Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course is an introductory study of the theatrical art form and its contemporary production practice. Students engage in a series of workshops and participatory creative projects. Outcome: Students will demonstrate the ability to identify the variety of collaborating arts and artists that combine to create of a work of theatre; to analyze a play script for live performance; to evaluate theatrical production; and to creatively apply knowledge of theatrical process through expressive and creative endeavors.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This class is for the student who has never had voice instruction and is interested in learning the art of performance in voice. Strongly recommended for those interested in the music major, theater or public speaking/performance. Outcome: Students will demonstrate understanding and application of the fundamentals of music theory, diction, and tone.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course is an introduction to the basic methods of analyzing and interpreting plays representative of the modern stage (from Ibsen to the present). It explores how text analysis is, for all theatre artists, a critical first step in transferring the printed play text to the stage. Outcome: Students will acquire the ability to analyze a play's structure and ideational content, its characters, and the potential challenges each play presents to theatre artists seeking to produce the play on the stage for a modern audience.

This is a Required course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 100 or THTR 203

Description: This course is and introduction to the theories and techniques of playwriting with particular emphasis on the analysis of dramatic structure. Outcome: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the theories and techniques of playwriting and dramatic structure through application of these skills in several playwriting exercises and the development of a one act play.

This is an Engaged Learning and an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course is an introductory to live theatre performances available in the rich Chicago Theatre Scene. Outcome: Students will demonstrate appreciation of the range of theatre experiences available in the city of Chicago.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: Department consent required

Description: Theatre in Chicago II follows the same format as Theatre in Chicago I. This course enables students to repeat the course for credit, extending experience and application of critical terminologies and analytical frameworks to attendance of additional live theatre performances in the city of Chicago. Outcome: This course extends outcomes for THTR 205 by application to a broader range of experience in live theatre attendance.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 100 or THTR 103

Description: This course explores the role of the stage manager in theatrical production from pre-production through closing documentation. Outcome: Students will demonstrate understanding of the responsibilities and duties of a Stage Manager to a production; develop the necessary communication and organizational skills to fulfill these responsibilities in a production experience; and be exposed to various techniques and tools used in professional stage management.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: FNAR 113 of FNAR 114 or permission of the instructor

Description: This is an advanced level studio course designed to introduce the human form with an emphasis on the application of drawing and wet media. Outcome: Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the human form and anatomy through expanded practice and articulation of both formal and artistic ideas.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course focuses on the techniques of effective voice and speech production. Outcome: Through class exercises and presentations, students will demonstrate greater knowledge and control over their breath support, tonal placement, vocal resonance, projection, clarity of articulation, Standard American vowel and consonant formation, language orchestration, and coloration.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 100 or THTR 103

Description: This course is a month long study abroad experience which allows the student to intensively study British theatre through excursions within London, special guest lecturers, walking tours, workshops, gallery and museum visits, and attendance of at least eight plays.

Outcome: Students will gain an understanding of the importance of London theatre and its influence on the rest of the world's theatre.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 203

Description: This course is an introduction to the art of acting with specific emphasis on the development of the student's interpretative skills. Outcome: Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze a play with character in mind, develop relationships with fellow actors on stage, and play clear and effective character objectives.

This is a Required course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 266

Description: This course builds on the skills introduced in THTR 266 and development of physical and vocal skills towards performance of character from classical texts. Outcome: Students will develop skills to research historical information for application in performance of characters and improve use of the body and voice to communicate character.

Students are Required to choose from either this course or THTR 352.

Credit Hours: 3 

Description: Special effects, sound engineering, moving light programming, projections, computer aided drafting, and automation design. Outcome: To provide a broad overview of current, state of the art stage design technologies through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on work.

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course introduces the student to a style, genre, or method theatre making through active application in exercises, demonstrations, games, and workshops. Outcome: Students will develop skills in applying performance theory to practice; develop performance skills in a particular style or genre; expand a repertoire of rehearsal techniques; and develop skills to create original theatre pieces.

