Theatre Courses
THTR - Theatre Courses
THTR-101: Devised Theatre (Credits: 3)
Students will work as a cohort to create and perform a piece, borrowing from the idea of the Living Newspaper, where the script originates from the entire group rather than from a specific writer, and pulls inspiration and material from current events.
THTR-145: Stagecraft I (Credits: 2)
For every actor on stage in the professional theatre, as many as 20 people work behind the scenes. Who are these people and what do they do? This course introduces the basic theories and techniques used in stage scenery, props, lighting, and sound. Students will learn the terminology, tools and practices used in technical theatre as they work on practical projects while mounting theatrical productions.
THTR-160: Computer Aided Drafting for Theatre (Credits: 3)
This course is designed to introduce theatre majors to the essentials of theatrical design application on computer software. In this course, students will become proficient in computer aided drafting for the stage utilizing current software programs such as Softplot and Vectorworks.
THTR-180: Acting I (Credits: 3)
A study of the acting techniques of Stanislavski, Strasberg, and Hagen applied to monologues and scene. (WCore: WCFAH)
THTR-190: The Holistic Artist: Creative Wellness (Credits: 3)
Like an athlete, stage performers need to care for themselves in ways unique to their profession. This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of health issues related to stage performance and to encourage the application of this knowledge in order to thrive on stage. Subjects that will be covered are mind/body awareness, overcoming fatigue, stress management, relaxation, creativity, and building resilience.
THTR-220: Stage Management (Credits: 3)
This overview of the art and business of stage management examines the skills of personnel management, organization, delegation, and scheduling as required tools of an effective stage manager. Students will develop an understanding of the technical infrastructure of the theatre and an awareness of how the theatre hierarchy functions. Graduates of this course are prepared to successfully stage manage productions, from auditions, to rehearsals. (3)
THTR-225: Lighting Design I (Credits: 3)
This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of the fundamentals of stage lighting: basic electrical theory, light and color theory, instrumentation, control systems, drafting, and special effects. It is required that each student serve as an electrician or as master electrician on a production during the semester.
THTR-229: Costumes and Makeup (Credits: 4)
This course teaches basic costume construction and stage makeup skill. Costume construction skills taught include hand sewing and basic machine sewing. Stage makeup skill's taught include basic makeup techniques used for performers and basic special effects makeup.
THTR-255: Script Analysis (Credits: 3)
This course studies methodologies of script analysis to help students develop greater skill in the technical and theoretical skills of script analysis using a formalist approach. Using dramatic literature from naturalism to the avant garde, students will dissect how the plays work structurally. Analytical methods provide students with glimpses of plays' underlying structural principles, leading to deeper understanding of overall meaning. The course offers general guidelines for reading and thinking about plays and understanding the basic potentials of a play's construction. (WCore; WCFAH)
THTR-260: Visual Storytelling Onstage (Credits: 3)
The visual language of a dance, theatre, or opera production is as essential as the choreography, words, and music in telling a story onstage. This course will teach students how to develop design concepts, explore the application of elements and principles of design for the use of staging and designing productions, and introduce visual research methods and script analysis, developing concepts and visual metaphors, and collaboration methods.
THTR-262: Scenographic Methods (Credits: 4)
Costume and scenic designers create more than visual renderings to communicate with their teams. This course focuses on teaching the design communication methods and more advanced design research methods required of an effective designer. Students will learn how to create the necessary forms, and informational documents that augment a rendering or model: drafting packages, line set schedules, costume plots, piece lists, paint elevations, budget tracking, and source sheet.
THTR-275: Period Styles (Credits: 3)
Historic architecture, interior design styles, and fashion are essential areas of knowledge for theatre designers. Many productions are not only set in historic periods and locales, but also draw on historic inspirations. This course will introduce theatre majors to a range of historic and global period styles in architecture, decor, and fashion for application in theatre design. Students will learn basic terminology of architectural features, furniture, and fashion. Students will also learn about research methods and historical and cross cultural influences in fashion and architecture. (WCore: WCSBS, RE)
THTR-280: Acting II (Credits: 4)
A study of the acting techniques of Meisner and Adler applied to scene work. Prerequisite: THTR 180 or consent of instructor.
THTR-301: Directed Studies (Credits: 1 to 4)
A tutorial-based course used only for student-initiated proposals for intensive individual study of topics not otherwise offered in the Theatre Arts Program. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and school dean.
THTR-303: Performance Studies (Credit: 1)
This course rotates each semester in its focus, based on the needs of the program and the students registered. Common offerings include Suzuki, Stage Combat, Contact Improv, and Performance Studies. This course is repeatable for credit.
THTR-313: Antiracist Performing Arts Seminar (Credits: 2)
A weekly collaborative reading and discussion of antiracist theatre articles, podcasts and other texts. Goals of the course include defining racist and antiracist theatre practices (formal and informal) and construct a working idea of how antiracist theatre practices might be applied in academic and professional theatre.
THTR-318: Advanced Stage Makeup (Credits: 3)
This course will build on skills and principles taught in THTR 218 Stage Makeup and expand into advanced stage makeup techniques including: wig/facial hair ventilation, life casting, prosthetic makeup, and advanced special effects makeup techniques.
THTR-321: Creative Writing: Plays (Credits: 3)
Workshop in playwriting which examines structure and style in dramatic literature as a starting point for student's work in scene writing.
THTR-325: Lighting Design II (Credits: 3)
This course will build on skills and concepts learned in Lighting Design I principally color and design theory. Students will develop collaborative skills through class projects. Students will also develop lighting design projects that begin building their lighting design portfolio.
THTR-328: Theatre Workshop (Credits: 1 to 4)
Advanced work in technical theatre or stage management through participation in on-campus productions. Prerequisite: consent of program director. This course can be repeated for credit.
