THEATRE AND DANCE
Professors M.R. Withers, A.G. Wade, L.B. Jacobson
Associate Professors W.A. Pucilowsky, C.F. Gudenius, D.T.S. Burgess (Chair), J.I. Kanter
Assistant Professors M.A. Buckley, V.S. Smith, C.F. Gomez
Adjunct Professor A.C. Stokes
Professorial Lecturer K.Z. Keller
Bachelor of Arts with a major in theatre—The following requirements must be fulfilled:
1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
2. Required courses in related areas—Three courses in dramatic literature and playwriting.
3. Required courses in the major—TrDa 1214, 2240, 1330, 2339 (3 credits), 3245–46, 4275; 6 credits in design/technical theatre courses; 12 additional credits in upper-division TrDa courses.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in dance—The following requirements must be fulfilled:
1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
2. Required courses in the major: 13 credit hours of courses in technique; 17 hours of courses in creative process/performance/theory; 3 hours of production design; 6 hours of electives. The department maintains a list of courses that fulfill these requirements.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in dramatic literature—The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of English offer an interdisciplinary major in dramatic literature. See Dramatic Literature.
Minor in Theatre—18 credit hours of theatre courses, including TrDa 3245–46.
Minor in Dance—18 credit hours of dance courses, including no more than 9 hours from TrDa 1017, 1150–71, 2160–73, and 3174–75, plus 3 hours from TrDa 2180, 2185, 2191, 3182, and 3186.
Special Honors—In addition to meeting the general requirements stated under University Regulations, candidates for graduation with Special Honors in Theatre or Dance must have a grade-point average of 3.4 in the major and complete TrDa 4599 with a grade of A. They must consult with a faculty advisor at the beginning of the second semester of the junior year to determine eligibility, area of study, and the director of the research or creative project.
With permission, a limited number of graduate courses in the department may be taken for credit toward an undergraduate degree. See the Graduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.
Note: Courses below the 1000s series are primarily for nonmajors.
| 1015 |
Understanding the Dance (3) |
Staff |
| |
The art of dance—a lecture and experiential approach to its cultural importance, history, and creative processes. The contributions of the choreographer and dancer to society. Attendance at performances and presentations, and viewing video. (Fall and spring) |
| 1017 |
Movement Awareness (2 or 3) |
Staff |
| |
An experiential dance movement class that examines human movement and its connection to dance. Somatic concepts of Alexander, Feldenkrais, Bartenieff, and Body/Mind/Centering. (Fall and spring) |
| 1025 |
Understanding the Theatre (3) |
Smith |
| |
The art of the theatre; its literature, history, aesthetics, and mechanics. Contributions of the playwright, actor, director, and designer. Attendance at assigned theatrical performances. (Fall and spring) |
| 1035 |
Theatre Production (3) |
Staff |
| |
Understanding of the basic elements of theatrical production (performance, technical and management) and the collaborative artist/artisan process through discussion, observation, and practical application. (Fall and spring) |
| 1150 |
Beginning Ballet (1) |
Staff |
| |
Introduction to classical ballet technique, including basic concepts of dynamic alignment, stretch, strength, and musicality. |
| 1151 |
Beginning/Intermediate Ballet (1) |
Staff |
| 1152 |
Beginning Modern/Postmodern Dance (1) |
Staff |
| |
Introduction to modern dance technique inclusive of basic concepts of dynamic alignment, stretch, strength, improvisation and musicality. |
| 1153 |
Beginning/Intermediate Modern/Postmodern Dance (1) |
Staff |
| 1170-71 |
Intermediate Modern/Postmodern Dance (2 or 3 each) |
Burgess and Staff |
| |
Recommended for students with previous dance experience in jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern, or other styles. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: TrDa 1170 to 1171, or permission of instructor. |
| 1214 |
Introduction to Acting (3) |
Jacobson, Kanter, Wade, and Staff |
| |
Basic techniques of concentration, imagination, improvisation, and character development. (Fall and spring) |
| 1330 |
Basics of Production Design (3) |
Pucilowsky, Gudenius, Gomez, Smith |
| |
Basic elements of production design and technical execution. Laboratory required. Laboratory fee. (Fall and spring) |
| 2160-61 |
Intermediate Ballet (2–2) |
Staff |
| |
May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: TrDa 1151 to 2160, TrDa 2160 to 2161, or permission of instructor. |
| 2162-63 |
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet (2–2) |
Staff |
| |
May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: TrDa 2161 to 2162, TrDa 2162 to 2163, or permission of instructor. |
