Course Descriptions

Please refer to the current Academic Bulletin for the most updated list of course descriptions for this major.

THEA 120 Introduction to Theatre
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course is designed to develop your understanding and appreciation of theatre. The course includes a survey of the individual components of theatre such as, acting, directing, playwriting and design. You will be exposed to different styles of theatre and theatre from other cultures. The goal of this course is to increase your interest in theatre and help you learn how theatre is vital to our lives today. Offered every semester.

THEA 121 Acting I
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course is both an introduction to the discipline of acting and an opportunity to increase self-awareness, confidence and an understanding of the human experience. This course will focus on the concept of acting as living truthfully in imaginary circumstances. Using a variety of exercises and projects, we will explore levels of awareness and connection used in acting, relation to self, others, the text, and the audience. Basic practices of actor skill training will be explored including body and vocal awareness, discipline, concentration, focus, script analysis, action and ensemble in a format that encourages curiosity, imagination and personal growth. Offered every Fall.

THEA 150 Fundamentals of Production
3 Semester Credit Hours

Includes a comprehensive study of the basic organizational structure, processes and techniques involved in theatre design, technology and management.

THEA 224 Auditions
3 Semester Credit Hours

Students will learn audition techniques and the business aspects of theatre. Students will be required to prepare materials required for an audition, including a resume and audition pieces.

THEA 230 Playscript Analysis
3 Semester Credit Hours

Students will explore techniques and analysis used in playscript interpretation. The focus will be on reading the playscript as a performed text in order to understand its approach as theatrical material for the stage.

THEA 233 Movement
3 Semester Credit Hours

Students will explore movement for the theatre, general physical fitness and conditioning of the body for the stage, stage combat techniques and viewpoints. The work of movement theorists will be explored including but not limited to Tadashi Suzuki, Anne Bogart, and Jacques Le Coq.

THEA 241 Dance for Musical Theatre
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course is designed to give the Musical Theater Performer essential dance training in various techniques while gaining an understanding behind stage choreography. Students will explore dance styles through technical training and gain experience necessary for successful auditions. Throughout the semester, students will engage in technique training, movement evaluations, mock auditions and learn performance choreography.

THEA 260 Stagecraft
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course provides a study of theory, principles, and techniques of scenic design and construction. Includes assignments in practical applications. Offered on an irregular basis.

THEA 310 Applied Theatre
1-3 Semester Hours Repeatable up to 6 hours

Practical experience gained working on a Kentucky Wesleyan College theatre production. If approved by theatre faculty in advance, may include work with a local or professional company.

THEA 323 Acting II
3 Semester Credit Hours

Advanced scene study, focusing on techniques of script analysis, movement and vocal training. Concentration on scene study will be on period drama, utilizing texts from the Greek period through the late 1800’s. Prerequisite Acting I. Offered every other Spring. Prerequisite: THEA 121 or faculty approval.

THEA 324 Children’s Theatre
3 Semester Credit Hours

Children’s theatre methods, including creative dramatics, improvisation, characterization and examination of children’s theatre scripts. Designed for students interested in developing the natural creative instincts of children. Offered every other Spring.

THEA 325 History of Theatre
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course explores theories of the origins of theatre and its development in ritual and storytelling to the present. The course is taught from a multicultural perspective. Students will learn about various styles, important movements and important figures in the development of theatre from a wide variety of countries and cultures. Students will be asked to make connection between philosophical, political and cultural movements and theatre from that time period. The course is designed to increase interest in theatre and learn how theatre is vital to our world today. Offered On an irregular basis.

THEA 330 Directing
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course examines the principles and practice of play direction, ensemble building, composition, movement, stage business, tempo, script selection and analysis and rehearsal techniques. Students will have the opportunity to direct a final project. Prerequisite: THEA 120, Introduction to Theater. Offered every other Spring.

THEA 340 Theatre Around the World
3 Semester Credit Hours

Theatre Around the World is a course in which students will explore theatre movements on every continent. Students will explore these movements as they relate to the culture at the time and social/political movements. Does not fulfill General Education Aesthetic or Multicultural requirement.

THEA 343 Oral Interpretation of Literature
3 Semester Credit Hours

A study of oral interpretation of literature including training in appreciation, analysis and performance. Emphasis is upon literature as human experience and upon the creative role of the reader as he/she engages the literary text. Offered on an irregular basis.

THEA 344 Page to Stage Workshop
3 Semester Credit Hours

Students will compose character sketches, monologues and scenes and perform the work generated in class. Students will offer a public performance of selected work, generated in class, as a final project. Cross-listed with ENGL 344. Prerequisites: ENGL 100/101 and ENGL 102. Offered on an irregular basis.

THEA 350 Theatre Internship
2-3 Semester Credit Hours

This is an opportunity for qualified students to pursue professional and/or practical experience in theatre. Written proposal and project summary are required. Repeatable up to six (6) hours. Prerequisite: Approval of the Director of the Theatre program.

THEA 370 Ancient Tales and Travel: Greek and Roman Literature
3 Semester Credit Hours

A combination of reading and traveling in order to fully appreciate the classical writings and theatre of ancient Greece and Rome. Students will read Aristotle’s The Poetics and plays from Ancient Greece and Rome. After this introduction to the classical theatre, students will travel to Athens and Rome to see where these plays began. Prerequisites: English 100 and 102. Offered on an irregular basis.

THEA 390 Backstage on Broadway: The New York City Tour
3 Semester Credit Hours

An intensive travel-study course that examines first hand current theatre trends in NYC. Students will attend six (6) or more Broadway and off Broadway plays, after theatre discussions, pre-travel seminar and provide written assessment of their research. Offered on an irregular basis.

THEA 420 Independent Study/Theatre
3 Semester Credit Hours

An opportunity for qualified students to pursue special projects of their own design. Written proposal and project summary are required. Prerequisite: Approval of Theatre Arts Program Director and Registrar. Offered on an irregular basis.

THEA 423 Acting III
3 Semester Credit Hours

Students will explore styles of acting. These styles of acting will include acting from particular time periods and styles including musical theatre. Students will explore in depth acting the works of Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, and Moliere. Offered on an irregular basis. Prerequisites: THEA121 and THEA323 or faculty approval.

THEA 425 Acting IV
3 Semester Credit Hours

A continuation of the development of the skills learned in previous acting classes. Students will explore scene study in various genres, focusing on specific acting techniques such as Meisner, Checkhov, or Stanislavski. Upon completion of four semesters of Meisner Technique, students will have completed all levels of this approach. Prerequisites THEA 121,323, and 423. Offered every Fall.

THEA 430 Special Topics/Theatre
3 Semester Credit Hours

These courses will provide the student with the opportunity to explore specialized topics relevant to their interest in theatre. The topics for the courses will rotate according to student need and interest. Offered on an irregular basis.

THEA 450 Senior Seminar
3 Semester Credit Hours

Senior Seminar is a course in which students will work on their professional appearance, headshots, resumes, and capstone project. With that, they will also be learning about theatre’s professional world, major theatres, major players, and how to move within it. Offered on an irregular basis. Prerequisites: Theater Arts Major and Junior or Senior Level.