Theater and Dance
Department Chair: Sean Dooley
Faculty: Amelia Cheever, David DeBlieck, Sean Dooley
The theater+dance program offers an inclusive environment for any student interested in developing artistic skills and solving creative challenges within a collaborative ensemble.
As part of the theater+dance minor or the general education curriculum, students examine performance as a formalization of human experience usually requiring rehearsed behavior, linked to text or movement, within a designed visual environment and intended for a live audience. This collaborative process establishes a strong creative community which builds integrated theatrical events; events that reflect and examine the given historical, societal, and cultural context in which they are embedded.
The theater+dance program is committed to scholarly and artistic creativity, to the integration of theory and experience, to the dynamics of the theatrical process and to positive constructive human values. This pursuit includes a confrontation with our own humanity, an illumination of diverse constructions of reality, and a celebration of our spirits.
Students pursuing a theater+dance minor create their own acting, musical theater, dance, or technical collection of courses or select a mix of courses based on their interests.
Assessment
The Theater Program conducts regular assessment of student learning of our minors and students taking theater+dance courses to fulfill general education requirements. We evaluate how students apply communication, expression, design, and storytelling in the performing arts. We also examine students' ability to collaborate in theatrical productions and/or projects in a variety of roles (e.g., as an ensemble member, leader, designer, technician, and/or co-creator) depending on their area of interest. Students draw on these skills and abilities as they create socially meaningful work that engages local and/or global perspectives.
Theater+Dance minors will graduate from the program with skills in collaboration, problem solving, analysis, and communication that will translate into any career opportunity.
THEA 105 Introduction to Modern Dance (4 Credits)
This class is an exploration of movement fundamentals for the purpose of developing and strengthening individual creativity and artistic expression in dance. Class work is designed to: 1) Give individuals a basic understanding of anatomical structure and kinesiological principles as a foundation for developing technical skills needed to create articulate and expressive movement; 2) Provide an embodied experience of time and energy principles as related to dance; 3) demystify dance as an art form and make it accessible and relevant to all.
Prerequisites: None
Equivalent courses: HONR 230F
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Encounter1/2-Movement
THEA 113 Stagecraft (4 Credits)
Beginning theory and practice of scenography. Study of materials and techniques used in stage scenery. Also an introduction to the theories and equipment used in theater lighting and sound. Lab required. Fall.
Prerequisites: None
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE)
THEA 117 Acting Out Loud (4 Credits)
Acting is everywhere. How you wait for the Link in the morning is acting. How you address your teacher in class in acting. How you talk with your parent on the phone is acting. Acting Out purposefully examines how we use our voice and body, mind and emotion, to create the person we present to the world. You can learn to present a more confident, self-assured you by studying acting. This class is designed to develop the student’s imagination, observation and concentration through theater games and text-based performances. Techniques will be introduced with the purpose of bringing the students verbal and non-verbal communication together to fully communicate choices through strong psychological and physical action. If you love theatre, this course is for you. If you want to be more comfortable in job interviews, this class is for you.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: THEA XXXA
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Encounter1/2 - Truth
THEA 140 Fundamentals of Movement (2 Credits)
This course is an introduction to movement fundamentals and is designed for actors, athletes, musicians, visual artists, and anyone desiring to improve fine motor skills, flexibility, coordination, posture, or body image. The goal is for students to develop somatic awareness so that they can recognize their own habitual movement patterns and learn to explore new movement options, with an emphasis on decreasing effort and increasing sensitivity. The course uses somatic methodologies and modern dance techniques to enhance students' understanding of basic anatomical and kinesiological principles, expand their range and quality of movement, and improve individual performance skills. And the course also offers an experience of movement as a creative form without the perceived stereotypical definitions and limitations of dance.
Prerequisites: None
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Encounter1/2-Movement
THEA 200 Theater Experience (4 Credits)
Live performance is an experience. The lights, the sound, the collaborative storytelling all reach out and interact with the audience to create a singular, transitory moment. Theater Experience will cover all aspects of this moment, from the performers to the production aspects of theater, to you, the audience member. Students will attend productions on campus as well as take field trips to professional theatres to experience a variety of performances. The course seeks to enhance the student’s knowledge and appreciation of theater and dance through immersive learning and scholarly exploration.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: THEA XXXA
Equivalent courses: THEA 204
Attributes: Artistic Engagement (AR), Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Encounter1/2 - Truth
THEA 209 Theatrical Dance Styles and Physical Theater (2 Credits)
This course builds on the basic physical preparation for the actor and explores different dance forms and styles which are commonly used in theatrical productions. A variety of dance techniques and somatic methodologies will be studied, including ballet, ballroom, jazz, yoga, martial arts.
