Curriculum

Major Requirements

Based on 2020-2021 Curriculum Catalog
Degree: BFA
Curriculum: ACTING (ACTING)
Elective Courses: 4 credits
General Education Courses: 31 credits
Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD): 8 Non-Credit Classes
Major courses: 85 credits (see the breakdown below)
Req Second Summer: 12 credits
THA 360THA 360
(Prerequisites: THA 332 with a C- or better, and program approval) Students learn through practical experience, performing three to six roles during a 10-week summer stock season at the Okoboji Summer Theatre.
Acting Workshop II (Okoboji)
6 credits
THA 361THA 361
(Prerequisites: 27 hours in Theatre Arts and program approval) Students learn more advanced principles and practices of theatre management through classes and work assignments during a 10-week summer stock season at Okoboji Summer Theatre.
Production Workshop II (Okoboji)
3 credits
THA 363THA 363
(Prerequisites: 27 hours in Theatre Arts and program approval) Students learn more advanced principles and practices of theatre management through classes and work assignments during a 10-week summer stock season at Okoboji Summer Theatre.
Theatre Management II (Okoboji)
3 credits
Required First Summer: 12 credits
THA 223THA 223
Part of the Summer Performing Arts Intensive. Students will prepare and refine self taping and editing skills and acquire fundamentals necessary for Acting for the Camera.
Acting for the Camera/Self Tape - Audition Technique (SPAI)
1 credits
THA 258THA 258
Development of stage movement for total organic involvement both physical and intuitive.
Stage Movement (SPAI)
2 credits
THA 259THA 259
(Prerequisites: a C- or better in THA 124, THA 128) Continued development of acting skills through focus that includes an intensive study of Michael Chekov's approach to acting.
Acting I Intensive (SPAI)
2 credits
THA 260THA 260
(Prerequisites: a C- or better, THA 124, THA 227, and THA 251, and/or program approval) Development of basic skills in technical theatre through class assignments and crew work and a study of general principles and accepted practices in theatre management. Summer Theatre Institute only.
Theatre Production and Management I (STI)
3 credits
Required: 61 credits
DAN 381DAN 381
This course will explore "social dancing" through the ages, as well as physical alignment through ballet technique.
Social Dance Through the Ages
3 credits
MTHA 126MTHA 126
This course is designed to introduce beginning theatre students to fundamental audition techniques in both acting and musical theatre.
Intro Into the Profession/Audition Technique
2 credits
THA 122THA 122
(Open only to Theatre majors.) A course designed to provide beginning theatre students an understanding of the senses and an awareness of self, others and the world in order to develop basic acting skills.
Acting I: Acting Foundations
3 credits
THA 124THA 124
(Prerequisite: THA 122 with a C- or better, open only to Theatre Majors.) Provides the tools necessary for breaking down the script, making effective choices and communicating the intent of the scene in a dramatic and effective way.
Acting II: American Realism
3 credits
THA 128THA 128
(Open to all students) Designed to give students the tools to develop vocal quality and speech standards for performance in theatre, film, television and radio.
Voice and Speech for the Actor
2 credits
THA 205THA 205
(Open only to Performing Arts majors; lab fee charged) Study of basic techniques of designing and applying stage makeup for straight, character and stylized roles.
Makeup for Theatre
1 credits
THA 213THA 213
Lecture, demonstration and practical work assignments to develop skills in production techniques.
Introduction to Stagecraft
1 credits
THA 227THA 227
(Open only to Performing Arts majors) Lecture, demonstration and practical work assignments to develop basic production skills and provide a base knowledge of various areas of theatre production. Introduction to the contemporary practice of stage management.
Introduction to Stage Management
1 credits
THA 232THA 232
(Prerequisites: a C- or better in THA 124 and THA 227 or permission of instructor) A study of the function of the director and basic theories of composition, picturization and movement. Practical staging assignments. Development of practical skills as directors through classroom discussion and the direction of scenes. Assembly of a complete director's script for a final project.
