Theatre Courses

A historical and cultural survey of collaboration between the arts of music and theatre, focusing on a selection of significant creative products that combine music and drama. Possible works studied include those by Shakespeare, Monteverdi, Mozart-Daponte, John Gay, Beethoven-Goethe, Wagner, Puccini, Brecht-Weill, and Bernstein, spanning the genres of Renaissance tragedy and comedy, opera seria, opera buffa, ballad opera, incidental music, romantic drama, Italian opera, music-drama, epic theatre, cabaret, vaudeville, and musical comedy.

This course examines visual storytelling as an art form in video games. The study of visual storytelling in historic and contemporary art raises questions of social, cultural and political contexts as well as their impact on player experience. Through reading and analysis of art and video games, students will be exposed to different design techniques that visually express social concepts through mechanics, content and aesthetics. The course offers hands on experience with game engine software to create artistic game prototypes that incorporate theoretical approaches to cultural context. Topics may include the relationship of cultural context and environmental storytelling, the critical interpretation and application of visual techniques in fine art, the critical analysis of cultural and artistic themes in video games, creating meaningful worlds through visual and aural design, identity and representation in character design, and the impact of cultural context on the design of interactive and emergent narratives Students will use these concepts to create innovative game prototypes as meaningful cultural and artistic experiences.

An introduction to theatre as a performing art. Students develop skills in reading, analysis and evaluation through an examination of theatre’s forms, constituent elements, and its cultural, stylistic and historical development.

The Theatre Ensemble is an experiential-learning course in which students will have various opportunities to apply theoretic knowledge to practice through participation in a faculty mentored or faculty directed theatre production on campus. Course content will include CLA main stage productions, as well as other ensemble productions that perform or develop theatre performances covering a range of genres, periods and cultures. Students will be expected to write, create and/or analyze texts as well as participate as actors, designers, and technicians.

This course will introduce students to the history and theory of acting in Western Culture from the late 19th century up to the present day. Particular focus will be paid to the theories of Stanislavsky and Stanislavsky-based approaches along with complementary and contrasting methods developed by such theorist/practitioners as Jerzy Grotowski, Lee Strasberg, and Sanford Meisner. Students can expect a course that combines lecture/discussion with practical exercises designed to apply concepts and theory using acting techniques designed to strengthen vocal and physical expression and to stimulate the imagination. In addition, actors will be introduced to scene work and develop skills for text analysis as a basis for character development. Assessment will include quizzes, papers, and in-class participation in exercises and scene work. As an introductory course, the course objectives are to provide students with a broad survey of the aesthetics, theory, and practice of acting.

The course is designed to provide students with a foundation in major dramatic and performance theories including works by Aristotle, Stanislavsky, Brecht, Grotowski, and a variety of other contemporary theorists and practitioners. In addition to surveying the work of key dramatic and performance theorists and theories, the course will engage students in the application of these theories in the study and analysis of play texts from a variety of periods, genres and cultures. Students will analyze these texts from the perspective of both the logistic and aesthetic requirements of production (as actors, directors and designers).

Devising theatre is a collaborative process in which a group of individuals produce a wholly new or adapted piece of theatre. This course is a hands-on exploration of that collaborative process and places students at the center of their own artistic expression. Through a series of class discussions and lectures, readings, writing assignments, creative exercises, brainstorming sessions, and acting workshops, students will learn about the history and theories of devised theatre as a tool for social change, while also generating their own theatrical pieces for individual and group presentation. Above all, this course fosters an ensemble-building atmosphere and imparts to students the importance of teamwork and communication in working toward a shared goal.

