THEA - Theatre

Course Descriptions

THEA 1000 Production Applications (1-2)

Production crew assignments are intended to bolster a student's understanding of the theatre-making process. Crew assignments are determined at the beginning of each semester by the Crew Committee in the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

THEA 1050 Theatre Appreciation (3)

The course examines how theatre art is created, from concept to curtain call. Students will be required to see several live theatre performances. Emphasis is placed on how theatre art involves audiences in the exploration of the themes of the human condition. GCP Coding: (ARTS) (WCOM).

THEA 1080 Studio Acting I (2-3)

This is an introduction to naturalistic acting. The course includes basic awareness exercises, as well as theoretical and practical application of the Stanislavsky system. GCP Coding: (ARTS) (OCOM).

THEA 2030 History of Theatre: Greeks to Elizabethan (3)

This course investigates the beginnings of western theatre in ancient Greece and traces its development through to the Elizabethan period. Through a combination of reading plays and history, lectures and hands-on projects this class will aim to engage and excite students about the beginnings of western theatre through to Shakespeare and the Elizabethan period. Through discussion and class presentations the course will begin to identify for the student areas of personal interest in the study of theatre history while exploring influences of previous theatrical periods on the theatre of our times. GCP Coding: (ROC) (WCOM).

THEA 2040 History of Theatre: Restoration to 1915 (3)

This course investigates western and world theatre from the Restoration of Charles II in England to the beginning of World War I. Through a combination of reading plays and history, lectures and hands-on projects, this class will aim to engage and excite students about the development of theatre from Restoration Comedy to the formulation of modern realism. Through discussion and class presentations, the course will begin to identify for the student areas of personal interest in the study of theatre history while exploring influences of previous theatrical periods on the theatre of our times. GCP Coding: (ROC) (WCOM).

THEA 2050 History of Theatre: 1915 to Present (3)

This course investigates western and world theatre from the modern era to the contemporary moment. Through a combination of reading plays and history, lectures and hands-on projects this class will aim to engage and excite students about the development of theatre from “ism’s” in the early to mid-20th century to current theatre practices. Through discussion and class presentations the course will begin to identify for the student areas of personal interesting the study of theatre history while exploring influences of previous theatrical periods on the theatre of our times. GCP Coding: (ROC) (WCOM).

THEA 2080 Studio Acting II (3)

This course is a continuation of Studio Acting I. It takes the fundamentals learned in THEA 1080 and applies them to scene and monologue work from play scripts. Prerequisite: THEA 1080. 

THEA 2620 Practicum: First-Years or Sophomores (1-16)

On-the-job experience, an internship, fieldwork, an apprenticeship and direct participation in community or professional activity are all possible within the framework of a practicum. Evaluation is usually based on the quality of the student's performance in the chosen practicum setting and on reflective analysis of the experiential learning. The experience may be repeated for credit if the content differs. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair.

THEA 2630 Independent Study: First-Years or Sophomores (1-16)

Independent study involves research work on a specialized subject or project, artistic work or study of an interdisciplinary nature. In contrast to a practicum, the emphasis in an independent study is usually on individual pursuit of a specific content area. The experience may be repeated for credit if the content differs. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair.

THEA 3030 Topics in Theatre (2-3)
THEA 3040 Topics in Theatre (2-3)

This series deals with various topics in theatre, such as creative dramatics, museum studies, design applications, women in theatre, Black theatre, gay and lesbian theatre, contemporary theatre, the avant-garde and a history of acting. The course may be repeated for credit if the content differs.

THEA 3070 Creative Dramatics: Social Issues (3)

This course focuses on researching current social issues that affect teens. The class then writes, produces and performs a social issues review at local high schools. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

THEA 3710 Directing I (2)

This course acquaints students with the basic principles of directing. These principles of analysis, composition, movement and picturization are explored in class. The student then applies these principles by directing short scenes during the class. The class then discusses the scenes. The student director defends the choices made or concurs that another choice may have been more effective. Scenes are reworked in class. Prerequisite: CONS 2020 or acceptance into the directing program, or permission of the instructor.

THEA 3720 Directing II (2)

This course is a continuation of THEA 3710. The student continues to direct scenes and apply the basic principles. The final project is to direct a 10-minute scene and to go through the full directorial process. The best scenes are presented to the Conservatory. Prerequisite: THEA 3710.

THEA 4620 Practicum: Juniors or Seniors (1-16)

On-the-job experience, an internship, fieldwork, an apprenticeship and direct participation in community or professional activity are all possible within the framework of a practicum. Evaluation is usually based on the quality of the student's performance in the chosen practicum setting and on reflective analysis of the experiential learning. The experience may be repeated for credit if the content differs. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair.

THEA 4630 Independent Study: Juniors or Seniors (1-16)

Independent study involves research work on a specialized subject or project, artistic work or study of an interdisciplinary nature. In contrast to practicum, the emphasis in an independent study is usually on individual pursuit of a specific content area. The experience may be repeated for credit if the content differs. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.

THEA 4710 Directing III (2)

This course emphasizes learning by the student's directing a minimum of four one-act plays. It includes discussions on analysis, function of director as interpreter, organizer, teacher; problems of involved physical staging; and relationship to designers. Special emphasis is placed on creative interrelationship between the actor and director interpretation and acting out the play through improvisation. Student work in process is videotaped from casting to performance and discussed in class. This work is performed for the Conservatory with no budget and modular furniture. Directors from the Repertory Theatre St. Louis and Conservatory are guest lecturers. Prerequisite: THEA 3720.

THEA 4720 Directing IV (2)

This course is a continuation of THEA 4710. Prerequisite: THEA 4710.