Theatre (THR)
An exploration of the actor's use of time and space in the theater centered in Viewpoints technique. Through physical exercises, discussions and readings from Zeami, Tadashi Suzuki and Anne Bogart, students will come to understand the physical fundamentals of this training and become aware of and take responsibility for their own bodies on stage and within ensemble environments.
This course is a continuation of THR 108 and explores the application of Viewpoints training as applied to scene work. Students will work on scenes with partners, on a weekly basis, using the fundamentals learned in the fall.
A basic course designed for students who may be called upon to direct a play in school, communities, recreational work, or social services. A practical introduction to selecting a play, interpreting the play, and realizing that interpretation in performance. Special consideration is given to understanding and developing effective working relationships with non-professionals such as children, senior citizens, church groups, prisoners, or the handicapped. An individual or group project, on- or off-campus, is required.
A study of the tradition and development of the theater art with emphasis the elements required to develop, produce, and evaluate theatrical productions. Students will write, design, direct, and produce their own short play.
Introduction to costumes for theatre. Students will acquire the skills and techniques to construct, fit and alter costumes for small and large productions. Students will work on actual departmental productions in both construction of costumes and wardrobe running crew.
Attendance as a group at a selected number of theatre, music, and dance performances in New York City supported by background and follow-up lectures and discussions. Lecture-demonstrations and exercises in the Preston Theatre on directing, acting, designing, and other components of theatre art.
To read with sensitivity a representative sample of cultural theatre theories and to understand how the plays interacted with the culture and society. Also to explore the performance dimension of the theatre culture and to come to a better appreciation of the theatre traditions around the globe. Students will also become aware of the global influence on western drama and increase knowledge of cultural history and appreciation of cultural traditions through firsthand experience.
A survey of the organization, materials, equipment, and procedures encountered in the construction, rigging, and preparation of scenery for the theatre.
A study of basic electricity, equipment, control, and accepted practices involved in the design and execution of lighting for the professional and non-professional stage.
A study of dramatic form, technique, and staging from the Greeks through the 18th century with emphasis on historical importance and problems in contemporary production.
A study of dramatic forms, ideas, and staging practices that have evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries and how they have shaped contemporary production aesthetics.
Basic techniques and procedures of preparing technical drawings for the theatre. Student will supply his or her own equipment.
Introduction and exploration of make-up for theatrical productions. Students will design and realize full make-up based on stage make-up techniques taught. Technical application of wigs and hair are included. Students will be stylist and make-up artists for the fall department productions.
An introduction to the equipment and practices of the costume shop. Students will develop basic sewing skills, how to recognize various fabrics, how to develop basic patterns, and how to drape and construct a simple garment.
This course is a continuation of THR 143.
A performance class in which through exercise, improvisation, and scene work in a Stanislavski based approach, students will become aware of their instrument (body, voice, emotions, etc.) and how to use it. A non-majors section is suitable for Fine Arts Core Requirement.
A basic approach to the process of acting and performance. Exploration of the individual's physical, mental and emotional resources through exercises, improvisations, character study, and scripted scene work. Supplementary reading in theory. Participation in semester's major production is required.
The primary focus of this course is to gain a greater proficiency and expertise in the area of the verse for the stage. Students will study dramatic text designed for the stage ranging from Shakespeare to Lorca as well as more modern poetry and verse by writers/performers such as Allen Ginsberg, Sekou Sundiata and Roger Bonair-Agard. A study and comparison between the Poetic Dramatic Monologue and the Actor’s Monologue will be examined. Students will learn, rehearse and perform published and/or classical verse-monologues as well as get a chance to write their own work for performance.
The application of creative dramatic techniques to the various subject matter areas on the elementary education level. Attention is given to dramatic possibilities on each grade level.
The study of the techniques for story reading, designed to afford maximum learning experiences. The criteria for selection and performing of pictures, the classifications of motivations and the rhythms of language are analyzed for the exploration of narratives as a learning medium.
Tailored to the specific needs of the student with emphasis on drafting of some or all of the following: designer's elevations, light plots, working drawing, and historical ornament. (Student will supply their own tools.)
Cultivating students’ entrepreneurial spirits, NYC Indie Producing will teach students how to produce a NYC showcase production as well as give context to the theatrical model used by most of Off Broadway. The practical information will be complimented by larger discussions about what a producer’s role is in the creative process and industry challenges.
The American Musical Theater is a survey course designed to introduce students to the history of this American Art form. It is a broad-based overview of musical theater entertainment forms such as vaudeville, minstrel, burlesque, musical films and of course stage musicals. The course will cover the groundbreaking artistic movements, styles, creators and works in musical theater.
Through this course, students will see how the written word translates into live action.
Continued work from THR 331 focusing on sound reinforcement, reproduction, and recording techniques for the theater. Emphasis is on the physics of sound transmission, acoustical parameters, and the equipment involved in all stages of the “sound chain”. A production sound design will be prepared.
This course serves as an introduction into the business of performing arts. Students will learn basic audition etiquette and will understand theatre protocol and the chain-of-command.
This course is designed to provide students with experiencing ensemble based theater performance and participating in workshops activiteis as part of three international theater festivals.
This is an exploratory studio class in which students will study the creative and production process for putting on a theatrical event. Students will explore the design process as performed by the Scenic, Lighting, Costume, and Sound designers. Students will learn to analyze the script and search out clues pertaining to design requirements. Students will explore the use of space, line, color, scale, light and shadow. Special emphasis will be placed on visual communication skills including drawing, rendering, painting and model making.
Students will continue to explore the craft of directing through working on a variety of plays from the world theatre repertory and directing scenes using department actors. Continuing to work on directorial analysis, preparation, working with actors, and production planning, the class will culminate with a festival of fully realized one act plays.
Writing of plays. Completed works are discussed and given dramatic readings. Opportunities for presentation at the CWP Theatre.
Exploring the rationale for the use of theatrical properties. Role analysis to project physical aspects of the production. Practical application.
This course provides students the opportunity to further develop skills necessary to stage manage major productions.
The student works on any phase of major departmental productions except acting.
This course will be taught from two significant times in theater history. Part one will explore Roman Theater as it relates to its Greek origins. Part two will explore Theater in the Italian Renaissance and its place in classical antiquity. The classroom work will be complimented by spending 10 days traveling through Italy experiencing first hand the Roman and Italian Renaissance influences.
Acquiring the skills and techniques to construct, assemble, and finish costumes, wigs, and accessories in performance situations. Stress will be placed on learning safe working practice, collaboration, and the importance of production schedules. Students will also work on actual production and front of house crews and help set-up and strike shows.
Survey of Russian drama as a literary and theatrical phenomenon from the end of the eighteenth to the beginning of the twentieth century.
With the approval of the supervising faculty member, the department chairperson, and the academic dean, students may use actual production experience (acting, production crew, assisting) for academic credit. In addition to the production experience, the student must maintain a journal and complete a final paper discussing the processes involved and the goal(s) achieved. May be taken up to three times for elective credit. Cannot be used as a substitution for a required course.
A study of script preparation and rehearsal techniques needed by the stage manager in professional and educational theater. Emphasis on methods, working conditions, union regulations and developing a production script.
Designed to help students prepare for professional careers in dramatic arts or some allied field; comprehensive review and exploration of background; oral and written reports.
Participation in a major production presented by the theatre program. The student may receive credit for a significant role in one of the following areas: acting, directing, stage managing, set design and construction, lighting, props, costuming, or theatre management and promotion.
Advanced techniques in preparation of technical drawings tailored to the specific needs of the student. Emphasis on some or all of the following: perspective, designer elevations, light plots, historic ornament, and CAD applications such as VectorWorks. (Students will supply their own equipment.)
A performance class that introduces the student to the exploration of different styles and techniques from the archives of world theatre. Students will explore works in context of their own time as well as in light of contemporary performance theory and practice.
A performance class continuing in the Stanislavski approach, in which students will explore the exterior expression of character that enhances the evolution of the internal elements of character. Students will read and analyze selected contemporary dramatic literature and through text and sub-text develop comic and dramatic scenes.
