The basic encounter in theatre is the exchange between the audience and everything that happens onstage. In this course, we will discover the creative components of drama and the artists that make theatrical productions possible, from the viewpoint of the audience. We will analyze and discuss the varied forms of theatrical medium as means of artistic communication. We will explore our relationship with theatre and consider broader questions about our personal aesthetics, moral beliefs and how we engage those aspects of ourselves in our cultural community. This course includes required play attendance. Additional fee for events.

Encourages students, through readings, reflection, and community conversations, to connect their present and future theatrical practice with their emotional, spiritual, and intellectual identities.

Designed for intended theatre majors or minors, but open to those looking to explore acting. Prepares students for dramatic performance through intensive work in Realism, observation skills, and the active pursuit of an objective. All work is designed with the express goal of learning to "live believably in imaginary circumstances." Develops ensemble relationship through improvisation and scene work.

An introduction to the varied technologies used in the theatre, including traditional scenic technologies, costume technologies, lighting and sound equipment, and show controls, as well as emergent technologies. Must also register for TRE 1931, 2931 or 3931 for practice of stagecraft skills. Typically offered: Autumn.

An introduction to the backstage crafts of theatrical production and management, intended to give the student a broad understanding of the basic principles and technical procedures used in theatrical production management and the design and production of scenery.

An introduction to the elements and principles of design as they relate to theatre. Emphasis will be placed on development of foundational proficiency in understanding, identifying, and applying solutions for design problems in scenery, costume, and property design.

Offered for performance related activity associated with approved theatrical productions.

Offered for design, technical theatre, or management activity associated with approved theatrical productions.

World Theatre Literature is a contemporary exploration of the diverse theatre practices, performance traditions, and dramatic forms from across the globe. This course examines the relationship between scripts and embodied practices, globalization and colonialism, and broader themes across case studies to understand our place as Westerners in viewing, understanding, and supporting global theatre.

Specialized movement for the actor including work in physical flexibility, balancing, movement-for-character, and dance.

Develops a basic proficiency in the performance of unarmed and armed stage combat. Rolls, falls, slaps, punches, kicks, chokes, and other techniques taught using guidelines of the Society of American Fight Directors.

Improvisation and scene work exploring the problems of characterization as developed through both internal and external performance techniques. Special attention is paid to Instinct, Emotional Preparation, and Imagination.

A study of vocal production as related to the actor's craft. Analysis and exercises designed to promote relaxation, natural breathing, organic vocal production, articulation, phrasing, and projection.

Improvisation exercises, useful for physicalization, spontaneity, intuition, and transformation of the actor are practiced in this course. Performative Improv, as well as Rehearsal Improv, will be explored.

Foundational approaches to reading, interpreting, and writing about theatre, including scripts and performances. Provides practice with script analysis tools from the perspective of performer, writer, dramaturg, director, and designer.

This course will introduce students to two-dimensional and three-dimensional CAD drafting and model-building for the theatre. Detailed topics will include: USITT industry standards, scale factors, text, dimensioning, layout, and printing.

This studio course is an exploration of various drawing and rendering modes, techniques, and materials applicable to design for the theatre. Emphasis is placed on practice and skill development.

Instruction in the basic scene painting practices and techniques for the stage. Includes blending, spattering, wood, brick, marble, stenciling, and foliage, as well as surface-material preparation. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Provides an introduction to the roles and duties of the stage manager from pre-production through rehearsal and performance phases of a theatrical production.

Offered for design, technical theatre, or management activity associated with approved theatrical productions.

Topic and credits to be announced in Time Schedule when offered. Topics offered usually only once, and only upon evidence of significant student interest. Possible topics include great themes of drama, medieval drama, the Asian theatre, theatre architecture, technical theatre, contemporary playwrights and the like.

Offers practical instruction on preparing for a professional audition, including recent industry changes post Covid. Includes strategies for monologue, prepared, and cold reading presentation, and resume preparation, as well as on-camera and musical theatre auditioning. Assumes a fundamental understanding of scene preparation and research techniques.

