Theater 2003-2005 CSUB Catalog

C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y B A K E R S F I E L D

2003-2005 Catalog

THEATRE

Music Building, 102

(661) 664-3093

(661) 665-6901 (fax)

email: vuraine@csub.edu

www.csub.edu/pad/

Chair: Anita DuPratt

Faculty: A. DuPratt, C. Eicher, D. LaPlant,

M. Rees

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Theatre Arts offers comprehensive training in performance, technical theatre and design, and theatre studies, all intended to prepare students for careers in professional theatre, teaching, or related fields. The requirements are flexible enough to allow each student to specialize or generalize as appropriate, and the production program offers each student virtually limitless opportunities to participate as actor or crew member in a variety of situations.

Any undergraduate accepted into the University may undertake this major. Continuance is contingent upon satisfactory progress in all coursework, both in and out of the major.

Most opportunities are open to all CSUB students regardless of their declared major. In addition to courses that will satisfy General Education or Liberal Studies requirements, the department offers the following curricula:

• BA in Theatre Arts

• Minor in Theatre

• Minor in Theatre Technology

• Minor in Children’s Theatre

• Interdisciplinary minor in Speech and Theatre

Students seeking to prepare for teaching careers in Theatre Arts should consult with the department chair or an appropriate advisor.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts

1. The following core curriculum: THTR 221, 232, 241, 251, 371, 372 and 385.

2. Six additional five‑quarter‑unit courses in Theatre, at least four of which must be upper division, selected with the approval of the faculty advisor. 100 level courses may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

3. Each student must complete eight production courses; those that satisfy this requirement are THTR 201, 202, 203, 206, 207, 401, 402, 403, 406, 407.

Of the eight, four must be taken for upper-division credit.

Of the eight, two must be selected from THTR 202 and 402, and two must be selected from THTR 203 and 403.

Each student must complete at least two production courses during each year in residence.

4. Complete THTR 195, 295, 395 or 495, as appropriate, during each quarter in full-time residence as a Theatre Arts major. Complete the course at least six times.

5. THTR 491 and 492.

6. One of the following options:

a. A special minor.

b. A minor consisting of at least 20 quarter units designated by another discipline.

c. One of the interdisciplinary concentrations or minors.

Speech and Theatre Minor

For requirements, see listing under “Interdisciplinary Minors.”

Requirements for the Minor in Theatre

Four five-unit courses in Theatre at the 200-level or above, at least two of which must be upper division.

Requirements for the Minor in Theatre Technology

A total of 24 units, including the following: THTR 241 and 251; two courses chosen from THTR 351, 352 and 353; and four units chosen from THTR 202, 402, 203, or 403.

Minor in Children’s Theatre (22 units)

The Children’s Theatre Minor is designed for the general student who is interested in working with children in a theatrical situation. Anyone pursuing a career in parks and recreation or in youth group related activities would find the minor beneficial. These courses could also satisfy the concentration requirement for the Liberal Studies major.

Theatre 232 Beginning Acting (5)

Theatre 305 Creative Dramatics (5)

Theatre 307 Dramatic Theatre for Children (5)

Theatre 405 Children’s Theatre (5)

and

Theatre 206/406 Children’s Theatre Practicum (2)

Teaching Credential – Single Subject

Students wishing to teach drama at the high school level must complete a course of study that will lead to the Single Subject Credential in English; in most cases, this involves earning the BA degree with a major in English. However, such students are strongly urged to complete, in addition, the BA degree with a major in Theatre Arts.

Course DESCRIPTIONS

Lower Division

THTR 101 Introduction to the Study of Theatre (5)

Study of the aesthetic process by which plays of various types, styles, and periods are translated into theatrical terms and are projected from a stage to an audience and the relevance of that process to the world of which it is a part. [F,W,S]

THTR 132 Introduction to Acting (5)

General training and experience in acting for the non‑professionally oriented acting student.

THTR 195 Theatre Company (1)

Practicum in auditioning, portfolio presentation, technical production and management. Activities and workshops. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. [F,W,S]

THTR 201 Rehearsal and Performance (2)

Acting in major departmental stage, television or film productions. Open to all students; entrance by audition. Assignments made according to needs of productions. A minimum of six class hours per week. Limited to two units of credit per quarter. [F,W,S]

THTR 202 Technical Theatre Production Laboratory (1)

Practical work in the various areas of technical theatre production (stage management, scenery, properties, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound, marketing) during the pre-production period. Assignments made according to needs of productions. [F,W,S]

THTR 203 Run of Show (1)

Practical work in the various areas of technical theatre production (stage management, scenery, properties, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound, marketing) during the run of the show from technical rehearsals through strike. Assignments made according to needs of productions. [F,W,S]

THTR 206 Children’s Theatre Practicum (2)

Rehearsal, preparation and performance of a play for young audiences. May include performances on campus and touring to local elementary schools. Assignments made according to needs of productions. [F]

THTR 207 Touring Show (2)

Rehearsal, preparation and performance of a one-act play to be taken on tour to schools in Kern County. Open to all students; entrance by audition during the previous academic term. Assignments made according to needs of productions. [S]

THTR 208 Improvisation (2)

Study and practice of techniques in comedy improvisation, with an emphasis on the development of performance skills. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: THTR 232 or consent of instructor. [F,S]

THTR 209 Theatre Festival (1)

Students will assist in designing and managing a theatre festival for high school or college theatre students from other campuses. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. [W]

THTR 221 Script Analysis (5)

The examination of dramatic literature as it relates to the work of the director, the actor and the designer.

THTR 232 Acting I (5)

Introduction and development of the actor as the physical, vocal, and creative tool of his work. Introduction of improvisation techniques, text analysis, and psychophysical techniques in scene study. [F,W,S]

THTR 233 Acting II (5)

Development of material introduced in Acting I with an emphasis on movement in stage performance. Improvisation, concentration, development of basic skills. Prerequisite: THTR 232 or consent of instructor. [W]

THTR 234 Acting III (5)

Development of material introduced in Acting I and II with an emphasis on vocal technique in stage performance. Prerequisite: THTR 233 or consent of instructor. [S]

THTR 241 Stagecraft (5)

Techniques in construction of stage scenery and properties, including use of hand and power tools, working with wood, metal, plastic and paint, and reading blue prints. Use of theatrical sound and lighting equipment. Combination of lecture and laboratory. [W]

THTR 242 Stage Makeup (2)

Practical work in all types of theatrical makeup. One lecture and two activity hours per week. [W]

THTR 251 Introduction to Technical Theatre and Design (5)

Survey of technical theatre production with emphasis on fundamentals of theatrical design, including projects in scenery, costumes and lighting. [Alternate years]

THTR 277 Special Studies in Theatre (1-5)

Classes, individual research, and/or group investigation of selected topics in theatre. Topics to be studied in any particular quarter will be designated before registration. May be repeated for different course content.

THTR 289 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department. Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation. Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis. Not open to post-graduate students. Interested students should contact the department office.

THTR 295 Theatre Company (1)

Practicum in auditioning, portfolio presentation, technical production and management. Activities and workshops. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. [F,W,S]

THTR 299 Individual Study (1-5)

Special projects developed by the individual student in consultation with the designated instructor. Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA and consent of department chair. [By petition only]

Upper Division

THTR 305 Creative Dramatics (5)

Introduction to the use of drama and creative play in the classroom and other social situations, including study of materials and methods. Emphasis on development of ideas rather than performance. Combination of lecture, discussion, and projects.

THTR 307 Dramatic Literature for Children (5)

Introduction to plays and other literature suitable to be performed both by and for children; history and methods of interpretation, analysis and evaluation of material, and production practice. Prerequisite: THTR 305

THTR 311 Movement I (5)

Intensive study of techniques in movement and use of space in terms of characterization and interaction in performance. Prerequisite: THTR 234 or consent of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 312 Movement II (5)

Advanced work in stage movement and physical characterization to include movement for period plays. Prerequisite: THTR 311 or consent of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 321 Voice and Diction I (5)

Intensive study of techniques in vocal production and diction as well as the interpretation of dramatic dialogue. Emphasis is placed on the use of vocal technique in speaking Shakespeare’s plays. Prerequisite: THTR 234 or consent of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 322 Voice and Diction II (5)

Advanced work in vocal production and diction. Emphasis is placed on the use of vocal technique in period plays. Prerequisite: THTR 321 or consent of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 351 Lighting Design (5)

Fundamentals of stage lighting, including history, theory of design and electricity, drafting, and practical application. Combination of discussion and analysis, studio and production experience. Prerequisite: THTR 251 or permission of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 352 Scenic Design (5)

Fundamentals of scenic design, including history, theory of design, drafting, rendering, modeling, and practical application. Combination of discussion and analysis, and studio. Prerequisite: THTR 251 or permission of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 353 Costume Design (5)

Fundamentals of theatrical costume design, including history of costume and fashion, theory of design, research methods, rendering, and practical application. Techniques in drawing the basic human form. Combination of discussion and analysis, and studio. Prerequisites: THTR 251 and either THTR 351 or 352, or permission of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 361 Directing I (5)

The fundamentals of play direction. Elements of interpretation and the techniques used to transfer the directorial idea into practical terms of picturization, composition, movement and stage business. Prerequisite: THTR 221 or consent of instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 371 Survey of Theatre History I: the Greeks to Shakespeare (5)

