Theatre (THEA)
This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.wofford.edu.
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre is an academic and practical program that prepares graduates to be well-rounded theatre artists in a liberal arts context. The major is based on a thorough grounding in four fundamental areas of theatre, after which students may tailor the program to suit their needs and interests: acting, directing, design, play-writing, or production management. Theatre is necessarily a collaborative and inter-disciplinary endeavor. Wofford Theatre is both a producing organization and a degree-granting program.
Students pursing the major or minor in Theatre must take and pass an appropriate introductory-level course in Music or Art to fulfill the General Education requirement in Fine Arts.
Honors Courses and In-Course Honors
The Department of Theatre encourages its students to undertake honors work. For further information, the student is referred to the sections on Honors Courses and In-Course Honors in the Catalog.
Chair
Colleen M. Ballance
Professors
Daniel J. Day
Maya M. Fein
Mark A. Ferguson
Requirements for the Major in Theatre
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses | 15 | |
| Basic Elements of Production | ||
| Acting I | ||
| Dramatic Theory | ||
| Ensemble | ||
| Stage Management Practicum | ||
| Group A, Design/Technical Theater | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| Scene Painting | ||
| Set Design | ||
| Period Styles | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Independent Study - Design/Technical | ||
| Group B, Dramatic Literature | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| English Renaissance Drama | ||
| Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories | ||
| Shakespeare's Tragedies and Romances | ||
| French Theater | ||
| Contemporary Drama | ||
| African American Drama | ||
| 19th Century American Drama | ||
| Modern Drama | ||
| Greek & Roman Drama | ||
| Group C, Performing & Directing | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| Directing | ||
| Movement | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Playwriting Workshop | ||
| Acting II | ||
| Advanced Movement | ||
| Theatre for Youth | ||
| Devised Theatre | ||
| Advanced Playwriting | ||
| Upper-Level Electives | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| English Renaissance Drama | ||
| Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories | ||
| Shakespeare's Tragedies and Romances | ||
| French Theater | ||
Any Theatre (THEA) course at the 300 or 400-level (except THEA 300) | ||
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Requirements for the Minor in Theatre
Courses taken to fulfill requirements of the Theatre minor may not be used to fulfill the Fine Arts General Education requirements.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Minor Courses | 6 | |
| Basic Elements of Production | ||
| Ensemble | ||
| Group A, Design/Technical Theater | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| Scene Painting | ||
| Set Design | ||
| Period Styles | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Independent Study - Design/Technical | ||
| Group B, Dramatic Literature | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| English Renaissance Drama | ||
| Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories | ||
| Shakespeare's Tragedies and Romances | ||
| French Theater | ||
| Dramatic Theory | ||
| Contemporary Drama | ||
| African American Drama | ||
| 19th Century American Drama | ||
| Modern Drama | ||
| Greek & Roman Drama | ||
| Group C, Performance & Directing | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| Acting I | ||
| Directing | ||
| Movement | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Playwriting Workshop | ||
| Acting II | ||
| Advanced Movement | ||
| Theatre for Youth | ||
| Devised Theatre | ||
| Advanced Playwriting | ||
| Upper-Level Electives | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| English Renaissance Drama | ||
| Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories | ||
| Shakespeare's Tragedies and Romances | ||
| French Theater | ||
Any Theatre (THEA) course at the 300- or 400-level (except THEA 300 and 350) | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
THEA 201. Introduction to the Theatre. 3 Hours.
This class covers script analysis, dramatic structure, production styles, and an introductory over-view of acting, directing, design, and the technical elements of production. Crew hours on the current departmental production may be required.
THEA 202. Basic Elements of Production. 3 Hours.
This course covers the basics for set, lighting, and costume design for the stage.
Learn drafting, some drawing, rendering and model making skills, design
processes, and some backstage technologies.
THEA 210. Stagecraft. 2 Hours.
An introduction to the technical aspects of live theatre and the creative problem solving skills necessary to successfully make the leap from page to stage. Students will be exposed to and gain practical experience in a variety of areas, including: set construction, lighting operations, sound systems, scenic painting, and stage management.
THEA 212. The Art of Acting. 3 Hours.
This class will introduce students to the basics of acting for the stage. Over the course of the semester, students will learn and participate in practical and challenging acting games and physical exercise, be exposed to the basics of character analysis, learn to think, move, and speak like an actor, and perform in a variety of solo and group projects including monologues and scene-work.