Explores analysis and performance techniques for plays of specialized historic and stylistic genre, including scene work drawn from classical, Brechtian, musical theatre, television, and other dramatic materials. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

This course prepares actors to deal with the specific challenges of playing Shakespeare, including the technical particularities of approaching and embodying poetic text. Set speeches, using the verse, language and character, and stylistic components are all explored. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Actors Lab is a deeper dive into the practice of techniques studied in Fundamentals of Acting I and II, with a particular emphasis on Realism.

Introduction to the analysis and writing skills of the dramaturg in the theatre. Includes practical, in-depth projects working with full plays.

Different topics offered on a rotational basis may include such genres as Tragedy and Comedy; theories such as feminism, existentialism, or critical race theory; and such styles as commedia, documentary theatre, or musical theatre. Whatever the topic, each section will consider the dominant voices in relation to patterns of inequity and difference in past and present societies.

Consideration of the aesthetics and techniques of directing through exercises in achieving visual, auditory, and kinesthetic effects. Includes play selection, organization, casting, and rehearsing. Practical application.

An introduction to the techniques and application of stage makeup for character and corrective applications, old age character, fantasy, special character effects, and crepe hair techniques.

An exploration of scene design with emphasis on script analysis, ideation, research, project planning and the developmental process of design. Includes applied projects in rendering, drafting and model building.

Exploration in lighting design and production for live theatre, including ideation, research, concept development, documentation, and organization of design ideas through industry standard paperwork. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Explores sound production and design for live theatre. Students develop skills necessary to create sound designs for full productions. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

An introductory costume design course with emphasis on analysis and interpretation of the script for costume plot, designer's sketches, and presentation. Also includes an introduction to period styles of costume and its application to costume design.

Introduction to the economic, personnel, and management activities necessary to produce theatre.

Explores contemporary methods and trends concerning the role of theatre in elementary teaching. Attention is given to National Arts Standards and Washington Essential Academic Learning Requirements in the Arts.

Offered for performance or directing-related activity associated with approved theatrical productions.

Offered for design, technical theatre, or management activity associated with approved theatrical productions.

A guided experience in portfolio development and presentation, with practical emphasis on preparation. The application of strategies for theatre design students interested in preparing for UR/TA auditions or launching a professional design career post-graduation.

Seminar discussion and conferences in the writing of actual playscripts. Typically offered: Alternate Years, Spring.

The capstone course in theatre provides majors with opportunities for reflection on their development as Christian artists and scholars. The course culminates in the creation of a Senior Project Proposal. Typically offered: Spring.

An independent study plan approved by theatre faculty.

Survey of the history of the theatre from preclassical times to 1600, tracing the development and changes in theater architecture, social purpose, the role of the theatre artist and the nature of theatrical experience. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Survey of the history of the theatre from the 1600s to contemporary times, tracing development and changes in theater architecture, social purpose, the role of the theatre artist and the nature of theatrical experience. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

For the serious theatre student performing on the SPU mainstage. Professional development, practical application, protocols, and artistry.

A guided experience of moving into professional auditions, with practical emphasis on preparation. The application of strategies for monologue, prepared, and cold reading presentation, and headshot/resume preparation, as well as song preparation and execution.

Self-designed, faculty-supervised project preparing dramaturgical analysis and protocol for a full production.

Individual, faculty-supervised project creating one or more design elements for a full production.

Individual, faculty-supervised project directing a fully-produced play as part of the University Theatre Season.

Supervised application of theatre skills in professional theatre contexts.

Topic and credits to be announced in Time Schedule when offered. Topics offered usually only once, and only upon evidence of significant student interest. Possible topics include great themes of drama, medieval drama, the Asian theatre, theatre makeup, theatre architecture, technical theatre, contemporary playwrights, advanced stagecraft and the like.

Special Topics in Theatre

Individual research, practice, and conferences in area of specialization within theatre, culminating in the presentation of a project in that specialization area.