Theatre Lab is a co-curricular course designed to instill a desire to learn about theatre and its various forms through participation as an audience member of Pipe Dreams Studio productions or other approved live performances. Syllabus
Students participate in productions by working behind the scenes during their first three years in the program. These collaborative experiences help develop a sense of volunteerism and often, a second marketable professional skill in various areas of theatre production. Syllabus
A practical acting course for non-theatre majors. Designed to introduce students to basic fundamentals of acting. May be taken for university studies fine arts credit but does not count towards theatre major. Syllabus
Credit for participating in Pipe Dreams productions that help foster collaborative and technical skills. Repeatable for credit. No more than 10 credits of theatre laboratory course work may be applied to graduation. Only 1 credit may be taken per semester. Consent only. Syllabus
Credit for participating in musical theatre productions that help foster collaborative and technical work skills. Repeatable for credit. No more than 10 credits of theatre laboratory course work may be applied to graduation. Consent only. Syllabus
Credit for participating in main stage productions that help foster collaborative and technical work skills. Repeatable for credit. No more than 10 credits of theatre laboratory course work may be applied to graduation. Consent only. Syllabus
Through the study of selected works, students learn techniques for analyzing play structure in a manner vital for performing artists, directors, and designers. Plays shall be selected from a variety of periods in theatrical history. The genres of tragedy and comedy and various stylistic approaches to interpreting theatrical works will be closely studied. Pre-requisites: Theatre majors or minors only, or consent of instructor. Syllabus
This course is a pre-requisite for many Design Studio courses. The first part of the course deals with the process and art of design including an introduction to drawing and painting for theatre. It includes discussions on the nature of theatre design today as well as the elements of design and the principles of composition. The second half of the semester focuses individually on costume, set, and lighting design and the student’s development of a portfolio. Lab fee. Syllabus
A study in basic concepts of acting developing the integration of the actor’s mind and body through a variety of exercises with emphasis on professional preparation, the collaborative experience, and an introduction to analysis and technique. Majors only. Syllabus
Methods of scene analysis are explored to give the actor various tools for approaching a play. Approaches to analyzing the spine of the play, beats, major actions, intentions and characterizations will be investigated. Emphasis will be placed upon both analysis of the scene and practical realization of the work through the application of technique. Pre-requisites: Theatre 131 and 141, or consent of instructor. Syllabus
Beginning techniques for physical awareness, and development of centered movement, alignment, flexibility and breath. Majors only. Lab fee. Syllabus
Beginning techniques for physical awareness, and development of centered movement, alignment, flexibility and breath. TH145 pre-requisite. Majors only. Syllabus
A series of topics will be taught on a rotating basis including work in drafting, rendering, scene design, costume construction, lighting design and other disciplines. Practical design or technical projects may be assigned. Majors only. Variable lab fees. Lighting Design Syllabus, Costume Construction Syllabus , Drafting Syllabus
The fundamentals of vocal technique for the actor. Special emphasis is given to the anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism, including breathing, phonation, resonance and articulation. Students learn portions of the International Phonetic Alphabet as a tool for phonetic analysis, the practice of Standard North American speech, and subsequent dialect analysis and practice. Syllabus
Further development of the fundamentals of vocal technique. Special emphasis is given to enhancement of vocal power, range, clarity, flexibility, and responsiveness to text. Technique issues are addressed through warm-up approaches and work on heightened text, including Shakespeare. Work with text also includes methods of verse scansion and rhetorical analysis. Pre-requisite: TH240. Syllabus
A practical course in makeup techniques for the stage. Areas covered include the study of facial structure, modeling 2-dimensionally with highlight and shadow, and examination of color theory. Projects emphasize corrective, old age, and specialty applications. Majors only. Lab fee. Syllabus
An introduction to shop technology designed to give the student a detailed overview of the theories, practices and techniques involved in technical theatre. Through class lectures and hands-on participation, students establish a basic proficiency with the standard tools, materials, methods, and procedures used to prepare a show technically. Topics include, but are not limited to scenery and costume construction, painting, properties, stage lighting, and drafting. Shop work (through co-enrollment in a 0-credit lab) on university productions is required to reinforce skills and to promote collaborative effort. Majors only. Lab fee. Syllabus
An exploration of periodicity through the examination of stylistic elements from Egyptian through the present. Styles of art, architecture, dance, theatre, music, etc. will be examined in an effort to give students a strong sense of the commonalties as well as the differences in the various art of the periods. Trends in philosophy, religion, commerce, etc. will be studied for their effect upon artistic form. Syllabus
A continuation of Theatre 242, Theatrical Make-up, in which the student concentrates on the design and application of make-up for various characters in realistic and stylized plays. This course exposes students to 3 dimensional technology used in the field of make-up including alginate casting and the creation and application of prosthetic make-up pieces. Pre-requisite: Theatre 242. Lab fee. Syllabus
An introduction to the theory and techniques of stage directing, this course emphasizes script analysis, collaboration, executing blocking and staging techniques, understanding aesthetics and clarity. Each student will direct a ten-minute scene for class presentation. Prerequisite: TH 131 or consent of instructor. Syllabus
A continuation of Directing I, this course also includes analysis of contemporary directorial theories. Professional techniques are thoroughly examined. Plays’ meanings and values from contemporary perspectives are evaluated as students analyze theories to help them develop their own personal style and technique. Students will direct short plays. Prerequisite: TH 131 and 321, or consent of instructor. Syllabus
