Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Theatre Art (THR)

THR 101  -  Introduction to Theatre,  4 credits.  

This course is designed to aid the student in an investigation into the various aspects of theatrical performance and process. This course will explore the five main aspects of the theatrical event: director, actor, playwright, designers (costume, scenic, lighting) and audience. Throughout the course students will discover the relationship between text/literature and the artistic nature of theatre to make and enhance meaning.

Frequency: Every Year - Second Semester  
Core designations: Arts R  
THR 112  -  Stagecraft and Technology (scenery, lighting, and sound production),  4 credits.  

Stagecraft and Technology is an introductory course to the technical aspects of theatre. The course is a hands-on, laboratory environment utilizing problem-based learning that serves as the basis for further study in the areas of scenery construction and painting, lighting installation and electrical capacities, and sound reinforcement.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
THR 113  -  Costume Construction and Stage Make-Up,  4 credits.  

A technical production course instructing students in the application of theatrical makeup and the construction and alteration of theatrical costumes. The course is a hands-on, laboratory environment utilizing problem-based learning. Instruction methods assume little or no previous experience and are geared for both future technicians as well as performers and educators.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
THR 127  -  Elements of Acting,  4 credits.  

A beginning course in acting intended as a practical basis for future study in acting, directing and related areas. Coursework on such topics as voice and movement, script analysis and realistic characterization lead to a heightened awareness of creativity and more proficient performing.

Frequency: Every Semester  
Core designations: Arts R  
THR 199  -  Exploration Seminar,  0 credits.  
Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 212  -  Lighting Design and Execution,  4 credits.  

Students will learn the necessary skills required to design and set up the lighting for a theatrical event. They will learn to design and draft a light plot, work with lighting instruments and color media, cue a show, and how their designs interact with other members of the design and directorial team. Students will be expected to complete practical projects in lighting design as well as written assignments. The class will end with a realized, small scale, lighting design presented to the rest of their peers.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
THR 222  -  Theatre Design I,  4 credits.  

This course develops the crafts and skills necessary for scenery and costume designers. Students analyze scripts and develop a production concept using appropriate design theory. Students present 2-D and 3-D production designs to the class. In addition to in-class design exercises, the course requires presentation of scenery and costume design for 3 plays.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 1st Semester  
Prerequisites: THR 101  
THR 225  -  Summer Theatre,  4 credits.  

A laboratory theatre course in which students become involved in the creative problem-solving process. Past productions have dealt with movement and pantomime, repertory, dinner and children's theatre. Enrollment for the summer course is also open to graduating high school seniors, college students, teachers and interested adults by permission of the instructor.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
THR 229  -  Elements of Directing,  4 credits.  

A beginning course in directing for students of theatre art, including those with avocational interests as well as those studying design, acting and directing. The course deals primarily with script analysis and rehearsal methods. Students will complete a series of projects culminating in the presentation of a short scene.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Prerequisites: THR 101 or THR 127  
THR 250  -  Pre-May Seminar in Theatre,  2 credits.  

This course prepares students for the theatre May Seminar abroad. Students learn to plan and implement research in their own areas of interest, including performance, design or management. Students develop travel skills that allow for an exciting and fruitful journey, as they prepare to undertake independent theatre research in historic archeological sites, museums or a variety of contemporary performances.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
THR 280  -  Individualized Study,  1 credits.  

This unique opportunity provides an alternative learning option for theatre students to study materials and skills as 200-level "apprenticeships." Various topic choices can utilize the available expertise levels of our designers and directors, and are designed to offer experiential study opportunities. Sample topics may include stagecraft, costume construction, playwriting, and stage management. Up to 4 credits (four topics) can be applied to the theatre major or minor.

Frequency: Every Semester  
Prerequisites: THR 122 or THR 101  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 300  -  May Seminar in Theatre,  4 credits.  
Frequency: May Seminar  
Prerequisites: THR 250  
THR 322  -  Applied Design and Creativity,  4 credits.  

This course focuses on methodologies used in transforming scripts to designs for musicals and classical theatre productions. The student is then expected to develop a portfolio-ready project in costumes, scenery and lighting that incorporate creative problem-solving with crafts and skills developed in THR 222. Project development and evaluation features a combination of in-class instruction and mentoring by the professional staff. Final projects focus on the guidelines recommended in design portfolio review for advanced study or main stage productions.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 1st Semester  
Prerequisites: THR 222  
THR 323  -  Women and Theatre,  4 credits.  

Women and Theatre is a rigorous, academic study of the ways women create theatre. The course uses a historical lens to understand how women have been instrumental in the development of American theatre, how women work in theatre today, and students will look to how they will participate in the theatre of tomorrow. Course readings focus on dramatic literature, theory and criticism. Students read plays by and about women, engage with the criticism of the dramatic literature, and frame the dialogue through feminist theories of the theatre. This course can also count toward the women's and gender studies program.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 1st Semester  
Core designations: U.S. Cultural Diversity U  
THR 328  -  Arts Management,  4 credits.  