This course is designed to provide motivated students interested in technical theatre the opportunity to observe and participate in the theatre design process from conception to execution, while learning basic stagecraft skills involved in professional theatre production via an internship at a local theatre. Students will work directly with professional directors, designers and stage technicians on the production of a play from design concept to performance. The experience will allow active engagement in collaborative processes and methods commonly employed to create theatre productions. Depending upon the interests and abilities of the student, and the needs of the specific production, students may be assigned to a specific area of design stagecraft (i.e. Costumes or Scenic), or learn and engage in a more general capacity. The learning objectives of this apprenticeship are to give students an understanding of the goals and methods of design and stagecraft as critical elements in translating a play text into a fully realized artistically unified theatre expression. Students will have bi-weekly meetings with the instructor.

A survey of theatre and drama of selected European nations and periods, emphasizing plays and theatre productions in particular historical, artistic, and theoretical contexts (e.g. “Modernist European Theatre and Drama, 1890-1930” – “Romanticism and Realism on Continental Stages”; “France and Germany, 1789-1989”; “Theatre of the European Renaissance” ; “Major Dramatists of Scandinavia, Russia, and Central Europe”).

A historical survey of American theatre and drama, from the Colonial period to the early 21st century, focusing on a selection of significant plays and stylistic movements in the twentieth century. Plays studied include those by Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Sam Shepard, and Tony Kushner, along with alternating selections by less well-known and/or marginalized American dramatists, 1925 to 2000. The varied types of drama, styles and modes of theatre production, and contributions of actors, directors, scenographers, theorists, and critics provide a continuous context for this study of America’s developing theatre arts.

A course in Shakespeare’s drama that emphasizes the plays as potential theatre productions. Studying a selection of plays representative of the different acknowledged types of Shakespearean drama (comedy, tragedy, history, problem comedy, romance), students gain a broad understanding of the character and range of Shakespeare’s poetic-dramatic art. Experimenting with production activities such as oral interpretation, character presentation, and scene rendering, they acquire a practical appreciation of Shakespearean drama’s theatrical potency, of the original staging conventions, and of how each type of play makes particular generic demands on both performer and spectator. Augmenting the reading and expressive activities is a term research project focused on collaborative realization of a staging interpretation of selected scenes from the Shakespeare plays on the syllabus.

A historical survey of African American playwrights and the significant moments, topics, and themes that informed their work from the late 1800’s to the early 21st century. Plays by American African Diaspora playwrights will be studied and will include works by Ira Aldridge, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, Amiri Baraka, Lynn Nottage, August Wilson, George C. Wolfe, Ed Bullins, Anna Deavere Smith, and Ntozake Shange. The varied types of drama, styles and modes of theatre production, and contributions of actors, directors, scenographers, theorists, musicians, and critics provide a continuous context for this study of America’s developing theatre arts.

This course is a survey of the development of the American Musical Theater, highlighting representative works, composers, librettists and performers of both the cultivated and vernacular traditions. It is further designed as an appreciation course, fostering the development of a greater appreciation for all types of stage music and the ability to better evaluate the quality of a work, the performance, and the performers.

This class is a critical, theoretical, and practical examination of the constitution and performance of personal identity within popular media as it relates to identity politics in everyday life. Through lectures, readings, film, and critical writing, students will examine elements of personal identity and diversity in popular media in order to foster a deeper understanding of how identity is constructed and performed in society.

This course examines the director’s creative process in translating a dramatic text into a theatre production. Key to this process is the need to develop deep capability in text analysis and interpretation, along with strong skills to meet the challenges brought on by the practical needs of production. Combining lecture and discussion with text analysis assignments and in-class exercises, students will learn how to approach the creation of a director’s production concept for a text, and then explore, through rehearsals and staging, the process of bringing a dramatic story to life on stage in an engaging and compelling manner. Particular emphasis will be placed on how to synthesize different elements with one another to create a coherent expression designed to elicit intellectual, emotional, and critical responses from audiences. Course will culminate with each student presenting a scene or short on-act play fully staged for peer and instructor feedback. Leadership, collaboration, presentation skills, creative problem-solving, and project management will be taught as crucial elements of the process.

