Required for the Fine Arts/Theatre Major
TH 101 Life in the Theatre
TH 111 Introduction to Theatre
TH 205 Introduction to Acting
TH 209 Stagecrafts
TH 211 Costume Crafts
TH 273 Production Practicum: Stage Management
TH 301 Chief Patterns of Western Theatre I
TH 302 Chief Patterns of Western Theatre II
TH 303 Modern andContemporary Theatre
TH 309 Directing
TH 410 Senior Fine Arts Seminar
And at least five (5) credits from the following courses:
TH 103 Production Workshop
TH 161 Theatre Laboratory I: Scenery, Lighting, Painting, Sound
TH 162 Theatre Laboratory II: Costumes
Required for the Fine Arts/Theatre Education Major
In addition to education courses to be selected by the education department, the following courses are required in theatre:
TH 101 Life in the Theatre
TH 111 Introduction to Theatre
TH 205 Introduction to Acting
TH 209 Stagecrafts
TH 211 Costume Crafts
TH 273 Production Practicum: Stage Management
TH 301 Chief Patterns of Western Theatre I
TH 302 Chief Patterns of Western Theatre II
TH 303 Modern and Contemporary Theatre
TH 309 Directing
TH 410 Senior Fine Arts Seminar
And at least five (5) credits from the following courses:
TH 103 Production Workshop
TH 161 Theatre Laboratory I: Scenery, Lighting, Painting, Sound
TH 162 Theatre Laboratory II: Costumes
Required for the Fine Arts/Theatre Minor
TH 111 Introduction to Theatre
And choose any two of the following:
TH 301 Chief Patterns of
Western Theatre I
TH 302 Chief Patterns of Western Theatre II
TH 303 Modern and Contemporary Theatre
In addition, choose any two of the following to reach a minimum of 17 credits:
TH 205 Introduction to Acting
TH 209 Stagecrafts
TH 211 Costume Crafts
TH 213 Singing for the Actor
TH 215 Training the Speaking Voice
TH 309 Directing
TH 321 Playwriting
TH 331 Scenic Design
TH 341 Lighting Design
TH 351 Special Topics in Theatre Studies
TH 355 Acting Styles
TH 401 Advanced Directing
TH 404 Seminar in Theatre Studies
Theatre Course Offerings
TH 101 Life in the Theatre (1 cr.)
Explores the challenges of building and managing a career in professional theatre. The course focuses on how to discover job opportunities that are available within professional theatre organizations and how to prepare for interviews and auditions. In addition, students will learn how Saint Michael’s Playhouse operates as a professional theatre on the college campus year-round.
TH 103 Production Workshop (1 cr.)
This course allows students to earn credit by participating in the technical support of a mainstage production for the semester, attending all required rehearsals and performances, and submitting written documentation of their experiences. May be repeated.
TH 111 Introduction to Theatre (3 cr.)
Explores the theatrical process, the history and the literature of the theatre, while developing skills that enable the student to more fully comprehend and appreciate the rich function performing arts serve in everyday life. LSR: Culture and Civilization
TH 161 Theatre Laboratory I: (2 cr.)
Scenery, Lighting, Painting, Sound A semester-long theatre laboratory focusing on the mainstage production and selected student productions, involving study of the plays followed by active participation in the technical areas of, stage lighting, properties, set construction and painting. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 162 Theatre Laboratory I: Costumes (2 cr.)
A semester-long theatre laboratory focusing on the mainstage production and selected student productions, involving study of the plays followed by active participation in the technical area of costuming. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 203 Scene Study (3 cr.)
An introduction to the art of communicating to an audience a work of literary art in its intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic entirety. Scene study transforms the literary work into a dramatic text by bringing it to life through the spoken word. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 205 Introduction to Acting (4 cr.)
The theory and practice of acting techniques, using the acting style and literature of modern and contemporary realism. The techniques focus on understanding dramatic action in terms of character, and on the organic use of the voice and body. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 209 Stagecrafts (3 cr.)
This is an introduction to the technical elements of stage production (exclusive of costuming). Particular emphasis is placed on stage management, run crew, design, construction of scenery, painting, properties and lighting. Practical projects are included in the curriculum to reinforce classroom work. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 211 Costume Crafts (3 cr.)
A survey encompassing elements of the design, history, and execution of stage costumes, with special emphasis on collaboration with the director and other designers, script analysis and various forms of research. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 213 Singing for the Actor (3 cr.)
A beginning course in musical-theatre performance. Students will learn basic techniques to communicate the acting choices within a song. This course will also include a survey of musical-theatre history, with special emphasis on current Broadway composers. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 215 Training the Speaking Voice (3 cr.)
Addresses vocal awareness and development of the speaking voice in the interest of clear and effective communication. The approach is designed to liberate the student’s voice from habitual tendencies and defense mechanisms that distort effective communication. This is a course that explores vocal work in a theatrical context.
TH 261 Theatre Laboratory II: (2 cr.)
Scenery, Lighting, Painting, Sound A semester-long theatre laboratory focusing on the mainstage production and selected student productions, involving study of the plays followed by leading participation in the technical areas of, stage lighting, properties, set construction and painting. Prerequisites: TH 161 and permission of the instructor.
TH 262 Theatre Laboratory II: Costumes (2 cr.)
A semester-long theatre laboratory focusing on the mainstage production and selected student productions, involving study of the plays followed by leading participation in the technical area of costuming. Prerequisites: TH 162 and permission of the instructor.
