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Theatre

Departmental Facilities
Departmental Requirements
B.F.A. Degree with a Major in Theatre
B.F.A. Degree with a Major in Theatre/Television
B.A. Degree with a Major in Theatre
Minor in Theatre:
Professional Internship Program
Teacher Certification
Honors Program
Suggested Courses
Courses of Instruction

(THEA)

Three degrees are offered in theatre: 1) a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with a major in theatre production and a specialization in scenery, lighting, or costuming; or a major in theatre performance with a specialization in either dramatic acting or musical theatre; 2) a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre/Television; and 3) a Bachelor of Arts (BA) that permits the student to choose a minor in another academic field of study.

The Department of Theatre functions within the context of a liberal arts university, and sincerely believes that the student experience should include areas of investigation beyond the narrowly focused instruction that characterizes most non-university affiliated professional training programs.

The department requires a core of courses in all aspects of the theatre. These courses provide an overall view of the discipline including acting, directing, history and dramatic literature, design and technical production. The core provides a strong background for both the liberal arts and pre-professional student.

Departmental Facilities. The Department of Theatre is housed in Ed Landreth Hall and the Hays Theatre Complex at TCU. Facilities include a 220 seat proscenium arch University Theatre and the new 220 seat Spencer and Marlene Hays Theatre, with a thrust stage. A Studio Theatre is in constant use by students involved in producing shows to test the skills they are developing in the classroom. All theatre spaces have state of the art equipment for teaching theatre technology. Theatre productions are supported by a new Scenic Studio in the Hays complex with a counterweighted paint frame and spray booth for painting scenery and stage properties. A small computer lab is available for student's use and for teaching various software programs specific to the theatre. Additional classrooms for theatre graphics, acting, and history are located in Ed Landreth Hall.

Departmental Requirements. The Department requires majors and minors to participate in departmental productions. Participation in both performance and production broadens the student's background and prepares him/her for advanced study. The student on academic probation will not be permitted to perform in public productions. Additional department policies are explained in a departmental student handbook. All majors and minors are responsible for securing and reading this Handbook. Courses in the theatre major or minor must be taken for a letter grade, and must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to fulfill graduation requirements.

B.F.A. Degree with a Major in Theatre: Required are 124 semester hours consisting of the following: UCR, 47 hours including THEA 10053; 39 hours in Theatre including 10001, 10603, 10613, 10703, 20333, 20713, 30103, 30113, 30403, 30503, 40123/40133 and 10601 (8 semesters). In addition, majors will choose an emphasis in Performance or Production. Required courses in Performance are 20303, 20323, 20343, 30303, and 40853. Required in Production are 30720, 30600, 30623, 30630, and 40543. Students will also select an area of specialization totaling 9 hours and will have 14 hours of electives.

B.F.A. Degree with a Major in Theatre/Television: Required are 124 semester hours consisting of the following: UCR, 47 hours including THEA 10053; 31 hours in Theatre including 10001, 10603, 10613, 10703, 20333, 20713, 30103, 30403, 30503 and 10601 (6 semesters). Required in Radio-TV-Film are 18 hours: including 10143; and one each from 20213, 20223, 20233 and one each from 20503, 20553 and 20363; plus 9 credit hours of electives. Also required are 18 hours of approved electives and 10 hours of free electives.

B.A. Degree with a Major in Theatre. Required are 124 semester hours consisting of the following: UCR 47 hours including THEA 10053; 29 hours in Theatre including 10001,10603, 10613, 20333, 20713, 30103, 30113, 30403, 30503 and 10601 (4 semesters). A minor of at least 18 semester hours is required on the B.A. degree. Note: Bachelor of Arts degree requires 6 hrs. of Sophomore Foreign Language.

Minor in Theatre: Required are 19 hours in Theatre including 10001, 10053, 10603, 20333, 30103, 10601 (3 times) and 3 hours of approved upper division theatre elective. A student seeking a minor in Theatre must have an adviser in the Theatre Department.

Professional Internship Program. With departmental approval, majors may take up to 12 hours of elective credit in Theatre Internship courses for experience working with professional programs at area theatres and theatres around the country.

Teacher Certification on the secondary level is available under the B.A. degree program. A 24 hour second teaching field is required plus 24 hours in Education courses.

Honors Program. Theatre majors who plan to pursue Departmental Honors must be members of the Honors Program and should enroll in the Honors section of THEA 10053 in their freshman year, THEA 30003 in their junior year and THEA 40003 during the fall semester of their senior year.

