Sampling of Theatre Courses

Intro to Playwriting: Unearthing the Stories Within

This course will give students the opportunity to create original theatrical work. The class structure will function as a creative incubator for students to be able to express the stories that are living within them. We will read the work of some of the most exciting contemporary playwrights whose work is primarily focused on illuminating experiences from groups often under-represented within the traditional canon. We'll spend time doing various writing exercises both in-class and out of class that will help students get in touch with their own unique voices. We all have stories to tell. This class will help you unearth those stories using both practical and ethereal methods. 

Introduction to Design Driven Performance

Working collaboratively and individually, students will undertake a series of design exercises as they work toward shaping performances that are inspired by design ideas. Traditionally, theatre directors, playwrights, or actors take the lead in creating performed projects. What happens when designers initiate theatrical work? How can design speak to an audience? How does design develop narrative, tension, and conflict? We will examine methods of using design elements that can carry an audience and sustain engagement. We will also explore how design ideas can spark the development of devised work involving performers. Throughout the semester we will survey the work of selected artists while analyzing how they mix traditional theatre design forms (sound, lighting, costumes, scenery, props) with new media and technology. With the assistance of classmates, students will develop and “perform” individual pieces inspired by their own design visions.

Acting and Directing Lab

In this course we'll develop the skills in crafting stories as both actors and directors. Through intensive scene work, you'll either be working as an actor within the scene with partner(s) or you'll be serving as the director of the scene, helping to shape and sculpt it. We'll read the work of contemporary directors in which they describe their own directing process and we'll also read about various acting methodologies that can help assist actors in stepping into and embodying characters with care, authenticity, and nuance. This course will require substantial rehearsal time outside of the classroom with your groups, and will also require the professor's permission.

Setting the Stage: Scenery and Costumes

There are processes designers in the theatre must undertake to realize the physical world of a play. Within the performing arts no single aspect of design exists in isolation and no designer should fly solo. Moving through a series of individual and group exercises, students will begin to develop their own process toward expressing their passion for theatre work through their designs. Throughout the semester students will develop a design vocabulary that allows for collaboration and interplay, while producing unified and coherent design work. This semester particular emphasis will be placed on scenic and costume design. Students will be introduced to the tools of design communication: drafting, models, rendering, etc. as they learn to discuss and to respond to performance works.

Directing Studio

This studio course introduces and examines principles of directing for the stage. We explore the world of a play, conflicts, staging, and learning the language of designers. We also explore different modes of communicating with actors. We will look at the work of current directors. How do they approach a script? What is their rehearsal process? How do they collaborate with designers in producing the work on stage? Students will keep a directing journal, analyze plays, and review productions throughout the semester.

Designing With Light in the Theatre

What draws us to the light?  What is the depth of our connection?  We use light as a mode of artistic expression: to illuminate, to underscore, to surprise or intimidate, and to support the art of theatrical storytelling.  This class explores the artistry of lighting design in the theatre. Students will study and practice how light defines and reinforces line, movement, texture, scale, and color. Students develop lighting design ideas as they relate to a dramatic text. While incorporating the functions of theatrical lighting design: instrumentation, control, color, and distribution, students learn how to draft a light plot and prepare lighting cues. Students will experiment with light manipulation in class and work on group and individual projects.