This course investigates the history, theories, and techniques of the theatrical stage manager in order to give a historical and practical understanding of its roles and responsibilities. Emphasis will be placed on the stage manager’s role in the collaborative process. Using readings, lectures, discussions, and practical exercises, students will learn the history, responsibilities, and procedures of stage management from pre- to post-production.

This course will run parallel to PRFL 221: Fundamentals of Acting by introducing and developing acting concepts and techniques that focus on the audition process. Through a variety of audition settings such as theatre, musical theatre, television, and film, students will hone their skills of play reading, script analysis, character development and personalization, memorization, improvisation, and confidence in presenting their work. Students can expect a course that is highly experiential. At the end of the semester students will have created an audition repertoire book to take into any audition setting. The skills built in this course can be applied to job interviews in most other careers and disciplines.

This course will continue to develop concepts introduced in PRFL 221: Fundamentals of Acting and PRFL 333: Auditioning Techniques and will focus on scene study. Through scenes from a variety of play texts such as contemporary, American classic, European Realism, Shakespearean, as well as tv/film scripts, students will hone their skills of text reading, script analysis, character development with a critical eye, personalization, memorization, collaboration, teamwork, improvisation, and confidence in presenting their work. Students can expect a course that is highly experiential, but supported by readings, lecture, and discussion. By the end of the semester, students will have gained experience and understanding of the acting styles and conventions related to several major theatrical periods. The skills built in this course can be applied to most other careers and disciplines.

Allows examination of a special problem or topic area in the theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and other performing and fine arts. Topics and specific content and methods vary from term to term. Each term’s offering, however, features an introduction to a historical period, movement, phenomenon, practitioner(s), or other subfield of study within performing arts and/or visual culture. In so doing, students develop theoretical and experiential knowledge of an artistic period, movement, phenomenon, practitioner(s) or other subfield of study within performing arts and/or visual culture.

An in-depth examination of a selected aspect of performing arts with a focus on performance and composition.

This course provides hands-on experiential learning in Performing Arts, which may be fulfilled through a variety of methods related to production activities. Such activities may include light board operator, sewing buttons on costumes pieces, and helping paint scenic elements. All experiences must be approved by a department mentor.

This course will examine the characteristics and elements of theatre and the performing arts, emphasizing the principles and conventions that guided theatre productions through history. The course examines the ways that theatre influences and is influenced by cultures and by individual life experience. Particular attention is paid to the development of scripts, visual theatre, theatre vocabulary, and the emergence of Deaf and multicultural theatre.

This course introduces students to the theory, history, and practice of accessibility and inclusion in theatre and dance. Course readings will explore relevant concepts from performance studies, deaf and disability studies, and universal design. Students will develop critical perspectives on issues of representation such as authenticity in casting. Students will also learn about theater and dance companies focused on accessibility and inclusion, examine various approaches to creating accessibility and inclusive performance, and consider artistic and aesthetic questions raised by such performance. Students will also explore accessibility and inclusion in performance through artistic practices such as movement exercises, creative captioning, and non-dominant sensory storytelling.

This course introduces students to the technical and design processes of theatre, including scenery, costume, lighting, make-up, and prop craft. Students experience the range of skills needed to create successful productions, and identify their own areas of interest and strength for future theatre participation.

This course expands students’ understanding of the use of physical space through creative movement strategies. These are supplemented by images, gesture, and sign representation of story elements. Techniques developed from visual theatre practices are studied. Through active participation, students learn the language of movement, mime and visual theatre. Ensemble work based on performance standards, character creation, and theme development is emphasized.

The description will be specified on each Independent Study Contract.