THEA 280. Selected Topics in Theatre. 1 to 4 Hours.
Selected topics in theatre at the introductory or intermediate level.
THEA 300. Ensemble. 1 to 4 Hours.
This course offers students credit hours for performing on stage in a Wofford theatre production. Attendance at all rehearsals, performances, and strike required. A maximum of 24 credit hours may be earned in THEA 300.
THEA 301. Acting I. 3 Hours.
This course is a continuation and extension of THEA 212, consisting of the further development of the basics of acting technique. Areas of focus will include training concepts such as ease, honesty, ensemble acting, sense memory, concentration, listening, imagination, risk-taking, and the actor?s exploration and use of the social world. All students will participate actively in laboratory productions.
Prerequisite: THEA 212 with a minimum grade of D.
THEA 303. Directing. 4 Hours.
Students will develop a fundamental knowledge and skills base about the field of
directing for the stage. This will include extensive creative projects; presentations on past and present stage directors; script analysis from a director's perspective; enhancing communication, audition and rehearsal skills; the development of a critical eye for directorial choices; and the performance of two scenes that the student will direct for public performance.
THEA 304. Movement. 3 Hours.
This class will investigate major influences in physical theatre, provide a practical study of the principles of movement for the stage with an emphasis on physical neutrality, and will begin exploration of various physical actor training methods.
THEA 310. Improvisation for the Actor. 3 Hours.
An introduction to one the fundamental tools of the actor's art, this course will offer students a rigorous exploration of the principles, skills, and applications of theatrical improvisation. Although "improv" is often identified in popular culture as a comedic, competition-based form of entertainment, the primary focus in this class will be on Stanislavsky-based improvisation, which emphasizes character, relationships, and collaboration. Improvisation work in this context stresses risk-taking, physical and emotional awareness, observation, intuition, imagination, and spontaneity.
THEA 320. Dramatic Theory. 3 Hours.
This course is an introduction to the analysis of dramatic literature and the history of dramatic theory and criticism.
THEA 328. Contemporary Drama. 3 Hours.
A study of major contemporary drama (1970 to present). Authors considered include Foreman, Churchill, Rabe, Kushner, Zimmerman and others. Also listed as English 328.
Prerequisite: Any 200-level ENGL course with a D or better.
THEA 350. Stage Management Practicum. 3 Hours.
Students serving as stage managers for departmental productions will schedule and run auditions, rehearsals, and shows under the supervision of the director. The stage manager is the point person for all communication regarding the production including the design/technical aspects and acting/directing. This course fulfills the stage management requirement for the theatre major. Instructor permission required.
THEA 375. Scene Painting. 3 Hours.
Students will learn scenic painting for the stage. Students will learn techniques and materials typically employed for large theatrical sets. Students will complete several painting projects while continuing to develop their own aesthetic sensibilities and creative talents. Instructor Permission required.
THEA 376. Playwriting Workshop. 3 Hours.
A course in creative writing focusing on plays. Cross-listed with ENG 376.
Prerequisite: Any 200-level ENGL course with a D or better.
THEA 380. Set Design. 3 Hours.
Working from the page to the stage, students will learn to design scenery based on script analysis, creative visualization, and directorial problem solving. This class also teaches practical skills in drafting, research, and model making. Success in this class may lead to design opportunities for departmental productions.
Prerequisite: THEA 202 with a minimum grade of D.
THEA 385. Period Styles. 3 Hours.
Based on Sir Kenneth Clark's timeless classic, Civilisation, art, architecture, music, furniture, fashion, literature, and political and social history from Ancient Greece to the early 20th century are explored to inform theatrical productions. Students will learn from slides, lectures and movie clips of the vast imagery available to theatre artists. Research and design projects are required. Instructor permission required.
THEA 390. Costume Design. 3 Hours.
Creativity is emphasized in this project-oriented course. The students will learn the complete process for designing theatrical costumes, hair and makeup. This course covers costume history, design, rendering and artistic conceptualization. Success in this class may lead to design opportunities for our departmental productions. Instructor permission required.
THEA 395. Lighting Design. 3 Hours.
Electricity, lighting instrument engineering, control functions and features, and real life hang and focus techniques of basic scene lighting will be taught. Students will create light plots for at least two texts, using both manual drafting and CADD. Finally, students will create their own lighting design project for display by utilizing the Black Box light lab.