A survey of the structures and production practices of theatres and of the ideas behind them, from the Classical Age of Greece to Shakespeare, with references to the significant periods, plays, and playwrights. Plays from the various periods studied will be read. Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 110, or the equivalent. (Alternate Years)

THTR 372 Theatre History II: The Golden Age of Spain to the 20th Century (5)

A survey of the structures and production practices of theatres and of the ideas behind them, from the Golden Age of Spain to the early 20th century, with references to the significant periods, plays and playwrights. Plays from the various periods studied will be read. Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 110, or the equivalent. [Alternate Years]

THTR 379 The American Theatre (5)

The development of the American theatre as an artistic, literary, cultural, historical, political and social phenomenon, including the study of plays, playwrights, actors, directors, designers and theatre companies in the United States from the Colonial era to the present day. Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or equivalent. [F]

THTR 381 20th Century Women Playwrights (5)

An examination of the contributions made by 20th‑Century women playwrights. Representative scripts by universally recognized playwrights will be read and discussed. Playwrights may include Lillian Hellman, Lorraine Hansberry, Caryl Churchill, Pam Gems, Ntozake Shange, Marie Irene Fornes, Megan Terry, and Wendy Wasserstein. Plays will be analyzed for their social point of view, as well as stylistic innovations. Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or equivalent.

THTR 385 Modern Drama (5)

Development of the theatre in the modern period, from the advent of naturalism to the contemporary mixture of realistic and nonrealistic styles. Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or equivalent.

THTR 395 Theatre Company (1)

Practicum in auditioning, portfolio presentation, technical production and management. Activities and workshops. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. [F,W,S]

THTR 401 Rehearsal and Performance (2)

THTR 402 Technical Theatre Production Laboratory (1)

Practical work in the various areas of technical theatre production (stage management, scenery, properties, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound, marketing) during the preproduction period. Assignments made according to needs of productions. [F,W,S]

THTR 403 Run of Show (1)

THTR 404 Playwriting (5)

Experimental writing, investigation, and discussion of plays and the creative process, with individual and group analysis of student work. May be repeated for credit. [Alternate Years]

THTR 405 Children’s Theatre (5)

Theory and practice of producing theatre for children–both performing for young audiences and working with young performers in schools, churches and youth organizations. Includes selection and adaptation of material, auditioning, rehearsing, directing, technical support and promotion. Combination of lecture, discussion, and production.

THTR 406 Children’s Theatre Practicum (2)

THTR 407 Touring Show (2)

Rehearsal, preparation and performance of a one‑act play to be taken on tour to schools in Kern County. Open to all students; entrance by audition during the previous academic term. Assignments made according to needs of productions. [S]

THTR 408 Improvisation (2)

Study and practice of techniques in comedy improvisation, with an emphasis on the development of performance skills. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: THTR 232 or consent of instructor. [F,S]

THTR 409 Theatre Festival (1)

Students will assist in designing and managing a theatre festival for high school or college theatre students from other campuses. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. [W]

THTR 421 Scene Study (5)

Advanced work in the preparation, rehearsal, and performance of scenes from modern and contemporary dramatic texts. Emphasis is placed on strengthening the actor’s process of role development. Prerequisite: THTR 311, 321, 331, or consent of the instructor. [Alternate Years]

THTR 461 Directing II (5)

Advanced study of the principles and techniques in directing plays of different types; directing and criticism of one‑act plays. Production planning, technical rehearsals and working with actors. Prerequisite: THTR 361. [Alternate Years]

THTR 477 Special Studies (1-5)

Classes, individual research and/or group investigation of selected topics in theatre. Topics to be studied in any particular quarter will be designated before registration. May be repeated for different course content.

THTR 489 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

THTR 491 Senior Project: Research (3)

In consultation with the instructor, research for and creation of a theatre piece to be produced under THTR 492. Prerequisite: Senior Theatre Arts major, or consent of theatre faculty. [W; or by petition]

THTR 492 Senior Project: Production (3)

Under the supervision of the instructor, rehearsal and production of a short theatre piece (approximately the length of a one-act play) that shows to best advantage the theatrical skills of the individual. THTR 492 must be completed during the quarter immediately following the completion of THTR 491. Prerequisite: THTR 491. [S; or by petition]

THTR 495 Theatre Company (1)

Practicum in auditioning, portfolio presentation, technical production and management. Activities and workshops. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. [F,W,S]

THTR 496 Internship (1-5)

Internships may be arranged by the department with various theatres. Placement, hours in the field and academic requirements (e.g., conferences, readings, reports) will be arranged in consultation with the work supervisor and the faculty liaison. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. [By petition only]

THTR 499 Individual Study (1-5)

Special projects developed by the individual student in consultation with the designated instructor. Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA and consent of department chair. [By petition only]