Theatre
The Theatre major is designed for students interested in developing their self-expression skills through performance or in pursuing a career in acting, directing, technical theatre, or theatre management.
Recognizing that a strong foundation in performance, theatre design, technical theatre, and front-of-house operations best prepares students for work in this field, the Department of Theatre offers a challenging curriculum with many venues for students’ self-expression. In addition to the five production mainstage series, which is supported by a community subscriber base of over 600, students are able to work their craft in the spring semester’s Ten Minute Play Festival, student produced and directed productions, and with the University’s alumni theatre troupe, the Heritage Theatre Company. Additionally, students can find employment in their junior and/or senior years with AlphaBet Soup Productions, a professional children’s theatre company in residence at the Philip Lynch Theatre. The department annually attends the American College Theatre Festival along with twelve students every January the week before classes begin.
In addition to the financial aid options available through the University, the Department of Theatre offers a number of renewable Talent Scholarships and St. Genesius Scholarships to deserving students, regardless of their financial situation. Numerous opportunities for student employment are also available (including full-time summer positions), which provide further practical experience for students.
THTR 12000 - Movement and Dance 1 (2)
A study of basic movement, ballet, and theatre dance aids students in developing sufficient agility necessary for role preparation.
THTR 12100 - Movement and Dance 2 (2)
This continuation of THTR 12000 emphasizes individual progress in the creation of physical characterization for use in productions Individual movement styles are analyzed and expanded Students are introduced to mask work.
THTR 13500 - Introduction to the Theatre Experience (3)
This course provides a study of the process of play production, from script to finished stage presentation. Basic theatre history is also covered. Attendance at three plays and a critical evaluation of each are required. This course fulfills the fine arts requirement.
Attributes: Appreciating the Aesthetic Gen
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): F1907.
THTR 21000 - Text Analysis for the Theatre (3)
A study of script analysis for actors, designers and directors is presented. Major historical periods and genres are examined.
THTR 21300 - Voice and Diction (3)
Students look at the development of the voice as an instrument of communication. The International Phonetic Alphabet is studied as a tool for analyzing and reproducing career speech.
THTR 23200 - Playwriting (3)
The focus of this course is the creation of a script for stage presentation. Elements of the craft are explored and culminate in finished texts.
THTR 25100 - Stage Technology 1 (3)
This course offers a study of the technical process of theatre, set construction, basic design, technical terminology and stage lighting. Class work is supplemented with active crew participation in departmental productions.
Attributes: Appreciating the Aesthetic Gen, Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 25200 - Stage Technology 2 (3)
This course provides further practical training in and theoretical knowledge of lighting programs, special effects devices, sound equipment, carpentry, computer set design, design concept, research methods, and safety issues affecting all aspects of stage technology. Class work is supplemented with active crew participation in departmental productions.
Prerequisite: THTR 25100 (may be taken concurrently)
THTR 25700 - Makeup (1)
Straight and character make-up for the stage is studied, along with special problems in period and stylized make-up.
THTR 25800 - Basic Costuming (3)
This course will familiarize students with theatrical costuming in all aspects: costume history, costume design and production technologies, and application of principles to specific scripts and characters.
THTR 27100 - Acting 1 (3)
Students study the basic steps an actor follows in the preparation of a role, including exercises, preparation of short scenes and systematic approach to the creation of a role.
Class Restrictions: Must be in the following Class: Sophomore.
Attributes: Appreciating the Aesthetic Gen, Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 27200 - Acting Workshop (2)
This intensive course focuses on scene preparation, monologue study and cold reading, with particular emphasis on the audition process. The workshop is intended for the experienced actor.
Prerequisite: THTR 27100 (may be taken concurrently)
THTR 27800 - Basic Stage Combat (3)
An exploration of the basics of stage combat, this course teaches the techniques of unarmed (western brawling, flips, throws, martial-arts) and single rapier.
THTR 27900 - Advanced Stage Combat (3)
A continuation of the basic course, this course adds the dagger, broadsword and student choreography for stage combat.
THTR 28100 - Musical Theatre Performance (3)
Students study the process of preparing and presenting solo, duets, chorus numbers and scenes from Broadway musicals. Basic musical theatre history and the study of the many diverse elements of the musical are also covered.
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 29100 - Improvisation 1 (3)
This performance class studies and applies the techniques of improvisation as begun at Chicago's Second City.
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 29200 - Improvisation 2 (3)
As a continuation of Improvisation 1, this course reviews and enhances basic skills of improvisation, focuses on transforming short episodes into sustained scenes, and provides for creative possibilities and the development of a personal style.
THTR 33000 - Modern Drama (3)
This course provides a study of representative plays of the major playwrights and movements in modern drama, from Ibsen to the present. The course fulfills the fine arts requirement.
Prerequisite: ENGL 11200 (may be taken concurrently)
Attributes: Literature General Education
THTR 35100 - Basic Scenic and Lighting Design (3)
Students gain the skills necessary to execute scenic and lighting designs for the stage. They investigate the theories and concepts of various styles of scenic and lighting design. They also execute several design projects.
Prerequisite: THTR 25100 (may be taken concurrently)
THTR 36100 - Advanced Sound and Light Design (3)
A series of practical projects provides advanced, working knowledge of contemporary sound and lighting systems in the theatre and entertainment industry.
THTR 37100 - Acting 2 (3)
Styles of acting are studied through preparation of short scenes, each representing a different acting style.
Prerequisite: THTR 27100 (may be taken concurrently)
THTR 37200 - Acting for Television (3)
Students study the specialized acting techniques and technical terminology essential for the actor working in television. Monologues, commercials and scenes are taped and critiqued.
THTR 37300 - Special Topics in Theatre (3)
Periodically, a specific course is offered in one of the specialized areas of theatre that is not part of the general departmental curriculum.
THTR 38400 - Practicum (1)
This practicum is designated for specific production work that is not included in the practicums listed below.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 40000 - Acting Practicum (1)
This practicum may beused for a major role in a department production The director of the production is the person who determines what is required to achieve the one-hour credit and also decides the grade The director must be informed thatthe student istakingan actingpracticum before rehearsals begin.
Prerequisite: THTR 27100 (may be taken concurrently)
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 40200 - Costume Practicum (1)
Students in this practicum assist the costumer, who is responsible for all the clothing used in the performance Duties include matters relating to design, acquisition (creation and rental), fitting, altering, maintaining, and storing all costumes.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 40400 - Directing Practicum (1)
This practicum usually consists of the direction of a production, short play, fringe festival, or showcase Specific responsibilitiesare determined in consultation with an advisor.
Prerequisite: THTR 48100 (may be taken concurrently)
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 40600 - House Management Practicum (1)
Students taking this practicum must expect to take on the following duties:recruitment and training of ushers, assistance in seating and audience management, determining a house count, and opening and closing the theatre house.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 40700 - Box Office Practicum (1)
Emphasized in thispracticum are learning computer ticketing programs, working with the public, creating box office reports and cash drawer audits, and collaborating with the House Manager.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 41000 - Props Practicum (1)
The student serving asproperties manager is responsible for all props and furniture used on the stage and all personal props used by the actors, as well as acquisition and stage positioning of all such properties. Requiredof allTheatre majors.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 41200 - Publicity Practicum (1)
This practicum is designed to introduce the student to marketing a theatrical production. Students develop skills relating to time and database management, are given an introduction to show logographic design, are expected to practice good writing skills, and must engage in strategic planning and marketingfor theatrical productions.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 41400 - Sound Practicum (1)
The sound designer is responsible for all sound used in the performance. This includes the acquisition of and organization of all sound effects, pre/post-show, intermission music, and lobby music. Requiredof allTheatre majors.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 41500 - Technical Theatre Practicum (1)
Students enrolled in this practicum are responsible for one or more of these aspectsof play production:set construction, painting, running crew, atmosphere and stage effects Because of the varied nature of the possible assignments, responsibilities also vary significantly and will be determined on a per-production basis with the technical director.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 41600 - Stage Management Practicum (1)
The stage manager's responsibilities are to assist the production director, organize all production staff, assist the director during the rehearsals, and coordinate all backstage activities, including actors, for the performance During performances, the stage director is accountable for all aspects of the performance Required for Theatre majors. Props and Sound Practicums should be taken first.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 41700 - Lighting Practicum (1)
Thelighting student's responsibilities include the testing, hanging, and focusing of all lighting equipment The lighting practicum may involve the following positions:lighting designer (courses in design are required prerequisites), lighting student, master electrician, light board operator, and/or lighting crew.
Prerequisite: THTR 25100 (may be taken concurrently) and THTR 25200 (may be taken concurrently)
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Attributes: Experiential Learning Gen Ed
THTR 42000 - Playwriting Practicum (1)
In this practicum, the student works on a creative writing project developing original scripts from outline to final play Plays may vary, but may include writing a realistic one-act, a nonrealistic one-act, a one-act documentary, a dramatization of fiction, or a full-length play.
Prerequisite: THTR 23200 (may be taken concurrently)
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 42100 - Children's Theatre Practicum (1)
The credit for this practicum isusually awardedretroactively The student must have either been cast for or must have run crew for an AlphaBet Soup Children's Theatre production for a complete semester This professional company has its home base at the Philip Lynch Theatre
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 42500 - Dramaturgy Practicum (1)
Students enrolled in this course will work on production functioning as a dramaturge A dramaturge researches the play, the playwright, and the social, cultural, and political issues that influenced the playwright's creation.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 42700 - Career Preparation Practicum (1)
This practicum prepares the student for employment after graduation The requirements differ according to the career goal of the student Technicians and designers will prepare aportfolio Actors willassemble headshots, randeacute;sumandeacute;,audition pieces, and practical knowledge oftheatre business All students will prepare a regular employment randeacute;sumandeacute; Required for Theatre majors during their second to last semester.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
THTR 43100 - History of Theatre 1 (3)
This course reviews the major periods of the theatre, from the Greeks to the Restoration, including historical background, dramatic form, playwrights and the physical theatre. The course partially fulfills the advanced writing requirement.
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): F1908.
THTR 43200 - History of Theatre 2 (3)
This continuation of THTR 43100 coversplays of the Restoration periodto those of the present day. This course partially fulfills the advanced writing requirement.
Prerequisite: THTR 43100 (may be taken concurrently)
THTR 48100 - Principles of Directing (3)
Basic concepts of play direction are studied as they apply to the preparation of scenes and short plays.
Prerequisite: THTR 27100 (may be taken concurrently)
THTR 49500 - Theatre Internship (3)
Students are placed in theatre companies arranged with an advisor to provide them with on-the-job experience.
THTR 49900 - Independent Study (1-3)
Students conduct independent research projects directed by a departmental instructor. The projects are an area of theatre not covered by other courses. Students must present a brief outline of the project and obtain the instructor's approval before registration.
Program Restrictions: Must be enrolled in the following Program: Theatre .
Class Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Classes: Junior or Senior.