Theatre

001. Theatre Participation.

In keeping with the department’s commitment to active, processoriented learning, this course requires participation in each departmental production. Required activities include auditions, cast and/or crew, work calls, box office management, company meetings, strike and other production-related events. Specific assignments will be made by departmental faculty. Successful completion of departmental screening process is also required. 0 hours.

112. Discovering Theatre.

An introduction to the many activities involved in theatre production from script to performance arts. Students will read, discuss, work on, and read about plays and live productions as a means to heighten their understanding of theatre in today’s society. Required of all majors but open to non-majors. Cornerstone 5. Three hours.

120. Theatre Production and Stagecraft.

A lecture-laboratory course covering the process of producing a play. Emphasis on technically organizing and producing for performance. Offered every spring semester. Four hours. (Requires Lab)

120L. Theatre Production and Stagecraft Lab.

Laboratory for Theatre Production and Stagecraft. Requires participation in current college productions.

122. Theatre Practicum.

This course is a guided execution of a major responsibility in some facet of rehearsal, technical production, or management for a Theatre Simpson production. For example the student could propose to act as scenic artist, costume design or stage manage a production. A proposal must be submitted and accepted by the instructor. Prerequisite: Theatre 120. One hour. Can be repeated up to three times.

130. Acting I.

This beginning acting course is designed to acquaint the actor with the importance of action based work. Emphasis will be placed on finding the action of a scene, working toward objectives and utilizing circumstances to flesh out a performance. Beginning scene analysis will be combined with exercises to develop the actor’s focus, relaxation, awareness and communicative abilities. By the end of the course the student should feel more comfortable performing in front of an audience. Three hours. Offered every spring semester.

190. Special Topics in Theatre.

205. Stage Make-up.

Laboratory experience in the techniques of stage make-up. Several character make-ups will be developed, including problems with aging the face, with animals and with fantasy. Students are required to purchase their own make-up kit. One hour.

210. Stage and Theatre Management.

A study of the principles and techniques of stage and theatre management. The relationship between aesthetic product and management structure as well as audience development will be emphasized. Three hours.

216. Oral Interpretation.

The study of methods of interpretive reading. Emphasis will be placed on criteria for the selection of literature appropriate for oral reading and on developing skills in individual and group reading. Three hours.

219. Work Experience in Theatre.

220. Stage Lighting and Sound.

A study of the theory and practice of stage lighting and sound. Electricity will be explored in relation to both topics. Lighting and sound will be examined as components in a production. Three hours.

224. Costume History and Design.

A study of styles in clothing from Egyptian to Art Deco and an introduction to costume design for the stage. Three hours.

225. Scene Design.

A lecture and laboratory course covering the basic principles of scenic design. The course includes script analysis, mechanical drawing, perspectives, rendering, and model-building. Three hours.

230. Acting II.

This course continues the study of basic techniques explored in Acting I. More emphasis will be placed on imaging and character development. The actor will be required to prepare a number of scenes working toward a personal process that incorporates textual analysis, script scores, and rehearsal work. Prerequisite: Theatre 130. Three hours.

232. Directing I.

This course will focus on the theories, practices and techniques of directing for the stage. The course will help students develop an understanding of the fundamentals of directing, including text analysis, conceptualization, staging and rehearsal techniques. Prerequisites: Theatre 120 and 130 or permission of instructor. Three hours.

235. Women and Theatre.

This course will investigate contemporary theatrical material created and performed by women in America. Students will examine the work of women theatre artists, generally focusing on the work of playwrights and directors, as a way to investigate contemporary social conditions. This course will also examine the ways that meaning is constructed in theatrical writing and performance. Same as English 235. Cornerstone 6. Three hours.

240. Production Styles.

This course focuses on the concept of style as it relates to the creation of a world on stage. The course begins from the premise that all theatrical productions, from the highly naturalistic to the abstract, have a style. In this course the student will explore the creation of style by investigating various production modes and conventions through the examination and performance of different texts. Prerequisite: Theatre 130. Three hours.

255. Theatre and Drama in America.

This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and drama in America from the 17th Century European settlements to the present. Students will gain an understanding of the complexities of the development of American theatre as both entertainment and as a reflection of cultural history. By surveying the work of men and women who both fostered and reacted against the “mainstream,” and by reading plays which represent a wide range of voices, the student will have a sense of the unique characteristics of American theatrical practice. Same as English 255. Cornerstone 5. Three hours.

290. Special Topics in Theatre.

319. Internship in Theatre.

330. Workshop in Theatre.

A participatory course offered periodically and differently each time, dealing with specialized areas of theatrical activity, such as management, publicity, promotion, children’s theatre, creative dramatics, dialects, stage voice and movement. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three hours.

332. Directing II.

This advanced directing course will help extend the student’s understanding of directing theory while synthesizing that understanding through practical projects. The course will combine further study of textual analysis with analysis of how to construct a performance text and the examination of the directing techniques and styles of contemporary directors. Prerequisite: Theatre 232. Three hours.

371. Plays and Performance in Ancient, Medieval, and Early Renaissance Cultures.

This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and literature from what are presently known as their beginnings through the 17th Century “Renaissance.” In addition to major epochs of the Western experience, such as the Greek, Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance periods, students will also survey non-Western classical forms such as Indian Sanskrit, Japanese Noh, and Chinese theatrical practice. Same as English 371. Cornerstone 5. Three hours.

375. Plays and Performance in 17th, 18th, and 19th Century Cultures.

This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and literature from the late “Renaissance” period to the latter part of the 1800’s. In addition to major epochs of the Western experience, such as the English Restoration, Romanticism, and the beginning of theatre in North America, students will also survey non-Western theatrical forms which flourished during this period, such as the Kabuki and Bunraku Puppet theatre of Japan and the Chinese Opera. Same as English 375. Cornerstone 5. Three hours.

377. Plays and Performance in the Modern World.

This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and literature from the late 1800’s to the present. In addition to such major movements in Western practice as “Realism,” the numerous reactions “against “Realism,” the “Avant-Garde” in its numerous forms, and contemporary aesthetics, students will also survey non-Western theatrical forms from twentieth century Africa, South America and Asia. Same as English 377. Cornerstone 5. Three hours.

380. Independent Study in Theatre.

385. Theatre Seminar.

A capstone course that synthesizes research, reading, and production techniques. Topic area may be defined by a genre, an historical period, the works of an individual or group of artists, or other similar limits. Within the parameters of the topic area, students will undertake a series of research activities and projects. The course culminates in the production of a group of one act plays and a public presentation of research findings, projects, or papers. Course instructor and department faculty will determine the student’s production area assignment, based in part on the “Goals and Plans” document submitted by each student in the Junior year. Prerequisites: Completion of all other courses in “Required Departmental Core” for Theatre Arts Major and senior standing, or permission of instructor. Three hours.

390. Special Topics in Theatre.

Designed for the major or non-major in an area of general interest. Different each time. One to three hours.


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Theatre 001. Theatre Participation. In keeping with the department’s commitment to active, processoriented learning, this course requires participation in each departmental production. Required activities include auditions, cast and/or crew, work calls, box office management, company meetings, strike and other production-related events. Specific assignments will be made by departmental faculty. Successful completion of departmental screening process is also required. 0 hours. 112. Discovering Theatre. An introduction to the many activities involved in theatre production from script to performance arts. Students will read, discuss, work on, and read about plays and live productions as a means to heighten their understanding of theatre in today’s society. Required of all majors but open to non-majors. Cornerstone 5. Three hours. 120. Theatre Production and Stagecraft. A lecture-laboratory course covering the process of producing a play. Emphasis on technically organizing and producing for performance. Offered every spring semester. Four hours. (Requires Lab) 120L. Theatre Production and Stagecraft Lab. Laboratory for Theatre Production and Stagecraft. Requires participation in current college productions. 122. Theatre Practicum. This course is a guided execution of a major responsibility in some facet of rehearsal, technical production, or management for a Theatre Simpson production. For example the student could propose to act as scenic artist, costume design or stage manage a production. A proposal must be submitted and accepted by the instructor. Prerequisite: Theatre 120. One hour. Can be repeated up to three times. 130. Acting I. This beginning acting course is designed to acquaint the actor with the importance of action based work. Emphasis will be placed on finding the action of a scene, working toward objectives and utilizing circumstances to flesh out a performance. Beginning scene analysis will be combined with exercises to develop the actor’s focus, relaxation, awareness and communicative abilities. By the end of the course the student should feel more comfortable performing in front of an audience. Three hours. Offered every spring semester. 190. Special Topics in Theatre. 205. Stage Make-up. Laboratory experience in the techniques of stage make-up. Several character make-ups will be developed, including problems with aging the face, with animals and with fantasy. Students are required to purchase their own make-up kit. One hour. 210. Stage and Theatre Management. A study of the principles and techniques of stage and theatre management. The relationship between aesthetic product and management structure as well as audience development will be emphasized. Three hours. 216. Oral Interpretation. The study of methods of interpretive reading. Emphasis will be placed on criteria for the selection of literature appropriate for oral reading and on developing skills in individual and group reading. Three hours. 219. Work Experience in Theatre. 220. Stage Lighting and Sound. A study of the theory and practice of stage lighting and sound. Electricity will be explored in relation to both topics. Lighting and sound will be examined as components in a production. Three hours. 224. Costume History and Design. A study of styles in clothing from Egyptian to Art Deco and an introduction to costume design for the stage. Three hours. 225. Scene Design. A lecture and laboratory course covering the basic principles of scenic design. The course includes script analysis, mechanical drawing, perspectives, rendering, and model-building. Three hours. 230. Acting II. This course continues the study of basic techniques explored in Acting I. More emphasis will be placed on imaging and character development. The actor will be required to prepare a number of scenes working toward a personal process that incorporates textual analysis, script scores, and rehearsal work. Prerequisite: Theatre 130. Three hours. 232. Directing I. This course will focus on the theories, practices and techniques of directing for the stage. The course will help students develop an understanding of the fundamentals of directing, including text analysis, conceptualization, staging and rehearsal techniques. Prerequisites: Theatre 120 and 130 or permission of instructor. Three hours. 235. Women and Theatre. This course will investigate contemporary theatrical material created and performed by women in America. Students will examine the work of women theatre artists, generally focusing on the work of playwrights and directors, as a way to investigate contemporary social conditions. This course will also examine the ways that meaning is constructed in theatrical writing and performance. Same as English 235. Cornerstone 6. Three hours. 240. Production Styles. This course focuses on the concept of style as it relates to the creation of a world on stage. The course begins from the premise that all theatrical productions, from the highly naturalistic to the abstract, have a style. In this course the student will explore the creation of style by investigating various production modes and conventions through the examination and performance of different texts. Prerequisite: Theatre 130. Three hours. 255. Theatre and Drama in America. This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and drama in America from the 17th Century European settlements to the present. Students will gain an understanding of the complexities of the development of American theatre as both entertainment and as a reflection of cultural history. By surveying the work of men and women who both fostered and reacted against the “mainstream,” and by reading plays which represent a wide range of voices, the student will have a sense of the unique characteristics of American theatrical practice. Same as English 255. Cornerstone 5. Three hours. 290. Special Topics in Theatre. 319. Internship in Theatre. 330. Workshop in Theatre. A participatory course offered periodically and differently each time, dealing with specialized areas of theatrical activity, such as management, publicity, promotion, children’s theatre, creative dramatics, dialects, stage voice and movement. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three hours. 332. Directing II. This advanced directing course will help extend the student’s understanding of directing theory while synthesizing that understanding through practical projects. The course will combine further study of textual analysis with analysis of how to construct a performance text and the examination of the directing techniques and styles of contemporary directors. Prerequisite: Theatre 232. Three hours. 371. Plays and Performance in Ancient, Medieval, and Early Renaissance Cultures. This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and literature from what are presently known as their beginnings through the 17th Century “Renaissance.” In addition to major epochs of the Western experience, such as the Greek, Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance periods, students will also survey non-Western classical forms such as Indian Sanskrit, Japanese Noh, and Chinese theatrical practice. Same as English 371. Cornerstone 5. Three hours. 375. Plays and Performance in 17th, 18th, and 19th Century Cultures. This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and literature from the late “Renaissance” period to the latter part of the 1800’s. In addition to major epochs of the Western experience, such as the English Restoration, Romanticism, and the beginning of theatre in North America, students will also survey non-Western theatrical forms which flourished during this period, such as the Kabuki and Bunraku Puppet theatre of Japan and the Chinese Opera. Same as English 375. Cornerstone 5. Three hours. 377. Plays and Performance in the Modern World. This course will survey the history of theatrical practice and literature from the late 1800’s to the present. In addition to such major movements in Western practice as “Realism,” the numerous reactions “against “Realism,” the “Avant-Garde” in its numerous forms, and contemporary aesthetics, students will also survey non-Western theatrical forms from twentieth century Africa, South America and Asia. Same as English 377. Cornerstone 5. Three hours. 380. Independent Study in Theatre. 385. Theatre Seminar. A capstone course that synthesizes research, reading, and production techniques. Topic area may be defined by a genre, an historical period, the works of an individual or group of artists, or other similar limits. Within the parameters of the topic area, students will undertake a series of research activities and projects. The course culminates in the production of a group of one act plays and a public presentation of research findings, projects, or papers. Course instructor and department faculty will determine the student’s production area assignment, based in part on the “Goals and Plans” document submitted by each student in the Junior year. Prerequisites: Completion of all other courses in “Required Departmental Core” for Theatre Arts Major and senior standing, or permission of instructor. Three hours. 390. Special Topics in Theatre. Designed for the major or non-major in an area of general interest. Different each time. One to three hours.
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