An intermediate approach to the process of acting and performance with emphasis on characterization and acting styles. Supplementary reading in theory. Participation in semester's production is required.
A performance class focusing on the acting and stylistic adjustments requires for the performance of a musical number within the context of the scene and the entire musical work. In addition to building on an acting foundation the course will address issues of range and vocal support, style, and repertory.
An in-depth look into theLink later vocal training method. Along with in-class physical exercises, breathing and relaxation techniques, students will explore freedom of choice and its marriage to emotional release. This class will also study the I.P.A. (international phonetic alphabet) and how to use it to understand the physical formation of words, correct pronunciation of texts and prepare for further study with dialects.
A continuation of the Linklater and IPA work begun in THR 256 that strengthens the actor's understanding of his/her voice and how to use the voice on text in performance situations.
This course will examine the rhyme scheme, cadence, musicality and physicality involved in performing poetry. A study of work of popular performance poets who have a name for themselves in the world of performance art, slam poetry and spoken word will be followed by a performance workshop where students will breakdown poetic text. Just as an actor would memorize and prepare a monologue or scene, students will prepare and re-work solo and group pieces of poetry focusing on the vocal and physical aspects of their performance as well as ways to incorporate costume, props, music and the collaboration of other artistic mediums.
Applications of the techniques of THR 113 in a progressively structured program. Classwork scenes and videotaping.
A study of advanced theatre techniques as currently in use on Broadway. Specific emphasis on rigging and shifting techniques and safety. New products and construction approaches will be examined.
A series of workshop exercises in lining, panelling, trompe l'oeil ornament, landscape painting, etc,. Emphasis is placed on the sensible use of materials and equipment and on procedures that employ time and talent efficiently.
Introduction to draping and patternmaking clothing. Focus on period costumes for theatre. Fabric swatching in garment district and field trip to the Metropolitan Museum included. This class will assist in the design and building of costumes for the fall department theatrical productions.
This course is a continuation of THR 280. More advanced draping and patternmaking technique are introduced and explored. Field trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute. Focus on costume for theatrical productions.
This course is a continuation of THR 132, basic Stagecraft. Emphasis will be on the assembly, bracing, and moving of constructed scenery. Students wil learn proper and safe rigging practices on a variety of systems including hemp, counterweight, and motorized systems. A systematic investigation will be made of current and traditional approaches of moving scenery both for storage and for dynamic integration within the production. other areas of investigation will include properties of working in plastics and metal. Finally, the students will make an overview of the sequential progress of a complete production from drawings into the ship to the organization of the crews and shifts and the strike and storage.
Fundamentals of production management for theatre and live performance. Students will complete practical and written projects, and observe and assess elements of the production process.
The average High School Theater Teacher wears many hats – director, teacher, producer, designer, technician and so much more. They are often the one person that holds the entire production together. Most public school drama teachers have training in acting, English, music, and or other performance areas. Many have little training in the technical aspects of stage productions. This course aims to assist and/or train both the teacher and their students in many of the non-performance aspects of theater. The technical crew, often referred to any of the following: A/V Squad, Lighting Crew, Stage Crew, Techies, is called upon to figure much out for themselves. Our aim is to assist these unsung heroes of the high school teacher.
The study of non-profit and for-profit arts organizations, particularly those in the performing arts. The course covers organizational structure, the board of trustees, marketing, human resources, planning, financing, fund raising, and evaluation. The course also addresses major trends taking place in the field and career opportunities.
This course will introduce the skills and techniques necessary to write and perform sketch comedy. Students will generate original material via improvisation, exercises and collaborative assignments that will culminate in a student-produced revue.
An exploration of the designer’s use of space in the theater cantered in modelmaking (scale1/4 inch or ½ inch). Through visual research, character exploration, discussions and reading from one play, students will come to understand the fundamentals of designing for the theatre.
Advanced work in characterization and role development for the actor with emphasis on placing the work within the context of the entire play.
A continuation of THR 201 with emphasis on working with a variety of styles and techniques.
Work in the recording and production of a variety of American and English dialects in common use on the stage. Emphasis on both ear and voice training. Student must have a working knowledge of phonetics.
Introduction to sound reinforcement, reproduction, and recording techniques for the theater. Emphasis is on the physics of sound transmission, acoustical parameters, and the equipment involved in all stages of the "sound chain". A production sound design will be prepared.
The principles and practices of theatrical scenic design. Emphasis is on concept, research, presentation methods including actor/action studies, full rendering models and necessary technical drawings and support materials to prepare a production for bidding.
Introduction to the skills, techniques, and methods used in a professional scenic studio. Projects include: base painting techniques, texturing, stencils, stamps, pounces, and trompe l'oiel painting.
A continuation of THR 272 with an emphasis on facility in a variety of styles and the improvement of working speed. The student will extend painting skills through a serios of landscape and architectural projects increasing in difficulty that explore the problems of painting from elevations and develoiping translucent drops.
The principles and practice of theatrical lighting design from the initial concept and work with other designers to the final light plot and necessary support paper work that will prepare a production for bidding or rental. Focusing, cuing, and rehearsal procedures in preparation for performance will be explored.
Introduction to theater consulting with emphasis on auditoria types and layouts, sightline studies, audience flow, codes and regulations, control and environmental systems, and their interrelation. Students will plan a moderate sized multiuse facility and develop a "found" space.
The principles and practices of costume design for the stage from concept and analysis to finished sketches and selection of fabrics and trim. Students will work on both period and modern dress projects.
The course is designed to build upon the principles and techniques learned in Improvisation I. The core focus of Improvisation II will be on creating unscripted scene work. Through traditional warm-up exercises and games, the course will serve to heighten the student’s ability to react spontaneously and truthfully to their presented circumstances, culminating in short and long form improvised scene work.
A performance course evolving from the discipline and technique learned in Musical Stage I. Emphasis is on analyzing both the music and lyrics, and creating an appropriate sub-text in order to perform musical numbers. Students will enlarge their repertoire and develop appropriate audition material.
Vocal technique and voice production for the actor with emphasis on placement, extending the range, and sizing the voice for a variety of performance situations.
A performance course building on the foundations laid in Scene Study I. Students will enhance their range and dramatic literacy by expanded contact with plays and performance theory. Scenes will be performed from both historical and contemporary sources.
A performance class continuing the exploration begun in Acting for TV and Film I. The course will address scene work within the context of multiple "takes" and multiple camera setups. Maintaining through line and consistency will be reinforced through the work and weekly performance review on tape.
Fundamental principles of the director's preparation of the script for production from analysis and concept through rehearsal techniques and realization. Students will be expected to prepare a directors' script and direct the work for presentation before an audience.
Drawing on a variety of techniques and movement based approaches, students will work on developing a classical awareness using Shakespearean text.
Further development of scene study technique. This course is a continuation of THR 361.
Practical experience on the job in cooperation with Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, film and television companies, and regional and summer stock theaters. Hours vary according to the nature of the internship. Some, but not all, provide students compensation. In addition to supervisor evaluation, students will be expected to complete a log of their activities and meet regularly with a faculty mentor.
With the approval of faculty member, the department chairperson, and the academic dean, students may select a topic for guided study that is not included in the regular course offerings. The student meets regularly with a faculty mentor to assess progress. A research paper, documented performance or portfolio project must also be completed and submitted for review.
This course will provide students with an understanding of how to properly audition for musical theater in today's professional environment.
A hands-on comprehensive introduction to sword fighting for theatrical presentation. Students will be trained in the safe use and execution of the rapier and dagger techniques. They will be taught basic footwork, parries, offensive and defensive moves and choreography and then apply techniques to scene work. Attention will be given to the rehearsing of given fight choreography as it applies to the stage. Class will culminate in a skills proficiency fight test to be adjudicated by a qualified Fight Master with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD).
An introduction into the business side of the entertainment industry for senior theater students.
Designed to prepare and showcase the graduating student. Comprehensive review, exploration, and evaluation of background. Preparation of resumes, portfolios, or audition materials required to pursue advanced training and/or a professional career.