Theatre Arts Courses
TA 0110 REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE (0 hours)
Practical experience in rehearsal and performance. Includes acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, choreography, stage management, and running crews. No more than 3 semesters may be satisfied by any one area. May be repeated once for credit.
1111 INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS (3 hours)
A survey of selected principles and techniques of the theatre arts.
1134 BEGINNING ACTING FOR MAJORS (3 hours)
Study and practice in the skills involved in stage acting.
1135 BEGINNING ACTING FOR NON-MAJORS (3 hours)
Study and practice in the skills involved in stage and screen acting.
1152 STAGE MAKEUP (1 hour)
Materials and techniques of makeup for the stage.
1421 ANALYSIS OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE (3 hours)
Same as ENG 1421. The characteristics and development of major styles and forms in dramatic literature.
1422 THEATRE TRAVEL: LONDON, NYC, AND BEYOND(1 hour)
Attend theatrical performances in London, New York City, or other cities. Required course fee. Catawba College students only may enroll.
1454 STAGECRAFT (3 hours)
Introduction to scenic technology and design principles with emphasis on the practical application of scenographic techniques.
1522 DECORATIVE ARTS AND MATERIAL CULTURE (3 hours)
A study of the major developments in the decorative and applied arts and material culture from antiquity to the present. Cross-listed as ART 1522.
1561 FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE DESIGN (3 hours)
An introductory study of the theory and practice of design in relation to stage production. Prerequisite: TA1421, 1454.
2110 JAPANESE MUSICAL THEATRE AND DANCE (3 hours)
Same as MUSIC 2110. A semester-long, study of styles and concepts as practiced in various cultural, political, and social contexts in the music/theatre traditions of Japan.
TA 2111 PRODUCTION STUDIO – COSTUMES (1 hour)
Practical experience in the area of costuming. Students will work on the season’s productions, while learning sewing and costume techniques in the Costume Shop. May be repeated once for credit.
TA 2112 PRODUCTION STUDIO – ELECTRICS (1 hour)
Practical experience in the area of lighting for entertainment, sound production, and video for live entertainment. Students will work on the season’s productions, while learning safety and current practices in lighting, sound, and video production techniques for live performance through practical work in the theatre spaces.
TA 2113 – PRODUCTION STUDIO – SCENERY (1 hour)
Practical experience in the area of scenery. Students will work on the season’s productions, while learning construction, rigging and painting techniques in the Scene Shop.
TA 2114 PRODUCTION STUDIO – MANAGEMENT (1 hour)
Practical experience in the area of theatre management. Students will work on the season’s productions while learning marketing, publicity, and box office techniques in the Management Shop.
2115 FILM CRITICISM (3 hours)
Same as CA 2115. A study of the technical aspects of film-making and of the political and artistic role of film in society.
2116 ASIAN CINEMA (3 hours)
Same as CA 2116. A semester-long study of styles and concepts of films as practiced in various cultural, political, and social contexts throughout Asia. Analytical skills will focus on how to read the visual language of the film along with the spoken work (including subtitles). (Offered in alternate years).
2161 DRAWING FOR THEATRE (2 hours)
An introduction to technical and artistic drawing with an emphasis on drafting, sketching and computer-aided design.
2444 PLAYWRITING (3 hours)
Stage practice of procedures and processes necessary for writing a stage play.
2525 STAGE SPEECH AND MOVEMENT I (3 hours)
An intermediate study in the development of onstage characterization and personal development, with an emphasis on application of vocal and physical theories. Prerequisites: TA 1134 and DAN 1101.
2534 INTERMEDIATE ACTING (3 hours)
A practical study of the theories, techniques, and practices observed in contemporary acting. Prerequisite: DAN 1101, TA 1134, TA 1421.
TA 2536 COLLABORATIVE AESTHETICS AND ENSEMBLE TECHNIQUES (3 hours)
Exploration of the collaborative aesthetic through an examination of the history and practices of ensemble theatre. Designed to prepare theatre arts majors to function as working members of an ensemble company. Prerequisite: TA Core (DAN 1101, TA 1134, 1421, 1454, 1561).