THEA 400. Theatre Practicum. 1 Hour.
A special course of individual study and instruction wherein an advanced student of
theatre may pursue a special interest such as set design, lighting, theatrical management, acting, or playwriting, under the direction of the instructor. Active participation in laboratory and major productions required. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be earned in Theatre 400.
THEA 401. Acting II. 3 Hours.
Continuation and extension of THEA 301, Acting I, with particular emphasis on character development. Through intensive scene work and special projects in characterization studies, we will expand the actor?s emotional, intellectual, physical, and vocal expressiveness.
Prerequisite: THEA 301 with a minimum grade of D.
THEA 404. Advanced Movement. 3 Hours.
This course will provide an in-depth study of physical actor training for the stage. Through the creation of original theatre pieces, monologues, and scene work, the student will implement techniques learned in daily physical training.
THEA 410. Theatre for Youth. 3 Hours.
This course will contextualize Theatre for Youth through the study of the history and significance of this type of performance and then will use in-class exercises to create a strong ensemble of actors who will then collaborate on the creation, rehearsal, and performance of an original children's theatre script.
THEA 413. Devised Theatre. 3 Hours.
Working collaboratively, the class will choose and explore a topic/theme of particular interest to students on this campus and then plan, develop, rehearse, and perform a non-traditional theatrical production based on this theme.
THEA 424. African American Drama. 3 Hours.
This class deals with the creation of African American identity on the American stage from the early 19th century through the present. Readings are from the works of Baraka, Kennedy, Wilson, Parks, Hughes, and many others. Students will engage with issues of race, literature, performance, and authorship in class discussion, written work and oral presentations. Cross-listed with English 424.
Prerequisite: Any 200-level ENGL course with a D or better.
THEA 425. 19th Century American Drama. 3 Hours.
From James Nelson Barker's The Indian Princess (1808), to George Aiken's stage adaptation of Uncle Tom's Cabin, one of the most popular works of its period in both America and Europe, the close reading of nineteenth century American drama opens a fascinating window onto the creation of American identity. This class will address ideas and issues of nationhood, the frontier, gender, race and race relations, and popular and high culture. Cross-listed with English 425.
Prerequisite: Any 200-level ENGL course with a D or better.
THEA 433. Modern Drama. 3 Hours.
A course of study which focuses on the work of late 19th to mid 20th century
European and American dramatists. Authors include Ibsen, Chekhov, Strindberg,
Pirandello, Brecht, Beckett, O'Neill, Miller and Williams. Cross-list with English 433.
Prerequisite: Any 200-level ENGL course with a D or better.
THEA 438. Greek & Roman Drama. 3 Hours.
Selected Greek and Roman comedies and tragedies will be read in translation. The
course will concentrate on the thematic, philosophical, and religious aspects of
ancient drama. Cross-listed with English 438.
Prerequisite: Any 200-level ENGL course with a D or better.
THEA 470. Independent Study. 1 to 4 Hours.
A student initiated project, approved and supervised by a faculty member, integrating learning in the major.
THEA 471. Independent Study - Design/Technical. 0 to 3 Hours.
A student initiated project, approved and supervised by a faculty member focused on set design and/or aspects of technical theatre.
THEA 472. Independent Study - Dramatic Literature. 0 to 3 Hours.
A student initiate project, approved and supervised by a faculty member, integrating the study dramatic literature with theatre producation.
THEA 473. Independent Study - Performance. 0 to 3 Hours.
A course in which the student pursues independently, under the guidance of a member of the department, a specific topic of interest.
THEA 476. Advanced Playwriting. 3 Hours.
In this workshop, students will write at least two ten-minute plays and one full-length two-act play, in addition to developing their craft through writing projects and exercises. We also will read and discuss plays by such playwrights as Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, and Eugene Ionesco. Actors will read each participant's work at a special presentation at the end of the semester. Class is conducted in a workshop format, and participants and the instructor will read, discuss, and analyze script pages in class.
Prerequisite: THEA 376 with a minimum grade of D.
THEA 480. Advanced Topics in Theatre. 1 to 4 Hours.
A seminar for advanced students. Subject matter varies from year to year. Instructor permission required.
THEA 490. Advanced Studies in Film. 3 Hours.
A topics course involving close study of specific directors, genres, or national cinemas. Topics will change from semester to semester. Screenings of feature films may be held outside of class. Students may take Theatre 490 for credit only once. Instructor permission required.