THE 103-104: THEATRE ACTIVITIES (1-3 s.h.) Students earn one to three credits on a contract basis through participation in one, or more than one, of the THE activities, with a maximum of six credits possible in THE 103-104. Credit for THE activities is optional, and voluntary participation (without credit) is also encouraged. Instructors determine the number of credits and have the authority to approve/reject any contract for credit in THE 103-104 based on the student’s interest and ability in the activity.

THE 103: THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE (1-3 s.h.) Students earn one to three credits through performance in University Theatre productions by successfully completing the terms of the “Contract for Credit in THE Activities,” subject to approval by instructor and department chair. No more than three credits may be earned in THE 103 during any one semester. Students may not enroll concurrently in THE 103 and 254, 350, or 361 without instructor permission. Each semester.

THE 104: THEATRICAL PRODUCTION (1-3 s.h.) Students earn one to three credits construction lab in the scene shop and costume shop. Credits will be earned successfully completing the terms of the “Contract for Credit in THE Activities,” subject to approval by instructor and department chair. No more than three credits may be earned in THE 104. Is a requirement for all B.F.A. theatre majors. Each semester.

THE 120: THEATRE PLAY PRODUCTION (3 s.h.) Introduces elements of theatre, including directing, acting, make-up, criticism, stagecraft, and stage lighting. No prerequisites. Summer, annually.

THE/SC 155: INTERPRETATION I (3 s.h.) Develops expressive presentational skills through practice in the oral interpretation of literature. Focuses on analyzing an author’s meaning, responding to it, communicating that meaning to an audience, and correlating oral interpretation with other arts. Fall, annually.

THE 161: STAGECRAFT (3 s.h.) A study of the theory, materials, and practice of stage construction. Emphasizes technical instruction and the relationship between the dramatic function of the setting and its actual physical realization. Student projects and required production labs provide practical experience. Fall, annually.

THE 201: DANCE I (3 s.h.) Focuses on alignment, strength, flexibility, balance, and locomotor movement. Surveys jazz, ballet, modern, and tap dance styles. For actors: a working knowledge of dance styles for performance and auditions. For everyone: an exploration of personal movement potential and an appreciation for the art of dance. Fall, annually.

THE 204:  Movement for the Actor – (3 s.h.)This class is designed to give student performers the tools to use their bodies as instruments for developing characters, and to develop a vocabulary that will enable them to communicate with directors and movement coaches from a variety of backgrounds.  Instruction focuses on building physical presence and body awareness, increasing flexibility and range of motion, and developing control necessary for efficient and communicative movement in a variety of theatre styles.  Fall, even numbered years.

 THE 215: SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE (1-6 s.h.) Focuses on offering special topics reflecting the interest of students. Content varies from semester to semester. Suitable for both majors and non-majors in theatre. May be taken for a maximum of nine credits in the major. On demand.

THE /SC 251: VOICE AND ARTICULATION (3 s.h.) Helps students improve their speech by the elimination of faulty voice and articulation habits. Gives attention to basic skills, including vocal variety, projection, breath control, tonal production, and articulation. Focuses on both the technical production of speech sounds and the student’s ability to communicate.

THE 253 Introduction to Theatre – (3 s.h.)Explores the techniques of the contemporary and historical theatre in the organization of dramatic material.  Surveys the division of creativity and labor in the presentation of dramatic material.  Analyzes literary concepts and the growth of sub-genres to motivate the contemporary audience.

THE 254: ACTING I : INTRODUCTION TO ACTING (3 s.h.) A beginning acting course. Familiarizes students with the skills and tools required of today’s professional actors. Suitable general elective for non-theatre majors.

THE 261: DRAFTING AND RENDERING FOR THE THEATRE (3 s.h.) A practical study of the standard techniques used in drafting and rendering to convey textual information for design and construction of theatrical set designs, lighting designs, and costume designs. Prerequisite: THE 161 or consent of instructor. Spring, odd-numbered years.

