Theatre

Students majoring in theatre are required to complete a minimum of 33 hours in courses concerned exclusively with dramatic literature and the theatre.

Required courses are: 100: Fundamental of Theatre or 115W: Freshman Seminar - Treasure or Trash? Examining Theatrical Credibility, 110: Introduction to Theatre Production, 219: Acting I, 230: Play Direction, and 232: Shakespeare in the Theatre.

Two of the following:
212: Scenery and Properties
213: Lighting and Sound
214: Costuming and Makeup

Three of the following:
201: The Development of Drama and Theatre, Aeschylus to 1642.
202: The Development of Drama and Theatre, 1642 to 1920.
203: Contemporary Drama and Theatre
204: Development of the American Theatre

The Theatre Minor

A minor in theatre requires 18 hours of courses in the department, all of which are involved in one of three major areas of work offered to majors. In addition, 100: Fundamental of Theatre or 115W: Freshman Seminar - Treasure or Trash? Examining Theatrical Credibility and 232: Shakespeare in the Theatre are required in each option plus courses from one of the following lists:

Dramatic Literature/Theatre History

Choose four from the following:
201: The Development of Drama and Theatre, Aeschylus to 1642.
202: The Development of Drama and Theatre, 1642 to 1920.
203: Contemporary Drama and Theatre
204: Development of the American Theatre

205: History of Musical Theatre
289: Independent Study

Acting/Direction
Choose four from the following:
219: Acting I
220: Acting II
223: Problems of Acting Style
230: Play Direction
3 hours of 221: Rehearsal-Acting

Design/Technology
110. Introduction to Theatre Production (required)
Choose two from the following:
212: Scenery and Properties
213: Lighting and Sound
214: Costuming and Makeup

Theatre Classes

100. Fundamentals of Theatre. An introduction to the various elements which combine to form a theatrical experience; the development of critical standards to judge these elements in performance. FALL, SPRING. [3] Hallquist, Ullom.

110. Introduction to Theatrical Production. (Prerequisite for 212 and 213) Contemporary concepts, methods, and practices employed in the planning and implementation of stage scenery and lighting. Communication, creative problem solving, and organizational management through research, lecture, and class discussion. FALL, SPRING. [4] Otto.

115W. Freshman Seminar - Treasure or Trash? Examining Theatrical Credibility. The immediacy and excitement of attending live theatre is explored and experienced in this course through the evaluation of seven productions playing on campus and in the metropolitan area. There will be readings on and discussions of the nature of theatre, its individual elements, and its necessary place in the realm of human experience. The required texts are Edwin Wilson's The Theatre Experience, Robert Edmond Jones's The Dramatic Imagination, and three play scripts from the viewing list to be read and discussed prior to viewing. Students may not receive credit for both Theatre 115 and Theatre 100. This course will satisfy 3 hours of the Humanities requirement. FALL: Section 3 [3] J. Hallquist, Section 4 [3] Franck. SPRING: Section 3 [3] Franck.

115W. Freshman Seminar - Musicals! All Singing! All Dancing!. The American musical remains the most popular form of theatrical entertainment since its inception in 1866. By exploring and discussing the genre's history and development, participants will gain an appreciation for the unique history of musicals as well as a critical eye toward the craftsmanship and artistry involved in creating a theatrical work. Through the course material and written critiques, the students will be challenged to undergo the creative process as well as analyze the work of established artists, critiquing their work through a perspective of understanding the creator's intentions. Students will gain first-hand experience as creators of musicals as the class explores and debates what makes a great musical and what makes a musical great. This course will not substitute for Theatre 100 of Theatre 115W ("Treasure or Trash") as a prerequisite. This course will satisfy 3 hours of the Humanities requirement. FALL: Section 5 [3] Ullom. Not currently offered.

170. Introduction to Film Making. Basics of motion picture production through the creation of four short video projects. Practical analysis of shorts, documentaries, and feature films. Emphasis on storytelling with a camera. FALL, SPRING. [4] Akers.

201-202. The Development of Drama and Theatre. A historical and critical study of significant drama and the physical theatre from its beginning to 1900. 201: Aeschylus to 1642. 202: 1642 to 1920. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or the consent of the instructor. FALL, SPRING. [3-3] 201 (Offered alternate years); 202 (Offered alternate years). Ullom.

203. Contemporary Drama and Theatre. A critical study of significant drama and theories of theatrical production in Europe and America since 1900 with special emphasis on the emergence of the American theatre to a position of international importance. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or the consent of the instructor. SPRING. [3] (Offered alternate years.) Ullom.

204. Development of the American Theatre. (Also listed as American and Southern Studies 205) Theatrical activity in the United States from the colonial period to the present. The course will include the reading of selected plays. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and 100 or 115W. FALL. [3] (Offered alternate years) J. Hallquist.

