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USF 1998-99 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 222 - 224 | Course Descriptions |

THEATRE (TAR)

The Department Major

The Department of Theatre is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). Through its curriculum and production program, the Department of Theatre offers seriously interested students the opportunity to prepare themselves, within a liberal arts atmosphere, for a professional career in the theatre; or to continue their studies at the graduate level.

For over 30 years, our exclusively undergraduate program has prepared critically aware and skilled theatre practitioners who have used what they have learned from us and with us in theatre, film, television, and a variety of other careers.

The department’s mission is to educate students in the art of theatre, to conduct original research, and to present challenging productions to the university and Tampa Bay communities.

Students may graduate with a broad based theatre arts degree, or they may specialize in performance, design, or theatre education. Computer assisted design (CAD), playwriting, stage combat, circus skills, musical theatre, and puppetry are among the many electives available.

Special Features

  1. The endowed British International Theatre Program (BRIT) brings five or more professional artists from the UK to work with upper level students for 6-8 weeks each spring semester.
  2. The John W. Holloway endowed chair in theatre and dance provides funds annually for guest artist residencies.
  3. USF’s Theatre Department has a formal student Exchange Program with Middlesex University in London, England.
  4. The Theatre Department Honors Program allows small select groups of upper division students to work on special projects with faculty and guest artists for up to one year.

Visiting Artists and Artists-in-Residence

TheatreUSF actively promotes guests on campus. A representative list of artists from the last ten years includes: Abel and Gordon, Peter Barkworth, Bill Bryden, Daniel Chumley, Russel Craig, Matthew Francis, George Froscher, Christopher Fry, John and Lisel Gale, Patrick Garland, Ronald Harwood, Jeff Jones, Sam Mendes, Bob Moody, Eric Overmyer, Louise Page, Estelle Parsons, Olga Petrovna, Roni Pinkovitch, Dennis Quilley, L. Kenneth Richardson, Lord Brian Rix, Dorothy Tutin, Robert Wierzel, and Jose Yglesias. These and others have helped the department develop relationships with: Greenwich Theatre (London), London’s West End, The Royal National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company,The Actors’ Studio, Broadway, San Francisco Mime Troupe, Free Theatre of Munich, The Chichester Festival, The Edinburgh Festival, The Spoleto Festival, Yale Repertory Theatre, and the Habimah Theatre in Israel.

Requirements for the B.A. Degree with a major in Theatre

Of the total 120 credit hours needed for graduation in the Performance, Design, or Theatre Arts areas, the student following the Performance area must take a minimum of 54 credit hours, and the student following the Design area or Theatre Arts area must take a minimum of 55 credit hours within the Department of Theatre. In addition, a maximum of 7 credit hours (Performance) and a maximum of 6 credit hours (Design or Theatre Arts) may apply to the theatre electives area.

NOTE: The Theatre Education Track is currently under revision..

The student may choose one of four areas for the B.A. degree: Performance, Design, Theatre Arts, or Theatre Education. Common to all is the following core:

Core Curriculum (35 hours)

Theatre Crafts Lab: TPA 2200 Theatre Crafts Stagecraft, TPA 2223 Theatre Crafts Lighting, TPA 2232 Theatre Crafts Costume has a laboratory (LAB) in addition to the regularly scheduled class sessions. LAB guidelines are available in the Theatre office.

Production Involvements: All Theatre Majors must complete 4 PI’s (Production Involvements) as part of their graduation requirements. PI’s must be taken under THE 3925 Production Involvement and/or THE 4927 Advanced Production Involvement for a total of 4 PI’s. Students may register for PI credit beginning in the second semester of the Sophomore year upon completion of 45 credit hours and are expected to register each consecutive semester until completion of the four involvements. PI assignments are made by faculty committee following the student’s completion of a PI request form and registration in the course. PI guidelines and request forms are available in the Theatre Office.

