Degree Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Theatre
Garvey Fine Arts Center, Room 133
(785) 640-1639
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre consists of forty (40)
credit hours in Theatre and nine (9) hours of correlate courses
in English, in addition to the general educational requirements
of the College of Arts and Sciences. Seventeen (17) hours in
the major are taken at the upper division level. The following
courses are required for a major in Theatre: TH 101, 301 or 102,
103, 202, 211 or 311, 212, 302, 303, 315, 316, 317, 210/310 (4
hrs), 6 hours of electives and 9 hours of correlate courses in the
English Department: EN 235, 236, 336.
MINOR IN THEATRE STUDIES
A minor consisting of 18 hours may be taken in
consultation with a Theatre faculty advisor. Approved
courses for the minor will be filed in the Department
and with the University Registrar.
COURSE OFFERINGS
(Courses marked with </ are part of the University’s
General Education program. See Table of Contents for
details)
</TH 101 Drama Classics on Video (3)
An introductory Theatre course which involves viewing
performances and play reading. Production styles range
from the Greeks to the American Musical theatre. *Students
who enroll in or have completed TH 301 are ineligible to
enroll in TH 101.
</ TH 102 Introduction to Theatre (3)
Current views of theatre in society; theatre as art and
ritual and its relationship to other fine arts, the nature of
the theatrical metaphor and the aesthetic evaluation by
the audience. Career opportunities associated with the
art: professional, educational, community, and amateur.238
</TH 103 Voice, Diction and Interpretation (3)
Training the speaking voice; study of vocal mechanism,
breathing, projection, articulation, enunciation; practical
application of speaking principles in oral interpretation
reading; projects.
TH 199 Special Topics in Theatre (1-3)
Newly developed course material offered for variety
and expansion of the course curriculum.
</TH 202 Acting I-Voice, Movement and Improvisation (3)
Movement, voice and improvisation exercises and
activities. Introduction to basic acting principles and
practice, developing focus and imagination.
</TH 206 Survey of Drama I (Greek to Elizabethan) (3)
Play-reading in historical context. Study of elements
of production, performance practice, and style which
emerge representative of period. Periods: Greek,
Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and Elizabethan.
</TH 207 Survey of Drama II (Restoration to Modern) (3)
Play-reading in historical context. Study of
elements of production, performance practice, and
style which emerge representative of period. Periods:
Restoration, French and Spanish Classicism, Neoclassicism,
Romanticism, Realism.
TH 208 Principles of Playwriting (3)
Practical writing lab. Analysis of established texts
leads students to creation and development of dramatic
monologues, short and one-act plays. Class will
culminate in public readings and/or staging of original
work.
TH 210 Theatre Forum/Seminar (1)
Two credit hours required of Theatre majors. Topics will
be drawn from all areas of theatre as an art and a business.
Guest speakers, portfolio/audition preparation, production
review and critique will be included.
TH 211 Stagecraft (3)
Lecture and laboratory exploration of the concepts of
stage drafting, construction and painting. Crew assignment
will be required.
TH 212 Acting II Text and Scene Analysis (3)
Play and character analysis will be incorporated in
staged monologue and scene work.
</TH 301 Drama Classics on Video (3)
See description for TH 101. Students complete the
same course of study as TH 101. Additional essay exam
or research paper is required. *Students who enrolled in
or have completed TH 101 are ineligible to enroll in TH
301.
TH 302 Directing I (3)
Theoretical and practical introduction to the
fundamentals involved in directing a play. The director’s
relationship to actors and other theatre personnel, and
to the play itself. Prerequisites: TH 102, 212 or consent.
TH 303 Acting III (3)
Practical application of a method for text analysis and
performance of Shakespeare and other presentational
and verse forms through monologue and scene work.
Prerequisite: TH 202,212 or consent.
</TH 306/506 Contemporary Theatre (3)
Study of developments in playwriting, directing, and
acting since WWII to the present with special emphasis
on influences that have affected contemporary theatre
and drama.
TH 307/507 Non-Western Drama (3)
Detailed examination of the drama and theatre of
selected Non-Western theatrical forms. Special emphasis
is placed upon the relationship of cultural elements to the
theatrical event.
TH 308 Principles of Playwriting (3)
Practical writing lab. Analysis of established texts
leads students to creation and development of dramatic
monologues, short and one-act plays. Class will
culminate in public readings and/or staging of original
work.
TH 310 Theatre Forum/Seminar (1)
Two credit hours required of Theatre majors.
Topics will be drawn from all areas of theatre as an
art and a business. Guest speakers, portfolio/audition
preparation, production review and critique will be
included.
TH 311 Stagecraft (3)
Lecture and laboratory exploration of the concepts
of stage drafting, construction and painting. Crew
assignment will be required.
TH 313 Introduction to Children’s Theatre (3)
Study of theatre production for children and youth.
Investigation into the Children’s Theatre repertory with
special emphasis on playwriting. Development of a
philosophy of theatre for children and youth.
TH 314 Children’s Theatre Tour (3)
Touring to area schools as a performer or stage
manager throughout a given semester. Preparation, 239
rehearsal and performance of play chosen for a specific
age group. Prerequisite: TH 202, TH 313 or consent.
TH 315 Set Design (3)
Scenic design for the stage with emphasis on
historical practice and contemporary trends. Crew
assignment will be required. Prerequisite: TH 102 or
consent.
TH 316 Costume Design (3)
Historical and contemporary practices in
costume design with practical application in costume
construction. Crew assignment will be required.
Prerequisite: TH 102 or consent.
TH 317 Lighting Design (3)
Theory and practice of lighting design for theatre.
Applications for television and photography will
be included. Crew assignment will be required.
Prerequisite: TH 102 or consent.
TH 359 Methods of Teaching Speech and Drama (3)
The study and application of teaching strategies
for secondary education certification in speech.
Prerequisite: Advisor approval and formal admission to
teacher education.
TH 399 Special Topics in Theatre (1-3)
Newly developed course material offered for variety
and expansion of the course curriculum.
TH 407 Drama Theory and Criticism (3)
Study of general principles of Western literary theory
and the methods, aims, functions and characteristics of
Drama as an art form, derived from and/or illustrated by
examples in criticism and reviewing.
TH 408 Advanced Playwriting (3)
Practical writing lab for the development of
full-length texts. Advanced critique and rewriting
techniques will be employed to assist in script
development. Prerequisite: TH 208 or TH 308 or
consent.
TH 415 Experimental Theatre (3)
Practical introduction and practice in performance
theory, collective creation and conceptualization.
Creation of theatre piece from existent or original
sources.
TH 416 Special Theatre Projects (1-3)
Specifically developed projects and/or internships
in acting, directing, playwriting, design, public relations,
and theatre management.