Prerequisites: None
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE)
THEA 210 Dance Studies: Technique, Improvisation, Choreography and Performance (2 Credits)
This course will offer students the opportunity to develop technical skills to improve flexibility, coordination, and strength and to use those skills to increase their range of abilities in creating and performing dance. Modern dance techniques will serve as the foundation for students to build a movement vocabulary, and students will be expected to develop their own movement material in improvisation and composition exercises. Choreographic elements, form, and styles will be explored to guide students in the creative process and performance will be an on-going focus within the class. The goal is for the students to be able to clarify and fulfill all movement so they can physically express their ideas and emotions in movement which is authentic and meaningful, i.e., dance.
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE)
THEA 215 Sophomore Seminar (2 Credits)
This course is a practical seminar for those intending to major in theater. Content includes the integration of various aspects of theatrical production, an introduction to theater as a profession, portfolio and résumé development, and assistance in application to the major. Spring of sophomore year.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: THEA XXXA
THEA 217 Happy Accidents: Improvisation for all (4 Credits)
You can get better at make believe! This course will help you learn the fundamental tools of improv through engaging exercises and group game play designed to bolster your soft skills and lay the foundation that will allow you to create without self-judgment. It provides experience in movement, voice, character study, spontaneity, presence, scene set-up, and collaboration utilizing these skills in free form improvisational exercises and in conflict resolution. The course provides a safe environment to explore your creative potential and experience the freedom and joy of improvisational play. The class is the perfect starting place for those with zero improv experience or for those wanting to refresh their improv fundamentals.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: THEA XXXA
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE)
THEA 240A Production Lab: Costumes (1-2 Credits)
A minimum of 50 hours' work in acting or stagecraft involving a crew responsibility. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Topics: Acting, scenography, costume, stage management, dramaturgy, publicity/marketing, dance. Course offered for S/U grading only.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 240B Production Lab: Scenography (1-2 Credits)
A minimum of 50 hours' work in acting or stagecraft involving a crew responsibility. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Topics: Acting, scenography, costume, stage management, dramaturgy, publicity/marketing, dance.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 240E Production Lab: Acting (1-2 Credits)
A minimum of 50 hours' work in acting or stagecraft involving a crew responsibility. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Topics: Acting, scenography, costume, stage management, dramaturgy, publicity/marketing, dance.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 240F Production Lab: Stage Management (1-2 Credits)
Prerequisites: None
THEA 240G Production Lab: Dance (1-2 Credits)
Prerequisites: None
THEA 240H Production Lab: Musical Theater (1-2 Credits)
A minimum of 50 hours' work in acting or stagecraft involving a crew responsibility. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Topics: Acting, scenography, costume, stage management, dramaturgy, publicity/marketing, dance.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 253 Introduction to Textile Arts (4 Credits)
This skills-based course will teach a variety of methods used in the creation of textile arts which include clothing and costumes for the theater. The course will cover hand and machine sewing, embroidery techniques, fabric painting and dying techniques, synthetic and natural dyes. The class will culminate in a final project designed by the student using the techniques taught in the class to create a fashion or costume piece that demonstrates design and proficiency with the techniques learned in the class.
Prerequisites: None
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE)
THEA 271 Individual Learning Project (1-4 Credits)
Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of department chair required. Consult department for applicability towards minor requirements. Not available to first-year students.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 279A Alternative Fashion Trends (4 Credits)
Alternative Fashion Trends of the late 20th century: How politics and music helped shape the alternative fashions of the last century. This class will examine how the hippy and psychedelic fashions of the 1960’s, punk fashions of the 1970’s/1980’s, grunge/Goth fashions of the 1980’s/1990’s and rap/hip-hop fashions of the 1990’s were influenced by the music and politics of their time. The course will also relate these fashions to the mainstream clothing of the time period they originated in and how these fashion trends continue today in fashions of the 21st century. Course offered for A-F grading only.
Prerequisites: THEA 279Ais a Thematic Focus - Truth Course. You must take INTG 100 or 205 prior to taking a Thematic Focus Course. You must take a Cultural and Social Difference: Identity (CI) course prior to or at the same time as Thematic Focus Courses.