Audition and Portfolio Review: All students desiring admittance into the Scene Study sequence must audition and those entering the upper level design sequence must present a portfolio. This normally occurs after the completion of the sophomore year.

Required Course for Areas of Study:

Performance Area (54 hours minimum with core) - 19 hours as follows:

Design Area (55 hours minimum with core) - 20 hours Theatre, 4 hours Art as follows:

Theatre Arts Area

The Theatre Arts area is intended for the student who, in consultation with the Theatre Advisor, wishes to construct his/her own degree program from a broad spectrum of theatre courses. In addition to courses in performance and design, areas of study available are Puppetry, Playwriting, Stage Management, Directing, Literature and Criticism. (55 hours minimum with core) - 20 hours as follows:

Two credit hours from any of the Performance sequence of courses (TPP) plus eighteen hours to be selected from the Theatre Department’s course offerings.

Theatre Education Area

NOTE: The Theatre Education Track is currently under revision.

Completion of the Theatre Education concentration certifies students to teach in Florida, grades K-12. In addition to Department of Theatre requirements, students must meet the College of Education’s upper level entrance requirements.

Theatre Courses: (54 hours minimum with core) - 20 hours as follows:

Choice of one:

Education Courses:

Foundations:

Special Methods:

Practice Experience:

Requirement for a Minor in Theatre (23 hours minimum):

Choice of one:

The remaining 10 hours are to be selected by the student with the advice of the theatre advisor. At least 9 hours must be upper level courses. The Theatre Advisor will be available to assist the student in developing a course of study that will meet the needs of the individual student.

Students desiring admittance into the Scene Study sequence must audition and those entering the upper level Design sequence must have a portfolio review.

nt) as part of their graduation requirements. PI’s must be taken under: THE 3925 -Performance 1 credit and/or THE 4927 - Advanced Performance 1 credit hour for a total of two (2) hours. Students may register for PI credit in the second semester of the Sophomore year upon completion of 45 credit hours and are expected to register each consecutive semester until completion of two involvements.

HONORS PROGRAM

The Honors Program is available to upper level majors who have a 3.5 GPA in the major and a 3.2 overall GPA and who have achieved a comparably high level of artistic and or scholarly achievement. A 6-8 credit one-year sequence of courses is offered to student accepted into the Honors Program. The sequence progresses from a reading seminar to a guest artist practicum to a student thesis or project.

Guest artists have been working professionals from New York, San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, Munich, London, Tel Aviv.

Prerequisites (State Mandated Common Prerequisites)

Students should complete the A.A. degree at the community college. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education Requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university. A minimum of 60 semester hours must be completed at the university unless prior approval is secured from the university advisor listed above. If a student wishes to transfer without an A.A. degree and has fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the student must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements. Please be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university. This is a non-limited access program with the above courses recommended.

Students need not have completed a concentration of courses in theatre in order to consider a Theatre major at USF. Admission to upper-level Theatre Performance program is by audition for each level of Scene Study. Admission to upper-level Design sequence is by portfolio review. If the student does not succeed in passing the audition or portfolio review certain Theatre program requirements may have to be repeated (i.e., TPP 3111 Workshop in Text Analysis, or TPA 3004 Means of Visual Expression) until successful completion of the audition or portfolio review can be achieved.

Students should complete the following prerequisite courses listed below at the lower level prior to entering the University. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of “C” is the minimum acceptable grade. If students are coming to the University from a community college, the following prerequisite courses will be accepted as meeting lower level requirements.

British International Theatre Program (BRIT)

The BRIT Program is available each spring semester to 16 advanced theatre students by audition. The program consists of master classes and/or production experience with select guest artists from the U.K. Advanced scene study students are eligible for tuition remission for the three credit BRIT Program course.


USF 1998-99 Undergraduate Catalog - Page 224

THEATRE FACULTY


Chairperson: D. M. Calandra; Professors: D. M. Calandra, N. B. Cole, W. A. Lorenzen, P. Massie, P. B. O'Sullivan; Associate Professors: J. W. Belt, P. M. Finelli, B. W. Lee, A. G. Lillethun, C. Steele, D. K. Williams; Assistant Professor: G.B. Stephens; Lecturer: M. A. Bentley; Guest Professor: F. Green; Adjunct Professors: J. Norton, R. Orlando, C. Frankel, D. Frankel.
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USF 1998-99 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 233 - 235

THEATRE COURSES

THE 2020 THEATRE FUNDAMENTALS (2)

An introduction to the art of theatre as part of the larger context of the nature of art itself. The approach will be both chronological and multi-cultural. This course open to non-majors and theatre majors should take this course concurrently with their first registration in the group of courses TPA 2200, TPA 2223, TPA 2232, TPP 2110. Required of all theatre majors.

THE 3090C MODERN THEATRE PRACTICE -6A (4)

Initial readings and exercises in theatre; play analysis, performance, and technical theatre for non-theatre majors.

THE 3110 THEATRE HISTORY -XMW (4)

PR: THE 2020. The study of theatrical production in its cultural context, including theatre architecture, scenography, acting and directing. Normally fifteen plays will be read. Required of all theatre majors. Open to non-majors.

THE 3925 PRODUCTION INVOLVEMENT (1)

The rehearsal, construction, and performance of major theatrical works. Assignments are made by a faculty committee following the student's completion of a PI request form, available in the Theatre Office, and enrollment in this course. May be repeated. Open to non-majors with CI.

THE 4180 THEATRE ORIGINS -6A -XMW (4)

PR: THE 3100 and one of the following: THE 4320, THE 4330, THE 4360, THE 4401, THE 4442, THE 4480. An analysis of the development of theatre out of myth, ritual, and liturgy. Emphasis placed on what attempts to understand the resulting phenomena (e.g. Aristotle's Poetics) can teach us about the nature of our art. Either THE 4180 or THE 4562 is required of all theatre majors. Open to senior non-majors with CI.

THE 4264 HISTORY OF COSTUME (3)

A survey of clothing and dress from Ancient Egypt to the 20th Century with an emphasis on cultural and social influences. (A requirement in the design track/costume.) Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4266 ARCHITECTURE AND DECOR (3)

A survey of architecture and furniture from ancient Egypt to the 20th Century. (A requirement in the design track/scenic.) Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4320 THE THEATRE OF MYTH AND RITUAL/NORTHERN EUROPEAN (950-1600) AND ORIENTAL (400-1200) -6A -XMW (3)

PR: THE 3100. An investigation into the interrelationship of myth, ritual, and theatre. Considers northern European liturgical and secular plays as compared with Hindu, Chinese, and Japanese drama. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4330 SHAKESPEARE FOR THE THEATRE -6A -XMW -XLW (3)

PR: THE 3100. A close study of selected plays with special emphasis on their performance values. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4360 THE 19TH CENTURY THEATRE REVOLUTION -6A -XLW (3)

PR: THE 3100. Survey of the European art theatre revolution against the romantic realism of the commercial stage and its effect on subsequent theatre activity. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4401 O' NEILL AND AFTER -6A -XMW (3)

PR: THE 3100. A course in the function of the script for the theatre artist treating materials in the American Theatre from 1915 to 1964. Open to upper-level non-majors with CI.

THE 4435 THEATRE OF PLURALISM -6A -XMW (3)

PR: THE 3100. The practice of theatre as it reflects cultural heritage, gender, race and sexual orientation. Study of contemporary scripts, critical and artistic statements. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4442 THE COMEDY OF THE CLASSIC AND NEO-CLASSIC STAGE -6A -XLW (3)

PR: THE 3100. A study of comedic function in scripts from Greek and Roman, Restoration and French Neoclassic of the late 17th century and other plays from the late 18th and late 19th centuries which reflect similar characteristics. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4480 DRAMA-SPECIAL TOPICS (3)

PR: THE 3100. A study of a significant playwright or grouping of playwrights, e.g. Moliere, Brecht, recent American dramatists. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

THE 4562 CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE THEORY -6A -XMW (4)

PR: THE 3100 and one from the following: The 4320, THE 4330, THE 4370, THE 4401, THE 4442, THE 4480; or CI. A seminar for advanced students focusing on the theory and practice of performance.

THE 4593 HONORS SEMINAR (2)

Readings in the literature, history and theory of the stage in preparation for Theatre Honors Practicum. Past topics have included New German Theatre, Popular Theatre, New American Theatre, Jacoben Theatre. Enrollment limited to upper level majors who have been formally admitted to the department honors program. Not available S/U. May not be repeated except under special and unusual circumstances.

THE 4594 HONORS PRACTICUM (3)

PR: THE 4593. Honors Practicum grows out of the Honors Seminar and engages students in workshops or production with guest artists. Past artists have included the Free Theatre of Munich, the San Francisco Mime Troupe, playwrights Eric Overmeyer, Jeff Jones and Gary Hill. May not be repeated except under special and unusual circumstances.

THE 4595 HONORS THESIS (1-3)

PR: THE 4594. A practical or written thesis related to the seminar and practicum and approved by the departmental honors committee.

THE 4905 DIRECTED STUDIES (1-4)

Independent studies in the various areas of Theatre. Course of study and credits must be assigned prior to registration.

THE 4927 ADVANCED PRODUCTION INVOLVEMENT (1)

PR: THE 3925 or CI. The rehearsal, construction, and performance of major theatrical works. Assignments are made by a faculty committee following the student's completion of a PI request form, available in the Theatre Office, and enrollment in this course. May be repeated. Open to non-majors with CI.

THE 4930 SELECTED TOPICS IN THEATRE (1-8)

PR: CI. The content of the course will be governed by student demand and instructor interest. May be lecture or class discussion or studio format. May be repeated for credit for different topics only.

THE 5909 DIRECTED STUDIES (1-6)

PR: CI and CC. Independent studies in the various areas of Theatre. Course of study and credits must be assigned prior to registration.

THE 5931 SELECTED TOPICS IN THEATRE (1-8)

PR: CI. The content of the course will be governed by the student demand and instructor interest. May be lecture or class discussion or studio format. May be repeated for credit for different topics only.

TPA 2200 THEATRE CRAFTS: STAGECRAFT (3)

Required of all theatre majors. The basic materials, equipment, and skills used in scenic construction and painting for theatrical productions. An introductory course with lab. Open to non-majors.

TPA 2223 THEATRE CRAFTS: LIGHTING (3)

Required of all design majors. This course or TPA 2232 is required of all theatre majors. The basic equipment and skills used in lighting stage productions. An introductory course with lab. Open to non-majors.

TPA 2232 THEATRE CRAFTS: COSTUME (3)

Required of all design majors. This course or TPA 2223 is required of all theatre majors. Open to non-majors. The basic materials, equipment, and skills used in costume construction for the stage. An introductory course with lab.

TPA 2248 WORKSHOP IN STAGE MAKEUP (1)

Beginning theory and practice in make-up for the stage. Open to non-majors. Theatre majors given preference. A studio course.

TPA 3004 MEANS OF VISUAL EXPRESSION (3)

PR: Completion of the four required 2000 level courses. The study of presentational techniques for visual design and technology as applied to the development of visual dynamics. Required of all theatre majors. Open to non-majors with TPA 2200 and CI.

TPA 3221 LIGHTING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (3)

PR: TPA 2223 and TPA 3004. Intermediate lighting design course concerned with graphic presentations, color theory, design concepts, and practical experience with computer lighting systems. A requirement in the design track/lighting. Open to upper level non-majors with TPA 2223 and CI.

TPA 3260 SOUND FOR THE STAGE (3)

PR: TPA 2223. Basic study of audio components, fundamental properties of sound, multiple channel recording, editing, reproduction and reinforcement. Methods and techniques used in theatre to create sound effects. Open to non-majors with CI.

