Theatre

2005 - 2006 College of the Ozarks Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

The Theatre major offers four emphases, General Theatre, Performance Theatre, Drama Ministry, and Speech and Theatre Education, as well as a General Theatre minor. Students who complete the degree requirements can expect to achieve the objectives of the program which are: 1) to acquire a foundation of knowledge in performance and technical theatre which will enable graduates to pursue a postgraduate education or seek professional employment in the entertainment industry or in an educational setting; 2) to develop their individual creative performance and technical skills through course work and departmental productions; 3) to illustrate proficiency in several training areas of the theatre which are: stage movement, vocal training, acting, singing, dancing, stagecraft, set design, lighting design, costume design, stage makeup, directing, playwriting, theatre history, music theatre history and script analysis; 4) to experience a variety of creative processes; 5) to employ critical thinking skills in assessing artistic achievement.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average in order to participate in departmental productions.

All theatre majors are encouraged to be employed by the Jones Theatre Company work station a minimum of two semesters.

COURSES IN THEATRE (DRM)

101 Freshman Theatre Practicum A laboratory apprenticeship in the techniques of theatre production which includes crew work and acting in minor roles. This course may be repeated once. (F/S)

113 Introduction to Theatre Technology This course introduces the student to the working relationships of theatrical designers and the basic principles of costume design, lighting design, scene design and organizational schemes for theatrical production. (F)

133 IDS Exploration of the Arts An introductory course in the description, analysis, interpretation, and judgement of the arts. (F/S)

163 Vocal Training for the Stage This is a performance course which addresses corrective speech appropriate for the theater. This course studies domestic and international dialects as well as the international phonetic alphabet. The following critical thinking skills are applied to this course: interpretation and inference; concepts and ideas; and point of view. (F)

173 Movement Training for the Stage This course is a study in basic actor training for the purpose of discovering the logical sequence of physical actions appropriate for character development. The training will focus on movement as a means of tuning the actor’s instrument. (S)

193 Music Theatre Dance I This course introduces the basic fundamentals of ballet, jazz, and tap emphasizing the proper execution of dance techniques and styles. Students are required to provide their own dance shoes and attire. (F)

20V (1-3) Sophomore Theatre Practicum—Prerequisite: permission. This course is a variable hour laboratory course in techniques of theatrical production. This course will require the student’s participation in play production work. (F/S)

213 Stagecraft and Construction The field of study for this course includes reading and interpreting theatrical scene designs for basic stage units of scenery. In addition, this course will include scene construction, rigging and shifting of stage scenery. (S)

223 Dramatic Structure and Analysis This course is the study of dramatic literature emphasizing play structure. The course is designed to help theatre practitioners (actors, directors, designers, technicians, and playwrights) read analytically in order to initiate and make informed decisions regarding elements of production. The course will include historical perspectives of dramatic structure from noteworthy periods and styles. Writing Intensive. (F–odd)

293 Music Theatre Dance II—Prerequisite: DRM 193 or permission. This course is designed for the student who has studied and successfully accomplished a beginning level of dance technique. This course moves beyond the basic understanding of dance to expanded technical development and encourages artistic growth of the performer. Students are required to provide their own dance shoes and attire. (S)

Prerequisite for all 300-400 level courses: 45 hours or permission.

30V (1-3) Junior Theatre Practicum—Prerequisite: permission. A variable hour laboratory course designed as an extension of DRM 101 and DRM 20V (1­3), this course will concentrate on advanced stagecraft techniques, acting in major roles, heading production crews and management supervisory work. (F/S)

313 Costuming and Makeup—Prerequisite: DRM 113 or permission. The field of study for this course two fold. First, it will focus on costume design, the history of fashion and basic rendering techniques for costume design. Second, this course provides students with fundamentals of the art and techniques of applying theatrical makeup to the body. Makeup kits are required for this course. (F-odd)

323 Playwriting—Prerequisite: DRM 223 or permission. A study in the art of writing for the stage. This course will investigate dramatic structures, writing dialogue, character developments, ideas for scripts and a final project, which in the case of exceptional merit arrangements will be made for public performances of a finished script. Writing Intensive. (F-odd)