THTR-329: Costume Stagcraft II (Credits: 3)
This class is designed to familiarize students with the materials and advanced techniques used in the design and construction of theatrical costumes which may include millinery, mask making, and the dyeing and painting of fabric. In this course the student will deepen their understanding of the principles and elements of design, play analysis, research, costume period and style, design problems, construction and organization skills. The course includes a laboratory component during which students will apply these skills to departmental productions.
THTR-335: Scenic Painting and Properties (Credits: 3)
This course is an introduction to methods of painting scenery for stage productions, characteristics of various scene painting materials. The course includes a study of color, perspective and techniques. The course includes a laboratory component during which students will apply these skills to departmental productions.
THTR-345: Stagecraft II (Credits: 3)
This course is a continuation of the theories and applications of construction techniques for the scenic environment. Special emphasis is placed on stage machinery and rigging, welding and scenery building. The course includes a laboratory component during which students will apply these skills to departmental productions.
THTR-358: Global Stages and Stories I (Credits: 3)
Study of the history of theatre and dramatic literature from its origins in ancient civilization through the nineteenth century. (WCore: EWRLD)
THTR-359: American Stages & Stories 18th C to Cont (Credits: 3)
Study of the history of theatre and dramatic literature from the eighteenth century through contemporary American Theatre Movements.
THTR-362: Scenographic Techniques (Credits: 4)
This course focuses on advanced stenographic rendering and modeling techniques including: figure drawing, fabric rendering, costume rendering mediums, model making techniques, scale furniture, and perspective drawing.
THTR-371: Movement I (Credits: 2)
This course will focus on an increased awareness and facility with the holding patterns and physical signatures we have as actors. Neutral, larval, and character masks will be utilized in physical and kinesthetic assessments and in the physical creation of characters.
THTR-372: Movement II (Credits: 2)
Students will improve alignment, flexibility, and body awareness as individuals and how they contribute to the entire physical world of the play. Students will examine various movement enhancers such as Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Viewpoints, and Laban Analysis.
THTR-379: Voice for the Actor I (Credits: 4)
This course utilizes process-oriented work on releasing tension, healthy vocal production, the anatomy of sound, developing their brath capacity and control, resonation, articulation, and the use of pitch, pace, power, and the quality of sound to increase expressivity and clarity of thought and intent. Students will also learn, and transcribe text into, the International Phonetic Alphabet.
THTR-380: Acting III (Credits: 4)
A study of the acting techniques necessary to perform the heightened texts of Shakespeare. Chekhov, Ibsen, and Shaw.
THTR-385: Musical Theatre (Credits: 3)
This course will survey the history and masterworks, the major composers, lyricist, and choreographers of this quintessentially American art form. Participants will then put feet to their understanding by working solos, duets, and large group numbers from the musical theatre repertoire.
THTR-387: Undergraduate Teaching (Credits: 1 to 2)
Teaching assistants in theatre classes. This course is repeatable for credit.
THTR-400: Theatre Design Studio (Credits: 4)
Students will have structured studio time to develop theoretical design projects in the field of interests including projects in: costume design, hair and makeup design, scenic design, sound design, lighting design, and projection design. Students will complete four theoretical projects a semester. For each project, students will present their designs and engage in group discussion and critique of their work. Repeatable for credit.
THTR-401: Directed Studies in Theatre Arts (Credits: 1 to 4)
A tutorial-based course used only for student- initiated proposals for intensive individual study of topics not otherwise offered in the Theatre Arts Program. Requires consent of instructor and school dean. This course is repeatable for credit.
THTR-440: Internship (Credits: 1 to 8)
Offers students the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge with practical experience. Students will be graded on assigned coursework and evaluation by their site supervisor. Prerequisites: 60 college credits completed (for transfer students at least 15 hours competed at Westminster or permission of instructor), minimum 2.5 GPA, and consent of faculty advisor and Career Center internship coordinator. Interns will work for 42 hours per each registered credit. This course is repeatable for credit. Some majors limit how many internship credits may count towards the major, consult your faculty advisor. REGISTRATION NOTE: Registration for internships is initiated through the Career Center website and is finalized upon completion of required paperwork and approvals. More info: 801-832-2590 https://westminstercollege.edu/student-life/career -center/internships.html
THTR-450: Dramatic Theory (Credits: 4)
Participants in this course will examine the writings of key theorists and critics that have been influential in the history of the theatre. They will develop and articulate their own philosophy and aesthetic principles of the theatre from which to critique individual productions. Student directors, actors, designers, dramaturges, etc., will develop the capacity to analyze a play for production purposes. This writing intensive course will include both critical analysis and creative interpretation. Students will practice critical and analytical writing, complete a dramaturgical project, and write a manifesto of the contemporary theatre. Pre-requisite: THTR 358 or 359
THTR-461: Auditioning (Credits: 4)
All work as an actor begins with the audition. Emphasizing preparation for classical, contemporary and musical theatre auditions, this course also covers the business of being a self-employed artist (headshot/resumes, agests, unions, contracts, etc.,)
THTR-470: Directing (Credits: 4)
Study of the theories and practices of staging plays for the theatre. Includes script analysis, production planning, rehearsal techniques, stage composition, and designer/director communication. Each student directs a one-act play for public performance. Prerequisite: THTR 358 or 359 or consent of instructor.
THTR-479: Voice for the Actor II (Credits: 3)
Building upon the work done in Voice, Diction, and Dialect, this course utilizes process-oriented work to increase vocal capacity and control, healthy vocal production, and. developing an increased awareness and understanding of articulation, resonance, expressivity, pitch, pace, rhythm, and variety. Students will become aware of the function and potential of their vocal instrument in the creation of regionalisms, dialects, and/or accents.