Academic Requirements 2006-2007 Courses and dramatic productions are offered to provide the student with rigorous, demanding professional training and a cultural background with which to attain the highest standards in theatre. All classes without stated prerequisite or an indicated level of difficulty are recommended to any student, regardless of class standing. The Theatre major: Theatre 125, 245, 246, 247, 248, and 490; one course to be selected from Theatre 278, 345, 366; four courses to be selected from Theatre 233, 234, 371, 372, 377; two credits in Theatre 231, 232; to provide a minimum of thirty-five credits. The Theatre minor: Theatre 125, Theatre 245 or 246; three courses to be selected from Theatre 233, 234, 371, 372, 377; one credit in Theatre 231 or 232. The Senior Project (Theatre 490) 107 Introduction to the Theatre 3, x    Hines How does a production of a play come into being? How does a script compare to a performance? Who are the people who create theatre, and what are their processes? How do the theatre space and the audience affect a production? The course will use the first semester of the Harper Joy season as laboratory for the study of the production process. The course will examine the elements of drama, their interaction, and their realization in theatrical production and will include attendance at and evaluation of theatre performances. Open to all students. Return to top of page 125 Beginning Acting I 3, 3    Fall: Croot, Staff; Spring: Croot Designed to help the student begin to realize his/her potential as an actor and to help him/her find a systematic way of approaching a role. Emphasis on concentration, imagination, movement, working in terms of objectives and responding to others. Students engage in acting exercises, scene work and assigned reading. Open only to first-year students and sophomores. Return to top of page 126 Beginning Acting II x, 3    Croot, Staff A continuation of Theatre 125. Students build on the acting fundamentals they learned in Beginning Acting I. Includes additional scene work, acting exercises, and assigned reading. Prerequisite: Theatre 125. Return to top of page 222 Computer Applications for the Theatre x, 3    Hines An introduction to computer applications as an aid to design, problem solving, and management. Labs will examine the potential for computer use in the theatre (poster and advertising design, scanning and editing of artwork, rendering and drafting of scenery, research and record keeping). Consent of instructor required. Return to top of page 225, 226 Intermediate Acting 4, 4    Staff First semester: an actorís work on text, approaches to playing Shakespeare, acting in plays of the Restoration and eighteenth century. Second semester: acting in plays of the late nineteenth century, approaches to playing Chekhov, acting in contemporary non-realistic plays, preparation of a formal audition. Theatre 225 is a prerequisite for 226. Prerequisite: Theatre 126. Return to top of page 231, 232 Rehearsal and Performance 1, 1    Staff Rehearsal and performance by selected students in major productions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Course exempted from eighteen-credit enrollment limitation. Activity credit limitation applies. May be repeated for not more than two credits per semester. Graded credit/no credit. Return to top of page 233 Theatre History from the Middle Ages to 1800 4 Simon The history of European theatre from the Middle Ages through 1800, examining as appropriate social, political, and religious attitudes, architecture, design and technical practice, business and administration, acting, audiences, and critical theory. Emphasizes the practical value of theatre history for the student attending or working in todayís theatre. Three periods per week. Students complete written or practical projects. Offered in alternate years. Return to top of page 234 Theatre History from 1800 to the Present 4 Simon The history of European and American theatre from 1800 to the present, examining as appropriate social, political, and religious attitudes, architecture, design and technical practice, business and administration, acting, directing, audiences, and critical theory. Emphasizes the practical value of theatre history for the student attending or working in todayís theatre. Three periods per week. Students complete written or practical projects. Offered in alternate years. Return to top of page 242 Seminar in Contemporary Theatre x, 3    McEwen An in depth survey course of recent plays from around the world. Discussion based, the course will explore the nature of plays compared to the written word. Content changes every semester. The course content includes contemporary topics or issues with emphasis on productions in London and New York. May be repeated once for credit. Return to top of page 245 Play Production 3, x    McEwen An introduction to the elements of theatre technology. Emphasis is given to the production process, the organization of personnel, the equipment and architecture of the theatre, and the equipment and techniques used in the construction, rigging, and painting of scenery. Class lectures and discussions are complemented by production assignments. Co-requisite: Theatre Lab 247. Open to all students. Return to top of page 246 Play Production x, 3    Hines An introduction to the elements of theatre technology. Emphasis is given to the equipment, materials, and methods used in stage lighting, drafting, costuming, and sound. Class lectures and discussions are complemented by production assignments. Corequisite: Theatre Lab 248. Open to all students. Return to top of page 247 Play Production Laboratory 1, x    McEwen Laboratory exercises in theatre technology. Lab projects will allow practical applications of the class materials covered in Play Production 245. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit. Return to top of page 248 Play Production Laboratory x, 1    McEwen Laboratory exercises in theatre technology. Lab projects will allow practical applications of the class materials covered in Play Production 246. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit. Return to top of page 255 Movement for the Actor 3, x    Staff A physical approach to the craft of acting. Through the exploration of physical acting techniques, experiential workshops, and the study of performance skills, the course is designed to increase the students' access to their physical instruments and their ability to articulate themselves on stage.Prerequisite: Theater 125 or consent of instructor. Return to top of page 266 Voice and Diction for the Actor 3, x    Croot Focuses on the discovery and release of the students' natural voice. Includes an exploration of relaxation and breathing techniques, vocal exercises and performance skills to expand the students' vocal capabilities. Students prepare poetry, prose and scenes. Prerequisite: Theater 125 or consent of instructor. 