| 2172-73 |
Intermediate/Advanced Modern/Postmodern Dance (2 or 3 each) |
Staff |
| |
May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: TrDa 1171 to 2172, TrDa 2172 to 2173, or permission of instructor. |
| 2179 |
Contact Improvisation (2) |
Staff |
| |
A movement form that arises from the point of contact between partners who explore gravity, space, and timing in the spontaneous moment-to-moment exchange of the dance. Exploring the improvisational state of body/mind through the use of imagery, tuning the senses, mindfulness practices, and play. |
| 2180 |
Movement Improvisation and Performance (3) |
Withers |
| |
Exploring the body and its surroundings in movement, use of language, narrative, environments and contexts for creative expression, developing event and performance structures from improvisation. May be repeated for credit. (Spring) |
| 2185 |
Trends in Performance Art (3) |
Withers |
| |
Study of the theory and practice of contemporary performance art movements and artists; political and artistic activism; scripting and scoring to create performance works based on a single art discipline or interdisciplinary arts. (Fall) |
| 2191 |
Dance History (3) |
Buckley |
| |
The history of Western theatrical dance from the late 18th century to the present. The major choreographers and their dance works through readings, lectures, video, and discussion. (Spring) |
| 2192 |
Repertory/Performance (1 or 2) |
Burgess, Withers |
| |
Participation in the processes of learning and performing dance repertory or new dance works. Audition required. Laboratory required. May be repeated for credit. (Fall and spring) |
| 2193-94 |
Dance Styles (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Forms of theatrical dance other than ballet or modern, including African dance, Angola Capoeira, classical Indian dance, music theatre, Spanish dance, and others. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. |
| 2215 |
Introduction to Scene Study: Realism (3) |
Jacobson, Kanter, Wade |
| |
Principles of role development, concentrating on 20th-century material. Prerequisite: TrDa 1214. (Fall and spring) |
| 2216 |
Scene Study: Voice and Character (3) |
Jacobson and Staff |
| |
The practice and application of voice production with reference to skeletal alignment, breathing, resonance, and articulation. Emphasis on the process of voice production and its application to performance through work on scenes and monologues. Prerequisite: TrDa 2215. (Fall and spring) |
| 2240 |
Play Analysis (3) |
Stokes |
| |
Same as Engl 2240. |
|
| 2250 |
Dramatic Writing (3) |
Griffith |
| |
Same as Engl 2250. |
|
| 2339 |
Theatre Practicum (1) |
Gomez |
| |
Participation in department mainstage productions in a production or management capacity under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: TrDa 1035 or 1330. May be repeated for credit. After completing for 3 credits, students may participate in a performance capacity for an additional 3 credits. Prerequisite: TrDa 1035 or 1330. (Fall and spring) |
| 3156 |
Dance in Community Settings (3) |
Burgess |
| |
Examination of dance in Washington area communities. Students are required to site visit and engage with individuals and organizations that focus on dance as it pertains to performance, therapy, management, and education. Participation in activities with a dance artist/practitioner or with a producing/service organization is required. (Spring) |
| 3174-75 |
Advanced Modern/Postmodern Dance (2 or 3 each) |
Staff |
| |
May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: TrDa 2173 to 3174, TrDa 3174 to 3175, or permission of instructor. |
| 3182-83 |
Dance Composition (3–3) |
Withers |
| |
TrDa 3182: Problems in structural and conceptual aspects of constructing dances and shaping and forming movement materials. TrDa 3183: Emphasis on intention and content in making dances. Prerequisite: TrDa 2180; recommended: TrDa 2185. (Academic year) |
| 3186 |
Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology (3) |
Burgess and Staff |
| |
An experiential and theoretical approach to dynamic anatomy and kinesiology as they pertain to the dancer. The student is encouraged to reach full movement potential in relation to contemporary dance techniques, performance, and injury prevention. (Fall) |
| 3220 |
Scene Study: Contemporary Text (3) |
Wade |
| |
Principles of role development in the works of post-war playwrights to include both the genres of comedy and drama and the stylistic directions of realism and post-realism. Playwrights chosen may include Beckett, Pinter, Albee, Stoppard, Mamet, Labute, Norman, Simon, and Henley. Prerequisite: TrDa 2216. (Fall, odd years) |
| 3221 |
Scene Study: Classical Text (3) |
Wade |
| |
Principles of role development in the works of pre-modern dramatists including Shakespeare and his contemporaries, the playwrights of the English Restoration, Molière, and other 17th- and 18th-century playwrights. Prerequisite: TrDa 2216. (Fall, even years) |