333 History of Western Theatre The field of study for this course rests with significant developments in theatre which have had lasting ramifications on the way in which theatre is perceived and made. Beginning with the origins of recorded western drama, this course will survey major eras of history leading to important trends of contemporary theatre. Writing Intensive. (F–even)

343 Lighting Design—Prerequisite: DRM 113 or permission. This course introduces to the student lighting design with an emphasis upon practical application. The field of study for this course will include electrical wiring, characteristics of lighting instruments, principles of color in light and technical lighting crew work. (S)

353 Scene Design—Prerequisite: DRM 113 or DRM 213 or permission. The field of study involved in this course emphasizes script analysis, the history of architectural period styles, drawings used in theatrical design and model building. (F-even)

363 Music Theatre History This course is a survey of the history of music theatre in America, tracing the development of the operetta through the "book" musical to contemporary production of concept musicals. The libretti and the musical scores will be emphasized from the works of Cohan and Kern to Webber and Sondheim. Writing Intensive. (S–odd)

373 Acting I—Prerequisite: DRM 163 or DRM 173 or permission. A beginning course in character development and projection of alternative characters through physical, vocal and mental disciplines. Emphasis is on solo and duet acting. (F)

383 Business of the Performing Arts A study of basic business and legal issues for performers. This course will emphasize information regarding personal managers, attorneys, agents, contract negotiations, performance unions, royalty and copyright basics, audition procedures and tour and performance merchandising. (S-even)

40V (1-3) Senior Theatre Practicum—Prerequisite: permission. A variable hour course designed as an extension of the lower division practicum, this course will emphasize direction and management. Selected students will be permitted to work as assistant directors, theatre business managers or in other managerial and directorial work associated with the theatre. (F/S)

403 Speech and Theatre Education Methods This course is designed to prepare majors in Speech and Theatre Education for the teaching profession. Students will become familiar with speech and theatre instructional practices and resources and be given opportunities to create curriculum and instructional activities.

411 Seminar in Theatre Career Planning This course is designed to assist the student with graduate school and/or career planning. The student will engage in an actual graduate school search or job placement. A study of cover letters resumés, recommendations and interviewing techniques will be included.

413 Music Theatre Dance III—Prerequisite: DRM 293 or permission. This course is an intensive study of dance in which the student will use a technical foundation embellished with proper style to execute more intricate and complex dance movements. Student choreography will be emphasized as well as more sophisticated levels of performance.

423 Theatre Production Thesis This course is the culmination of all theatre courses for senior students. The course will require the student to participate in a production as a director, designer and/or actor for the purpose of assessing artistic achievement.

433 Theatre Management This laboratory course in theatre management emphasizes business, promotion, box office, house, stage and shop management. Laboratory experience will be provided in all management areas and crews for theatre productions.

443 Directing I The students in this course will experience the process of developing directorial vision through play analysis and interpretation. By applying their directorial vision to basic directing principles presented, studied and practiced during class time, students will participate in class projects by directing scenes and short-act plays. (F)

453 Directing II: Producing and Directing a Play—Prerequisite: DRM 443 or permission. Selecting and preparing a script for production, each student must direct and be involved in all other production and management aspects of a publicly presented play. (S)

463 Acting II—Prerequisite: DRM 163 or DRM 173 or permission. This advanced course provides analysis of alternative acting theories as well as further training in solo, duet and ensemble role development. At least one performance in a play or an evening of scenes is required. (S)

47V (1-3) Drama Ministry Practicum Working with pastors, ministers or a Christian organization, students will participate in the presentation of Christian drama in a worship setting. Students will be responsible for the script, actors, costumes, props, lights and rehearsals. An accumulation of three credit hours is required for the Drama Ministry emphasis. (F/S)

48V (1-6) Internship Prerequisite: Permission. This course is designed for practical and supervised theatre experience in an off-campus entertainment organization. In order to be eligible for this course the student must be selected for placement in the professional entertainment industry either in technical stage work, performance or management.

49V (1-3) Special Problems—Prerequisite: permission. This course provides special attention given to study, research and practice in one area of theatre selected by the student and approved by the instructor. Conferences between the student and instructor will take place as needed to insure continuity in the course. However, the emphasis will remain on independent study. A paper or performance project is required. This course may be taken for a total of no more than eight credit hours.