This is an Engaged Learning and an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 2

Prerequisites: THTR 253

Description: Theatre Practicum (Scenery) is one of four experiential learning courses that will provide the student with an opportunity for practical application of varied techniques and theories in planning and construction of theatrical scenery and properties. The specific topics and skills the course will focus on vary from semester to semester as per the demands of each design. Outcome: Students will acquire a variety of skills necessary for producing theatre; including collaboration and organization skills and will gain appreciation for the complexity of play production.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 2

Prerequisites: THTR 253

Description: This course is a practical application of the material studied in a variety of theatre classes, and provides hands on experience with costume construction. Outcome: Students will acquire a variety of skills necessary for producing theatre; including collaboration and organization skills and will gain appreciation for the complexity of play production.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 2

Prerequisites: THTR 253

Description: This course is a practical application of the material studied in a variety of theatre classes, and provides hands on experience with electrics. Outcome: Students will acquire a variety of skills necessary for producing theatre; including collaboration and organization skills and will gain appreciation for the complexity of play production.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 1

Prerequisites: Instructor consent required

Description: This course is a practical application of the material studied in a variety of theatre classes, and provides hands on experience as production staff. Outcome: Students will acquire a variety of skills necessary for producing theatre; including collaboration and organization skills and will gain appreciation for the complexity of play production.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 1

Prerequisites: Instructor consent required

Description: This course is a practical application of the material studied in a variety of theatre classes, and provides hands on experience with a running crew. Outcome: Students will acquire a variety of skills necessary for producing theatre; including collaboration and organization skills and will gain appreciation for the complexity of play production.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 1 

Prerequisites: Instructor consent required

Description: This course allows students to receive credit for stage managing, acting in, or directing a campus production during the semester. Completion and submission of a journal or paper is required. Course may be repeated up to 12 times for a total of no more than 12 credit hours. Outcome: Students will gain performance experience, assess personal artistic growth, and reflect on application of performance theory and technique covered in coursework to production practice.

This is an Engaged Learning and an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 1-3

Prerequisites: Department consent required

Description: This independent study course supports student scene, costume, lighting, make-up, sound, or property designers and stage managers selected by the faculty to design or manage for university productions. Outcome: Students will deepen their understanding of a design process via first hand experience in our theatre.

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 100 or THTR 103

Description: This course is an introduction to the economic, managerial, and operating aspects of American Theatre with an emphasis on the Chicago Theatre Industry and practical and contemporary aspects of the field. Outcome: Students demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of arts organizations and theatrical management; practical management tools; the economic challenges of producing theatre; production trends in the industry; the theories and processes behind planning and decision making; and students will gain appreciation for the importance of management in theatrical productions and organizations.

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 252

Description: This course involves a hands-on study of make-up techniques especially as they relate to basic theatrical needs, character make-up, and special effects make-up. Outcome: Students will be prepared to use make-up effectively in the theatre either as performers or beginning make-up designers, and to understand the variety of techniques and tools a make-up designer has available.

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course examines the relationship between the kinetic and kinesthetic experiences and personality development. Outcome: Through a series of exercises, students will demonstrate an awareness of one's physical mannerism, increased confidence in one's physical presence on stage, and demonstrate physical transformation into character.  

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 241

Description: This course provides instruction in the dialects most frequently used by the American actor and to explore a systematic approach to dialect acquisition, which will serve the student in further independent dialect study. Outcome: Students will acquire a working knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet, an understanding of the historical and cultural background of each dialect, skills in applying dialects to dramatic texts, and an introduction to the work of the dialect coach in the theatre.  

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course introduces the student to basic scene painting techniques for the theatre. Outcome: Students will demonstrate understanding of the role of the scenic artist in relationship to the scenic designer, develop basic level skills required to execute the designer's intention or vision, and execute a paint elevation.

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course explores the process of engaging children with theatre games and techniques as a means towards self-expression, personal development, and content learning. Laboratory experiences working with children are provided. Outcome: Students will articulate the differences and similarities between theatre for children and creative dramatics disciplines, develop age appropriate materials and exercises, and identify appropriate facilitating methods and techniques in a laboratory setting. 

This is an Engaged Learning and an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 252

Description: An intermediate course of study to explore the process of Theatrical Design (Scenic, Costumes, and Lighting). Collaboration and storytelling through visual means is the key to understanding text-based theatre. Each individual will have the opportunity to express ideas in class discussions, written critical analysis and execution of design while enhancing the process of design.

Students are Required to choose from either this course or THTR 267.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 252, THTR 352

Description: This team taught course will alternate between full-group discussions on topics valuable to all disciplines and small group instruction on specific techniques within sub-disciplines. Students will declare a discipline at the beginning of the course. Students can repeat the course to pursue a second discipline. Students will be placed in teams of complimentary disciplines. 

This is an Elective course.

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 252 and either THTR 261 or THTR 266

Description: Puppetry is one of the oldest forms of storytelling. This course is intended to allow the student to explore several different forms of storytelling through the use of puppets and puppetry. The course will explore shadow puppetry, toy theatre, and hand & rod puppetry. Each student will develop, as a member of a series of "production teams," a brief performance piece. Outcomes: Students will gain skill in design through the storytelling techniques of puppetry and toy theatre.