277 Costume Construction Techniques 3, x    Waytenick An introduction to theatre costume construction through hands-on projects tailored to the student's skill level. Emphasis is placed on the techniques necessary for creating costumes and includes hand sewing and machine sewing from commercial patterns with an introduction to costume design principles. Return to top of page 278 Costume Design x, 3    Waytenick The process of designing costumes for the theatre taught through projects and class discussions. Includes an introduction to script analysis, period research and rendering techniques for the costume designer followed by the construction of a full costume designed by the student. Return to top of page 345 Lighting Design for the Theatre 3, x    Hines The process of lighting design for the theatre. Emphasis on script analysis and concept development, the formation of design ideas, the equipment, the technologies, the graphic standards of stage lighting, and the communication and defense of design concepts to the production team. Prerequisite: Theatre 246. Return to top of page 365 Graphics for the Theatre: Scenic Drafting and Modeling 4, x    Hines The process of communicating theatrical design concepts and solutions using graphic techniques. Emphasis is given to drafting and model construction. Projects will reflect established theatre graphic standards and the criteria for portfolio presentations. Offered in alternating years with Theatre 367. Return to top of page 366 Scenic Design for the Theatre x, 4    Hines Aesthetics and the process of scenic design for the theatre. Emphasis on script analysis and concept development as they relate to production needs, the formation of design ideas, the research of appropriate choices, and the communication and defense of design choices to the production team. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: Theatre 245 or consent of instructor. Return to top of page 367 Graphics for the Theatre: Scenic Drawing and Painting 4, x Hines The process of communicating theatrical design concepts and solutions using graphic techniques. Emphasis on drawing, rendering and scene painting. Projects will reflect established theatre graphic standards and the criteria for portfolio presentations. Offered in alternating years with Theatre 365. Return to top of page 371 Dramatic Literature: Medieval through Eighteenth Century 4, x Simon    A course in the history and development of Western drama from the Middle Ages through the eighteenth century. Dramatists tobe studied may include the Wakefield Master, Marlowe, Shakespeare,Jonson, Lope de Vega, Moliîre, Racine, Congreve, Beaumarchais, and Sheridan. May be elected as English 371 or World Literature 371. Offered in alternate years. Distribution area: humanities. Return to top of page 372 Literature of the Modern Theatre x, 4 Simon    A study of the directions modern drama has taken from the nineteenth century to the present. Dramatists to bestudied may include Búchner, Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov, Shaw, Pirandello, O‚ÄôNeill,Brecht,and Pinter. May be elected as English 372 or World Literature 372. Offered in alternate years. Distributionarea: humanities. Return to top of page 377 Ancient Theatre x,4 Burgess The origin and development of ancient theatre, especially of Greek tragedy, through a close reading of ancient plays in English translation. In addition to ancient plays, we will read modern critical responses to those plays. May be elected as Classics 377 or World Literature 377. Open to all students. Offered in alternate years. Return to top of page 381, 382 Special Topics 1-4, 1-4 Designed to permit close study of particular areas of theatre not covered in the regular curriculum. Topics offered are announced each year. Return to top of page 465 The Director in the Theatre I 4, x    Simon Through reading, discussion, exercises, and scene work, explores the history, function, requisite skills, and ongoing preparation of the director in the theatre. Considers play selection and analysis; the directorís work with the playwright, designer, stage manager, and dramaturge; casting; rehearsal procedures, and the directorís work with the actor. Prerequisites: junior standing, consent of instructor, a basic acquaintance with dramatic literature and the work of the actor, designer and theatre technician. Return to top of page 466 The Director in the Theatre II x, 4    Walker Exploration of specific challenges through reading, discussion, and extensive scene work. Exploration of the production process through directing a play. This might be in Lunchbox Theatre, the Student One-Act Play Contest, a high school or community theatre, or another venue approved by the instructor. A brief introduction to the work of the director as administrator. Prerequisite: Theatre 465. Return to top of page 481, 482 Independent Study 1-4, 1-4    Staff Readings or a project in theatre not covered in regular courses. The student must submit a detailed proposal to the instructor in the semester preceding the anticipated study. The student is responsible for any expenses incurred in completing the project. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing, consent of instructor. Return to top of page 485, 486 Advanced Acting 4, 4    Staff A continuing exploration of acting as process. Focuses on developing skills necessary to become a professional actor. Emphasis on living truthfully under imaginary circumstances so that the actor, action, character, and text come to life. Beginning Meisner exercises, Williamson movement exercises, scene and monologue work involved. Prerequisite: Theatre 226. Return to top of page 490 Senior Project 3, 3    Staff Involves the development and execution of a project reflecting the studentís primary area of theatre study. The student works closely with a faculty project adviser during the process. The final project is evaluated by that adviser and two other faculty members. This course is limited to and required of all senior theatre majors. Prerequisites: previous course work in the area of study and theatre faculty approval. May be taken during the first or second semester of the senior year. Return to top of page 498 Honors Thesis 3, 3    Staff Preparation of undergraduate thesis. Required of and limited to senior honors candidates in theatre. Prerequisite: admission to honors candidacy. Return to top of page Site Created and Maintained by Tom Hines and Matt Bennett - Department of Theatre, Whitman College Last Update: 10.12.07