Directing I
3 credits
THA 251THA 251
(Open only to Performing Arts majors; lab fee charged) Study of beginning costuming skills through class discussions and laboratory work.
Intro to Costuming
1 credits
THA 275THA 275
(Prerequisite: THA 124 with a C- or better.) Introduces different styles and period pieces to broaden the student's perspective. Scene study is to be the basic means used to develop the technique required to create the style and ambiance of a period.
Acting III: Styles
3 credits
THA 280THA 280
(Open to all students) Topics courses are devoted to special subjects that may not be covered in depth in other courses, to issues of current interest or to the newest research available in a discipline.
Topics in Theatre Arts
3 credits
THA 313THA 313
(Open to all students) A study of the theatre of ancient Greece and Rome, dealing primarily with the development of the physical theatre structures, production methods and major theatrical figures. Continuing with the study of theatre from 1100 to 1700 dealing primarily with the development of physical theatre structures, production methods and major theatrical figures. This course is writing intensive.
Theatre History I
3 credits
THA 314THA 314
(Prerequisite: THA 313 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor) A study of theatre from 1700 to 1875 dealing primarily with the development of physical theatre structures, production methods and major theatrical figures. Continuing with a study of "modern" theatre, from the emergence of realism (ca. 1875 to the present), dealing primarily with styles, production methods and major theatrical figures.
Theatre History II
3 credits
THA 320THA 320
(Prerequisite: THA 232 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor) Advanced study in directing techniques, including theories concerning the director's choices regarding scenery, lighting and costuming. Each student directs a one-act play.
Directing II
3 credits
THA 328THA 328
(Prerequisite: THA 238 with a C- or better). This course builds upon the skill set developed in THA 238 for comprehensive vocal work. Students will synthesize theory and practice for deeper investigation and application. This work involves developing proficiency and understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet and stage dialects.
Voice and Speech for the Actor III
3 credits
THA 335THA 335
(Prerequisite: THA 124 with a C- or better). Exploration in theory and in practice of plays from the later mid-twentieth century to the present. Scene work and monologues from playwrights such as, but not limited to, Tracy Letts, Will Eno, Rajiv Joseph, Annie Baker, and Paula Vogel will be explored.
Acting IV: Contemporary
3 credits
THA 340THA 340
(Prerequisite: THA 332 with a C- or better,) This movement class will cover the basic Viniyoga principles, including yoga postures, breath work, meditation techniques and tools for using yoga to enhance flexibility and concentration.
Movement for Actors
3 credits
THA 365THA 365
(Prerequisites: ENG 107 and sophomore standing) This course will investigate what sets drama apart from other prominent literary genres and the purpose of drama for various cultures. Selected readings will help students explore the literary elements of character, language, spectacle, plot and theme, as well as the nature and function of world drama in historical, political and social contexts. Topics will vary and may focus on an historical period, a selected theme, style or playwright. This course is writing intensive.
Dramatic Literature
3 credits
THA 370THA 370
This course is designed to explore foundational on-camera techniques and vocabulary, with emphasis on on-camera auditions, preparation for auditions and filming, sitcoms and commercials. Actors will explore both sides of the camera in an on-campus film studio.
On-Camera Fundamentals
3 credits
THA 420THA 420
An intensive course where actors develop the fundamental business skills, materials and marketing techniques necessary for a career in the entertainment industry.
Business of the Business
2 credits
THA 421THA 421
(Prerequisite: THA 332 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor) Shakespeare for the actor. Voice, movement and script analysis in classical drama.
Acting V: Shakespeare
3 credits
THA 423THA 423
(Prerequisite: THA 332 with a C- or better) Acting for camera in TV and film (in conjunction with the Digital Filmmaking Program).
Acting VI: Acting for the Camera
3 credits
THA 426THA 426
Exploration in theory and in practice of monologues and scenes from playwrights such as Strindberg and Ibsen. An exploration of naturalism and realism.
Acting VII: Naturalism/Realism
3 credits