205. American Musical Theatre. The American musical remains the most popular form of theatrical entertainment since its inception in 1866. By exploring and discussing the genre's history and development, participants will gain appreciation for the unique history of musicals as well as a critical eye toward the craftsmanship and artistry involved in creating this distinctly American form. Students who have taken Theatre 115W ("Musicals") are prohibited from taking this class. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the instructor. SUMMER. [3] (Offered alternate years.) Ullom.

211. Rehearsal-Production. Students performing major technical assignments in university theatre productions may receive 1 hour credit per assignment at the discretion of the technical director. Detailed plans of expected work and full reports on all crew sessions are to be submitted. Prerequisite: 212, 213, or 214 as appropriate. FALL, SPRING. [Variable credit: 1-2; may be repeated to a maximum of 3].

212-213-214. Elements of Basic Design: Physical aspects of the theatre explored as an aid to understanding and critical evaluation of their role in the art of the theatre.

212. Scenery and Properties. Prerequisite: 100 or 115W (or consent of the instructor) and 110. FALL. [4] Franck.

213. Lighting and Sound. Prerequisite: 100 or 115W (or consent of the instructor) and 110. SPRING. [4] Franck.

214. Costuming and Makeup. Prerequisite: 100 or 115W (or consent of the instructor) and 110. FALL. [3] Sargent.

219. Acting I. The actor's role in the theatre with emphasis on acting as artistic self expression through improvisation and development of performance skills. Prerequisite: 100 or 115W or consent of the instructor. FALL, SPRING. [3] J. Hallquist.

220. Acting II. The actor's role in the theatre with emphasis on acting as character interpretation and ensemble performance through analysis and scene study. Prerequisite: 219 and 100 or 115W or consent of the instructor. Not available on P/D/F basis. SPRING. [3] T. Hallquist.

221. Rehearsal - Acting. Students performing major roles in university theatre productions may receive 1 credit hour per role at the discretion of the director. Full character analysis and periodic reports of rehearsal progress are required. Prerequisite: 220. FALL, SPRING. [variable credit: 1-2; may be repeated to a maximum of 3].

223. Problems of Acting Style. Advanced scene study, investigating methods used today to perform drama of past eras which used non realistic styles. Prerequisite: 220. Not available on a P/D/F basis. SPRING [3] J. Hallquist. (Offered alternate years).

225. Playwriting. Instruction in writing plays with critical attention to dramatic themes and characterization. Prerequisite: 100 or 115W and consent of the instructor. SPRING. [3] Akers.

227. Screenwriting. (Also listed as English 223) An introduction to the techniques of screenwriting. Admission by consent of the instructor. FALL. [3] Akers.

230. Play Direction. Play direction as an aid to critical understanding and appreciation of the theatre. Development of techniques. Prerequisite: 219 and 100 or 115W or consent of the instructor. FALL. [3] T. Hallquist.

232. Shakespeare in the Theatre. An intensive analytical study of selected plays and scenes designed to acquaint the student with the interaction between script, theatre, and audience in terms of production in the theatre. SPRING. [3] T. Hallquist.

271. American Film Forms. A critical study of major forms of feature length motion pictures especially associated with American filmmaking. Representative examples of five major genres. SUMMER. [3] J. Hallquist.

280. Theatre in London. An intensive overseas summer study program in contemporary British theatre. In London, students attend fifteen productions - covering a broad spectrum of theatrical offerings - and weekly seminars with artists and administrators from the British professional stage. Prerequisite: either Theatre 100, English 105W, or consent of the instructor. SUMMER. [3] (Offered alternate years.) Ullom.

289. Independent Study. A research project in selected aspects of theatre and drama to be arranged with the instructor. FALL, SPRING. [Variable credit: 1-3] Staff.

294. Selected Topics in Theatre. Intensive study of a particular area of theatre. Emphasis on personal investigation and written reports. [3] Staff.

299. Senior Honors Thesis. Independent research and completion of an honor thesis, done in consultation with a member of the faculty in the theatre department. This course is open only to those students who qualify to begin honor work in theatre. FALL, SPRING [3-3]. Ullom.

VUT's Mission Statement

We support the mission of the College of Arts and Science by serving as a vital site of innovative scholarship and teaching, as well as creative expression and humanistic exploration. Theatre uniquely approaches this humanistic journey by shaping perceptions about our lives into an active experience that allows for critical thought and discussion. Our department provides this important and unique aspect of a liberal arts education through its production season and curriculum. We use Neely Auditorium and our production season as practical extensions of that curriculum, a laboratory where students learn to form creative expressions as well as to evaluate and critique them.

Goals

The Theatre Department has three main goals within a liberal arts curriculum:

1) To help the general student begin developing reasoned standards of criticism and to understand the intimate correlation between the theatre and the society which it reflects.

2) To provide our majors and minors with a more detailed and specialized study of the major components of theatrical endeavor and to provide the opportunity for practical application of that instruction on actual productions staged at the theatre.

3) To prepare students with professional aspirations as either teachers or artists for further post graduate training and/or education.

Learn about the Fred Coe Artist In Residence Series, a program bringing some of the strongest people in their fields to teach small classes at Vanderbilt.

For more information, please contact Laura Hynek.
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