Course Catalog (2009-2010)
2009-2010 Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
Theater (THTR)
THTR 100
• INTRODUCTION TO THEATER
A survey course covering a variety of different aspects of theater including play analysis, historical style, play writing, acting, directing, technical theater and more. Representative plays are analyzed from a performance-based perspective. No previous experience in theater is required. Satisfies UNR Fine Arts core curriculum and applies as a general elective at UNLV.
THTR 105
• INTRODUCTION TO ACTING I
Interpretation of drama through the art of the actor. Development of individual insights, skills and disciplines in the presentation of dramatic material to the audience and the learning of basic exercises for the actor.
THTR 108
• INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING
Fundamentals of the art of writing plays, stressing elements such as plot, character, dialogue and structure. Emphasis on writing short plays.
THTR 112
• BEGINNING SINGING FOR THE ACTOR
Class instruction in the fundamentals of correct breathing, tone production and diction. Designed for students interested in musical theatre who are non-music majors.
THTR 116
• DANCE STYLES: MUSICAL THEATER
Specialized study in the various dance forms encompassed in musical theater. Special emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of movement and dance techniques to achieve a solid movement base. The course may be repeated for a maximum of four credits.
THTR 122
• CREATIVE DRAMA
Fall, Spring. A hands-on experience in the use of drama in nonperformance situations. Drama is a stimulus for creativity and problem solving in preschool, elementary and secondary classrooms and in other settings. Theory and practice of improvisation, pantomime and story dramatization.
THTR 133
• FUNDAMENTALS OF DIRECTING
The course is designed for theater students or for persons within the community who have a desire to learn about the overall role and function of the stage director and to apply this knowledge in a practical manner. The course includes a study of the history, theory and conceptualization matrixes of directing and the practical experience in selecting and casting a play, planning rehearsals, blocking, script analysis and working with actors. Also included are scenery, lighting, costume, properties and stage management concepts and coordination.
THTR 160
• TELEVISION PRODUCTION I
Television Production I explores the purposes, scope, methods and materials for visual and aural broadcasting, planning, organization, rehearsing, editing and recording announcements and programs; studio procedures and presentations; preparations and treatment of content and form. Television Production I is a combination of "book learning" and hands-on experience in a television studio. At the completion of this course a student will have experience in camera operation, technical direction, directing, audio operation, tape operation, on-camera experience and other studio related activities.
THTR 161
• TELEVISION PRODUCTION II
Prerequisite: THTR 160 (formerly SPTH 160) or equivalent.
Television Production II is an intermediate study and practice of the knowledge, procedures and skills developed in THTR 160. The course is designed as a field production class. The students' job will include shooting, editing, producing, directing, lighting, writing, presenting and all other skills required to produce high quality materials in the field. Multiple deadlines will be faced which will require diligent work outside of class.
THTR 175
• MUSICAL THEATER
This course examines the development of the genre from its operatic roots in Europe to the present day. It will focus on the social and political influences on the art, the influence of composers on each other and landmark productions, which changed the direction of this developing form. The students will also have practical experiences in the prime performance areas of musical theatre (acting, singing and dancing), that will culminate in a mock audition and/or a scene performance.
THTR 176
• MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP I
Prerequisite: Audition and/or approval of instructor.
Performance of Musical Theater Production.
THTR 180
• CINEMA AS ART AND COMMUNICATION
This course will teach students to appreciate, interpret and respond to selected films from particular genres, directors or actors and to recognize the human values these films depict. It will also introduce students to some of the techniques of filmmaking in general. (same as HUM 105).
THTR 198
• SPECIAL TOPICS SPEECH AND THEATER
Various short courses and experimental classes covering a variety of subjects. The course will be a variable credit of one-half to six credits depending on the course content and number of hours required. The course may be repeated for up to six credits. *
THTR 200
• INTRODUCTION TO STAGE VOICE I
The course will cover four general areas: 1. Voice Improvement 2. 'Transatlantic' speech 3. Phonetics and 4. Stage dialects.
THTR 204
• THEATER TECHNOLOGY I
This course consists of a three-hour-a-week lecture/discussion/demonstration plus 25 hours of lab during the semester. The course focuses on safety, functions of scenery, costuming, tools and material, scene painting, stage draperies, color in theater, lighting and electricity, stage sound and specialized theater equipment.
THTR 205
• INTRODUCTION TO ACTING II
Prerequisite: THTR 105 (formerly SPTH 130) or approval of instructor.
Continued work on scenes and on principles of auditioning, role analysis, play rehearsal and problems related to sustaining a stage performance.
THTR 206
• THEATER WORKSHOP: ACTING III
Prerequisite: THTR 105 (formerly SPTH 130) and THTR 205 (formerly SPTH 131).
A continuation of THTR 105 (formerly SPTH 130) and THTR 205 (formerly SPTH 131) with emphasis on internal work, auditioning, script analysis, characterizations and performance.
THTR 207
• LABORATORY THEATER: ACTING IV
Prerequisite: THTR 105 (formerly SPTH 130), THTR 205 (formerly SPTH 131) and THTR 206 (formerly SPTH 132) or comparative experience with instructor's approval
Intensive and individualized work for advanced acting students. Advanced application of actor training using techniques and philosophies of Stanislavski, Grotowski, Meisner, and Suzuki.
THTR 209
• THEATER PRACTICUM
Prerequisite: Audition required.
An advanced course for serious students of theater who want to pursue acting, directing and play production in depth. The course culminates with a public performance. Rehearsal hours are arranged and announced at the beginning of the semester.
THTR 210
• THEATER: A CULTURAL CONTEXT
This is a course designed to increase one's understanding and appreciation of multicultural theatrical art forms and artists who are creating outside of mainstream American theatre. The language, as well as the aural and visual components of the plays, will be explored. Satisfies TMCC Diversity requirement.
THTR 221
• INTERPRETATION
Introduction to the performance of literature (poetry, prose, script and oral history). Emphasis on textual analysis as well as vocal and physical techniques of performance.
THTR 225
• DRAMA IN PERFORMANCE
Three-day field trip to attend the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association productions. Students will see the plays and write a critical review on each. They will also be required to attend discussions after each play. *
THTR 231
• CHILDREN'S THEATER
Produce plays for child audiences; application of concepts of child development to aesthetic problems of theatre for young audiences through reading, discussion and participation.
THTR 235
• ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
Introduction to performance in television and film. Basic performance techniques will be explored, culminating in a final project.
THTR 258
• THEATER EXPERIENCE AND TRAVEL
A field study class in which students travel to an arranged destination for the purpose of play viewing, play study and possible workshop attendance.
THTR 276
• MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP II
Prerequisite: THTR 176 plus audition and/or approval of instructor.
Continuation of Performance of Musical Theater Production.
THTR 290
• INTERNSHIP IN SPEECH AND THEATER
A course designed wherein students will apply knowledge to real on-the-job situations in a program designed by a company official and a faculty advisor to maximize learning experiences. Available to students who have completed all core and major requirements and have a 2.5 GPA. Contact the appropriate chairperson for the application, screening and required skills evaluation. Up to eight semester hour credits may be earned on the basis of 100 hours of internship for one credit. May be repeated for up to eight credits. *
THTR 295
• INDEPENDENT STUDY: THEATER
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
Tutorial study of special projects in theater. A student submits a detailed project description and the objectives and learning outcomes specific to the project are formulated by the instructor and the student.
* This course might not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). If you plan to pursue a four-year degree, check with the institution where you intend to transfer to learn whether this course will count toward the degree you intend to seek.