Suggested Courses for the Freshman Year

FALL

THEA 10001 1
THEA 10603 3
THEA 10703 3
Writing Workshop 3
Laboratory Science 3
Physical Education 1
THEA 10601 1
Total 15

SPRING

THEA 10053 3
THEA 10613 3
Religion Studies 3
Laboratory Science 3
History 3
Physical Education 1
THEA 10601 1
Total 17

The following is a complete list of courses offered by this department. Go to Class Search on Registrar's Page to see which courses are being taught this semester.

Courses of Instruction

10001 THEATRE SYMPOSIUM AND PRODUCTION. An introductory course for theatre majors and minors exploring the various facets of theatre including production procedures and discipline through class discussion. This class work focuses on a study of the Theatre Student Handbook.

10053 SURVEY OF THEATRE ARTS. An introductory course covering all aspects of the art of theatre concentrating on the history of Western drama through examination of production and performance techniques and the form and structure of drama.

10203 SURVEY OF MUSICAL THEATRE. Introduction to and examination of the important lyricists, librettists, choreographers and directors of the American Musical Theatre. Lecture and film promote an understanding of the collaborative process that integrates the elements of theatre, music and dance.

10601 THEATRE PRODUCTION. Practical experience in all facets of theatre production, related directly to major stage presentations. (1-8 hours)

10603 STAGECRAFT. An introduction to technical theatre. Includes basic technical information and practical experience in scenic construction, rigging, handling and painting of scenery for the stage.

10613 THEATRE GRAPHICS. Students will learn to read and produce the various graphic work necessary to communication in the theatre. The course covers such elements as ground plans, elevations, section drawings, light plots, figure drawing, perspective drawing and rendering techniques.

10703 STAGE MAKEUP. (Open to majors and minors only.) A laboratory course in modeling with theatrical makeup materials; designed to acquaint the student with the basic techniques of makeup for the stage.

20303 VOICE AND ARTICULATION. Prerequisite: Theatre major or permission of instructor. Laboratory course to analyze and develop vocal awareness of skills needed for stage performance.

20323 MOVEMENT FOR THE ACTOR. Prerequisite: Theatre major or permission of instructor. Laboratory course to analyze and develop physical performance skills needed for stage performance.

20333 ACTING I. Introduction to acting focusing on freeing inhibitions, developing a working understanding of basic acting techniques and the pursuit of dramatic action.

20343 ACTING II. Prerequisite: 20333 or permission of instructor. A continuation of 20333, focusing on character development and relationships through exercises and scene work.

20713 PRACTICAL COSTUMING. Introduction to fundamentals of costume studio management, theatrical sewing techniques, theatrical supplies and fabrics, painting and dyeing, costume properties and accessories, personnel and the process of developing costumes for theatrical productions.

30103 THEATRE HISTORY I. History of theatre from its origins in ancient Greek Civilization to the Renaissance.

30113 THEATRE HISTORY II. Theatre history and dramatic literature from the Restoration to the present.

30123 THE LONDON THEATRE. This is a London based course. It is designed primarily to take advantage of what this great theatre-going city has to offer. The plays and performances in the city's repertory during the semester will determine part of its content. One point should be noted: this course entails a good deal of reading of both plays and criticism and is dependent on it. Four or more plays will be studied in depth, but students taking this course will be expected to acquaint themselves with at least four others.

30303 ACTING III. Prerequisite: 20343 or permission of instructor. A student actor's introduction to classical acting techniques. A laboratory class exploring approaches to language based classical text (both verse and prose), designed to develop skills applicable to a variety of period performance styles.

30313 VOICE AND TEXT. Prerequisite: 20303, theatre major and permission of instructor. Laboratory course designed to further expand vocal skills through their application to a variety of texts, and the mastery of the tools of phrasing, stressing, and inflection for clear communication.

30323 STAGE COMBAT. Prerequisite: 20323 or permission of instructor. A performance course to analyze and develop the physical performance skill of stage combat in the areas of Unarmed Combat, Quarterstaff, and Rapier and Dagger sword work.

30403 DIRECTING. Prerequisite: 20343 or permission of instructor. Laboratory course exploring the fundamentals of directing for the stage, emphasizing application of script analysis, composition, picturization, movement, stage business, focus and rhythm through a realized project.

30503 INTRODUCTION TO STAGE LIGHTING. Basic lighting design and implementation for theatrical production with emphasis on the technical aspects of lighting.

