language, and verse forms from an actor’s point of view.
THTR 345 Touring Young People’s Theater
3c-0l-3cr
Introduces the fundamentals of young people’s theater for audiences aged five through fifteen years. Class members select appropriate children’s literature, develop a script through improvisation, and rehearse and tour their production to the surrounding schools.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: THTR 111 or instructor permission
A practical exploration of the craft and process of playwriting. Focuses primarily on the practical, “hands-on” experiences approximating the “developmental process” currently in use in the American theater. The student is guided from the initial concept through synopsis, outlines, working drafts, and completion of an original one-act play and a “staged reading” of this project.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: THTR 111, 240, or instructor permission
An introduction to basic directing skills: casting, floor plans, blocking, rehearsal procedures, and the applications of scene and character analysis. Prepare short scenes for class presentation.
var-1-6cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 481 are primarily for upper-level undergraduate students.
var-1-6cr
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
Independent study in theater may be either purely academic or may be a practical production project, supported by a written document giving evidence of significant scholarly investigation or original, creative effort. May be repeated to a maximum of 6cr. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.
var-1-6cr
Prerequisites: Admission to departmental honors program; prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
An intensive, focused study involving independent research culminating in a written thesis approved by a thesis director and two faculty readers/committee members. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 6sh.
3c-2l-3cr
Prerequisites: THTR 350 or instructor permission
An opportunity for students to direct scene work, one-act plays, or larger projects, according to individual levels of experience, preparation, and readiness. Practical application of principles of directing to specific problems in directing. Student projects performed in public, open-class recitals. May be repeated.
THTR 486 Practicum in Production
var-0-3cr
Prerequisite: Theater major standing or instructor permission
An opportunity with academic credit to make significant contributions to campus productions augmenting theater coursework in the areas of directing, acting, stage management, technical direction, design (sound, set, lights, costumes, makeup), properties, scenic construction and scenic art painting, costume technology, dance, and running crews. Repeatable course required of all theater majors for a minimum of six semesters, one of which must be a final project for senior majors.
3c-2l-3cr
Prerequisites: Minimum of THTR 240 or instructor permission; individual foci have additional prerequisites
An advanced studio course offering scene practice with faculty direction, coaching, and criticism. Specific focus of scene work varies from semester to semester, including improvisation techniques, stage dialects, audition techniques, and acting for the camera as alternating semester options. May be repeated with a different focus each time. (Offered as THTR 483 prior to 2003-04)
THTR 489 Technical Theater Problems
3c-0l-3cr
Open to all students desiring instruction in a variety of technical theater areas not presently covered in other courses. Topics to include sound design, stage management, set props, media make-up, technical drawing/mixed media, and scene painting. May be repeated.
var-3-12cr
Prerequisite: Instructor permission
Opportunities for students to gain experience with professional performance organizations in areas related to theater and dance.
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