Equivalent courses: THEA 267
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Focus - Truth
THEA 280 Summer Courses (2 Credits)
Courses offered during summer term.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 300 Why the Face (4 Credits)
“I’m hip. I surf the web. I text. LOL: Laugh out loud. OMG: Oh my God. WTF: Why the face?” This line, spoken by Ty Burrell as the character Phil Dunphy on the sitcom Modern Family, embodies the content of this course. WTF will explore comedy, from its origins to today. We will examine texts, audio content, drawings, radio, television, film and the internet to determine what is funny, why is it funny, is it funny to everyone, are their rules about what is funny and who made those rules. We will focus on marginalized voices to determine if comedy is universal, or if it is cultural or gender specific. We will use the survey of comedy to reflect back onto ourselves and explore how we got our own sense of humor and how it shapes who we are as people.
Prerequisites: Learning Foundations(LF), Cultural and Social Difference: Identity (CI). CI course may be taken prior to or concurrently with Focus Course.
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Focus - Truth
THEA 309 Ballroom, Breakdance and Boogie: Social & Popular Dance Cultures (4 Credits)
This course explores social and popular dance forms in a cultural context, analyzing how elements of the dance form reflect the shared values and history of the culture from which it originated. We will also examine how dance forms evolve and develop over time and geographic location. This hybrid course will involve dance activities in the studio in addition to lecture and discussion in the classroom.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 310 Dance Studies: Technique, Improvisation, Choreography and Performance (2 Credits)
Prerequisites: THEA 210
THEA 321 From Fops to Fashionistas: Four Hundred Years of Fabulous Fashion (4 Credits)
Fashion is an integral part of our lives today but have you ever wondered who the fops, fashionistas and influencers of fashion were from the previous 400 years? What technologies changed the way clothing was made or influenced the colors and fabrics we wear? Why is clothing considered art? This course will investigate how cultural, social, economic, and political ideas and events swept across the globe and changed the way people thought about and wore their clothes. From the practical to the fashionable, clothing shows us the artistry and history of the people who inhabit this planet.
Prerequisites: None
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Encounter3 - Movement
THEA 333 Basic Principles and Design Elements of Lighting and Sound (4 Credits)
This course examines the principles, practices and technology of stage lighting and sound. Emphasis is on developing basic skills and a solid understanding of lighting and sound equipment and their use in theater production. Attendance at productions may be required.
Prerequisites: THEA 113
Corequisites: THEA XXXA
Equivalent courses: THEA 238
THEA 340A Technical Problems: Costume (1-4 Credits)
Prerequisites: None
THEA 340B Technical Problems: Scenography (1-4 Credits)
Prerequisites: None
THEA 340E Technical Problems: Acting (1-4 Credits)
Prerequisites: None
THEA 340F Technical Problems: Stage Management (1-4 Credits)
Prerequisites: None
THEA 340G Technical Problems: Dance (1-4 Credits)
Prerequisites: None
THEA 340H Technical Problems: Musical Theater (1-4 Credits)
A minimum of 50 hours' work in acting or stagecraft involving a crew responsibility. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Topics: Acting, scenography, costume, stage management, dramaturgy, publicity/marketing, dance.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 350 Theater Practicum (8-12 Credits)
A specialized program for the theater major to work in a theater situation away from the Saint Benedict's/Saint John's campus theaters. An internship program arranged with another college or professional company or a touring theater company. Arranged with the department chair the previous semester.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 353 Theater Materials and Techniques (4 Credits)
Advanced work in scenic materials which are useful to the theater practitioner. The course explores face casting and mask-making, painting techniques, sculpting, upholstering, and stage weapon construction. Attending Theater Performances may be required.
Prerequisites: THEA 113
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE)
THEA 371 Individual Learning Project (1-4 Credits)
Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Permission of department chair and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the department required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 373 Green Theater (4 Credits)
As in any industry, theaters use scores of raw and manufactured materials in producing a single show, from the programs in the lobby to repainting the stage after strike. Every choice made in theater production adds to or subtracts from our carbon footprint. This course examines problems faced and solutions taken on from the lobby to the loading dock with reducing, reusing, and recycling to lessen theater’s carbon footprint and grow a greener, sustainable arts community.
Prerequisites: Learning Foundations(LF), Cultural and Social Difference: Identity (CI). CI course may be taken prior to or concurrently with Focus Course.
Attributes: Artistic Expression (AE), Thematic Focus - Movement
THEA 395 Senior Project in Theater (1-4 Credits)
Working with a faculty advisor, the student plans and implements a creative project, a research project, or a thesis. This project might be in any area of theater including acting, playwriting, design, technical production, theater history, dramatic theory and criticism.
Prerequisites: None
THEA 397 Internship (4-16 Credits)
A full semester or summer placement in a variety of professional theater settings doing supervised work. The individual projects are tailored to student needs/career. Subject to approval of faculty advisor and department chair.
Prerequisites: None
Attributes: Experiential Engagement (EX)