30600 DESIGN/TECHNICAL WORKSHOP. An individual study course designed to allow students to develop their skills by working through the design process in assigned theatre projects. (1-3 hours)

30623 SCENE PAINTING. Prerequisite: 10603. Practicum in the techniques of painting scenery for the stage.

30630 SCENE DESIGN. Prerequisite: 10613 or permission of instructor. Basic principles and techniques of scene design explored through rendering and model building. (3-12 s.h., 3 hrs. max. per sem.)

30713 PATTERN DRAFTING AND DRAPING. Prerequisite: 20713 or permission of instructor. Laboratory techniques in drafting patterns for historical costumes.

30720 COSTUME DESIGN. Prerequisite: 10613 or permission of instructor. Basic principles of costume design explored through the study of fabric and rendering techniques. (3-12 s.h., 3 hrs. max. per sem.)

30800 THEATRE INTERNSHIP. Prerequisite: Permission of Department Chair. Practical off-campus experience in various phases of theatre production and management. (3-12 hours No more than 12 hours may be taken in a combination of 30800 and 50800.)

40123 HISTORY OF SCENE DESIGN. An examination of the evolution of scenic art from the Renaissance to the present through the use of slides and lecture with special attention given to the similarities in easel painting and architectural movements as they influenced the scenic art.

40133 HISTORY OF COSTUME. A lecture/discussion course covering the major historical periods of Western dress in which students learn to research and develop specific projects.

40143 MODERN TRENDS IN THEATRE. This course illumines the complex process of making theatre. Through an examination of contemporary artists and institutions, the course examines: Whose theatre is it-actor, playwright, director, producer, or audience/critic?

40203 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE. Prerequisite: 20343. Music laboratory course exploring and refining techniques necessary for musical performance. Emphasis on integration of acting, singing and dancing through performance.

40303 ACTING IV. Prerequisite: 30303 or permission of instructor. An advanced laboratory course exploring styles of acting; including absurdism and traditional acting approaches to classical literature.

40353 ON-CAMERA ACTING. (Also RTVF) Prerequisite: Theatre30303 or permission. An advanced course in acting designed to acquaint the student with changes in technique that are necessary for performance before the film or television camera.

40423 ADVANCED DIRECTING. Prerequisite: 30403 or permission of instructor. Continuation of 30403 with greater emphasis on the fundamentals of directing through an extensive realized directing project developed by the student.

40543 ADVANCED STAGE LIGHTING. Prerequisite: 30503 or permission of instructor. Course of study in the aesthetics of stage lighting and special effects.

40553 DANCE LIGHTING. Prerequisite: 30503 or permission of instructor. A lecture/lab course in the development of dance lighting design and implementation with a study of various designers and their techniques.

40800 INDIVIDUAL STUDY IN THEATRE. Independent research or studio/ performance projects in any facet of theatre study. (3-6 hours)

40853 MANAGING A PERFORMANCE CAREER. (Also RTVF) Prerequisite: Theatre major or permission of instructor. A study of business practices designed to help the graduating student locate and secure employment in the performing arts, musical theatre, theatre commercials, television and film.

50300 PROBLEMS IN ACTING. Projects in acting utilizing scenes or roles for study and performances (1-6 hours)

50400 PROBLEMS IN DIRECTING. Individual projects for the advanced study of directing. (3-6 hours)

50600 PROBLEMS IN SCENOGRAPHY. Seminar and/or practicum in selected areas of technical theatre. The student may elect research and/or project oriented study on an individual or group basis. (3-6 hours)

50700 PROBLEMS IN COSTUMING AND MAKEUP. Individual or class projects in one area: costume design, costume research, makeup prosthetics/mask construction, wig making, rendering techniques, plastics and celastic; jewelry making. (3-6 hours)

50733 ADVANCED PATTERN DRAFTING. Techniques in drafting complex period and other costume patterns for the stage.

50743 ADVANCED COSTUME DESIGN. Prerequisite: 50733. Practicum in the techniques of design and rendering.

50803 THEATRE MANAGEMENT. The administrative and fiscal techniques of managing performing arts groups.


Honors Courses

30003 JUNIOR HONORS SEMINAR. Directed readings in the works of a major playwright or in the writings of a major period of theatre history. Students with unusual creative ability may be permitted to direct, choreograph, design a production, or perform a demanding role. Analytical papers will be required.

40003 SENIOR HONORS SEMINAR. Students with outstanding talent may use the design or directing of a production or the performance of a demanding role as material for an analytical paper.