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 203

Description: Theatre History and Literature is a part of a four-course sequence that examines works of dramatic literature in their historical context. Theatre History and Literature I focuses on the development of theatre from Greek through Jacobean and Caroline periods. Outcome: Students will identify and describe events, practitioners, practices, theatre architecture, and significant plays within their historical context. They will also apply research to creative practice.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 203

Description: Theatre History and Literature  is a part of a four-course sequence that examines works of dramatic literature in their historical context. Theatre History and Literature II focuses on the development of theatre from the 16th through 19th centuries. This class is writing intensive. Outcome: Students will identify and describe events, practitioners, practices, theatre architecture, and significant plays within their historical context. They will also apply research to creative practice.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 203

Description: Theatre History and Literature is a part of a four-course sequence that examines works of dramatic literature in their historical context. Theatre History and Literature III focuses on the development of theatre from the 19th through mid-20th centuries. This class is writing intensive. Outcome: Students will identify and describe events, practitioners, practices, theatre architecture, and significant plays within their historical context. They will also apply research to creative practice.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 203

Description: Theatre History and Literature is a part of a four-course sequence that examines works of dramatic literature in their historical context. Theatre History and Literature IV focuses on contemporary and post-modern theatre. Outcome: Students will identify and describe events, practitioners, practices, theatre architecture, and significant plays within their historical context. They will also apply research to creative practice.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 267

Description: This course continues the work of THTR 267, based on the needs of the students, using plays by modern and contemporary playwrights as the primary material. Outcome: Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to interpret and effectively perform plays written since the early 19th century up to present day. 

This is an Elective course. 

THTR 368 and THTR 369 can be taken out of sequence. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 267

Description: This course continues the work of THTR 368, based on the needs of the students. Performance material is at the discretion of the instructor. Outcome: Students will further develop performance skills and workshop areas of weakness based on individual needs and interests.

This is an Elective course. 

THTR 368 and THTR 369 can be taken out of sequence. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 203, 252, 266, 267, 364, 365, and 367 (or THTR 375 may be taken concurrently with THTR 367)

Description: This course explores the fundamental principles of play direction. Students are required to direct a monologue, select a play script for production, develop a production concept, stage a fifteen-minute scene, and develop a detailed Director's Notebook. Outcome: Students will acquire the skills to identify the basic elements of stage direction; analyze a play script from the point of view of the director; articulate and defend a production concept; develop actor-coaching skills; identify elements of direction that communicate story, theme, and concept.

This is a Required course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: THTR 368 or 369

Description: This course focuses on preparing to audition for professional theatre, commercial, and film with a particular emphasis on audition for Chicago Theatre. Outcome: Students will demonstrate the ability to engage an auditor through an audition, demonstrate the ability to score and read copy truthfully, develop a head shot and resume, and develop repertoire of suitable audition pieces. 

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: ENGL 326, THTR 365, and 9 credit hours for electives in the Shakespeare Studies Minor

Description: This course provides a capstone seminar experience for students, focusing on how Shakespeare has been interpreted on the page and on the stage. It will culminate with a thesis project, either scholarly or creative, that will serve as the capstone for the Shakespeare Studies Minor. Outcome: Students will engage in advanced scholarly work in Shakespearean Studies towards development of a scholarly thesis or significant project.

This is an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 1-6 units

Prerequisites: Department consent required

Description: Theatre students complete a semester long internship providing an opportunity to use their technical, research, or organizations skills in a professional setting. Students must complete and reflect upon 50 hours of internship experience per credit hour that is pre-approved by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. No more than 6 credit hours of Internship or Fieldwork may be applied to the major. Outcome: Students gain professional experience working at a theatrical organization while reflecting on their work experience and applying theories and techniques acquired from their theatre courses.

This is an Engaged Learning and an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 1-6 units

Prerequisites: Department consent required

Description: Variable credit (1-6 hours) given for performances or projects undertaken with professional theatre organizations outside the university. Students keep a journal and write evaluative papers. Permission from the Department of Fine and Performing Arts required. Repeatable for up to 6 credit hours, however no more than 6 credit hours of Internship or Fieldwork can be applied towards the major. Outcome: Specific outcomes and credit hours assigned to be determined by the student in consultation with the Director of Theatre and the project supervisor. 

This is an Engaged Learning and an Elective course. 

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: Written consent of department chairperson required

Description: Independent study projects may be of various kinds and in any recognized area of the theatre arts. Such projects should be done under the close supervision of a theatre faculty member. Outcome: To be determined by the student in consultation with the chairperson and theatre faculty supervisor.

This is an Elective course.