This course fosters the understanding and appreciation of design as part of theatrical productions with specific reference to the fields of scenic, lighting, and costume design and the personnel involved. Students will explore the historical and cultural aspects of theatre while examining the relationship to their activities in everyday life. Students will learn how theatrical scripts and stage directions influence the design, aesthetics, and use of space in a theatrical production, and how to use the script to visualize the design process. Deaf Theatre and other cultural references will be used to discuss the ever growing need to address diversity and accessibility in theatrical productions. Emphasis will be placed on using literary analysis of themes and metaphors inherent in a script to develop an appreciation for the artistic and aesthetic aspects of technical theatre. No artistic or technical skills necessary.

This course fosters the understanding and appreciation of the integration of media to support and enhance storytelling in theatre, dance, and experimental performances. Focus will be placed on the study and appreciation of media in performance through an exploration of theory, historical perspectives, and creative expression. Examples of media from early integration to current practices will be explored, as well as the various types of technology and equipment used. Deaf Theatre and other cultural references will be used to discuss the need to support accessibility and create inclusive environments. Instances where media and technology were used to push the boundaries, as well as to develop and test new technology, will also be examined.

This course is an introduction to the methods and materials of theatrical painting and props through a project-oriented class. Techniques, communication, and use of appropriate materials and tools are emphasized. Students apply the skills learned to individual and group projects. This course prepares students for more specialized work in Theatre Practicum.

This course introduces students to the principles and techniques associated with theatrical stage makeup. Through practical application and experimentation, students will be encouraged to explore a variety of methods, materials, and possibilities for a range of character types; including fantasy and special effects makeup techniques. Students will be provided lectures, handouts, and class and video demonstrations throughout the semester.

This course is designed as an introduction to the theory and application of costume and accessory design for the stage. Students will explore the artistic, historical, and technical aspects of creating costumes and accessories, learning about key vocabulary, equipment, and materials used in costume technology. Influences on design theory will be examined through examples from Deaf Theatre and cultural, physical, and visual-based performances. Students will gain an appreciation for the relationship that costumes and accessories contribute to the overall meanings of dramatic performance.

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of technical theatre through an exploration of theory, historical perspectives, and creative expression of theatrical scenery. Students will explore the principles, techniques, and tools used in creating scenery. Attention will also be placed on the evolution of theatrical scenery throughout time, theories and application of design elements, and the impact of the growth of technology over the last century. Influences on design theory will be examined through examples from Deaf Theatre and cultural, physical, and visual-based performances.

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of technical theatre through an exploration of theory, historical perspectives, and the creative expression of theatrical lighting. Influences on design theory will be examined through examples from Deaf Theatre and cultural, physical, and visual-based performances. Students will explore conventional lighting equipment and techniques used in creating lighting effects for theatrical productions. The evolution of lighting uses throughout time and the impact of the exponential growth of lighting technology over the last century will also be covered.

This course introduces students to the actor's craft, process, and technique. Major performance methods are introduced in both physical approaches to acting (Grotowski, Delsarte, Alexander technique, multi-cultural methods from African Griot to Japanese Noh) and psychological approaches (Stanislavsky, Meisner, Hagan, Strasberg). Foundation skills in translation, memorization, stage combat, mask, and mime prepare the student upper-level performance courses.

This course fosters the understanding and appreciation of artistic sign language for theater, film, television, and video productions. Topics considered include the relationship between script and translation, principles of artistic sign language for stage vs. film/television, integrating Deaf and hearing performance, and accessibility advocacy. Assignments include critiques of artistic sign language in various genres from the director of artistic sign language (DASL) perspective. Due to the nature of this subject, instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided.

This course applies technical, performing, script analysis, stage management, and other skills to an actual theatrical production. Students contract with a department mentor for responsibilities and the appropriate credit expectations. In addition to production responsibilities, students are expected to complete reading and writing assignments connected to the production. This course is repeatable for credit.

This course gives students the opportunity for focused, in-depth study of a selected advanced topic in theatre, using seminar and workshop approaches. Specific topics vary from semester to semester, and address such areas as methods of acting, playwriting, production design, systems of analysis, genres of dance, translation, and historical influences on theatre art. This course is repeatable for credit.

