Course Descriptions
Communication, Art, and Media Courses
THTR 100 ACTING I
This course is a study of the basic principles and techniques of acting: concentration, relaxation, basic stage acting, improvisation, principles of characterization, and script analysis (3 credits).
THTR 110 DRAMA
This course centers around the study of the development of Western drama from its beginnings in ancient Greece to the present. Emphasis on the literary and theatrical aspects of representative plays, and their relation to the cultural milieu in which they were produced (3 credits).
THTR 120 PLAYS IN PERFORMANCE
This course is an interactive introduction to Drama and theatre. We will use New York City theatre as our primary “textbook” — with five of the course’s 14 evenings meeting in the city to see a range of theatre. The course is designed to explore the relationship between drama as literature and as a blueprint for performance. We will combine in-depth script analysis with an introduction to the basic theatrical arts: acting, directing, and design (3 credits).
THTR 150 VOCAL PRODUCTION AND SPEECH
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the mechanics of vocal production, breath support, and effective speaking in a variety of performative contexts. (3 credits)
THTR 200 ACTING II/DIRECTING
This course is a continuation of Acting I as it involves the further exploration and development of the actor’s craft. In addition, the course focuses attention on self-direction through the workshopping of audition monologues. Using the director’s lens, the course also explores script analysis and research processes in the investigation of a play and/or scenes. (3 credits).
THTR 270 TOOLS OF THE TRADE
This is a studio survey course that introduces students to the key areas of theatre production and design. Students will work closely with theatrical designers and technicians to design, setup, and run equipment in the Mount’s diversity of performance spaces (i.e., Cahill Theater, TV Studio, Radio Station, Hayes Auditorium, and Dance Studios). In addition, students will learn how to setup and run remote and site specific theatrical and performance productions. (3 credits)
THTR 300 THEATRE PRACTICUM
The theatre practicums are hands-on projects related to the work of producing a theatrical production. Practicum activities could be, but are not limited to, costume design, lighting design, set design, technical support, stage management, production assistance, and promotion and marketing support. Students will contract a 1-3 credit practicum in coordination with the Director of the Theatre and Performing Arts Program. (3 credits)
THTR 371 DANCE FORMS
During this course, through theory and practice, students will explore a variety of movement styles ranging from ballet, modern dance jazz, to folk and ethic dance forms. The origins of various dance styles will be put into historical and cultural context (3 credits).
THTR 450 ACTING III/PERFORMANCE LAB, SENIOR THEATRE PROJECT
Building on work throughout the theatre program, senior theatre majors will develop and produce a final theatre project. The final project could take the form of directing a new student work (e.g., a student play), producing a previously published work, performing/directing a solo performance piece or a newly devised work. (3 credits)
THTR/COMM/ART ART OF THE SONG, A PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
This is a performance-based course that focuses on student interpretation and delivery of songs, audience interaction, stagecraft, and stage presence. Students will present a new song each week and will be encouraged to try a variety of different song types and genres. Students will be introduced to vocal production techniques and work weekly with a professional accompanist to develop a variety of songs from different genres. At the end of the semester, students will participate in a Song Night in front of an invited audience. (3 credits)
THTR/COMM/ART MUSICAL THEATRE AND COMMUNICATION OUTREACH WORKSHOP
This is a production-based course. Students will devise and produce a short musically-grounded piece, or work with a previously published short musical. The piece that students produce will be outreached to a local organization (e.g., library, school, church). Students will have the opportunity to participate in the course in a variety of production roles: actors, designers, stage managers, puppeteers, and marketing specialists. (3 credits)
THTR/COMM/ART THEATRE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Throughout the course, students will be introduced to different ways in which theatre is and can be used to influence social change in a variety of local, national, and international contexts. This kind of theatre is often called “applied theatre” and it seeks to delve deeply into the world in which we live by using theatre as a means to mirror human behavior, open interpersonal and social dialogues, and invent channels for creative expression, critique and reflection. (3 credits)