DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE

WHAT'S NEW AND INTERESTING FOR SUMMER 2008

COURSES TO SATISFY THE FOUNDATION SERIES REQUIREMENT

THET 113: Fundamentals of Theatre History
M, T, W, TH (1:30 - 3:10pm) – Summer II
This course explores the process of artistic and cultural creation by tracing major developments in theatre and drama from Greeks to the present, focusing on developing an understanding of the nature of theater.
Instructor: Chris Martin

THET 116: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
T, TH (9am - 12:20pm) – Summer I (1st three weeks only)
This course examines theatre as an environmental art that is realized through collaboration between set, costume, and lighting designers.
Instructor: Daniel Conway

COURSES TO SATISFY CORE

THET 110: Introduction to Theatre [HA]
M, T, TH (11am - 1:15pm) – Summer I and Summer II
Introduction to the people of the theatre: actors, directors, designers and backstage personnel. Learning about the core and characteristics of a play script; theatrical forms and styles; and theatre history.
Instructors: Tracy Chessum; Karalee Dawn

THET 293: Black Theatre and Performance I [HA, D]
T, W, TH, F (9am -12:15pm) – Summer I (1st three weeks only)
Thematic and historical survey of African-American drama from the late Nineteenth Century to the 1960’s, course emphasis is on sociopolitical context, thematic thrust, issues, styles, the aesthetic reflected in the work and impact on African-American and general theatre audiences.
Instructor: Scot Reese

COURSES TO SATISFY THE PERFORMANCE (OR SUPPORTING) REQUIREMENT

THET 299M: Independent Study: Theatrical Clown
M, T, W (9:00am - 1:15pm) – Summer I (1st three weeks only)
Innocent, naïve and mischievous–playing with whatever interests you in the moment–this is the world of clown. The progression begins with development of a character unique to each person and the creation of their world. Individual, group and ensemble process will be explored.
Instructor: Leslie Felbain

THET 330: Play Directing I
T, W, TH, F (1:00pm - 4:15pm) – Summer I (1st three weeks only)
A lecture-laboratory course dealing with the techniques of coordinating, designing and guiding the production of a script through to performance. Study and practice in stage composition, movement, pacing, script and character analysis, and rehearsal routines.
Instructor: Scot Reese

COURSES TO SATISFY THE DESIGN (OR SUPPORTING) REQUIREMENT

THET 373: Rendering for Theatre I
M, W, F (9:30am -11:45am) – Summer I
An art-studio-style course that introduces the techniques and tools of drawing and painting, designed to develop rendering and drawing skills applicable to theatrical design presentation.
Instructor: Harold Burgess

THET 377: Lighting Design I
T, TH (10:00am - 1:20pm) – Summer I
This course is a study of the theories of electrification, instruments, design, color, and control for the stage.
Instructor: Harold Burgess

COURSES TO SATISFY THE HISTORY/THEORY (OR SUPPORTING) REQUIREMENT

THET 293: Black Theatre and Performance I
T, W, TH, F (9am -12:15pm) – Summer I (1st three weeks)
Thematic and historical survey of African-American drama from the late Nineteenth Century to the 1960’s, course emphasis is on sociopolitical context, thematic thrust, issues, styles, the aesthetic reflected in the work and impact on African-American and general theatre audiences.
Instructor: Scot Reese

THET 350: History of American Musical Theatre and Popular Culture
M, W, TH (11am - 1:15pm) – Summer II
An exploration of the complicated history of some of America's most popular entertainments from vaudeville to musical theatre, connecting the history of America's diverse racial and ethnic communities to the evolution of forms like minstrels, Wild West Shows, and showboat theatre. The course traces the history of our most popular and enduring art form--the musical comedy--from the Ziegfeld Follies to Rent and beyond.
Instructor: Chrystyna Dail

THET 399N: Independent Study: Contemporary American Musical Theater: From Hair to Hairspray
M, T, W (1:00 pm - 3:15pm) – Summer I
Beginning with the political and social critique Hair and moving to the Concept Musicals of the 1970s, the profit-driven Mega-Musicals and nostalgic revivals dominating the 1980s, the “Disneyification” of Broadway in the 1990s and the current trend toward pastiche and satire, this course explores the ways the musical has variously paralleled, reified, and challenged larger trends in the American landscape.
Instructor: Korey Rothman

THET 489Q: Special Topics in Theatre History from 1800 to Present: Where the Wild Things Are:
The Construction of Queer Identities in Drama and Performance
M, T, W (9:45 am - 12:00 pm) – Summer I
This course looks at representations of gay and lesbian identity on the American & English stage, from the plays of Oscar Wilde and the writings surrounding his ground-breaking trial for "gross indecency" to contemporary representations of gay and lesbian identity in drama, performance art, and culture.
Instructor: Korey Rothman

COURSES TO SATISFY THE SUPPORTING CREDITS REQUIREMENT

THET 299A: Independent Study: Introduction to Solo Performance
M, W, F (10:00am - 2:30pm) – Summer I
Learn about prominent solo performance artists as you write, direct, and perform original solo pieces. The course culminates in a creative project.
Instructor: Justin Poole

THET 399J: Independent Study: Acting with the Stars: Ballroom Dancing and Scene Study
M, T, W (10:30am- 12:45pm) – Summer II
Ballroom dancing and scene study – Using partnered social dancing, students will explore dynamics of tension, leadership, and energy in the creation of a character. No dance experience necessary.
Instructor: Chris Martin

THET 399K: Independent Study: Dynamic Stage Combat
2 Credit Course
M, T, W (12:30pm - 3:15pm) – Summer I (2nd three weeks only)
This introductory course will explore dynamic stage movement and kinetic storytelling. Students will explore theatrical space by drawing from freerunning, basic stage acrobatics (including basic to advanced falls and rolls), and unarmed stage combat. Students will experiment with unconventional ways of moving through space both alone and with partners, and telling stories non-verbally. No experience is necessary, but the class is highly physical.
Instructor: Casey Kaleba