Courses
(This list of courses may not be up to date. Please see the latest General Catalog for a complete list of current courses.)
THEA 005 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H. Theatre: On Stage (1-2) Open to all students, this course provides 1 to 2 units of credit for full participation as a cast member in a Theatre Department production, which is judged by the faculty to be of suitable scope or difficulty. Pass/No Credit only. May be repeated for each sub-section. Permission of instructor required. Course counts towards 8 unit limit of activity courses.
THEA 005 I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P. Theatre: Back Stage (1) Open to all students, this course provides 1 unit of credit for participation on a technical crew for a Theatre Department production. Pass/No Credit only. May be repeated for each sub-section. Permission of instructor required. Course counts towards 8 unit limit of activity courses.
THEA 011. Introduction to the Theatre (4) An introduction to general theories and practices in the various areas of theatre: technical, historical, costuming, performance and production. Students will attend available theatre productions and participate in theatre laboratories to measure theory against practice and to experience the theatre in action.
THEA 031. Stage Makeup Fundamentals (2) Essentials of makeup for stage, including basics of makeup application, color theory, etc. Class projects include two-dimensional and three-dimensional techniques, cross-gender and stylized makeup designs. Students learn to apply makeup on themselves and, through service hours to Theatre Department productions, on others.
THEA 033. Theatrical Design Fundamentals (4) In this lecture and demonstration course, students learn the theory and application of the fundamental principles of theatre design, covering costumes, lights, and scenery. Topics included color theory, sketching, drafting, rendering, script analysis, model-building, research, and historical analysis. Assignments also include hands-on work in the Scene Shop and Costume Shop.
THEA 035B. Stage Management Practice (2) This is a course that will emphasize the application of the theory, techniques, and best practices of stage management. Students will be assigned to a stage management team in charge of stage management duties for a departmental (or possibly other) production. Prerequisites: THEA 035A or permission of the instructor.
THEA 037A. Costume Construction and Technology (2) This class covers all aspects of costume construction, including pattern making, pattern alterations, fitting adjustments, hand and machine sewing, and other related methods and materials for costume construction. Class work includes participation in current Theatre Department productions. This course is intended for majors and minors, but is suitable for interested general students. Prerequisites: THEA 033 or permission of the instructor.
THEA 037B. Light and Sound Technology (2) Students will be trained in the application of the principles of stagecraft to the creation of lighting and sound environments for live theatre. Class work includes participation in current theatre Department productions. This course is intended for majors and minors, but is suitable for interested general students. Prerequisites: THEA 033 or permission of the instructor.
THEA 137. Scenery (2) Students will study and practice the principals of Theatrical Lighting while working with the equipment and technology in both classroom and lab environments. Course will include the controllable properties of lighting, including color, texture, and fixture choice, as well as experience in programming cues through the computer light board. Study will include basic understanding of electricity and electronics and will include practical participation in current Theatre Department productions. This course is intended for majors and minors, but is suitable for interested general students. Prerequisite: THEA 033 or permission of instructor.
THEA 071. Beginning Acting (3) An introduction to the theories and techniques of acting. Fundamental skills of acting will be explored through exercises, character analysis, scene study, and improvisation, based on the theories of Konstantin Stanislavsky.
THEA 073. Acting for the Camera (4) The course explores acting theory and practice as they pertain to the art and craft of acting for the camera. Students will perform scenes and monologues, which will be recorded on video for study and critique, as well as acting exercises. This course will introduce the student to the techniques, skills and vocabulary required for acting for the camera. Students will be introduced to performing on camera working with scripts from plays, feature films and televisions shows. The students will be on camera very frequently. Upon completion of this course the student will know the basic techniques of acting for the camera. Students will know what to expect when they walk onto a film/TV set or location. They will also know basic camera, lighting, audio, and non-linear video editing techniques.
THEA 075. Expressive Movement (3) In this course students will learn a non-biased language to describe human movement, utilizing Laban-Movement Analysis. Students will apply their learning in class physical exercise, out-of-class observations, self-observations and journal writing, making connections useful in interviewing, athletics, education, therapy, collaborative work, and aesthetic expression. The class will create a Movement Choir or other artistic product in order to explain the expressiveness of the body and practice movement skills.
THEA 077. Voice for the Actor (2) Utilizing Kristin Linklater's book Freeing the Natural Voice, students will develop a kinesthetic understanding of the use of their voice, with the goal to free the voice to its most expressive and expansive state. Totally experiential, the class consists primarily of in-class-exercises, with observation skills developed through journal writing.
THEA 087. Theatre Internship (2) An immersive work experience off-campus, under the supervision of non-Pacific managers or supervisors, in any theatrical field: stage, film/television, acting, administration, management, design, or construction. Internships may be for a specific production, a specified time length, or a summer season. Requires satisfactory completion of the work assignment and written reports. Pass/No Credit only.
THEA 089 A,B,C,D. Practicum: Performance (2) This course recognizes further development in experiential learning for students who accept a performance task that is judged by the faculty to be of suitable scope or difficulty. Assignments may include a single role or multiple roles in one production, dance, combat, choreography, etc. Requires satisfactory completion of the work assignment and written reports. Pass/No Credit only. Prerequisites: THEA 005 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or H, and permission of instructor.
THEA 089 E,F,G,H. Practicum: Production (2) This course recognizes further development in experiential learning for students who accept a production task that is judged by the faculty to be of suitable scope, responsibility, or difficulty. Students will have some prior experience in production and will assume positions with staff-like duties. Prerequisites: THEA 005 I, J, K, L, M, N, O, or P, and permission of the instructor.
THEA 100 A,B,C,D. Theatre Tour (2) Attendance of theatre in a major center of theatre activity in the U.S. or abroad, on site seminars, lectures, and tours will be included. Written journals and plan reviews are required.
THEA 105. Career Workshop (2) In this course, Theatre Arts students are guided to transition into a competitive environment in a variety of theatre related opportunities such as: acting auditions, graduate schools, professional training programs, commercial interviews, etc. Projects may include acting auditions, design portfolios, interview simulations for technicians, theatre management prospectuses, etc. Class members will also prepare resumes, headshots, and portfolios as part of the course work. Prerequisites: THEA 033, 035, 071, senior standing, and/or permission of the instructor.
THEA 109. Theatre Arts Capstone (2) A student-developed and faculty-coordinated learning experience, which may involve performance or portfolio development and display, design or directing. All majors will create a specific project which will demonstrate a synthesis of the training received and an originality of perspective. Project proposals are reviewed and approved by a faculty committee. Prerequisites: senior standing, and/or permission of the instructor.
THEA 111. Script Analysis (3) Script analysis for the director, actor, or designer through lecture and discussion. In addition to script analysis, emphasis is given to the basic skills of character analysis, casting, staging, production concept, and production requirements (scenery, lighting, costumes and sound) and in the production- audience relationship.
THEA 112. Playwriting (3) This course is designed to introduce students to the craft of playwriting. Students will read and analyze a diversity of contemporary plays in order to discover the structural techniques, dynamic language, and theatricality inherent to the discipline of playwriting. Students will then complete writing assignments designed to explore and develop a unique creative voice. Classroom activities will include analysis of master texts, the creation and sharing of short writing exercises, and the writing, staging, and presentation of one ten-minute play or segment from a larger work. Prerequisites: samples of creative writing, verification of adequate theatrical experience, or completion of ENGL 175, and permission of instructor.
THEA 113. What's Past is Prologue: Practice and Perspective in Theatre History I (4) This course studies theatre history and dramatic literature from the classical era to 1800. Students study the development of the physical theater, genres and styles of drama and their relationships to historical and cultural contexts. This is a lecture and discussion course in which students will prepare scholarly papers.
THEA 115. What's Past is Prologue: Practice and Perspective in Theatre History II (4) This course studies theatre history and dramatic literature from 1800 to the present. Students study the development of the physical theater, genres, and styles of drama and their relationships to historical and cultural contexts. This is a lecture and discussion course in which students will prepare scholarly papers. Prerequisites: THEA 113 or permission of instructor.
THEA 134. Mask Making (3) This course covers a variety of design and fabrication techniques for theatrical mask making and includes the use of many different materials in creating decorative and functional masks. This is a hands-on course involving creative problem solving, research, sculpting and decorating of wearable masks. Discussion includes cultural anthropology and history behind ceremonial masks. Students will create and construct several different masks during the semester.
THEA 171. Intermediate Acting (3) An in-depth characterization and scene-study class that will explore acting theory. Student actors critique acting assignments, prepare scene analyses, define character objectives and intentions and perform a series of scenes and audition pieces. Contemporary and some classical dramatic literature will be explored. Final projects will include formal written analyses, solo and ensemble presentations. Prerequisites: a “B” or better in THEA 071 or permission of the instructor.
THEA 172. Directing (4) A study of the theories, principles, and practice of directing for the stage through directing projects for classroom presentation. Prerequisites: THEA 033, 071, 111, junior standing, and permission of the instructor.
THEA 173A. Advanced Acting: Classical Styles (3) An intensive course designed to help the student actor develop (through scene study, exercises, monologue work, etc.) the basic techniques necessary to perform classical texts, using the works of Shakespeare. There will be an emphasis on voice, diction, and text analysis with a focus on the linguistic structure of the text and how that structure reflects, reveals, and expresses the emotional life of the character. This class will help students to develop an understanding of the challenges of performing Shakespeare and the classics by building upon previously acquired acting skills and knowledge. Prerequisites: a “B” or better in THEA 171 and permission of the instructor.
THEA 173B. Advanced Acting: Actorís Repertoire (3) The actor will create a portfolio of work consisting of classical and contemporary monologues and/or songs. Performance ready material will help facilitate the actor’s transition from academic theatre to professional theatre. Prerequisites: a “B” or better in THEA 171 and permission of the instructor.
THEA 187. Theatre Internship (2) An immersive work experience off-campus, under the supervision of non-Pacific managers or supervisors, in any theatrical field: stage, film/television, acting, administration, management, design, or construction. Internship may be for a specific production, a specified time length, or a summer season. Requires satisfactory completion of the work assignment and written reports. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.
THEA 189 A,B,C,D. Practicum: Performance (2) This course recognizes further development in experiential learning for students who accept a performance task that is judged by faculty to be of suitable scope or difficulty. Assignments may include a single role or multiple roles in one production dance or combat choreography, music or vocal coaching, dance captain in musicals, etc. Requires satisfactory completion of the assignment and written reports. Pass/No Credit only. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and junior or senior standing.
THEA 189 E,F,G,H. Practicum: Production (2) This course recognizes further development in experiential learning for students who accept a performance task that is judged by faculty to be of suitable scope, responsibility, or difficulty. Students will have prior experience in production and will assume positions with staff-like duties. Pass/No Credit only. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and junior or senior standing.
THEA 191. Independent Study (2-4) Students desiring to study a particular aspect of theatrical practice or theory in depth may suggest a topic and a calendar to the appropriate Theatre Arts faculty. This option is designed for advanced study students. Prerequisite: minimum 2.7 GPA and permission of the instructor.
THEA 193. Special Topics (2-4) The material of a Special Topics course may reflect the current research of the instructor or the needs and interests of a group of students. Information regarding an offering under this number may be obtained from the instructor. Faculty members are open to suggestions from students for small group seminar topics in theatre practice, theory, or pedagogy.