TH 271 Production Practicum: Acting (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by acting in a role in the mainstage production for the semester, attending all rehearsals, performing as scheduled, and submitting all written research work as required. Registering for the course does not ensure being cast in the production. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 272 Production Practicum: Directing (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by assisting directing the mainstage production, attending all rehearsals and production meetings, coaching actors, assisting with publicity. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 273 Production Practicum: Stage Management (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by either assistant stage managing or stage managing a mainstage production, attending all rehearsals and performances and submitting all written work as required. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 274 Production Practicum: Dramaturgy (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by assisting in the preparation of a fullscale theatrical production by serving as research assistant and historical/literary consultant to the production team. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 275 Production Practicum: Design (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by either assisting a faculty designer or designing scenery, costumes, lighting, or sound for the mainstage, attending rehearsals and production meetings as required, and turning in all appropriate design materials for evaluation upon completion of the project. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. LSR: Artistic Experience
TH 301 Chief Patterns of Western Theatre I (3 cr.)
A survey of the history of theatre from the Golden Age of Greece to the Renaissance. The relationships among authors, their plays, and conditions of production are emphasized. LSR: Culture and Civilization
TH 302 Chief Patterns of Western Theatre II (3 cr.)
A survey of the history of theatre from the Renaissance to the Advent of Realism. The relationships among authors, their plays, and conditions of production are emphasized. LSR: Culture and Civilization
TH 303 Modern and Contemporary Theatre (4 cr.)
An investigation into the most important and influential playwrights from the late nineteenth century to the present. This course satisfies the writing-intensive course requirement in the theatre major. LSR: Literary Studies
TH 309 Directing (4 cr.)
Explores the technical, visual, aural, and analytical skills involved in the direction of plays. Students obtain experience in play analysis, stage movement, ground-planning, casting, rehearsing, and performance. In addition, students gain preliminary knowledge of the history of play direction. Prerequisites: TH 111, 205.
TH 321 Playwriting (4 cr.)
An introductory workshop designed to give practical experience in writing and in critical analysis of playscripts. Starting with writing exercises, students will develop one finished script of ten minutes in length and another work in progress towards a twenty to forty-minute script. All scripts will have a reading in class, and will be subject to discussion, leading to revision.
TH 331 Scenic Design (3 cr.)
A study of the theories and practices of scenic design for the stage. The creative process and methods of communicating the design to the director and other members of the production staff will be learned. Prerequisite: TH 209 or permission of the instructor.
TH 341 Lighting Design (3 cr.)
A study of the theories and practices of lighting design for the stage. The creative process and methods of communicating the design to the director and other members of the production staff will be learned. Prerequisite: TH 209 or permission of the instructor.
TH 351 Special Topics in Theatre Studies (3 cr.)
Examines specific topics in recent developments in theatre studies.
TH 355 Acting Styles (4 cr.)
The theory and practice of acting styles, that may include Realism, Greek Drama, Shakespeare, Farce, the Comedy of Manners, and contemporary techniques of auditioning by means of the monologue. Prerequisite: TH 205.
TH 361 Theatre Laboratory III: (2 cr.)
Scenery, Lighting, Painting, Sound A semester-long theatre laboratory focusing on the mainstage production and selected student productions, involving study of the plays followed by leadership in the technical areas of, stage lighting, properties, set construction and painting, including independent work. Prerequisites: TH 261 and permission of the instructor.
TH 362 Theatre Laboratory III: Costumes (2 cr.)
A semester-long theatre laboratory focusing on the mainstage production and selected student productions, involving study of the plays followed by leadership in the technical area of costuming, including independent work.. Prerequisites: TH 262 and permission of the instructor.
TH 371 Production Practicum II: Acting (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by acting in a significant role in the mainstage production for the semester, attending all rehearsals, creating a role-analysis, performing as scheduled, and submitting all written research work as required. Registering for the course does not ensure being cast in the production. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
TH 372 Production Practicum II: Directing (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by directing or co-directing the mainstage production. The process will include researching the style of the play, collaborating with designers on the production concept, staging the dramatic action, and maintaining a director’s prompt book. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
TH 373 Production Practicum II: Stage management (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by stage managing a mainstage production, attending all rehearsals and performances and submitting all written work as required, and submitting work for a portfolio critique by the director and technical director. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
TH 374 Production Practicum II: Dramaturgy (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by assisting in the preparation of a fullscale theatrical production by serving as a researcher and historical/literary consultant to the production team. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
TH 375 Production Practicum II: Design (3 cr.)
Allows students to earn course credit by designing scenery, costumes, lighting, or sound for the mainstage, attending rehearsals and production meetings as required, and turning in all appropriate design materials for evaluation upon completion of the project, and submitting to a public presentation and critique of portfolio quality work. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
TH 401 Advanced Directing (4 cr.)
Further study of the processes that comprise play direction, culminating in a collaborative project or one-act play. Comprehensive study in directorial history and theory. Prerequisites: TH 309 and permission of the instructor.
TH 404 Seminar in Theatre Studies (4 cr.)
An advanced seminar in dramatic theory, and current issues and methodologies in theatre studies, concentrating on the state of the art through selected performance texts. Prerequisites: TH 301, 302, or 303; or permission of the instructor.
TH 410 Senior Seminar in Theatre (4 cr.)
An advanced seminar in Theatre, culminating in a creative project (which could include acting, directing, designing, writing, and/or teaching). Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
TH 450 Theatre Tutorial (3 cr.)
An independent project pursued in consultation with a theatre instructor. Only students with a B average in theatre may register for this course. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor.