Course Offerings
All theatre courses are open to non-majors who have met prerequisites.
101 Introduction to the Theatre Arts (3 SH)
An introductory survey, in which students explore the arts and crafts that collaborate together to create a work of theatre. They learn the aesthetics of theatre as a foundation for analysis and appreciation of the art form. The course provides enjoyable, hands-on experience through creative team projects. This course is ideal for students who wish to enrich their appreciation and enjoyment of theatre, and serves as the beginning survey course for the major and minor.
*111 Theatre and Faith (1 SH)
This course is a weekly seminar of revolving topics that entertain issues around the relationship between theatre and faith. Possible topics include drama ministry, historical church performance, theatre as ritual, censorship and the Bible as dramatic literature. (Fall 2005)
181/2 Acting I (3 SH)
This course serves as an introduction to the craft of acting for the stage. In this beginning study of acting students will learn techniques to enhance creativity, unleash the imagination, free the body, and discover the voice. The course may culminate in a public performance.
*241 Stage Design and Technology (3 SH)
Students learn the elements and processes of stage production design – scenery, lighting, sound, costuming, and makeup. Includes hands-on creative experience in rendering, model building, and drafting that will allow students to realize their own creative designs. The course culminates in the student’s original production design for a chosen play. (Fall 2006)
*251 Technical Theatre and Stage Management (3 SH)
Students learn and gain practical experience in the technical arts and crafts of theater – set and costume construction, scene painting, lighting and sound operation, stage management, makeup techniques, and props construction. Classroom time alternates with lab/practicum time spent working on productions of the EMU Theatre. (Fall 2005)
261/2 Performance Practicum (1-3 SH)
Performance practicum credits are earned through onstage participation in productions. Credits depend upon the scope, time, and responsibilities associated with the activity. Students seeking practicum credit are required to find an appropriate way to document and reflect upon their experiences. Prerequisite: permission of instructor/supervisor.
271/2 Technical Theatre Practicum(1-3 SH)
Technical practicum credits are earned through backstage participation in productions. Credits depend upon the scope, time, and responsibilities associated with the role. Students seeking practicum credit are required to find an appropriate way to document and reflect upon their experiences. Prerequisite: permission of instructor/supervisor.
*281 Theatre and Justice (3 SH)
Students examine the ability of theatre to engage issues of social, economic, and political justice through an examination of various methods of performance. Special attention is paid to theatre of advocacy as it applies to areas of interest within Anabaptist Christian faith and practice. (Fall 2006)
*292 Collective Theatre (3 SH)
Students will invest the term in the collaborative creation of a piece of original theatre. Under supervision of the instructor course students will research possible topics, investigate performance methods through laboratory exercise, generate a script and stage a public performance. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. (Spring 2006)
*301 History and Traditions of Western Theatre I (3 SH)
An examination of the evolution of Western theatre from classical Greece to 1850. The course will survey stage practices, production techniques, theatre architecture and major critical theories while investigating the intersection between the theatre and its surrounding sociological, political, philosophical and cultural contexts. (Fall 2006)
*311 Global Theatre (3 SH)
In this course students will examine theatre history and performance traditions from around the globe (e.g. Latin America , South America , Africa , Asia , and the South Pacific). Particular emphasis is placed upon popular theatre and various forms of contemporary performance. (Fall 2005)
*321 Voice and Movement (3 SH)
With an ear toward theatrical performance, this studio course frees and employs the human voice through exercises and application. A variety of techniques come to bear in the effort to create a free, supple and powerful instrument. This course may culminate in a public performance, exemplifying the application of these techniques. Prerequisite: THR 181/2 (Fall 2005)
331/2 Theatre Design Practicum (1-3 SH)
Design practicum credits are earned through costume, set, or lighting design of a production. Credits depend upon the scope, time, and responsibilities associated with the role. Students seeking practicum credit are required to find an appropriate way to document and reflect upon their experiences. Prerequisite: permission of instructor/supervisor.
*342 Playwriting and Criticism (3 SH)
Students work creatively with the elements of playwriting: plot, character, language, and theme. By analytically studying important examples of playwriting and by writing their own short sketches, scenes, and plays in a variety of forms, students will grow in their knowledge and ability to both write plays and to write about plays as dramatic criticism. (Spring 2006)
352 Acting II (3 SH)
A studio course in which actors learn to create and develop characters through text analysis and laboratory exercises. Students will also discuss professional performance opportunities and prepare several audition monologues. This course may culminate in a public performance. Prerequisite: THR 181/2.
361/2 Stage Management Practicum (1-3 SH)
Stage management practicum credits are earned through stage managing or assistant stage managing productions. Credits depend upon the scope, time, and responsibilities associated with the production. Students seeking practicum credit are required to find an appropriate way to document and reflect upon their experiences. Prerequisite: permission of instructor/supervisor.
*382 Topics in Theatre (3 SH)
This is an upper-level seminar with varying subjects of focus. Possible topics include theatre of faith, women and theatre, Mennonite dramatic literature, American popular entertainment, political theatre, masked theatre, and drama and the American south. (Spring 2006)
*392 History and Traditions of Western Theatre II (WI) (3 SH)
A continuation of THR 301 History and Traditions of Western Theatre I covering the period from 1850 to the present day. As an EMU Writing Intensive (WI) course, students will learn basic research methodologies in pursuit of a piece of original scholarship. No prerequisite. (Spring 2007)
*442 Directing for Theatre (3 SH)
Students learn and apply various theories of stage direction. Topics include action, character, rehearsal approaches and techniques, and the analysis of dramatic literature with an eye toward enabling performance. This course may culminate in the presentation of student directed works. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. (Spring 2007)
451/2 Directing Practicum (1-3 SH)
Directing practicum credits are earned through directing or assistant directing productions. Credits depend upon the scope, time, and responsibilities associated with the production. Students seeking practicum credit are required to find an appropriate way to document and reflect upon their experiences. Prerequisite: permission of instructor/supervisor.
471/2 Senior Project Practicum
Students complete an original project that creates a unique challenge and represents and expresses their knowledge and abilities in theatre. The project may be a significant academic research study which culminates in presentation of a paper, or it may be a major creative project that results in a public performance acted, directed or designed by the student. This project may be done independently, or with other students. It may be completed in conjunction with a major role in a scheduled production. It receives essential but minimal faculty oversight and advising. Prerequisite: permission of theatre faculty.
*482 Vocations in Theatre (1 SH)
Course members meet weekly to explore the diverse vocational possibilities in theatre and theatre-related fields. (Spring 2007)
