Theatre

A general survey course designed to stimulate awareness and appreciation of dramatic art. Areas of exploration include theatre history, dramatic literature (modern and classic), and elements of production.

This introductory level acting course covers the principles of warm-ups, individual inventory, Stanislavsky system, character analysis, and rehearsal procedure. The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the skills needed to develop as an actor, as well as to make the student more aware of how he or she presents his or her self on stage and off.

A study in theatre history looks at the interrelationship of theatre and society, focusing on dramatic literature and original documents as “artifacts” within a given culture. An exploration of theatre history seeks to establish a cultural context for periods of drama, using art, music, and social historical data to clarify the artistic modes of thought in various periods of time.

An introductory course in theatre, beginning with play selection and ending with an artistically successful production. A clear and concise study of each requisite skill in between -- acting, scenery, lighting, makeup, costuming, sound, auditioning, and theatre business -- takes students behind the scenes of a play and introduces them to each production element. The course stresses teamwork and focuses on the way each part of play production fits into the whole.

A student serves as a performer in a season production.

Note: May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours.

A student serves as running crew (for single production), pre-production crew (semester-long assignment), assistant design (for single production) or serving as Assistant Stage Manager (for single production). Running crew positions include: Light Board Operator, Sound Board Operator, scenery run crew, props run crew, or costume run crew. Pre-Production Crew positions include: Scenery construction. Electrician, Costume construction, or Props Master (also serve as props running crew). An assistant designer must assist faculty designers only.

Note: May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours.

A student serves as a Production Stage Manager, Designer or Dramaturge for a single production.

Note: May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. 

This course will provide students with a working knowledge of how to design and implement theatrical makeup for the stage. Students will be able to do a variety of old-age makeup techniques including two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications. Students will be able to do a variety of street makeup techniques and will be able to alter their appearance through two-dimensional shading and highlighting as well as three-dimensional prosthetics.

An introduction to theatrical design concentrating on the creative process in developing the design of the set, lighting, costumes as well as the presentation of the design ideas. This course examines the role of the designer and how the design supports the ideas of a play in a visual way. It will emphasize basic strategies for visual problem solving and techniques for preparing comprehensive designs.

This course provides the opportunity for the student actor to continue developing both voice and body. In addition, this course will provide the needed training to audition for a variety of theatrical productions.

This course will familiarize the student with a variety of improvisational rehearsal games and techniques. Based on the teachings of Viola Spolin and others, this class allows the performer to fully engage their creative process without censorship. The course aims to release the creative impulse by creating a safe environment free from judgement. Students will learn such skills as endowment (lending emotional and/or physical attributes to objects), emotional recall, and physical control and exploration.

This course will provide students with a working knowledge of how to audition for theatre, film, and musicals. Students will be able to construct an effective resume, know what to look for in a headshot, learn how to choose and present audition materials, and how to master the “cold reading.”

This course will provide students with a working knowledge of how to design and implement costumes for the theatrical stage. Students will be able to analyze a script and create costume renderings that are appropriate to that analysis. Students will have a working knowledge of color theory as well as a basic understanding of the history of Western fashion.

This course will provide students with a working knowledge of how to design and implement lighting for the stage. Students will be able to analyze a script and design a working lighting plot that illustrates that analysis through light. Students will be able to identify and utilize a variety of lighting fixtures common to the contemporary stage.

Emphasizes the art of scene design through the study and process of creating sets. Includes the design process from script analysis and research to presentation of final design ideas. By the end of the semester, students should have a clear understanding of the basic principles of scenic design, script analysis, history, drafting, research, model making, and drawing & rendering. Students will also have a basic knowledge of scenic construction and elements of design.

Advanced acting students will develop skills in the different acting styles needed to perform in plays by authors such as Sophocles, Moliere, and Shakespeare. Students will continue to develop vocal and physical skills, as well as their analytical abilities.

This course will allow students to learn the art and craft of directing. Students will read and analyze plays, develop important practical and analytical skills, and finally direct a ten-minute play.

This course will familiarize the students with the most recent and admirable writing occurring in the contemporary theatre; it will allow the students to contextualize these works into their own artistic experience; and ultimately provide students with the skills needed to create their own plays. The course is designed for the novice playwright, but because the course is primarily a writing workshop, it is suitable for the more advanced writer.

This course gives advanced students an opportunity to develop skills in a major field of theatrical design which might include set design, lighting design, costume design, and/or sound design.

Building on the skills they learned in the previous Musical Theatre performance class, students will branch out from solo work and sing with partners, trios, and quartets. They will do scene work and continue to work on creating compelling and exciting characters.

Technical track students will compile a portfolio of their design work up to this point as well as complete a new project of some breadth and scope. An exhaustive written analysis of their current project, as well as their growth, will also be required. Performance tracks students will present a thirty-sixty minute recital of all of their performative work plus a new selection of two short scenes (five minutes each) and one longer monologue (2-3 minutes.) An exhaustive written analysis of their current project, as well as their growth, will also be required. Required for Design, Directing, Stage Management, and Playwriting only.

The History of Musical Theatre course will acquaint students with the rich tapestry of history including Vaudeville, Broadway, the West End, and even the movies. Students will be able to analyze a variety of musical genres and recognize key historic movements both musically and textually.

Fundamental principles and application of 3-D digital design. Students will be working with Vectorworks (CAD), Photoshop and Tablet rendering. This course teaches methods of approaching, developing, communicating, and completing digital designs of sets, costumes, and interiors.

This course exams the “Triple Bottom Line” in relation to the production of the arts. It will focus on environmentally sustainable options for the design and execution of events and exhibitions through the lens of Theatre. We will examine the role of the designer, artist, performer, manager, and administrative staff in creating environmentally sustainable events, emphasizing basic strategies for visual problem solving, and techniques for preparing comprehensive and ecologically friendly.

The detailed exploration of theatre history through the lens of Dramaturgy. The course focuses on Script Analysis, Dramatic Theory, historical context of theatre movements and Dramatic Criticism.

The course examines Shakespeare's plays not only through the text but also (and primarily) through the observation of varied artistic and scholarly interpretations in film and performance. Students will also learn how the examination of the Shakespeare text as an actor will add insight and appreciation nearly impossible in any other way. Additionally, students will learn how through historical and sociological context, Shakespeare’s plays can be approached in such a way as to provide a richer theatrical experience for both performer and audience. Primarily the course will show performers how to approach Shakespeare’s work through a variety of approaches in order to create deeper and more vibrant performances.

This course provides the opportunity for advanced students who may want to act in theatrical productions. These workshop productions will augment the regular Limestone Theatre. All productions must be overseen by the faculty.

An individually designed off-campus study, work, and/or research project under the joint supervision of a professional theatre institution and a faculty supervisor. The faculty supervisor and the student will develop a formal “Learning Agreement” which will consist of a course description, learning results, learning activities, learning documentation, and a learning evaluation.