TA 2537 BUSINESS OF ACTING (3 hours)
An in-depth study of the fundamental necessities of self-management for the actor to include finding and developing your brand, creating marketing and business plans, networking, and developing strategies for auditioning for stage, film, and television. Prerequisite: TA 1134.
2551 INTERMEDIATE STAGECRAFT (3 hours)
A continued study of stagecraft with emphasis on advanced construction, theatrical drafting, design, painting, lighting, sound, and technical problem-solving, with practice and projects in all areas. Prerequisite: TA 1454.
2552 COSTUME CONSTRUCTION (3 hours)
Techniques of costume construction for the stage through practical laboratory experience. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: TA 1454.
2553 STAGE LIGHTING (3 hours)
The basic concepts of light, electricity, and color, with emphasis on the practical use of standard stage lighting equipment and controls. Prerequisite: TA 1454, 1561.
2554 SOUND PRODUCTION (3 hours)
A study of the theory and practice of theatre sound with emphasis on the practical use of standard sound equipment and controls.
2555 SCENE PAINTING (3 hours)
A study of the theory and practice of decorative paint with emphasis on the practical use of standard painting techniques and equipment. Prerequisites: TA 1454, 1561. (Offered in alternate years.)
2556 STAGE PROPERTIES (3 hours)
A study of the theory and practice of stage properties with emphasis on visual analysis, period research and properties craftwork.
TA 2557 TOPICS IN THEATRE TECHNOLOGIES (3 hours)
This course explores topics in Technical Theatre Production, as related to theatre and broader applicable study. In a semester focus may be given to, but not limited to, specialty topics in Theatre Lighting, Scence production, Costume construction, Costume Crafts, Sound production, Props fabrication, Special Effects, or any combination. Prerequisites: TA 1454, TA 1561, ENGL/TA 1421 or Permission of Instructor.
2601-9 SELECTED TOPICS IN THEATRE ARTS (1-3 hours)
A study of a topic selected by the department focusing on an area of particular interest within the discipline.
TA 2701 SEMINAR IN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (1 hour)
A survey of the history of Musical Theatre from early origins to the present.
2943 STAGE MANAGEMENT (3 hours)
A practical study of the fundamentals of stage managing.
3000 THEATRE ARTS TEACHING METHODS (3 hours)
A study of current programs, methods, and materials for teaching theatre in secondary schools Rationale. Pending approval of Theatre Arts Education major. The course is required by the state and will cover materials and issues that can’t be covered in an existing course.
3180 HISTORY OF THE MUSICAL STAGE (3 hours)
A survey of music for the stage including opera, German singspiel and nineteenth century operatic developments, with emphasis on the contributions of the American musical theatre.
3181 THEATRE HISTORY I (3 hours)
European theatre and dramatic literature from ancient Greece through the eighteenth century. Prerequisite: TA 1421, ENG 2111, and Junior standing.
3182 THEATER HISTORY II (3 hours)
European theatre and dramatic literature from early nineteenth century to the present. Prerequisite: TA 1421, ENG 2111, and Junior standing.
3361 THEATRE ARTS MANAGEMENT (3 hours)
Astudy of the administration of theatre arts organizations, with an overview of events management, publicizing, marketing, and audience development, and developmental functions.
3525 STAGE SPEECH AND MOVEMENT II (3 hours)
An advanced study in the development of onstage characterization and personal development, with an emphasis on application of vocal and physical theories. Prerequisites: TA 1134, TA 2525, and DAN 1101.
3530 PLAYING SHAKESPEARE (3 hours)
Study and practice of scenes, monologues and sonnets of Shakespeare, with emphasis on Elizabethan movement, manners, customs and the practicalities of analyzing and performing Shakespeare’s language. Prerequisites: DAN 1101, TA 1134, TA1421.
3531 PERIOD PERFORMANCE (3 hours)
Study and practice of theatre performance styles from ancient Greece through Nineteenth-Century Romanticism, excluding Shakespeare. May be taken with acting, directing or design emphasis. Prerequisites: TA 1134, TA 1421, and either TA 1522 or TA 3181.
