THEATRE (THTR)

THTR-101 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER (3 Credits)

This survey course traces the development of theater production and performance through scripts and audiovisual documentation. The perspective is global and includes theater from Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as Europe and the U.S. Various styles of acting and directing are discussed, as is the development of various methods of staging and stage technology. The "who, how, what, when and why" of theater.

THTR-130 STAGECRAFT & THEATER TECH. (3 Credits)

This course is a lab in basic theater technology--set building, painting and finishing; lighting, sound, effects, prop making and maintenance, and costume. Emphasis is on participation and completion of lab assignments developing and implementing sets, props, and lighting for SBU Theater productions.

THTR-201 ACTING IN CHARACTER (3 Credits)

This is a lab course in creating characters for stage and other media in the body, mind and voice using exercises, monologues and some limited scene work from a variety of plays and other media. Emphasis is on increasing the individual student actor's awareness and reactions to the emotional elements of character in monologues and two-person scenes. Memorization and rehearsal outside class are required.

THTR-211 HIST OF AMERICAN THEATER (3 Credits)

A survey of American theater performance and playwriting from early colonial works to the present, emphasizing the developments in the 20th and 21st centuries, including video and film versions of theater texts, and, when possible, trips to see area productions.

THTR-212 EUROPEAN THEATER HISTORY (3 Credits)

This course is designed to survey the texts and theatrical production of European theater from the Renaissance to the present, with emphasis on post 19th century production developments and texts. We'll read play texts, watch several videos and filmed versions of plays, and discuss the history and nature of various genres of European theater, and its influences in a theatrical rather than literary context.

THTR-230 THEATRICAL DESIGN (3 Credits)

This course is designed to teach the elements and history of set, lighting, costume and sound design and to afford students the opportunity to develop and design in a simulated or actual production setting. Using the skills and concepts from THTR 130, the student will learn to collaborate with the director in designing effective and creative elements that support the production concept, the actors and the text.

THTR-299 SBU THEATER PRODUCTION (1 Credit)

Credit for student work in faculty-directed SBU Theater season productions, either in tech and on-stage performance. Student must successfully audition or interview for SBU Theater production at the beginning of the semester and complete all required rehearsal/run assignments and shop hours. May be required for credit.

THTR-301 ACTING IN ENSEMBLE (3 Credits)

This is a lab course in creating characters for stage and other media using ensemble exercises and scene work for multiple actors from a variety of plays and other media. Emphasis is on increasing the student actor's awareness and reactions to the emotional give and take and changing relationships within scenes involving more than two actors. Memorization and rehearsal outside class are required.

THTR-333 ACTING FOR THE CAMERA (3 Credits)

This is a lab course in developing the specific skills needed to create character for the camera. Emphasis is on in-class scene and monologue work, and exercises designed to work specifically for the camera. Memorization and rehearsal outside class are required.

THTR-334 ACTING STYLES & MOVEMENT (3 Credits)

A lab course designed to help the student actor develop the techniques used in creating character for various genres of theater--farce, Restoration and 18th century, high comedy, Shakespeare, et. al. Emphasis on period movement, use of props, gesture, and integration of character with text. Memorization and rehearsal outside class are required.

THTR-335 VOICE & DICTION FOR ACTORS (3 Credits)

A foundation lab course in developing safe and effective techniques for voice production in character. Emphasis on healthy projection, clean articulation, control of regional dialects, and finding the emotional voice in the text through sonic exploration, Memorization and rehearsal outside class are required, as is the practice of vocal exercises.

THTR-379 SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATER (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide the theater major the opportunity to explore aspects of theatrical production and scholarship of special interest to the student, through research, rehearsal, and written documentation. The course may also take the form of physical exploration of valid movement, design or acting concepts or techniques not covered in established theater courses; but of benefit to the student's overall educational goals and objectives.

THTR-379A SP TOP: THEATER MAKEUP/HAIR (3 Credits)

THTR-379C SP TOP: IMPROV FOR THEATER (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide the theater major the opportunity to explore aspects of theatrical production and scholarship of special interest to the student, through research, rehearsal, and written documentation. The course may also take the form of physical exploration of valid movement, design or acting concepts or techniques not covered in established theater courses; but of benefit to the student's overall educational goals and objectives.

THTR-379D SP TOP:MAKING MASKS FOR THEATER (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide the theater major the opportunity to explore aspects of theatrical production and scholarship of special interest to the student, through research, rehearsal, and written documentation. The course may also take the form of physical exploration of valid movement, design or acting concepts or techniques not covered in established theater courses; but of benefit to the student's overall educational goals and objectives.

THTR-401 DIRECTING (3 Credits)

A course in the basics of directing for the stage including dramaturgical research and text preparation, character analysis, developing a ground plan, dealing with set and light design, blocking, auditioning, and rehearsing. In-class scene work allows students to direct each other and develop skills collectively. Outside rehearsal may be required.

THTR-412 SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE (3 Credits)

This course is designed to explore the techniques and historical approaches to performing and producing Shakespeare's plays on stage and in the cinema. The goal is to help the student understand a phenomenological, practical and aesthetic differences between reading a Shakespeare play and doing one. Acting and design elements are discussed and demonstrated through in class viewings of filmed and live performances, and possible field trips to view Shakespeare productions. Can be taken as Honors course.

THTR-413 SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORM-HONORS (3 Credits)

This course is designed to explore the techniques and historical approaches to performing and producing Shakespeare's plays on stage and in the cinema. The goal is to help the student understand a phenomenological, practical and aesthetic differences between reading a Shakespeare play and doing one. Acting and design elements are discussed and demonstrated through in class viewings of filmed and live performances, and possible field trips to view Shakespeare productions.

Restrictions: RG.HON

THTR-499 THEATER CAPSTONE COURSE (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide the senior theater major the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in aspects of theatrical production and scholarship through research, rehearsal, written documentation, and performance/ presentation. The course culminates in a public production presentation with evaluation by the theater faculty. The course encompasses the full breadth of undergraduate education in theater and consists of scheduled meetings with professors, extensive research and rehearsal times, extensive written support documentation of research, conceptualization and process, and the final presentation/performance itself. Students should consider this course the most rigorous in the undergraduate theater curriculum and work accordingly. Majors only. Final Fall or Spring.

Restrictions: RG.THTR