This course explores the evolution of dance from early movement to the diverse representation of dance found in the world today. Emphasis will be placed on the study and appreciation of dance through an exploration of theory, history, and the perspective of cultural and social impacts, along with traditional and experimental dance forms. Students will experience and reflect on a survey of dance forms through lectures, discussions, literature references, and viewings of film and live performance.

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of jazz dance through an examination of movement concepts, artistic principles, and the exploration of theory, history, and socio-cultural perspectives. Students will explore various styles of jazz such as Broadway, Street, and Contemporary. Emphasis will be placed on body isolations and rhythmic phrasing to help students develop an appreciation for jazz dance as an art form. Students will discover new capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, and their comprehension of jazz dance in relation to music, space, time, and energy. Through practice and application, students will develop a physical appreciation of dance from the experience of movement and creative expression. Learning about jazz dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice, and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course.

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of hip hop through an exploration of theory, historical and aesthetic foundations, and socio-cultural perspectives. Students will experience a variety of movement qualities, develop techniques for proper body stretching and conditioning, and be exposed to basic hip hop styles and trends. Students will discover new capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of hip hop dance in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will develop a physical appreciation of dance from the experience of movement and creative expression. Learning about hip hop dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course.

This course is designed as an introduction to dance as a developmental, expressive, and creative art form. Students will learn how the artistic principles and movement concepts of: basic rhythms, dance technique, improvisation and beginning choreography; impact the creation and execution of modern dance. Students will discover new technical capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of modern dance in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will understand the unique structure of their own bodies and expand their awareness of self and others. Theoretical aspects of dance related to historical and socio-cultural contexts will be explored. Learning about dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. No previous dance experience is required.

This course is designed as an introduction to ballet observed through artistic principles, movement concepts and the exploration of technique. Students will discover new technical capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of the ballet form in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will understand the unique structure of their own bodies and expand their awareness of self and others. While the primary focus is on strengthening individual dance technique and knowledge of traditional and contemporary ballet movements, dynamic alignment, movement efficiency, connectivity, articulation, phrasing, and breath support, students can expect to develop an appreciation for aspects of the ballet aesthetic while considering theoretical aspects related to historical and socio-cultural contexts. Learning about dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. No previous dance experience is required.

This course focuses on the study and appreciation of dance and choreography through an exploration of theory, history, and social-cultural perspectives encompassing the elements related to designing movement. Students will explore various approaches of dance composition and the creative process from historical and cultural perspectives while examining the interactions of dance and movement found in society today. Attention will also be placed on the role of designing movement and space beyond the dance studio. Examples from live and recorded performances, as well as digitally produced creations such as animations in television, movies and video games, will be examined.

This course is a faculty-directed student research project at the undergraduate level. The research will entail an in-depth study in the performing arts that could be considered of an original nature. Enrollment in this course requires permission from the Department Chair and completion of the NTID Undergraduate Research Contract.

The description will be specified in each Special Topic Documentation Form.

This course explores the design and use of projections and media in live performance with emphasis on the development and communication of the visual idea. Students will study current and emerging technologies and techniques, including but not limited to the use of imagery, video, and captions in a live performance. Students will develop designs that emerge through a study of theory, script analysis, collaboration with directors and design teams, research, and conceptualization techniques. Special attention will be given to design for diverse audiences, including deaf and hard of hearing.

Semiotics is the study of linguistic and nonlinguistic communication. In the performing arts, visual elements are essential to how the meaning of a performance is created.. These elements include sets, props, costume, projections, and multimedia design, as well as bodily movement, gesture, and visual languages. Each type of visual communication has its own principles and conventions that vary across historical periods, performance traditions, and cultures. Students will study a range of visual modalities, from the movement patterns of commedia dell’arte and the mudras of Indian classical dance, to physical theatre and sign language performance. Students will analyze visual choices in a variety of productions to understand how these elements contribute to the artistic and aesthetic meanings of the performance. This course is writing intensive.