| 3223 |
Physical Performance Skills (3) |
Staff |
| |
Introduction to a variety of techniques needed by actors and performers, including mime, clowning, slapstick, mask work, and basic stage combat skills. Prerequisite: TrDa 2216. Laboratory fee. (Spring, even years) |
| 3225 |
Stage Dialects (2) |
Jacobson |
| |
Vocal production related to interpretation of specific texts. Focus on stage dialects and the interpretation of Shakespeare. Prerequisite: TrDa 2216. |
| |
(Spring, odd years) |
|
| 3227 |
Scene Study: Acting for the Media (2) |
Wade |
| |
Techniques of acting for the camera; analysis of film and television scripts from actor's point of view. Prerequisite: TrDa 2216. Laboratory required. Laboratory fee. (Fall, odd years) |
| 3229 |
Audition Techniques (2) |
Staff |
| |
All aspects of the audition process: selection and rehearsal of audition monologues, handling of cold reading, etc. Prerequisite: TrDa 2216. (Fall, even years) |
| 3245-46 |
History of the Theatre (3-3) |
Stokes |
| |
A dramaturg's approach to case studies of theatre in historical context. TrDa 3245: ancient Greece through the 17th century. TrDa 3246: the 18th century through the present. (Academic year) |
| 3248 |
Theatre Criticism (3) |
Staff |
| |
Discussion and witnessing of plays in performance, resulting in written criticism modeled on contemporary journalistic practices. Prerequisite: TrDa 3245 or 3246 or TrDa 2240/Engl 2240. Laboratory fee. (Spring) |
| 3250 |
Intermediate Dramatic Writing (3) |
Griffith, Stokes |
| |
Same as Engl 3250. |
|
| 3331 |
Introduction to Lighting (3) |
Gudenius |
| |
Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (1 hour). Theories and practicum in lighting for theatre and dance. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: TrDa 1330. |
| 3332 |
Makeup Design (3) |
Pucilowsky |
| |
Theory and practicum in the art of makeup design, including latex and crepe hair. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: TrDa 1330. |
| 3333 |
Stage Management (3) |
Staff |
| |
The role and function of the stage manager in theatrical production. The basic skills needed to begin work in stage management. Emphasis on organization, documentation, and dissemination of information. Prerequisite: TrDa 1330. Laboratory fee. |
| 3335 |
Introduction to Scene Design (3) |
Gudenius |
| |
Fundamental study of scenic design, including historic overview, basic drawing, and rendering techniques, through the use of various mediums and script analysis. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: TrDa 1330. |
| 3336 |
Beginning Costuming (3) |
Pucilowsky, Smith |
| |
History of fashion in Western civilization from ancient Greece to the 20th century. Fundamental study of costume construction through specific projects. Costume construction. Prerequisite: TrDa 1330. Laboratory fee. |
| 4184 |
Choreographic Projects (3) |
Withers, Burgess |
| |
Create a dance or a performance work of individual design, including casting, rehearsal procedures, staging aspects, and public presentation. Prerequisite: TrDa 3182; recommended: TrDa 1330, 2185. May be repeated for credit. |
| 4275 |
Directing for the Theatre (3) |
Kanter |
| |
Fundamentals of script analysis, staging, casting, and rehearsal techniques. Prerequisite: TrDa 1214, 2240, 1330. Laboratory fee. (Fall) |
| 4338 |
Scene Painting (3) |
Staff |
| |
The techniques and materials used in creating character in the various elements of set design. Methods include set preparation, coating, mixing, palette preparation, spraying, transfer, texturing, finishing, and wallpapering. Prerequisite: TrDa 1330. Laboratory fee. |
| 4595 |
Selected Topics (1 to 3) |
Staff |
| |
Topics of current interest in theatre or dance. Topics (and course fee, when charged) announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. |
| 4596 |
Independent Study (1 to 6) |
Staff |
| |
Independent research and special projects. Open to qualified juniors or seniors majoring or minoring in theatre or dance. Before students are permitted to register for TrDa 4596, they must submit a written proposal of the plan of study and obtain approval of the faculty member who is directing the study and the department chair. |
| 4598 |
Internship (3 or 6) |
Staff |
| |
Open to qualified seniors majoring or minoring in theatre or dance. Work placements with not-for-profit and commercial theatre and dance organizations for an approved number of hours per week. Admission requires departmental approval. May be taken for a maximum of 6 credits. (Fall and spring) |
| 4599 |
Honors Thesis (3) |
Staff |
| |
Directed research and/or creative project. Open to qualified seniors by permission. Arrangements must be made with a sponsoring faculty member in the department and applications must be completed early in the second semester of the junior year. (Fall and spring) |
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