THE 262: STAGE LIGHTING (3 s.h.) Introduces the theory and practice of theatre lighting. Examines the purpose and aesthetics of lighting for the theatre and allied fields of television, film, and concerts. Also examines mechanics and control, including sections on optics, electrical theory, and color. Student projects and required production labs provide practical experience in stage lighting. Prerequisite: THE 161 or consent of instructor.

THE 271 Costume Construction - (3 s.h.)Explores the basic aspects of costume construction for the Stage, including basic pattern generation, sewing and fitting.  Spring, even numbered years.

  THE 301: DANCE II (3 s.h.) Continuation of technique learned in Dance I. Students transfer application of technique into choreographed pieces. Emphasizes a variety of dance styles. Prerequisite: THE 201 or consent of instructor. Spring, annually.

THE 302: INTRODUCTION TO CHOREOGRAPHY (3 s.h.) Introduces dance composition, emphasizing spatial design, sources of movement, and exploring the basic elements of space, time, and energy through improvisation, short movement studies, and dances which are presented, discussed, and reworked in class. Prerequisite: THE 301.

THE 304: DANCE REPERTORY (3 s.h.) Provides students with the opportunity to learn and perform a complete dance choreographed in class by the instructor. Students gain experience as performers in an intensive company-workshop atmosphere and learn how an experienced choreographer uses skills of dance composition and the strengths of the dancers to choreograph a new work. The finished dance is performed in class and as part of a student dance concert on campus. Prerequisite: THE 301 or 302, or by auditioning and permission of instructor.

THE 310:  Acting the Song -  (3 s.h.) Students will do advanced work in character analysis and text analysis through materials that is entirely sung.  They will explore songs as monologues, discovering where they can utilize and capitalize on previous training, while also developing new techniques that are unique to acting in musicals.  A variety of Musical Theatre genres will be explored as well as the historical significance of the Musical Theatre.Prerequisite: THE 254:  Acting I; MUS 126:  Theory I; MUS 128:  Aural Skills.   Fall, odd numbered years.

THE 350: SUMMER DRAMA WORKSHOP (3 or 6 s.h.) Combines study and practice in the dramatic arts and includes formal, intensive study in acting, play production, direction, makeup, scene design, stage lighting, and stagecraft. In conjunction with the workshop, Clarion University sponsors a Summer Theatre Company consisting of members of the workshop, which produces major shows. Summer, annually.

THE 351: ADVANCED THEATRE PRODUCTION (3 or 6 s.h.) Advanced study and practice in the dramatic arts, including projects in scene design, theatre management, and acting. Students work with members of the Summer Drama Workshop in the production of major plays for the Clarion Summer Theatre. Prerequisite: SCT 120 or 350. Summer, annually.

THE 352: PLAY DIRECTING (3 s.h.) A study of the fundamentals and procedures of play directing and problems faced in educational theatre. Includes script analysis, casting, and rehearsal methods. Students direct one-act plays for public presentation. Prerequisite: THE 253, 254, 362, or permission of instructor. Fall, even-numbered years.

THE 356:  Playwriting and Script Construction:  (3 s.h.)  Introduces the art of the playwright and dramatic storytelling from plot construction to dialogue construction and the addressing the needs of production, in readings and exercises.  Culminates with the crafting of a 10-minute play.  Prerequisite:  THE 253:  Intro to Theatre; THE 254: Acting I or THE 161: Stagecraft; or permission of instructor.  Spring, even numbered years.

THE 359:  History of the Theatre 1 – (3 s.h.) The History of the Theatre as exemplified in the plays and playwrights from Antiquity to the Baroque.  Prerequisites:  THE 253:  Intro to Theatre; THE 254: Acting I; or permission of the instructor.  Fall, annually

THE 360:  History of the Theatre II - (3 s.h.)History of the Theatre as exemplified in the plays and playwrights from the Romantic Period to Post-Modernism.  Prerequisites: THE 253 Intro to Theatre, THE 254 Acting I or permission of the instructor.  Spring, annually.