TPA 3601 STAGE MANAGEMENT (2)

PR: TPA 2200, TPA 2223, or TPA 2232. A practical course in the working organizational function of the stage manager in theatre, dance, opera, and other live performance situations. Open to non-majors with CI.

TPA 3810 INTRODUCTION TO PUPPETRY (3)

PR: Completion of the four required 2000 level courses. Principles and methods of puppetry with a historical survey of major forms and practical problems with laboratory production. Open to nonmajors with CI.

TPA 3840 PUPPETRY PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION (4)

PR: TPA 3810. The creation, building, rehearsal, and performance of plays for puppet theatre. May be repeated one time for additional elective credit, with CI, to total of 8 hours. Open to non-majors with CI.

TPA 4020 LIGHT DESIGN (4)

PR: ART 3301C, TPA 3221, TPA 4208 and portfolio review. The aesthetic and practical application of the elements of design in lighting for theatre presentation. A requirement in the design track/lighting.

TPA 4040 COSTUME DESIGN (4)

PR: ART 3301C, THE 4264, TPA 2232 and portfolio review. The aesthetic and practical application of the elements of design in costume for theatre presentation. A requirement in the design track/costume.

TPA 4060 SCENE DESIGN (4)

PR: TPA 4208, THE 4266, ART 3301C and portfolio review. The aesthetic and practical application of the elements of design in scenery for theatre presentation. A requirement in the design track/scenic.

TPA 4077 SCENE PAINTING (2)

PR: TPA 3004. A practical course in the painting of stage scenery: media and application. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPA 4208 STAGECRAFT AND DRAFTING (3)

PR: TPA 3004. A practical course in drafting for the stage, scenic construction and application. A requirement in the design/scenic and lighting. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPA 4231 COSTUME CONSTRUCTION (3)

PR: TPA 2232 and TPA 3004. A practical course in the drafting of patterns for costuming the actor. Materials, skills, and techniques for construction of costumes and costume accessories will be treated. Included topics are millinery, footwear, jewelry, masks, armor, corsetry; both period and modern. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPA 4273 STAGE PROPERTIES: TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS STUDIO (2)

PR: TPA 3004. Demonstration of and experience with materials used in construction of stage properties. Modeling of prototypes and basic casting techniques. Organization of shop. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 2110 VOICE-BODY-IMPROVISATION (3)

Exploring the elements basic to acting skills, a participation course. Required of all theatre majors. Open to non-majors.

TPP 2111 WORKSHOP FOR TEXT ANALYSIS (3)

PR: Completion of the four required 2000 level theatre courses. An introduction to the analysis of distinct styles of plays, normally to include at least one contemporary realistic play and one classical play. Focus will be on the actor's or director's close reading of a script as a preparation for performance. Required of all theatre majors. Open to non-majors with TPP 2110 and CI.

TPP 2500 BODY DISCIPLINES (2)

PR: Completion of four required 2000 level theatre courses. A laboratory course in various disciplines or systems in controlling and understanding the body’s motive powers, with focus on their use for the stage performer. Required of all theatre majors with a performance concentration. May be repeated for credit. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 3121 IMPROVISATION I (3)

PR: Completion of the four required 2000 level courses. An intensive study in improvisation as an enhancement of the actor’s skills. Exercises and theatre games as flexible forms which accommodate improvisation and physical invention are examined and used to develop group creativity. Open to non-majors with CI.

TPP 3235 THEATRE FOR SPECIAL AUDIENCES (3)

PR: Completion of the four required 2000 level courses and/or CI. The preparation and performance of a production for a special audience (ethnic, children, aged, institutionalized, etc.) With CI, may be repeated one time as additional elective credit (total of 6 hours). Open to non-majors with CI.

TPP 3580 SPECIAL SKILLS IN MOVEMENT (2)

PR: TPP 3500. Stage combat, circus and acrobatic techniques, and other special techniques of movement. May be repeated for credit. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 3790 VOICE PREPARATION FOR THE ACTOR (2)

PR: Completion of the four required 2000 level theatre courses. A laboratory in voice production and corrective speech for the actor. Required of all theatre majors with a performance concentration. May be repeated for credit. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 4140 STYLES OF ACTING (3)

PR: TPP 4150 or TPP 4230, and audition. Methodology and styles. Examination of the actor’s craft and skills needed to fulfill the demands of various theatre forms. Special attention will be paid to the history of acting styles. Required of all theatre majors with a performance concentration.

TPP 4150 SCENE STUDY I (3)

PR: TPP 3111 and audition. Basic scene study. Special problems in movement and speech to be integrated with character development, rehearsal techniques, and performance composition. Required of all theatre majors with a performance concentration.

TPP 4152 SCENE STUDY II (3)

PR: TPP 4150 Intermediate scene study. Required of all theatre majors with a performance concentration.

TPP 4180 ADVANCED SCENE STUDY (3)

PR: TPP 4140 and audition. The aesthetics of acting. The various theories of art. A studio course. Required of all theatre majors with a performance concentration.

TPP 4220 AUDITION WORKSHOP FOR THE ACTOR (2)

PR: TPP 4150 or TPP 4230. Preparation for professional audition; discussion of professional objectives. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 4230 LABORATORY WORKSHOP IN PERFORMANCE (3)

PR: TPP 3111 and audition. Special workshop in advanced techniques based upon individual problems and needs. May be repeated twice (for a total of 9 hours credit). Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 4250 MUSIC THEATRE WORKSHOP (3)

PR: TPP 3111. Special problems in acting as applied to the musical theatre with emphasis on singing and dance. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 4310, 4311 DIRECTING I, II (3,3)

PR: TPP 4150 or TPP 4230. An elective sequence in directing. A workshop course in which the student first encounters the basic tasks of the director by preparing and directing one or two scenes and then progresses to more complex scene work in a variety of styles and finally proceeds to the short play or theatre pieces.

TPP 4600 WRITING FOR THE THEATRE I (3)

PR: THE 3100, TPA 3004, and TPP 3111. An elective sequence in writing, in which the student first encounters the problems unique to dramatic language and situation, then progresses to complexities of character, plot, and stage dynamics. Normally the aim would be to complete several performance-worthy self-contained scenes. May be repeated for credit. Open to upper level non-majors with CI.

TPP 4920 SENIOR WORKSHOP FOR ACTORS (3)

PR: TPP 4152, TPP 3500, TPP 3790. A workshop in advanced vocal and movement techniques. Required for all theatre majors with a performance concentration.


USF 1998-99 Undergraduate Catalog - Page 236

THEATRE EDUCATION COURSES

EDG 4320 INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE DRAMA (3)

This course for classroom teachers introduces the theory and practice of creative drama as it applies to use by elementary, middle school and secondary school teachers.Beginning with a study of dramatic play as it relates to human development, the course includes basic strategies when using pantomime, voice improvisation, theatre games, and role playing and story dramatization.

THE 4722 THEATRE FOR PRE-SECONDARY SCHOOLS: THE PRODUCTION PROCESS (3)

The play production process as it applies to theatre artist-in-schools programs, including development of related classroom workshops and preparation of study guides, and educational program materials as well as design, direction and rehearsal of play and tourning methods. May be repeated for elective credit two times; once for major credit.

THE 4723 THEATRE FOR PRE-SECONDARY SCHOOLS: THE PERFORMANCE PROCESS (3)

The artistic process of performing for various school audiences and practice conducting classroom workshops following each performance. May be repeated for elective credit fwo times; once for major credit.

THE 4761 METHODS OF TEACHING THEATRE FOR ADOLESCENTS (3)

Methods of effective drama and theatre instructionin middle school, junior and senior high schools, recreation centers, community and professional theatres.


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Effective Date: Semester I, 1998

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