3533 ACTING FOR THE CAMERA (3 hours)
Adjusting basic techniques for film, television, and commercial industry. Prerequisites:TA 1134, DAN 1101and TA 2534. (Offered in alternate years.)
3534 DIRECTING I (3 hours)
A practical study of the fundamentals of directing. Prerequisite: DAN 1101,TA 1134, TA 1421, TA 1454, TA 1561 (The Theatre Arts Core) and Junior standing.
3536 STAGE COMBAT (2 hours)
A practical study for the performer in basic unarmed and single weapon techniques with a focus on the safe and effective performance of stage violence Prerequisites: TA 1134 or TA 1135 and DAN 1100 or DAN 1101.
3539 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE (3 hours)
A practical study of the special theories, techniques and practices of theatrical performance in musical theatre styles. Prerequisites: DA1101, TA1134, TA1421.
3544 DIRECTING II (3 hours)
A practical experience in the direction of a one-act play. Prerequisites: DAN1101, TA1134, TA1421 TA1454, TA1561 (The Theatre Arts Core), TA 3534 and Permission of Instructor.
3561 SCENE DESIGN (3 hours)
Theory and practice of scenic design for the stage. Prerequisites: TA 1421, 1454, 1522 and 1561.
3562 COSTUME DESIGN (3 hours)
Theory and practice of costume design for the stage. Prerequisites: TA 1421, 1522 and 1561.
3563 LIGHTING DESIGN (3 hours)
The concepts of stage lighting design with emphasis on accepted professional procedures, script analysis, drafting, and cueing. Prerequisites: TA 15611 and TA 2553.
TA 3564 TOPICS IN DESIGN (3 hours)
This course explores topics in Design, as related to theatre and broader applicable study. In a semester focus may be given to, but not limited to, specialty design in Lighting, Scenery, Costume, Sound, Props, Special Effects, or any combination. Prerequisites: TA 1454, TA 1561, ENGL/TA 1421 or Permission of Instructor.
3950 RECITAL PREPARATION (1 hour)
A practical study to prepare the Musical Theatre major to meet the exit requirement by public performance.
3951 RECITAL (0 hours)
A practical study to prepare the Musical Theatre major to meet the exit requirement by public performance, to include assembling and preparing the materials, making physical arrangements, and other preliminary necessary preparation. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: TA 3950.
TA 3952 JUNIOR SEMINAR (1 hour)
Guided research toward professional development opportunities that will help students prepare to enter the marketplace. Topics include but are not limited to graduate school, networking, internships, entry-level positions in the discipline, resume building, and interview skills. Prerequisite: TA Core & junior standing.
4000 B.F.A. CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (3 hours)
Supervised research for B.F.A. students in either the area of musical theatre, theatre arts performance, or theatre design and production, to be conducted in conjunction with a creative project within the student's area of emphasis. Prerequisite: B.F.A. major and Senior standing, or permission of instructor.
4100 B.A. CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (3 hours)
A capstone course for seniors seeking the B. A. in Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, or Theatre Education. Prerequisite: B.A. major in Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, or Theatre Education and Senior standing.
4101-4109 THEATRE ARTS SEMINAR (3 hours)
Reading, discussion, independent research, and written reports on a topic selected by the department. (e.g., American Theatre History, British Theatre, Trends in Directing, Advanced Playwriting Practices, etc.)
4201-4209 PRACTICUM (1-3 hours)
An application of theory and methods to specific areas of theatre and dance in supervised experience. Prerequisite: permission of Department.
4301-4309 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4 hours)
Self-directed study following a contractual plan initiated by the student and approved by the department faculty.
4400 THEATRE ARTS FELLOWSHIP (1-2 hours)
For advanced students who have already received credit for a course or have proven competency in an area who would like to assist the teaching and mentorship of that course under supervision from the course instructor(s). Permission of Instructor and Theatre Arts Chair required. (S-U grading).
4401 INTERNSHIP (1-6 hours)
A supervised application of theory in practice in a functional area related to arts management or other theatre arts area. Approval granted by department and Registrar prior to internship, with tuition charged according to hours.