THE 361: ACTING II : SCENE STUDY (3 s.h.) Further applications of the basic groundwork laid in Acting I. Students work in pairs or groups on scenes from published plays in order to sharpen their skills in character analysis, characterization, and truthful playing for the stage. May be taken as an elective but is designed for majors and serious students of acting. Prerequisite: SCT 254. Spring, even-numbered years.

THE 362: SET DESIGN (3 s.h.) Study and practice in the aesthetics, methods, and techniques of scenic design, utilizing epic and Stanislavskian scenographic analysis. Prerequisite: SCT 161 or consent of instructor. Spring, odd-numbered years.

THE 363: THEATRICAL MAKE – UP (3 s.h.) Acquaints the student with the basic principles and application of the art and technique of theatrical makeup. Spring, odd-numbered years.

THE 364: SCENE PAINTING FOR STAGE (3 s.h.) Studio instruction in the use of brushwork and pigment to develop landscape, ornament, paneling, and architectural detail in stage scenery based on the analysis of form and source of light. Fall, even-numbered years.

THE 366: PRODUCTION AND STAGE MANAGEMENT (3 s.h.) A study of theory and practice of production and stage management in the professional, community, and educational theatre environments, including theatrical organization, rehearsal procedures, and performance duties.

THE 367: THEATRICAL COSTUMING (3 s.h.) Familiarizes the student with the process of designing theatrical costumes. Includes costume history, fashion trends and rationales. Student projects and a required lab provide experience in the craft. Spring, even-numbered years.

THE 368: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES : THE AUDITION PROCESS (3 s.h.) Concentrates on the preparation and practices of talent in an audition situation. Emphasizes presentation for both prepared and cold audition situations and familiarity with the business aspects that are part of the auditioning process. Limited to acting students in the B.F.A. program, or by instructor’s consent.

THE 369: PLAYING SHAKESPEARE (3 s.h.) Introduces the advanced acting student to an approach to Shakespeare’s texts which requires an open and personal commitment to thought, language, and movement. Prerequisite: THE 361 or 254 and permission of instructor. Spring, even-numbered years.

THE 370: STAGE DIALECTS (3 s.h.) Students learn, practice and perform in five commonly used stage dialects: Standard British, Cockney, Irish, Scottish, and Standard American Southern. Uses the International Phonetic Alphabet as a means to understanding the changes in certain key phonemes in each dialect. Utilizes films or videotapes of natural speakers when possible to help familiarize students with the lilt and musicality of each dialect. Students perform both monologues and scenes over the course of the semester. Prerequisites: THE 251 and 361 or 254 with permission of instructor. Spring, odd-numbered years.

THE 371:  Sound Design for the Theatre - (3 s.h.) Introduces the arts of sound design to the theater student from script analysis to the technical production and implementation of sound equipment.  Prerequisite:  THE 161: Stage Craft.  Fall, odd numbered years.

THE 461: STYLES OF ACTING (3 s.h.) Through extensive research this course examines playing the character within the framework of historical style. Focuses on how to recognize style/period through research and the text and how to solve the problems of assuming and communicating style. Prerequisites: THE 254 and 361 or consent of instructor. Spring, odd-numbered years.

THE 490: INDEPENDENT STUDY (3 s.h.) Selected topics for research and/or performance projects in speech communication and theatre. Prior to registration, students need to obtain an advisor who will direct their study. Approval by appropriate dean required.

THE 495: INTERNSHIP IN SPEECH COMMUNICATION AND THEATRE (1-12 s.h.) The internship program gives the student the opportunity to apply classroom theory and techniques in business, government, theatre, and other cooperating organizations. Course open to any speech communication and theatre major with a junior or senior standing and consent of department. Student must have a 2.5 QPA or higher and 3.00 QPA in a major . On demand.