Theatre Arts Performance

Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.

Theatre Core
THE 115 Fundamentals of Acting — 3
THE 121 Contemporary Theatre Practice — 3
THE 123 Script Analysis for the Theatre — 3
THE 125 Stagecraft — 3
THE 226 Fundamentals of Design — 3 OR THE 230 Costume Construction — 3
THE 316 Fundamentals of Directing — 3 OR THE 318 Stage Management — 3

TWO of the following Theatre History Courses:

THE 336 History of Theatre and Drama I — 3
THE 337 History of Theatre and Drama II — 3
THE 338 History of Theatre and Drama III — 3
THE 339 History of the American Musical Theatre — 3

THE 410 Senior Seminar/Capstone Project — 3
THE 439 Global Encounters — 3
Theatre Practicum — a total of 3 hours (6 sections @ .5 hours per section)

Required Additional Courses:
THE 201 The Actor's Instrument — 3
THE 215 Intermediate Acting — 3
THE 311 Professional Development Seminar, Performance — 3
THE 315 Advanced Acting (Meisner Technique) — 3
THE 415 Acting Period Styles (Shakespeare) — 3
THE 401 Acting for the Camera — 3

One of the following Performance courses:

THE 301 The Actor's Instrument II — 3
THE 303 Stage Combat — 3
THE 305 Stage Dialects — 3
THE 494 London or Las Vegas Excursion — 3
THE 498 Explorations in Theatre Performance (various topics) — 3

Total Hours: 54

THE 107 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Variety of theatre assignments and performance responsibility working on productions. Prerequisite:

THE 108 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Variety of theatre assignments and performance responsibility working on productions.

THE 115 - Fundamentals of Acting (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
An introduction to the theories, principles, and practices of acting for the stage.

THE 121 - Contemporary Theatre Practice (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
An introduction to the trends and issues in today's theatre with an emphasis on the process of creating collaborative art and building a shared vocabulary and personal aesthetic.

THE 125 - Stagecraft (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
An introduction to the principles and practices of scenic construction, safety, painting, and lighting. Explores types and utilization of scenery for theatre. Practical application through projects and work in the University Theatre.

THE 131 - Introduction to Theatre (3 hours)
Gen. Ed. FA
Core Curr. FA
Encouraging audience appreciation of the theatre through attending area theatre activities, discussions, and supplementary readings.

THE 141 - Film Appreciation (3 hours)
Gen. Ed. FA
Core Curr. FA
Encouraging audience appreciation of film art by surveying film history, genres, and technique through lecture, discussion, supplemental reading, and the viewing of domestic and foreign films.

THE 201 - The Actor's Instrument I (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Techniques for developing a unified practice in voice and movement for rehearsal and performance on stage. Basic anatomy the voice and body, especially as they relate to breath, support, and alignment. Working from a "neutral state" individually and in groups, recognizing ad correcting inefficient behaviors, learning the International Phonetic alphabet, and foundational work with poetic texts and period movement. Prerequisite: THE 115, THE 121, and acceptance in the Performance Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 207 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continuation of THE 107, THE 108. Prerequisite: THE 107 or THE 108 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 208 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continuation of THE 107, THE 108. Prerequisite: THE 107 or THE 108 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 215 - Intermediate Acting (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continuation of THE 115 focusing on the development of the actor's technique through script analysis, exercises, and scene study. Prerequisite: THE 115, THE 121, THE 123, and acceptance in the Performance Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 223 - Script Analysis for the Theatre (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Fundamentals of directing the play: script analysis, event and action, casting, rehearsal and staging, working with actors and designers.

THE 225 - Advanced Stagecraft (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
A continuation of THE 125. Advanced principles and practices of scenic construction, safety, painting, and technical direction. Practical application through projects and work in the University Theatre. Prerequisite: THE 226 and acceptance into the Production Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 226 - Fundamentals of Design (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Principles, practices, and concepts of scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design, as well as theatre graphics skills. Prerequisite: THE 121, THE 125, THE 123, or acceptance into the Production Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 227 - Make-Up for the Stage (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Instruction and practical experience with make-up for the stage: types, application methods, and design techniques.

THE 229 - Cadd for Theatre (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Instruction and practical experience with computer aided drafting and design (CADD) for use in theatre production: software, hardware, application methods, and rendering techniques. Prerequisite: THE 226 and acceptance into the Production Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 230 - Costume Construction (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
An introduction to the principles and practices of costume construction, including safety, cutting, stitching, and draping. Explores types and utilization of costuming for theatre. Practical application through projects and work in the University Theatre.

THE 301 - The Actor's Instrument II (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
A continuation of the principles and techniques introduced in THE 201, The Actor's Instrument I. Prerequisite: THE 115; THE 121; THE 201; THE 215 and acceptance in the Performance Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 303 - Stage Combat (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
A performance course focused on the concepts and techniques utilized in the advanced stage movement skill of stage combat with emphasis on hand-to-hand and Elizabethan rapier styles. Prerequisite: THE 115 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 305 - Dialects for Actors (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Students learn to listen to and vocally produce regional and international dialects of English with emphasis on cultural context and technique for both prepared texts and improvisational work. Prerequisite: THE 201

THE 307 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Continuation of THE 207, THE 208. Prerequisite: THE 207 or THE 208 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 308 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Continuation of THE 207, THE 208. Prerequisite: THE 207 or THE 208 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 310 - Professional Development Seminar, Production (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
A preparatory course exploring opportunities for graduate school, internships, and employment in the performing arts with a concentration on production, design, and technology. Prerequisite: THE 115, THE 121, THE 123, THE 226, or consent of instructor and department chair

THE 311 - Professional Development Seminar, Performance (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
A preparatory course exploring opportunities for graduate school, internships, and employment in the performing arts with a concentration on performance. Prerequisite: THE 115, THE 121, THE 123, or consent of instructor and department chair

THE 314 - Acting The Song (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
The purpose of this course is to apply essential acting and musical skills to the interpretation and performance of songs from the musical theatre. The course builds upon foundations established in the THE 115 Fundamentals of Acting course, as well as in Applied Music Lessons, and Ear Training/Sight Singing classes. Students will integrate relaxation, personalization, and focus on the Other, to bring presence, urgency, specificity, and deeper emotional expressiveness to their work on songs. They also will learn to select and prepare appropriate audition material, present research through analysis of character, script, and lyrics, and to assess their work and the work of others in clear, constructive terms. Prerequisite: THE 115; THE 121 or THE 131; MUS 164; APL 197

THE 315 - Advanced Acting (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continuation of THE 215. Further development of the acting process focusing on various theatrical genres. Prerequisite: THE 201 or THE 301; THE 215; and acceptance into the Performance Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 316 - Fundamentals of Directing (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Fundamentals of directing the play: script and character analysis, event and action, casting, staging, working with designers and actors. Prerequisite: THE 115, THE 121, THE 123, or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 318 - Stage Management (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
An introduction to the essential principles, practices, and skills of the stage manager in pre-production, rehearsal, technical rehearsals, and performance. Topics include production planning and communication; running auditions; meeting and rehearsal scheduling; script breakdowns; preparation of accurate reports; collaboration with directors, designers, performers and technicians; managing stage crews; preparation of prompt scripts, show-calling; performance assessment; safety regulations and procedures. Prerequisite: THE 115, THE 125, or permission of the instructor and department chairperson.

THE 325 - Properties Design and Construction (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
The work of a props master including construction and maintenance of stage properties as well as collaboration and communication. The students will execute the properties for the semester's departmental production. Prerequisite: THE 125

THE 326 - Stage Lighting (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Instruction and experience with stage lighting techniques and design concepts. Basic electricity, instrument optics, color application, and stage lighting theory provide background for creative design and lighting control. Prerequisite: THE 226 and acceptance into the Production Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 327 - Sound Design (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Instruction and experience with sound design and reinforcement techniques. Basic sound technology, editing, microphone, speaker, and amplification techniques taught through lecture and demonstration. Prerequisite: THE 226 or consent of department chair.

THE 328 - Special Materials for Scene and Costume Design (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
New products and different uses of old or existing materials for stage settings, properties, costumes, and make-up. Prerequisite: THE 225, THE 230 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 329 - Scenic Design (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Principles and practices of scenic design used to develop particular styles, skills, and techniques in designing a variety of dramatic settings. Prerequisite: THE 226 and acceptance into the Production Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 330 - Costume Design (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Principles and practices of costume design used to develop particular styles, skills, and techniques in designing for a variety of dramatic texts. Prerequisite: THE 226 and acceptance into the Production Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 335 - Theatre for Children and Creative Dramatics (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Theatre produced for the young audience or by children: appropriate literature, production techniques, and techniques of creative dramatics.

THE 336 - History of Theatre & Drama I (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. WI
The origins of theatrical and dramatic impulses in ancient cultures as well as the history of theatre and drama in the classical and medieval periods. Prerequisite: THE 121 and THE 123 or consent of instructor and department chair..

THE 337 - History of Theatre and Drama II (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. WI
Theatre history and drama in the Renaissance, Restoration, Neoclassical, and Romantic periods (late 16th, 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries). Prerequisite: THE 336 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 338 - History of Theatre & Drama III (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. WI
Modern and contemporary theatre and drama beginning with realism and naturalism in the late 19th century up to the present day. Prerequisite: THE 337 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 339 - History of the American Musical Theatre (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. MI
History of the American Musical as a theatrical form from its beginnings through the Golden Age to contemporary theatre with attention to movements and subgenres of the form

THE 401 - Acting for the Camera (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Students will learn and apply the differences between performing for the stage and performing on screen. Applicable technical and audio-visual language of screen acting is learned in a studio environment. Prerequisite: THE 115, THE 215

THE 407 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continuation of THE 307, THE 308. Prerequisite: THE 307 or THE 308 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 408 - Practicum (0.5 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continuation of THE 307, THE 308. Prerequisite: THE 307 or THE 308 or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 410 - Senior Capstone (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Special research or performance projects initiated by seniors to demonstrate integrated learning and theatre expertise. Problems and methods in various areas of theatre study. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair

THE 415 - Acting: Period Styles (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continuation of THE 315. Further development of the acting process focusing on Shakespeare and period styles. Prerequisite: THE 201, THE 301, THE 315, THE 336, and acceptance into the Performance Concentration or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 416 - Practice in Directing (1-3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Practical application of directing concepts and skills: planning, rehearsal, and performance for laboratory theatre production. May be repeated for up to 15 hours. Prerequisite: THE 316 and consent of instructor and department chair

THE 439 - Global Encounters in Theatre (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. GP WC
Exploration of historical and contemporary non-Western theatre traditions and dramatic literature. Prerequisite: THE 336, or consent of instructor and department chair.

THE 494 - Theatre Arts Expedition (1-3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Students travel to observe and/or to engage in creative production making use of the resources of the particular location. Advanced study and/or experiences in theatre settings. May be repeated up to 9 hours. Topics, destinations, and prerequisites stated in current Schedule of Classes.

THE 498 - Explorations in Theatre Arts (1-3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Advanced work in performance and production. May be repeated up to a maximum of 15 semester hours. Topics listed in current Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.

The Bradley Core Curriculum exposes all students to the requisite range of knowledge, skills and perspectives that prepares them for further learning and guides them on the path of continued growth to facilitate their success and fulfillment in a changing, complex world. In essence, the Bradley Core Curriculum lays the foundation for a lifetime of intellectual development.

More specifically, the Bradley Core Curriculum advances Lydia Moss Bradley’s intent that the university “furnish its students with the means of living an independent, industrious and useful life,” by equipping them with a common set of attributes, understandings and tools to:

Make connections between thoughts, ideas and people through more emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, decision-making and inquiry across disciplines and cultures;
Become better communicators with the integrative, reflective and multidisciplinary mindset necessary in today’s global society; and
Embrace the flexibility of a customizable Bradley Experience by pursing the subject areas that best support or complement their individual interests, abilities and future plans.

Core Learning Outcomes

The Bradley Core Curriculum was designed to help students achieve specific Core Learning Outcomes that span all aspects of the program.

Critical and creative thinking. Bradley graduates will think critically, independently and creatively, and will employ evidence-based decision-making to solve problems and build new knowledge.
Effective communication. Bradley graduates will be effective oral, written and non-verbal communicators as well as active readers and listeners.
Multidisciplinary integration. Bradley graduates will approach learning in an integrated manner, connecting knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines.
Practical application. Bradley graduates will apply knowledge and skills from the classroom in real-world situations.
Social awareness. Bradley graduates will understand and act ethically upon their connections to larger communities.

Core Values

The Bradley Core Curriculum is grounded in a set of fundamental perspectives, Core Values, that lie at the heart of the university's scholarly enterprise.