An investigation into the work of a major playwright or playwrights or into dramatic literature of a given style period. Courses offered on occasion include Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams, contemporary drama and dramatic concepts. Repeatable for credits each time topic changes. Pre-requisite: Theatre 131 or consent of instructor. Drama and Rep of US Syllabus , Concepts Syllabus
An integrated study of theatre history, theory, and dramatic literature from the beginnings of theatre to the 19th Century. Readings will include theatre history texts, plays from important periods in theatre history, and primary documents of theatre theory such as Aristotle’s “Poetics.” A central assignment will be a dramaturgical project on a pre-modern dramatic text. Pre-requisite: TH 131 or consent of instructor. Syllabus
An integrated study of significant theatre practices focused on the emergence of modern theatre in the 19th Century, the development of “modernist” theatre aesthetics in the early 20th Century, and the conditions that have shaped contemporary theatre. Readings will include theatre history texts, influential plays from the modern and contemporary repertoire, and significant primary texts in theatre theory. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding modern theatre history as it influences current theatre practice. Pre-requisite: TH 131 or consent of instructor. Syllabus
The study of the American musical from European influences until 1940 with emphasis on analysis of formative elements in preparation for work in the professional environment. Majors only. A linked course requiring concurrent enrollment in Theatre 339. Syllabus
A collaborative exploration of the development and trends of the American musical from 1940 to the present with emphasis on analysis of different decades and styles. Majors only. A linked course requiring concurrent enrollment in TH340. Syllabus
An advanced course which explores the songwriting tradition on Broadway and in Hollywood during the first half of the 20th century with emphasis on professional preparation, analysis and technique in a collaborative environment. Performance of material will include songs appropriate for each student’s vocal range. A linked course requiring concurrent enrollment in Theatre 337. Majors only. Syllabus
An advanced course designed to explore leading vocal roles written for the musical stage during the second half of the 20th century with emphasis on professional preparation, analysis and technique in a collaborative environment. Performance of material will include songs appropriate each student’s physical range. A linked course requiring concurrent enrollment in Theatre 338. Majors only Syllabus
An advanced studio course, this class investigates the origins of style that influence analysis and the technical work of actors in uniting form and content. An in-depth treatment of characterization and interpretation with special emphasis on language will be the focus using Shakespeare’s plays. This course works on the actor’s technique and analysis. Pre-requisites: Theatre 141 and 142, or consent of instructor. Syllabus
Focuses on improvisation as a creative technique and performance style. Trains the actor to work in an extemporaneous manner. Students work in a variety of situations that apply improvisational techniques to theatre pieces. Pre-requisites: Theatre 142 or consent of instructor. Majors only. Syllabus
A continuation of the work started in Acting I and II, this course is designed to further the understanding of the actor’s craft and to apply analysis and technique to scene performances with emphasis on works of contemporary realism. Concentration on techniques of character development; discovering and communicating given circumstances; identifying and communicating subtext; and creating and sustaining internal/emotional involvement. Pre-requisite: Theatre 142 and approval of departmental performance committee. Syllabus
A study of a variety of audition techniques including cold readings, memorized monologues, improvisation and interviews. Pre-requisites: Theatre 131, 141, 142.
Application of techniques developed in the Voice sequence which enable the actor to speak in various regional dialects in performance contexts. Special emphasis is given to the use of IPA as a tool in phonetic analysis. Pre-requisite: TH241.
364.
Advanced Movement for Actors (3)
Course will explore advanced movement techniques that continue to emphasize
the full integration of the body, mind, and emotions while expanding the
range of movement choices, from active stillness through realistic characters
to broad physical comedy. Masks (neutral, character, and red nose) are
used as the means of exploration. Pre-requisites: Theatre 146, 345 or
consent of instructor. Syllabus
Topic to be announced each year. Pre-requisite: must be a major or consent of instructor. Acting: Realism/Abstract Syllabus , NYC Showcase
This senior capstone course for B.F.A. musical theater majors is a performance practice class for education and improvement of skills for the musical theatre. Practical analysis and technique in combining the disciplines of acting, singing, and movement for the musical theatre is the central focus with in-depth exploration of how these elements define and effect character and dramatic choices. Professionalism in manner and preparation are also important foci of the class. Pre-requisites: junior or senior musical theatre major and completion of Theatre 345, or consent of instructor. Syllabus
This senior capstone course works on the development of audition technique for the actor entering the professional market of musical theatre. Students learn methods for analyzing music and lyrics of audition material, staging an effective audition, and applying fundamental acting techniques that bring immediacy and power to the audition. Students also develop and practice the professional etiquette of the business and deepen their understanding of how they fit into the professional market they enter. Pre-requisites: junior or senior musical theatre major and completion of Theatre 345, or consent of instructor.Syllabus
This capstone course is required for all acting majors in their senior year. It requires intensive, in-depth work for the entire semester to integrate voice, mind, and body into an individualized acting approach. Integration of all aspects of the actor’s craft and artistry are emphasized. Students also develop and practice the professional etiquette of the business and deepen their understanding of how they fit into the professional market they enter. Pre-requisite: TH345, senior standing. Syllabus
Designing, assistant designing, functioning as technical director or costumer for a production in either the main stage or Pipe Dreams seasons. Pre-requisite: advanced standing, necessary courses applicable to the discipline, consent of instructor.
The direction of one-act plays for performance, or assistant direction, stage management, or dramaturgy of mainstage productions. Theatre 321 and 322, or consent of instructor.
A capstone directing project. Pre-requisites: Theatre or musical theatre major and consent of instructor.
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