Major
A major in theater leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of a minimum of 42 credits in theater as follows:
- Core Curriculum
-
- Theater 121: Play Reading and Analysis I
- Theater 131: Fundamentals of Theater Art I
- Theater 141: Acting I
- Theater 151: Introduction to Theatrical Design
- Theater 210: Theater History
- Theater 361: Directing I
- Theater 395: Dramaturgy and Production Seminar
- Theater 473: Senior Thesis
- Three credits from Theater 109 (University Theater)
- At least 15 credits chosen from among the following:
-
- Theater 202: Supervised Study Abroad
- Theater 215: 20th Century Theater and Drama I
- Theater 216: 20th Century Theater and Drama II
- Theater 220: Playwriting
- Theater 232: Fundamentals of Theater Art II
- Theater 236: Lighting Design
- Theater 237: Scenic Design
- Theater 238: Costume Design
- Theater 239: Theater Practicum
- Theater 241: Acting II
- Theater 250: Women In Contemporary Theater
- Theater 362: Directing II
- Theater 397: Seminar in Theater Topics
- Theater 423: Directed Individual Project
- Theater 453: Internship
Courses Offered
- Theater 100: Introduction to Theater
- An introduction to drama and the theater arts including a
brief
historical survey, selected examples of dramatic literature, and a
sequence on theater disciplines such as acting, designing and
directing. (GE4) Taught by: Staff.
Fall. - Theater 109: University Theater
- Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Participation
in a
university theater production for a minimum of 50 hours of rehearsal or
performance. A journal recording the rehearsal/performance is required.
May be repeated for degree credit with permission for up to nine
credits. Taught by: Staff.
Fall, Winter, Spring. - Theater 121: Play Reading and Analysis
- Analysis of historical and contemporary dramatic texts for
the
purpose of transforming scripts into theatrical performances. Study
will include a play's form, style, plot, character and theme, as well
as casting and staging requirements. (GE4) Taught by: Jew.
Fall. - Theater 131: Fundamentals of Theater Art I
- An introduction to modern theater practice involving one
hour of
lecture and four hours of laboratory work per week. A practical course,
emphasizing scenecraft, stage lighting and prop-making. The student
applies the methods and theories discussed in class work on actual
productions. Laboratory course. (GE4) Taught by: Collins, Evans.
Fall, Winter, Spring. - Theater 141: Acting I
- Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. An introduction
to
the art of acting. Special attention is given to the actor's analysis
of dramatic literature. Memorization and the presentation of scenes
from plays is required. (GE4) Taught by: Staff.
Fall. - Theater 151: Introduction to Theatrical Design
- Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. An introduction
to
the history, fundamentals and aesthetics of design in a theatrical
context with an emphasis on the collaborative nature of design
disciplines. Design projects are required. (GE4) Taught by: Collins, Evans.
Fall 2004 and alternate years. - Theater 202: Supervised Study Abroad
- Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. An intensive
exposure
to English theater and the current season in London and other theater
centers. In addition to a full schedule of theater attendance, the
course includes a study of theater training, production techniques and
representative styles and periods of English drama. (GE4) Taught by:
Staff.
Spring 2006 and alternate years. - Theater 210: Theater History
- Prerequisites: Theatre 121 or permission of the instructor.
A
critical study of the architecture, technical conventions, cultural
background and style of the major theatrical periods in western
civilization. As a part of the course, students read representative
plays and engage in individual or team research projects leading to
reports or presentations. (GE4) Taught by: Jew.
Winter.
This course explores the principal movements and aesthetics in the modern period in European and American theater history from the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. Significant plays, playwrights, theater artists and theorists are studied in context of the successive waves of modern movements: realism, symbolism, expressionism, surrealism, epic theater and theater of the absurd. Of particular interest is the interrelationships among the various modern artistic movements, as well as their unique ties to related art forms such as literature and visual art. Oral presentations, short research papers and performance projects will be required. (GE4) Taught by: Jew.
Fall 2007 and alternate years.
Theater 216: 20th Century Theater and Drama II
This course explores European and American theater and drama from the late 20th century to the present. Significant plays, playwrights, theater artists and theorists are studied alongside the issues of postmodernism, capitalism, feminism, diversity and the emerging global economy and culture. Dramatic works under review also include solo and performance art, as well as fringe and political theatrical forms. The current state of theatrical art is also a focal point for class discussion. Oral presentations, short research papers and performance projects are required. (GE4) taught by: Jew.
Winter 2007 and alternate years.
- Theater 220: Playwriting
- Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. An introductory
workshop in scene writing culminating in the composition and staged
reading of a short, one-act play. Weekly writing and reading
assignments are required. Limited enrollment. (GE4) Taught by: Ziegler.
Fall. - Theater 232: Fundamentals of Theater Art II
- Prerequisite: Theater 131. This course focuses on specific
technical problems with an emphasis on administration and management of
technical crews. Laboratory course. (GE4) Taught by: Collins, Evans.
Fall, Winter, Spring. - Theater 236: Lighting Design
- Prerequisites: Theater 151 and permission of the
instructor. A
study of the practice of stage lighting focusing on styles of
production, historical methods and artistic theory. Culminates in a
light design for a public theatrical production. (GE4) Taught by:
Collins, Evans.
Winter. - Theater 237: Scenic Design
- Prerequisite: Theater 151 and permission of the instructor.
A
basic study of scenic design stressing the mechanical and artistic
methods and styles of production. A practical course involving outside
design projects. (GE4) Taught by: Collins.
Fall. - Theater 238: Costume Design
- Prerequisite: Theater 151 and permission of the instructor.
A
study of stage costuming with emphasis on design and construction. The
course includes lecture and lab sessions. (GE4) Taught by: Staff.
Winter. - Theater 239: Theater Practicum
- Prerequisite: Theater 131 or another approved theater
course. A
practical study of design, directing, production, and acting problems
in a specific style of dramatic literature culminating in a public
theatrical production. (GE4) Taught by: Staff.
Spring. - Theater 241: Acting II
- Prerequisites: Theater 141 and permission of the instructor. A continuation of Acting I with greater emphasis placed on research techniques and performance. (GE4) Taught by: Martinez.Fall.
- Theater 250: Women In Contemporary Theater
- This course explores the contemporary theater scene (mid-1960s-today), investigating its plays, playwrights, directors and actors. The representation of women in theatrical art, as well as the unique contributions of contemporary women as artists, theorists and audiences, provides the principal focus of study. A broad historical view of gender and women's presence (and "absence") in theater arts is investigated, in light of the significant strides made by women in theater production during the past fifty years. Traditional critical and historical approaches to the material are complemented by play reading, play attendance, oral presentation, writing assignments, journal writing and the creation of individual performance pieces. (HA, GE4a) Jew Fall 2008 and alternate years.
- Theater 290: Special Topics Spring 2007
- Motion Picture Screenwriting. This course focuses on the evolution of writing for film and the basic techniques of modern writing for visual media. Through the analysis of classic screenplays and films and the study of screenwriting techniques, students will explore creative writing for modern motion pictures and write an original 20 minute screenplay. Taught by professional screenwriter and W&L Alumnus John Dean '76.
- Theater 361: Directing I
- Prerequisites: Junior standing and Theater 141 or
permission of
the instructor. A study of the director's approach to play production,
stressing the methods by which style, meaning, emotional values and
plot may be clearly expressed for an audience. (GE4) Taught by:
Martinez.
Fall. - Theater 362: Directing II
- Prerequisite: Theater 361. Students are required to direct
a
one-act play in the theater's workshop program. (GE4) Taught by:
Martinez.
Winter. - Theater 395: Dramaturgy and Production Seminar
- Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Study of the
dramaturgy and production problems of a major dramatic work or
theatrical project being produced by the department. Students are
required to participate in the production in a stage management or
assistant directorial capacity. (GE4) Taught by: Staff.
Fall, Winter, Spring. - Theater 397: Seminar in Theater Topics
- Prerequisite: Six hours in theater courses or permission of
the
instructor. A seminar in theater history, literature/criticism or
production with a specific topic and scope to be announced prior to
registration. Work in the seminar is based on research, discussion and
assigned papers and/or projects. May be repeated for degree credit with
permission if the topics are different. Taught by: Staff.
Winter, Spring. - Theater 423: Directed Individual Project
- Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. This course
permits
the student to follow a program of specialized applied research in
order to widen the scope of experience and to build upon concepts
covered in other courses. May be repeated for degree credit with
permission if the topics are different. Taught by: Staff.
Fall, Winter, Spring. - Theater 453: Internship
- Prerequisites: Theater 131, 141, 395 and department
permission.
After consultation with a theater faculty member and a representative
of the departmentally approved theater company, students submit a
written description of a proposed summer internship with the company.
Specific conditions of the internship and of required on-campus,
follow-up projects must be approved by the department. Students
register for the credit during fall registration and the credit is
awarded at the end of the fall term after completion of the required
on-campus, follow-up projects. Taught by: Staff
Fall - Theater 473: Senior Thesis
- The theater department requires an approved senior project
in the form of creative work or research. Taught by: Staff.
Fall, Winter, Spring
