2011-2012 Course Catalog
Core curriculum — required of all theatre arts majors
- Theatre Arts 187: Acting I
- Theatre Arts 212: Theatre Traditions I: Greeks through the 18th Century
- Theatre Arts 224: Theatre Traditions II: Romanticism through the Present
- Theatre Arts 231: Introduction to Design for the Theatre
- Theatre Arts 327: Playscript Analysis
- Six terms of participation in either Theatre Arts 355: Theatre Production Laboratory or Theatre Arts 357: Musical Theatre Production Laboratory. Normally granted at one unit per term of participation.
- Four additional courses in a focus area or courses across focus areas to continue a generalist approach.
- Senior Project
Focus areas
Performance
Additional courses in performance study include Acting II, Play Directing, and 12 additional units in performance–related courses.
Design and Technical Theatre
Additional courses include Stagecraft; costume, set, or lighting design; and a course in theatre technology and must include Advanced Design Studio.
Dramatic Theory, History, and Literature
Dramatic Theory and Criticism and an additional course in theatre history are required. Then students will take an additional 12 units of dramatic literature in the Departments of Theatre Arts or English or in a foreign language department. We urge students who intend to pursue graduate studies in this area to continue their foreign language studies to the level of advanced proficiency.
Required for the theatre arts minor
- Theatre Arts 111: Introduction to the Theatre
- Theatre Arts 113: Stagecraft
- Theatre Arts 327: Playscript Analysis
- Theatre Arts 212 or 224: Theatre Traditions
- Theatre Arts 187: Acting I
- Theatre Arts 477: Acting II or Theatre Arts 231: Introduction to Design for Theatre
- Theatre Arts 355 or 357: Theatre Production Laboratory (3 terms of participation, normally granted at one unit per term of participation)
- C average in the minor
Senior Experience in Theatre Arts
The required Senior Project is a cumulative project that reflects each student's specific interests, and the wide range of activity in our department. While majors often begin the planning process for their Senior Project with their advisor during sophomore year, proposals to the department are due late junior year. A wide variety of options are available as valid senior projects. They include:
- creating a major acting role and documenting your efforts,
- directing a one–act play (up to 70 minutes),
- set, lighting, costume, or sound design for a production,
- technical direction or stage management for a production,
- creating and teaching curriculum for primary or secondary students in cooperation with Appleton area schools,
- writing a play and producing a reading of it for a general audience,
- or more scholarly activities such as writing on an aspect of theatre history for presentation or publication.
Projects that require use of one of the department's performance spaces must submit a proposal addressing the following:
- the requirements and challenges of the project including impact on and intersection with the department's ongoing activity,
- the preparation (course and production work) that has prepared you to successfully complete the project,
- the academic, artistic, and personal goals you hope to achieve with your project,
- request for space including preferred term and special production needs.
As theatre is a collaborative art form, the senior project is often a shared experience with other seniors; the department encourages groups of rising seniors to propose joint efforts.
The department welcomes project proposals involving shared experiences with other departments. The senior project can be tailored to fit the needs of a student seeking secondary certification.
