Theatre and Dance
Theatre and Dance Professor: F. Elaine Williams Associate Professors: Robert Gainer (Chair), Gary M. Grant, Er-dong Hu Assistant Professors: Paula Davis-Larson, Kelly Knox Lighting Design/Technical Director: Heath J. Hansum Theatre Program (THEA) The study and practice of theatre gives liberal arts students a deeper understanding of themselves and their world. They can awaken and discover their own creative impulses and imagination by inhabiting the poetic forms of other cultures, and they can develop an understanding of multiple perspectives by exploring the unique visions of theatre artists. The study and practice of theatre develops expertise in creative and collaborative problem solving, in visual and kinetic literacy, and in oral communication. The major in theatre offers opportunities in all phases of theatre arts and consists of a minimum of eight and one-half course credits. Required of all majors: - History and Theory: THEA 256 Rituals, Festivals, Institutions and THEA 259 The Rise of Theatrical Realism
- Performance: (choose one) THEA 110 Acting I, THEA 220 Acting II, or THEA 249 Mask and Makeup Design
- Design (choose one): THEA 246 Scene Design, THEA 248 Theatrical Lighting Design, THEA 249 Mask and Makeup Design, THEA 251 Costume Design
- Dramatic Literature and Criticism (choose one): THEA 258 Modernism in Performance, THEA 261 Sam Shepard and American Theatre, CLAS 223 Ancient Laughter, ENGL 257 Shakespeare, RUSS 265 Russian Theatre of the 19th and 20th Centuries
- 300-level Seminars and Projects (choose two): THEA 314 Seminar in Contemporary Scenography, THEA 319 Individual Projects, THEA 393 Seminar in Avant-Garde Performance, THEA 397 Seminar in Special Topics, ENGL 358 Seminar in Shakespeare
- One additional THEA or DANC course in performance, design, or dramatic literature and criticism
- Half-credit of THEA 101 Technical Theatre Practicum and/or THEA 102 Theatrical Rehearsal and Performance
Students pursuing a concentration in acting, directing, design, or dramaturgy/ playwriting will be advised to select additional courses in related areas (dance, art, music, philosophy, etc.) as electives in addition to the advanced performance, design, or theory courses. A suggested guideline for each concentration is available from your adviser. Faculty advisers will carefully develop a course of study with students to meet their individual needs and educational goals. Students majoring in theatre are expected to participate in the work of the department of theatre and dance production program. Students may register for one quarter credit in THEA 101, THEA 102, or THEA 103 for active participation in designated areas of technology or performance. A maximum of one-half credit is permitted per semester and there is a limit of two full course credits in all. Faculty will supervise student participation, provide instruction, and approve the awarding of credit. The minor in theatre is for liberal arts students who wish to broaden their experience with the theatre arts. Three minors are offered by the department: - the Acting and Directing minor requires a minimum of five and one-half credits including THEA 256 or THEA 259, three electives in performance (one of which may be THEA 240 or THEA 249), one 300-level theatre course, THEA 102 (quarter credit) and/or THEA 103 (quarter credit).
- the Design and Technology minor requires a minimum of five and one-half credits including THEA 256 or THEA 259, three electives in design and technology (one of which may be THEA 250), THEA 314, and two sections of THEA 101 (quarter credit).
- The general Theatre minor requires a minimum of five and one-half credits, including THEA 256 or THEA 259, one performance course, one design or technology course, one 200-level elective, THEA 314 or THEA 393, and two sections of THEA 101 and/or THEA 102, and/or THEA 103.
Honors in Theatre A program leading to a major with honors in theatre may be proposed by the student in consultation with the department chair and appropriate department faculty. The student generally undertakes a specifically designed sequence of courses, independent research, and creative projects culminating in the stage direction or design of a mainstage production, the writing of a playscript, a performance project, or a research paper in the area of theatre history, criticism, or dramatic literature. 101. Technical Theatre Practicum (I and II; R; 0, 2.5)
Quarter-course credit for supervised participation in any one of several aspects of theatrical production of the department of theatre and dance's major productions. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 102. Theatrical Rehearsal and Performance (I and II; R; 0, 4) Quarter course.
Quarter-course credit for substantial participation in a major theatrical production; for example, as actor, stage manager, vocal coach, choreographer. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 103. Audition Technique (I; R; 0, 3) Quarter course.
Working on monologues as a form for the auditioning actor. This study culminates in actual presentations for graduate school and/or conservatory auditions. Prerequisites: seniors only and permission of instructor. 110. Acting I (I and II; 4, 0)
Introduction to acting: a critical approach to drama and personal expression, including physical, vocal, and interpretive aspects of performance. Prerequisite: seniors by permission only. 149. Introduction to the Theatre (I and II; 3, 0)
Introductory study of theatre (playwriting, directing, acting, design, criticism); stresses the elements of drama, their interaction, and their realization in theatrical production. 220. Acting II (II; 4, 0)
Application of technique and improvisation to the performance of scenes, with emphasis on characterization and textual analysis. Prerequisite: THEA 110 or permission of the instructor. 230. Acting Styles (AI; 4, 0)
Exploring styles of acting in plays from different periods, including Greek and Shakespearean tragedy and Comedy of Manners. Prerequisite: THEA 110 or THEA 220 or permission of the instructor. 240. Directing the Play (II; 3, 0)
The critical and creative responsibilities of the director; the principles of directing and their application. Prerequisite: THEA 110 or THEA 220 or permission of the instructor. 245. Entertainment Technology (I or II; 3, 2)
From sawdust to soundboards, this course focuses on today’s technical stage environment, including scenery construction, lighting, sound systems, and rigging for theatre, dance, and music concerts. 246. Scene Design (I; 3, 0)
Creating an environment for the action. Through selected projects, students explore how to convey mood and character, indicate time and place, and how to reinforce theme through the visual environment. Emphasis in this introductory class is on learning effective play analysis, period research, and how to express important themes and characterization visually. Students develop drawing, drafting and model building skills. 247. Advanced Scene Design (II; 3, 0)
This scenography course explores the visual art/theatre movements that have shaped contemporary design in theory and practice. Students who have taken scene, costume, or lighting design collaborate as designers on group projects or plays inspired by visual styles such as the decorative style of Ballets Russes, The New Stagecraft movement, the theatre of the Bauhaus, and experiments in actor/audience relationships. Prerequisite: THEA 246, 248 or 251. 248. Theatrical Lighting Design (II; 3, 2)
An introduction to and practice in theatrical stage lighting. Primary emphasis in aesthetics and function of light in design. 249. Mask and Makeup Design (AI; 3, 0)
The study of stage makeup (including corrective and character) progresses to the design of makeup as mask and then to the design of three-dimensional masks for performance. Our study emphasizes the ways that the performance, ritual, and festival traditions of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania have influenced present performance styles in theatre and dance. 250. Costume and Fashion (AI or II; 3, 0)
An overview of the history of costume from the Egyptian period to the present; stresses fashion as the mirror of the attitudes of each age. 251. Costume Design (AI or II; 3, 1)
Introduction to design of clothing for the stage; emphasis on character analysis and design for plays in different styles and periods. 252. Sound Design (I; 3, 2)
This course is directed at students with limited experience in sound design. The course will explore both theoretical and practical aspects of audio mixing and reinforcement. 254. Computer-Aided Design for the Stage (I; R; 3, 1)
An introduction to CAD for use in theatre and other entertainment venues. Includes basic CAD training in technical drafting, scenic modeling and lighting design. 255. The Art of Costume Craft (I or II; 2, 3)
Use creativity and imagination in the studio to explore the sculptural and expressive nature of costume design as art. 256. Rituals, Festivals, Institutions (I; 3, 0)
Investigates various theories concerning the origins of Western theatre in ritual performance and explores the development of theatrical institutions from the Greeks to Shakespeare in the context of social, philosophical, and religious values. 258. Modernism in Performance
Addresses the diversity of dramatic styles and thematic interests of modernist playwrights: Buchner, Ibsen, Brecht, Beckett, and Handke; emphasizes historical context and analysis of production values. 259. The Rise of Theatrical Realism (AI; 3, 0)
Surveys the complexity of theatrical process as part of the history of ideas by focusing on the development of "realism" as a cultural institution in various European capitals from the court celebrations of Stuart London to the off-off Broadway movement in New York City. 261. Inner Journey: Sam Shepard and American Theatre (AI; 3, 1)
Sam Shepard has his finger on the pulse of post-modern America. This study of his plays and films charts the transformation of his dramatic style, from absurdism through jazz and rock ’n’ roll to realism, and explores the profound changes in Shepard’s vision of the theatre and American culture. 264. Theatre in London (I; 2, 3)
Theatrical productions on the contemporary London stage studied through attendance at performances, script analyses, and discussions with actors, directors, designers, and production personnel. Prerequisites: enrollment in Bucknell in London program and permission of the instructor. 265. Special Studies in Theatre (I or II; R; 3, 0)
In appropriate years, special topics such as stage combat, mime, or theatrical criticism will be studied. 314. Seminar in Contemporary Scenography (AII; 3, 0)
The seminar explores the 20th-century visual art, theatre, and dance movements that have exerted a pervasive influence on contemporary stage practice. Emphasis is placed on relating contemporary performance styles and the design of stage-spectator spaces, costumes, and lighting to their antecedents. 319. Individual Projects (I and II; R)
Individual, special projects supervised by instructor; honors thesis. 393. Seminar in Avant-Garde Performance (AI or II; R; 3, 0)
This study of experimental aesthetics traces the development of a new paradigm for 20th-century ‘‘multi-media’’ art forms and the aesthetics of ‘‘total theatre.’’ The course explores thematic topics such as The Theatre of Social Change, The Self as Content, Theatre and Therapy, The Poor Theatre, Environmental and Formalist Experiments, Happenings and Performance Art. 397. Seminar in Special Topics (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Particular theatre topics selected by the instructor. Course offered occasionally: 215 Introduction to Movement Dance Minor - please see Optional Minors for information and course descriptions.
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