A study of the principles of arts management with special emphasis on philosophy, principles and plans of operation in commercial, educational or social theatre programs and managing careers as independent artists. Included among the course topics are contemporary and practical problems and the integration of business and artistic models of operation necessary to a modern arts organizations and artists. Managers from art organizations and independent artists are invited to present their personal case studies.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 1st Semester  
THR 331  -  Advanced Acting: Musical Theatre,  4 credits.  

Students will continue the exploration of self from beginning acting, exploring the relationship of the actor to the song by examining intention, relationship and environment while working on scenes together. Students will be expected to complete both analytical and performance objectives. Performance projects will also include in-class rehearsals and a public performance-level showcase. The course will center on the performance of two songs, one duet and an audition package. This is an upper-level acting class and as such we will be treating it as a studio class.

Frequency: Every Third Year  
Prerequisites: THR 127  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 332  -  Advanced Acting: Scene Study,  4 credits.  

Students will continue the exploration of self from beginning acting, exploring the relationship of the actor to the role by examining intention, relationship and environment while working on scenes together. Students will be expected to complete both analytical and performance objectives. Scene study projects will also include in-class rehearsals and a public performance-level showcase. The course will begin with the examination of characters in conflict in contemporary realism and progress to explorations of non-realism based texts. This is an upper-level acting class and as such we will be treating it as a studio class.

Frequency: Every Third Year  
Prerequisites: THR 127  
THR 333  -  Advanced Acting: Styles,  4 credits.  

Students will continue the exploration of self from beginning acting, exploring the relationship of the actor to the role by examining intention, relationship and environment while working on scenes together. Students will be expected to complete both analytical and performance objectives. Scene study projects will also include in-class rehearsals and a public performance-level showcase. The course will center on the examination of characters in conflict in period drama including, Greek, Shakespeare, Restoration, Georgian, and Moliere. This is an upper-level acting class and as such we will be treating it as a studio class.

Frequency: Every Third Year  
Prerequisites: THR 127  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 334  -  Theatre History I: Origins to Romanticism,  4 credits.  

This course tracks changes in theatre from its origins in ancient Greece and Rome, through the upheavals of the Medieval, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Romantic periods. Students will integrate historical, cultural and literary sources to achieve an understanding of how and why theatre practices have changed. Students develop skills in reading texts for historical understanding, analyzing contemporaneous criticism, and investigating architecture and artifacts. This course can also count toward the global studies program.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Core designations: Arts R, International-Global Prspct G  
THR 335  -  Non-Western Theatres and Cultures,  4 credits.  

This course investigates current and traditional theatre practices in a variety of countries and cultures. Students will study a variety of traditional theatres and dramatic dance, including those of Japan, China, India and Africa. Students will research colonial experiences and read contemporary post-colonial plays. Students will investigate a variety of source materials including texts, architectural remains, images and commentary in order to understand the interaction of historical, commercial, political and artistic forces that have shaped traditional and contemporary theatres around the world.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Core designations: International-Global Prspct G  
THR 336  -  Theatre History II: Realism to Postmodernism,  4 credits.  

This course tracks changes in theatre from the end of the 19th century through the contemporary period. Students will integrate historical, cultural and literary sources to achieve an understanding of how and why theatre practices have changed. Students develop skills in reading texts for historical understanding, analyzing contemporaneous criticism, and investigating architecture and artifacts. This course can also count toward the global studies program.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Core designations: Arts R, U.S. Cultural Diversity U  
THR 360 / ENG 360  -  Dramatic Adaptation,  4 credits.  

Focuses on adaptations as objects for investigation of the human condition, allowing us to look back to the original and its socio-historical context, look to the adaptation for adjustments to a new socio-historical context, and analyze the enduring aspects of the human condition. Texts will connect to the global location when taught abroad or to U.S. adaptations of global texts when at Concordia.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Core designations: International-Global Prspct G  
THR 380  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  

Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 390  -  Academic Internship,  1-8 credits.  
Frequency: Every Semester  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 399  -  Theatre Practicum,  0 credits.  

This course documents the completion of three semesters of significant involvement in Concordia Theatre productions.

Frequency: Every Semester  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 429  -  Advance Directing,  4 credits.  

A course in directing for advanced students of theatre art. Student projects focus on textual interpretation, audition and rehearsal methods, as well as practice in principles of staging. The final course project for each director is the public performance of a complete one act play.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Prerequisites: THR 222 and THR 101 and THR 127 and THR 229  
THR 480  -  Independent Study,  1-4 credits.  

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct an in-depth study of a particular topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Contact department or program chair for more information.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes  
THR 487  -  Directed Research,  1-4 credits.  

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct research in a specific area of study, completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Specific expectations of the research experience to be determined by the faculty. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes