The means and methods of the playwright and the writer for television and the cinema. Analysis of the structure and dialogue of a few selected plays. Weekly and biweekly exercises in writing for various media. Goal for beginning playwrights: to draft a one-act play by the end of the semester. Plays by students are considered for staging. L and P with writing sample required, best submitted weeks prior to registration.

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of stage lighting design. Over the semester, we cultivate sensitivity towards the expressiveness of light and the relationship between light, form and space, eventually learning to manipulate light to articulate ideas. Through script analyses and design projects, we learn to understand the power of light in enhancing stage presentations, acquire skills in illuminating the drama, and apply such skills to collaboration with the production team at large.

The course develops overall design skills for designing sets for the theatre. After reading assigned plays, students learn to develop their designs by concentrating on character analysis and visualizing the action of the play. Visual research, sketches, basic drafting skills and model building are some of the areas in which students learn to develop their ideas. This course also emphasizes the importance of collaborating with every member of the creative team. Enrollment limited to 12.

This course explores significant points of access to Physical Theatre for actors and directors, including experiential research and practice in the Method of Physical Actions, Viewpoints, Composition, Laban Movement Analysis and Authentic Movement.  Additionally, we explore the demands and expressive potentials of physically distinct styles of performance (commedia dell’arte, melodrama, corporeal mime). Prerequisites: one semester of acting or one semester of dance. Enrollment limited to 16.

Same description as THE 200. There is one general meeting in the Green Room, Theatre Building. Attendance is mandatory; attendance at weekly production meetings for some assignments may be required. Graded S/U only.

This is a studio course which gives one credit for participation in a Theatre Department production. Most positions are designed for people with no previous experience. Offerings within the course cover all areas of theatre production, on stage and off, including positions as stage crew, light and sound board operators, dressers, stage managers, design assistants, box office assistants, props charges, electricians, or actors. May be taken four times for credit, with a maximum of two credits per semester.

This course surveys the history of theatre, drama and performance from Ancient Greece to the 18th century. The main focus is on the theatres of Europe and their relationship to their respective cultures. Non-Western issues in regards to Asian theatres are also discussed. Lectures and discussions are complemented by video screenings of recent productions of some of the plays under consideration.

An introduction to the study of voice, exploring the connections between thought, feeling and vocalization through exercises that strengthen and enhance an actor’s (or speaker’s) understanding and command of vocal expression. Enrollment limited to 15.

Introduction to physical, vocal and interpretative aspects of performance, with emphasis on creativity, concentration and depth of expression. Enrollment limited to 14.

The course is designed to explore the nature of design, in theatre and the visual arts. Students study the elements of set, costume, lighting and sound design while looking at the work of some of the most influential designers, past and present. Especially designed for those with a limited background in theatre, it involves discussions about assigned plays and projects, as appropriate to the topic. It is open to all students but particularly recommended for first-year students and sophomores. Enrollment limited to 16.