2009-2010 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Course Descriptions Course Descriptions 266 Cedarville University 2009–10 THTR-1230 – THTR-3440 Theatre (THTR) THTR-1230 Voice and Diction –Fa 3 hours Designed to assist the student in strengthening and maintaining the speaking voice. Areas of study include voice physiology, effective breathing for speaking, voice quality, and articulation. A brief examination of major vocal problems is also given. THTR-1410 Introduction to Theatre –Fa 3 hours Study of the history and development of theatre. Dramatic literature is considered a reflection of man and culture during various periods, dealing with philosophy, religion, and sociopolitical thought. A brief look at acting skills is also offered. THTR-1420 Introduction to Technical Theatre –Fa, Sp 3 hours An overview course in all areas of technical theatre, including design. Intended to give the student a broad understanding of the basic principles and procedures used in the design of scenery, costuming, lighting, sound, and production management. Practicum required. (Fee $45) THTR-1430 Stage Movement –Fa 2 hours This course will be an intensive practicum in theatrical stage movement designed for the individual with an interest in acting. Incorporate movement exercises that stress/correct use of the mechanical and anatomical components of human movement. Increased awareness of individual movement characteristics and the application of movement variations to character development will be emphasized and students will learn Laban Effort-Shape, Alexander Technique, and various improvisational movement techniques. THTR-1440 Stagecraft I –Fa, Sp 1 hour The class is designed to acquaint the student with selected elements of play production on a practical level. Students are assigned a project in an area of stagecraft such as properties, lighting, costuming, makeup, or set construction/decoration in relation to the mounting of a theatre production. THTR-1450 Stagecraft II –Fa, Sp 1 hour Designed to give the student a production staff supervisory experience. Students are assigned an area of stagecraft in relation to the mounting of a theatrical production. Skills learned in Stagecraft I are further developed, and leadership responsibilities required. Prerequisite: THTR-1440 Stagecraft I. THTR-1460 Theatre Participation –Fa, Sp 1 hour Students who participate in a communication arts-directed play may receive one hour of credit. Participation must occur over a minimum of four weeks of the rehearsal process. Credit may be applied only to the semester in which the participation occurs or the semester immediately following. Repeatable up to four hours. Credit/no credit. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. THTR-1480 Play Production –Sp 3 hours Provides an overview of the elements of play production (including direction, dramaturgy, design, producing, stage management, promotion, etc.). Through lecture and experience the student will be introduced to the practical aspects of producing a play. The ideas will be explored from a director’s involvement with these elements. Stage work required. (Fee: $50) THTR-2130 Dramatic Literature –Sp 3 hours Study of the historical development of dramatic styles, theory, criticism, and construction. Can be applied to meet English or speech requirements, but not both. THTR-2200 Introduction to Design –Fa, Sp 3 hours The class is designed to introduce the student to philosophies of design by studying the work of theatrical designers: scenic, costume, and lighting. A number of projects will explore basic elements of design. (Fee: $50) THTR-2350 Directing I –Fa 3 hours Practical study of play directing methods and techniques applied through class projects. Students will direct and perform play cuttings from a variety of dramatic literature types during the semester. The class is especially helpful to education majors who will have to assist in educational theatre productions. Prerequisite: THTR-1480 Play Production. THTR-2410 Advanced Performance Techniques –Sp 3 hours An advanced class in solo theatre performance where students learn performance techniques in monologues and monodrama. Special emphasis is placed on the solo presentation of multiple characters in both narrative and dramatic literature. Prerequisite: THTR-2430 Acting I or permission of instructor. THTR-2430 Acting I –Fa, Sp 3 hours Study in the principle theories of realistic acting is balanced with practice in experiencing character creation. Principles of physical and emotional character development are explored. THTR-2440 Stagecraft III –Fa 1 hour The class is designed to give the student an opportunity to work on the execution of an assigned design for the mainstage. The student may execute a set piece, costume, or lighting design. Prerequisite: THTR-1450 Stagecraft II. THTR-2450 Scenic Design –Sp 3 hours A theatre course that emphasizes the analysis and interpretation of scripts, use of research material, and techniques of presentation. Includes an introduction to the practices of drafting and modeling. Prerequisite: THTR-1420 Introduction to Technical Theatre. (Fee: $55) THTR-2460 Costume Design –Sp 3 hours Designed to provide the student with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for designing costumes for a theatrical production. Each student will develop this craft through individual projects and work on a mainstage production. Prerequisite: THTR- 1420 Introduction to Technical Theatre. (Fee: $50) THTR-2470 Makeup Design –Fa, Sp 2 hours Designed to provide the student with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for makeup design and execution for a theatrical production. Each student will develop this craft through individual projects and work on a mainstage production. (Fee: $50) THTR-2510 Theatre of Social Change –Sp 3 hours The nature of this course is to provide background in theory and practical work in areas of theatre that focus on efforts to work effectively on behalf of those who are politically, economically, behaviorally, or spiritually oppressed. THTR-3420 Theatre History I –Fa 2 hours An analysis of performative modes of a given culture within a historical study, reinforcing appreciation of the past and strengthening the understanding of one’s own culture as well as different cultures. General survey of theatre history from the pre- Greek era to the present. Focus will be on prevailing philosophical orientation, major dramatists, theatre architecture and staging practices, styles of performance, costume design, innovations, and development. THTR-3430 Theatre History II –Sp 2 hours Survey of staging practices and innovations from mid-17th century to present, with study of representative plays from each era. THTR-3440 Stage Costume History –Fa 3 hours A general survey of western costuming for the stage from pre-Grecian to late twentieth century. This course provides an overview of the evolution of fashion as well as the social and cultural history affecting fashion change. (Fee: $40)