This course is an exploration of the principles, elements, and practicalities of costume design for theatrical productions. This is a workshop style class, in which students learn primarily through their own design projects and peer/instructor critique. Students will create their own designs through a process of character analysis, based on the script and directorial concept, research, and conceptualization techniques. Designs will be created using hand drawing and computer programs. Emphasis will be placed on strategies for communicating design choices through rendering techniques, research, presentations, and other expressive activities.

This course is an exploration of the principles, elements, and practicalities of scenic design for theatrical productions. This is a workshop style class, in which students learn primarily through their own design projects and peer/instructor critique. Students will create their own designs through a process of environmental analysis, based on the script and directorial concept, research, and conceptualization techniques. Designs will be created using hand drawing and computer programs. Emphasis will be placed on strategies for communicating design choices through rendering techniques, research, presentations, and other expressive activities.

This course explores lighting design for theatrical productions with an emphasis on the development and communication of the visual idea. This is a workshop style class, in which students learn primarily through their own design projects and peer/instructor critique. Students will learn the technical aspects of lighting design and create their own designs through a process of script analysis, working with a directorial concept, research, and conceptualization techniques. Students will learn how to communicate their ideas through industry-standard drawings and paperwork. Emphasis will be placed on strategies for communicating design choices through research, presentations, and other expressive activities.

Playwriting I is an intensive exploration of writing for theatre. Areas of study include the major parts of the dramatic text such as plot structure, action, dialogue, and character development. Professional stage play format will also be covered. This is a workshop style class, in which students learn primarily through their own design projects and peer/instructor critique. Students will write scripts for multiple short scenes and 10-minute plays, revising frequently based on peer and instructor feedback. Students will also read, view, and discuss short plays by Deaf and hearing writers. This course is designated as Writing Intensive.

This course is designed to explore cultures from around the world, emphasizing how dance is derived as an expression and reflection of each culture and people. Students will have the opportunity to actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of world dance and culture. Students will experience a cross-cultural examination and analysis of dance traditions and movement through historical, critical, artistic, and socio-cultural contexts.

This course focuses on the study and appreciation of the intersection of dance and technology. Students will examine historical and contemporary integrations of technology in both the creation and production of dance. This inquiry-based exploration broadens perspectives and encourages inventiveness as students actively investigate the relationship between dance and technology.

This course focuses on the significance of African dance and movement intertwined in historical, cultural, and social contexts. Students will actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of dance from various regions of Africa. Students will explore how African dance offers a different perspective of movement compared to a more western focus.

This course introduces students to Performance Studies, an interdisciplinary field that integrates theatre studies, anthropology, sociology, art history, and cultural studies. Performance includes framed genres such as theatre, film/television, and dance, as well as unframed genres such as social media, social rituals, sports, and enactments of self-identity. Students will learn key concepts in the field and apply them to a broad range of performances in a variety of communication modalities, including signed language. Students will also consider the social significance of performance and how it structures our lives. This course is writing intensive.

A study of Deaf performance in the United States from its earliest documented forms to the present. Topics covered include storytelling, visual vernacular, ASL poetry, ASL music, Dip Hop, principles of artistic sign language, the development of the National Theatre of the Deaf, and the history of integrated Deaf/hearing theatre. In addition to assigned readings, students will view and analyze a wide variety of Deaf performance artifacts. Due to the nature of this subject, instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided.

This course examines theoretical and dramaturgical issues specific to translating written English plays into ASL. Students will consider how linguistic translation of a text intended for performance is shaped by the context of its enactment and reception by the audience, as well as by the cultural, social, aesthetic, political, economic, and ethical aspects of translation. Principles of artistic sign language will be reviewed and applied by analyzing production recordings and live theater performances. Students will also translate short plays collaboratively and individually. Due to the nature of this subject, instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided.