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Theater
Professor Gratch,
Chair
Professors
Bouchard, Freeman
On Special
Appointment:
Associate Professor
Fitzmorris; Adjunct
Assistant Professor
Angell; Adjunct
Instructors Meade,
Slotten
Adjunct
Instructors of Dance and
Movement: Knowles,
Marshall, Martinez,
Mullen
Students
in the Department of
Theater explore the art
of theater through
theory, performance, and
production. Each student
experiences the
essentially
collaborative nature of
theater through
participation in theater
productions. Our
curriculum enables
students to develop a
rich understanding of
both the enactment of
the written word and the
essence of theatrical
expression. In addition
to preparing our
students for further
study and related
careers in theater or
film, we encourage each
student to explore ideas
of self and community
and to express these
discoveries through one
or more aspects of
theater.
Because
the development of a
theater artist is
enhanced by time as well
as training, we
encourage students
considering a Theater
major or minor to
consult with department
faculty and begin taking
courses in the first
year. (The curriculum,
however, is structured
to enable an industrious
student to begin at a
later time and complete
the major by the end of
the fourth year.)
Students
are encouraged to
broaden their
self-discovery through
opportunities for
Community Based Learning
and through internships.
The Department has an
ongoing relationship
with the Pasadena
Playhouse which includes
opportunities for course
credit, internships and
possible scholarship
support for Majors
through the Sumid
Scholarship offered by
the Alumni of the
Pasadena Playhouse.
While
the major is designed to
prepare students for
successful careers in
theater and film, it
provides also, in
conjunction with study
in other areas of the
liberal arts, unique and
effective preparation
for success in such
diverse fields as
business, law,
communications, arts
administration,
education, and social
service.
MAJOR:
The major consists of 44
units. A minimum of 2
units must consist of
two semesters of
Production Lab (Theater
121 or
122) in two
different areas. The
121/122
requirement must be
completed by the end of
the junior year. Another
2 units may consist of
two semesters of
Performance Lab (361).
The Department has
established standards of
excellence in
theoretical analysis,
performance, and
production which our
students meet by
completing a
comprehensive project in
the senior year.
Information concerning
all phases of the senior
project can be obtained
from the Department
Chair.
The
Department welcomes
interdisciplinary
programs and double
majors, and will work
carefully with students
interested in such
programs. Up to 8 units
of select courses from
Film, Music, Studio Art,
Art History, and
Dramatic Literature may
be applied to the
Theater Major in
consultation with the
department chair.
Students
who major in the
Department of Theater
pursue the following
program of study:
Theater 101; Theater
110; Theater 120; two
semesters of Theater 121
and/or 122; Theater 125;
Theater 210; Theater
350; four units of
coursework in design or
technical theater
selected from Theater
250, 270, 275, 301, 304,
320, 330, 340, 345, 346
and 375; and at least 16
units from other Theater
or approved
interdisciplinary
courses.
WRITING REQUIREMENT:
Students majoring in
Theater will complete
Occidental College’s 3rd
year writing requirement
by completing a
significant research and
analytical paper as part
of Theater
350 or
355. Students should
familiarize themselves
with the departmental
requirement at the time
of declaring the major.
See the
Writing Program and
consult the department
chair for additional
information.
MINOR:
The minor consists of a
minimum of 20 units:
Theater
101,
110,
120, either
125 or
210, two semesters
of 121,
and four additional
units from the Theater
curriculum.
COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION: The
department accomplishes
the college objectives
for the Senior
Comprehensive by having
each candidate, having
completed the
121/122
requirement, (1) propose
a creative or research
project; (2) submit a
paper of research and/or
preparation during the
comprehensive process,
to be discussed with the
faculty; and (3) execute
the project. Projects
may include but are not
limited to acting,
directing, design,
playwriting, stage
management, technical
direction, theater
management, and
scholarly research. See
the department for
details.
HONORS: To receive
College Honors in the
department of Theater,
the student must be a
major and achieve a 3.50
grade point average in
departmental courses. In
addition the student
must achieve a 3.25
grade point average
overall, and receive a
grade of Pass with
Distinction on the
senior comprehensive
project. See the
Honors Program for
additional information.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS: In
the summer, Occidental
College hosts the annual
Occidental Children’s
Theater at the Remsen
Bird Hillside
Amphitheater. Academic
credit is available for
this program through
Theater
197 or
397. Off-campus
internships in
professional theater and
film may be arranged
during the academic year
or summer through the
Department of Theater
and the Career
Development Center.
Support for
undergraduate research
and travel are available
both during the academic
year and during the
summer. Contact the
Department Chair and the
Undergraduate Research
Center for more
information. We
encourage Theater
students to participate
in study abroad.
Information on approved
programs is available
through the
International Programs
Office. Credit
toward the major may be
available.
101. THEATER FORUM:
THE ART OF READING
SCRIPTS.
This is
an introduction to an
understanding of
interpretation within
the theater. Focusing on
a small group of scripts
of various periods and
styles, students study
the relationship of the
design of playscripts,
theatrical enactment and
audience response.
Understanding is
developed both through
class work and final
performance projects in
which groups of students
produce sequences from
the scripts studied
during the semester.
Ticket Fee: $50.
Meade
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
EUROPE •
FINE ARTS
110. INTRODUCTION TO
PERFORMANCE.
This
course is the foundation
of the Department’s
acting program. In it,
the student explores how
an actor gives life to
words and moves them
from the script to
performance. Students
work with Shakespeare’s
sonnets in addition to
contemporary dramatic
literature. Ticket
Fee: $50. Intended for
first-year and
second-year students.
Not available to juniors
and seniors without
permission of the
instructor. Enrollment
is limited.
2
units
Angell
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
120. INTRODUCTION TO
TECHNICAL THEATER.
An
introduction to many of
the different areas of
theater production, this
class will include such
topics as rigging
practices, drafting,
lighting equipment, and
special effects; but its
primary focus is in the
area of scenic
construction. This
course includes a
laboratory during which
the techniques taught in
lecture/demo are
applied. The laboratory
will average 40 hours
over the course of the
semester. Lab schedule
is to be arranged. Some
materials must be
purchased by the student
for this course.
Enrollment is limited.
Fitzmorris
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
121. PRODUCTION
LABORATORY.
This is
an applied course for
technicians, designers,
and managers who are on
production crews
directed, designed, or
directly supervised by
the theater faculty. In
order to complete a
theater major, a student
must complete production
laboratories in two
separate areas, at least
one of which must be a
running crew.
Prerequisite: Theater
120 or permission of
instructor. Graded on a
Credit/No Credit basis
only. The course may be
repeated for credit.
1
unit
Fitzmorris,
Gratch, Slotten
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
122. INTENSIVE
PRODUCTION LAB.
This is
an applied course for
technicians, designers,
and managers who are
given primary
responsibility on
production crews
directly supervised by
the theater faculty.
Students are required to
do additional research
and practical
application beyond that
of Theater 121.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor. Graded on
a Credit/No Credit basis
only.
2
units
Fitzmorris
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
125. DESIGN FORUM.
This
course introduces the
student to the theory
and application of the
elements of design and
principals of
composition as they
apply to theater and
film. Through an
investigation of
two-dimensional and
three-dimensional design
the student will begin
to understand and gain
the skills to express
the visual meaning of
the play/filmscript. The
course will include
script analysis,
presentation and
research techniques and
a series of design
projects in both
individual and group
formats. The general
student will sharpen
their critical eye, the
actor/director will
learn to engage with the
design elements
developed for them and
the designer will
receive a broad
introduction to the
design process.
Ticket Fee: $50.
Intended for first-year
and second-year
students. Not available
to juniors or seniors
without permission of
instructor.
Slotten
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
130. MODERN DANCE.
A
comprehensive study of
the theory and
methodology of the Jose
Limon Technique. Founded
on the principles of
fall and recovery, the
Limon Technique is built
upon motion through
succession, suspension,
alignment and
opposition. Graded on
a Credit/No Credit basis
only. May be repeated
for credit.
1
unit
Martinez
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
131. BEGINNING JAZZ
AND TAP.
Students
will learn foundation
techniques of jazz and
tap dancing. Graded
on a Credit/No Credit
basis only. May be
repeated for credit.
1
unit
Knowles
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
132. INTERMEDIATE
JAZZ AND TAP.
Students
will learn intermediate
and advanced techniques
of jazz and tap dancing.
Graded on a Credit/No
Credit basis only. May
be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor.
1
unit
Knowles
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
134. BEGINNING
BALLET.
A study
of the principles of
ballet based on the
Vaganova method.
Students will learn the
fundamentals and
elementary vocabulary of
ballet through barre,
center and traveling
combinations and
exercises. Graded on
a Credit/No Credit basis
only. May be repeated
for credit.
1
unit
Martinez
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
135. INTERMEDIATE
BALLET.
Intensive study that
develops and refines
ballet technique based
on the Vaganova Method.
Prerequisite: Two
semesters of Theater 134
or permission of
instructor. Graded on a
Credit/No Credit basis
only. May be repeated
for credit.
1
unit
Martinez
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
136. DUNHAM
TECHNIQUE.
Developed by Katherine
Dunham, a pioneer of
modern dance and the
first African American
to lead a major dance
company, the Dunham
technique includes
elements of African,
Afro-Caribbean, ballet,
modern, and yoga. Class
sessions include barre
and floor work as well
as isolations. Graded
on a Credit/No Credit
basis only. May be
repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: two
semesters of any dance
course or permission of
instructor.
1
unit
Marshall
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
137. CHOREOGRAPHY I.
A
comprehensive study of
the tools of
choreography based on
the Nikolais/Mettler
methods of creating
dances, including the
manipulation of motion
through space, time,
shape, and energy
volumes within the
context of the body and
its surroundings. Course
culminates in a studio
performance of each
student’s choreography.
Graded on a Credit/No
Credit basis only. May
be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: two
semesters of any dance
course or permission of
instructor.
2
units
Martinez
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
140. AFRO-CARIBBEAN
DANCE WORKSHOP.
This
course is designed to
teach fundamental
Afro-Caribbean dance
techniques and complex
body isolations. The
dances learned will
reflect the various
African influences to
the Caribbean —
particularly Cuba,
Jamaica, Puerto Rico,
and Trinidad and Tobago.
Participants will gain
cultural, historical,
and social content of
the dances and learn the
relationship between the
music and the dance.
Graded on a Credit/No
Credit basis only. May
be repeated for credit.
1
unit
Mullen
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
141. MOVEMENT FOR
ACTORS: SOCIAL DANCE FOR
THE THEATER.
Students
will be introduced to
important social and
period dance forms as a
means of creating
character as well as
enriching the historical
or period flavor of a
theatrical performance.
While studying dances of
the Renaissance through
the creation of the
waltz to contemporary
social dance, students
will learn to confront
their bodies moving
alone and in concert
with others.
Prerequisites: Theater
Major, Minor, or
permission of
instructor. Graded on a
Credit/No Credit basis.
1
unit
Knowles
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
142. FOLK AND
HISTORICAL DANCE.
This
course teaches folk and
historical dances
(Renaissance through the
20th century) drawn from
Eastern and Western
Europe (including the
Balkans), as well as
fold and social dances
of the United States
derived from those
traditions. Performance
opportunities may
include: Viennese waltz
and possibly dance-based
children’s theater.
Prerequisite: permission
of the instructor.
Graded on a Credit/No
Credit basis only.
1
unit
Knoerr
(Mathematics)
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
197. INDEPENDENT
STUDY.
Prerequisites: Theater
101 and permission
of instructor. Open to
first and second year
students.
2
or 4 units
Staff
201. ALTERNATIVE
VOICES IN AMERICAN
THEATER.
This
course surveys the
theater artistry of
contemporary writers
from divergent cultural
and aesthetic
backgrounds. Special
emphasis is placed on
women and people of
color, including
Suzan-Lori Parks,
Culture Clash, Anne
Bogart, Reza Abdoh,
August Wilson, David
Henry Hwang, Luis
Alfaro, Naomi Iizuka,
John Belluso and Maria
Irene Fornes. In-class
play readings and guided
script analysis will
expose students to a
variety of creative
approaches.
Recommended: Theater
101.
Meade
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
210. ACTING I:
STAGE.
This
course introduces a
student to the
techniques and theories
of acting. Course work
begins with an
exploration of the self
in performance using
partnered scenes from
American realist
scripts. At
mid-semester, the class
presents The Zoo
Exercise, a project in
sustained
characterization
inspired by work at the
London Academy of Music
and Dramatic Art. The
course then culminates
with a presentation of
scene-work selected from
the plays of Henrik
Ibsen. Ticket Fee:
$60. Intended for
first-year and
second-year students.
Prerequisites: Theater
110 and permission of
instructor. Recommended:
Theater
101. Enrollment is
limited.
Freeman
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
212. AUDITION
WORKSHOP.
This is
an applied workshop
available to students
who have completed
Theater 210. This “brown
bag” workshop meets
every week during a
lunch period. Student
actors will polish
techniques for solo
auditions learned in
Introduction to
Performance and Acting
I, and apply them to the
standard “general
audition” format.
Intended for second and
third-year students.
Prerequisites: Theater
101,
210 and permission
of instructor.
Enrollment is limited.
Graded on a Credit/No
Credit basis only. May
be repeated as an audit.
1
unit
Freeman
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
214. PORTFOLIO
WORKSHOP.
In this
course students develop
the skills to analyze,
archive, and document
their creative and
technical work. They
also learn various
techniques for public
presentation.
Prerequisite: Theater
120 or permission of
instructor.
1
unit
Not given in
2008-2009
237. INTERMEDIATE
CHOREOGRAPHY.
A
continuation of the
entry-level material
with an emphasis on
group choreography,
including site-specific
work and studio
performances. Graded
on a Credit/No Credit
basis only. May be
repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Theater
137 or permission of
instructor.
2
units
Martinez
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
241. FASHION,
ETIQUETTE, DEPORTMENT:
REFLECTIONS OF CULTURE.
This
course will examine the
shifting social systems,
evolving class and
economic relationships,
changing social and
moral codes and the
resulting social
behaviors of European
and American culture
from the 16th century
through the 20th
century. These changes
reflect the worldview of
the times and therefore
political and
technological issues
will also be considered.
The course will focus on
eras frequently used as
settings for theatrical
and film productions and
train the students in
the proper use of and/or
handling of period props
and garments.
Prerequisite: Theater
101, Theater
125, or permission
of instructor.
Slotten
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
250. MATERIAL
CULTURE: PERIOD STYLES
FOR THEATER.
This
course is a survey and
exploration of the
changing fashions,
architecture, furniture
and decoration of
European and American
society in selected
periods. These shifting
artistic trends reflect
the social and political
changes through time,
visually defining the
character of each
period. The course will
examine periods from
ancient to contemporary,
selected from those that
are frequently used as
settings for theatrical
and film productions.
Prerequisite: Theater
101 or permission of
instructor.
Slotten
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
INTERCULTURAL •
FINE ARTS
270. COSTUME DESIGN.
This
course is an
introduction to the
goals, processes and
techniques of costume
design. The student will
become familiar with the
basic components of the
discipline. The focus of
the final project will
be on conceptualizing,
researching and
designing costumes for
an existing play.
Although an introduction
to and practice with
differing
sketching/rendering
approaches will be
elements of the class,
no specific prior
drawing experience is
required.
Prerequisite: Theater
125, Art
S106, or permission
of instructor.
Slotten
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
275. VISUAL
COMMUNICATION FOR
THEATER.
This
course provides an
intermediate level of
theory and training in
theater design. The
student will learn
several methods of
visual communication.
Drafting and model
making are the primary
focuses. In addition,
there will be a brief
introduction to the use
of colored media in
theater rendering.
Materials fee: $60.
Prerequisites: Theater
120,
125 or permission of
instructor. Enrollment
is limited.
Gratch
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
301. LIGHTING
DESIGN.
Focusing
on the specific
theories, psychological
power, and techniques of
lighting design, this
course will provide
students with an
intellectual and
practical foundation in
this significant yet
accessible area of
design for theater.
Practical training and
execution of projects
are undertaken in both
group and individual
formats under faculty
supervision. Includes
one two-hour laboratory
session per week.
Materials/ticket fee:
$60. Prerequisite:
Theater
101,
120, or
125, or permission
of instructor.
Gratch
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
303. PERFORMING
SHAKESPEARE.
This
course explores through
practice the demands
Shakespeare’s scripts
make upon actors. During
a semester, students
work with five to six
scripts from various
genres to develop
facility with both
Shakespeare’s verse and
prose in performance.
Ticket fee: $50.
Prerequisite: Theater
360 and permission
of instructor.
Enrollment is limited.
Not
given in 2008-2009
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
EUROPE •
FINE ARTS •
PRE-1800
304. SCENE PAINTING.
In this
course, the student will
be introduced to a
variety of scenic
techniques and
materials. Mastery of
basic skills will be
expected for completion
of the course. Period
styles and aesthetic
theories will provide a
foundation for the
skills learned. Special
materials will be
purchased for the
students of this course.
A separate lab will
provide individualized
supervision of
techniques and projects
demonstrated during the
regular class time.
Includes one two-hour
laboratory session per
week. Materials fee:
$65. Prerequisites:
Theater
101 and
120 or
125, or permission
of the instructor.
Enrollment is limited.
Not
given in 2008-2009
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
309. CHILDREN’S
THEATER.
This is
an applied workshop in
children’s theater
focusing on working with
elementary school
children. We study
age-appropriate methods
of integrating theater
into the elementary
school curriculum. In
four intensive sessions,
students learn five
workshops geared to
either grade 3 or 5,
after which, under the
instructor’s
supervision, they guide
local elementary school
classes through the
curriculum.
Prerequisite: Theater
110 or permission of
instructor. Enrollment
is limited. Graded on a
Credit/No Credit basis
only. May be repeated
for credit.
2
units
Angell
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
310. NARRATIVE
WORKSHOP FOR THE MOVING
IMAGE.
Production course in
linear storytelling for
advanced theater and
film students. Working
in collaborative teams,
students will shoot
several projects, write
a script, and make one
short narrative project
on video. The course
emphasis will be on
script writing,
directing the actor, and
visual storytelling.
Materials fee: $60.
Prerequisites: Theater
210 or Art
F140, and permission
of instructor.
Enrollment is limited.
Freeman
311. ACTING FOR THE
CAMERA.
An
intensive course in
character work, scene
work and camera
technique using selected
scripts from some of the
greatest recent and
contemporary
screenplays.
Materials fee: $60.
Prerequisite: Theater
210 with a grade of
“B-” or better and
permission of
instructor. Recommended:
Theater
360. Enrollment is
limited.
Freeman
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
320. ADVANCED
TECHNICAL THEATER.
This lab
course extends the
topics covered in
Theater 120. Topics
include advanced
building techniques,
metal working theory and
welding, and furniture
construction and repair.
Students will also act
as crew chiefs for
Theater Department
productions. Some
materials must be
purchased by the student
for this course.
Prerequisites: Theater
120 and permission
of instructor.
Fitzmorris
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
330. PRODUCING THE
LIVE EVENT.
In this
intensive course
students will analyze
the requirements for
live events. As the
students develop
solutions for these
requirements, there will
be an emphasis on the
artistic, legal and
financial
responsibilities of the
producer. Through
projects, case studies
and research, the
students will learn the
creative and practical
aspects of live
presentations. Students
will understand the
myriad considerations
required to successfully
produce live
performances for
theater, music and other
cultural events.
Prerequisites: Theater
120 and at least
second year standing or
permission of
instructor.
Not
given in 2008-2009
340. THEATER
ENGINEERING AND
ARCHITECTURE.
In this
course, students will
investigate solutions to
demanding design
problems. This might
include linear motion
control, pneumatic and
hydraulic systems, and
the drive or rigging
systems for scenery.
Theater architecture
will also be covered,
culminating in the
design of a theater.
Outside research is
required.
Prerequisites: Theater
120 and permission
of instructor.
Not
given in 2008-2009
345. DESIGN AND
TECHNICAL SPECIALTIES.
These
courses augment the
design and technical
programs by providing
areas of specialization
not regularly covered in
the curriculum. The
topics vary from year to
year. May be repeated
for credit.
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
Costume Construction.
This course will provide
the student with the
skills necessary to
construct a basic
garment. These skills
will be used to build a
basic costume piece.
Materials fee: $50.
2
units
Not given in
2008-2009
Properties for the
Stage. This course
is an introduction to
the process of designing
and constructing props
for stage. The elements
of production style,
period authenticity,
actor needs, budget and
time will all be
considered. A
combination of
theoretical and
practical projects will
be required.
Prerequisite: Theater
120 or permission of
instructor.
2
units
Not given in
2008-2009
Sound. This course
will introduce the
student to the basics of
sound design for the
theater including
equipment, editing,
playback, and creation
of sound effects. The
student will complete
the course by putting
theory into practice by
creating a practical
sound design.
2
units
Not given in
2008-2009
Stage
Make-up. This course
will introduce the
student to the basics of
make-up design for the
theater including basic,
three-dimensional,
corrective, glamour,
character, old age
make-ups as well as the
creation of special
effect make-ups. The
student will put theory
into practice by
creating practical
make-up designs.
Materials fee: $50.
2
units
Slotten
Stage
Management. This
course will introduce
the student to the art
and techniques of stage
management. Students
acquire the skills to
stage manage productions
from casting through
performance.
2
units
Staff
346. PERIOD COSTUME
CONSTRUCTION AND PATTERN
MAKING.
This is
an advanced costume
construction class that
will introduce the
student to the
specialized skills
involved in translating
a design sketch of a
period costume into an
actual costume. Creating
and altering patterns
for specific bodies,
tailoring, corsetry, and
underpinnings will all
be included. The student
will construct all the
components of a period
costume (male or female)
for a half-scale
mannequin. Materials
Fee: $40. Prerequisite:
permission of
instructor.
2
units
Not given in
2008-2009
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
350. TOPICS IN
THEATER HISTORY.
This
course approaches the
study of theater within
a series of different
cultural contexts.
Theater literature,
performance practices,
and theater architecture
will be studied within
the larger context of
the cultures from which
the various types of
theatrical expression
are derived. The course
will investigate in a
comparative format such
topics as masked
theater, populist and
elitist theaters, and
literary and
non-literary theater
traditions. Ticket
Fee: $50. Prerequisites:
Theater
101 and at least
second-year status or
permission of
instructor.
Gratch
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
INTERCULTURAL •
PRE-1800
355. TOPICS IN
THEATRICAL LITERATURE.
This
course will investigate
the work of three 20th
century playwrights,
selected on a rotating
basis. Different years
will have a different
focus, for example: This
course will investigate
the work of three 20th
century playwrights,
selected on a rotating
basis. Different years
will have a different
focus. For example, Late
Century American Greats:
Wilson, Wasserstein,
Kushner; Political
Pioneers: Brecht, Odets,
San Francisco Mime
Troupe; Masters or
Farce: Ludlam,
Kondolean, Orton; or
European Iconoclasts:
Beckett, Pinter, Müller.
Students will read
several works by each
author, in addition to
attendant scholarly
interpretations. Each
student will prepare a
research project about
an influential or
groundbreaking
production. Students
may use this course to
fulfill the Junior
Writing Requirement.
Prerequisites: Theater
101 and at least
second-year status or
permission of
instructor. Ticket fee
$50.
Meade
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
INTERCULTURAL
360. ACTING II.
By
exploring the psychology
of performance, this
course introduces acting
students to an
alternative to
Stanislavski-based
acting systems or
methods. Developing an
understanding of
impulse, desire and
action in everyday life
along with an
understanding of the
heightened consciousness
of artists at play,
students learn how to
act with increased
freedom and to create
characters with genuine
psychological complexity
while developing a
technique equally
adaptable to theater and
film. Students follow a
path from improvisation
through play with
language to develop
roles from Chekhov and
various classical and
contemporary
playwrights. Enrollment
in this course may be
based on an
audition/interview
process. Ticket fee:
$50. Prerequisites:
Theater
101,
110,
210,
212, and permission
of instructor.
Enrollment is limited.
Bouchard
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
360A. SCENE
WORKSHOP.
This is
an applied workshop
required for students
enrolled in Theater
360 (Acting II).
During the semester,
students prepare and
perform up to three
scenes from classical
and contemporary drama.
Every two weeks, scene
partners will present
their work for fellow
students and for faculty
(who will guide the
work’s further
development). Graded
on a Credit/No Credit
basis only.
1
unit
Bouchard
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
361. PERFORMANCE
LABORATORY.
These
are applied courses for
students.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor.
Recommended: Theater
101 and
210. Graded on a
Credit/No Credit basis
only. The course may be
repeated for credit.
Mainstage
Productions
Tái Chi (Course
fee $85)
Advanced Tái Chi
(Course fee $85)
1
unit
Staff
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
362. INTENSIVE
PERFORMANCE LAB.
This is
an intensive applied
acting course connected
to a significant role or
roles in Theater
Mainstage Productions.
Graded on a Credit/No
Credit basis only.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor. May be
repeated for credit.
Mainstage
Production
Performance
Practicum: Pasadena
Playhouse
2
units
Bouchard,
Freeman
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
365. DIRECTING.
This
course is an
introduction to the art
of directing. Students
explore the directing
processes of script
analysis, casting,
working with actors,
manipulation of space,
use of sound and images,
developing designs, and
mounting productions for
the theater.
Requirements include
staging two performance
sequences. Ticket
Fee: $50. Prerequisites:
Theater
101,
120,
303,
360, and permission
of instructor.
Enrollment is limited.
May be repeated for
credit.
Bouchard
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
375. SCENIC DESIGN.
This
course continues the
study of theater through
an investigation of the
specific visual
techniques used to
present the design of
scenery. The close
relationships of these
elements with the
script, the actors, and
the director are treated
as essential elements of
the development of
designs. This is
primarily a
project-oriented class.
Special materials will
be purchased by the
student for this course.
Ticket/Materials Fee:
$60. Prerequisites:
Theater
101,
120, and
125, or permission
of instructor.
Enrollment limited by
classroom space.
Not
given in 2008-2009
380. PLAYWRITING.
This
course introduces
students to the art of
writing for theater.
Through a series of
weekly writing
assignments, students
develop skills in
crafting the dialogue
and structure of
playscripts. Classwork
culminates in the
development of a one-act
play. Ticket Fee:
$50. Prerequisites:
Theater
101 and
210 or permission of
instructor. Enrollment
is limited.
Meade
CORE REQUIREMENT
MET:
FINE ARTS
390. ADVANCED
PROJECTS IN THEATER.
This is
an applied course for
significant work
undertaken in
performance, design,
technical, or management
areas for Mainstage or
other faculty-supervised
projects. The student
will work directly with
faculty supervision in
the creative process.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor. May be
repeated once for
credit.
On-campus
Projects
Pasadena
Playhouse Practicum
Theater Projects
in Community Based
Learning
2
units
Gratch
CORE REQUIREMENT
PARTIAL:
FINE ARTS
397. INDEPENDENT
STUDY.
Independent study in
theater at an advanced
level. Prerequisites:
Theater
101 and permission
of instructor. Open to
students with junior or
senior standing only.
2
or 4 units
Staff
490. SENIOR SEMINAR.
This
course is for students
engaged in senior
projects.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor.
Gratch
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