Theatre Arts
Undergraduate Programs
Description
The Department of Theatre and Dance is dedicated to two primary goals: to provide students with the highest caliber of training in theatre and dance that will allow them to create performances of any kind at any level, and to provide the southern Minnesota region with a multi-faceted, high quality theatrical and dance experience. These goals interweave to provide entertainment and education to those on both sides of the curtain.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
---|---|---|---|
Theatre Arts BA | BA - Bachelor of Arts |
|
120 |
Theatre Arts BFA Acting | BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts |
|
120 |
Theatre Arts BFA Design Technology | BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts |
|
120 |
Theatre Arts BFA Musical Theatre | BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts |
|
120 |
Theatre Arts BS | BS - Bachelor of Science |
|
120 |
Minors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
---|---|---|---|
Theatre Arts Minor | 23 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Admission to Major is granted by the department. Contact the department for application procedures.
See “Dance” for Dance Major and Minor requirements.
GPA Policy. A grade of “C” or better must be earned for major or minor credit.
P/N Grading Policy. Courses applied to a major or minor in the department may not be taken on a P/N basis, except by permission of the chair.
Limit on Number of Activity Credits. Students must take 5 activity credits from three areas, and no more than 6 activity credits total. No student may take more than 4 practicum credits total. Only one activity or practicum credit is allowed per production.
Summer Stock Activity Credits. No one may take more than 4 summer stock activity credits per summer.
Contact Information
College of Arts & Humanities
Department of Theatre and Dance
201 Earley Center for Performing Arts
507-389-2118
Fax: 507-389-2922
www.MSUTheatre.com
100 Level
Credits: 3
Survey of theatre arts; lectures, with lab experience available. Note: Students may not take both THEA 115 and this class.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-06
Credits: 3
Performance scenes and exercises for the beginner.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-06
Credits: 1-2
Acting in a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Goal Areas: GE-11
Credits: 1-2
Work on stage or house management, or public relations. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Goal Areas: GE-11
Credits: 1-2
Serve as Dance Captain, to assist the Choreographer, for a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Work on stage crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Goal Areas: GE-11
Credits: 1-2
Work on costumes or wardrobe crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Goal Areas: GE-11
Credits: 1-2
Work on lighting crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Goal Areas: GE-11
Credits: 1-2
Work on sound crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Goal Areas: GE-11
Credits: 3
Performance scenes and acting exercises for the beginning theatre major.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 0
Private lessons in developing the actor's singing voice. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1
Instructs the student through a series of movement exercises in body alignment, breathing, flexibility, strength and coordination.Prerequisites: Consent
200 Level
Credits: 3
The process of character structuring through script analysis and scene work.Prerequisites: THEA 110 or consent
Credits: 2
A group instruction course covering fundamental music theory and skills applicable to the theatre artist including the study of music notation, style, harmony and literature. Skills learned will include basic keyboarding, sight reading and sight singing music. FallPrerequisites: none
Credits: 2
A continuation of Music Skill for Theatre I, this course will focus on recent developments in the American Music Theatre while increasing skills learned in the previous class. SpringPrerequisites: THEA 212
Credits: 1
Study and exercise to prepare actors to sing for the musical theatre with the focus on competence and musicianship.Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor
Credits: 2
The development of a repertoire of audition pieces to increase the ability to perform with confidence on short notice.Prerequisites: THEA 110 or consent
Credits: 1
Exploration of all aspects of theatrical stage management activities through specific theoretical and practical study.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Introduction to the theory and practice of directing for the theatre.Prerequisites: THEA 100 and THEA 101 or THEA 110
Credits: 3
Introduction to the concepts, process, and practices of theatrical scenic, lighting, and costume design including script analysis and historical overviews.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 3
Introductory course examining the basics of materials and techniques of scenic painting with a large amount of lab time for experimentation with technique.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
Fundamental concepts of technical theatre; an overview of basic stagecraft, costuming, lighting, and sound in the contemporary theatre.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 3
Introduction to theory and practice of construction techniques used in the theatre.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 3
Theory and techniques in stage costume construction.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 1
Fundamental concepts of costume design and production for the Dance.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Theory and practical laboratory work in stage makeup applications.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1
Exposes K-12 teachers to a practical methodology of applying stage makeup.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
The study of lighting technology and its effect on lighting design.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 1
Fundamental concepts of lighting design and production for the Dance.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The study of sound technology and its affect on sound design.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 1
Fundamental concepts of sound design and production for the Dance.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A survey of literature, artists and performances with specific regard to the theatre of diversity including, but not restricted to: Feminist Theatre, Gay and Lesbian Theatre, African-American Theatre, Asian American Theatre, Hispanic Theatre, etc.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-07
Diverse Cultures: Purple
Credits: 1-4
.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-4
Work on the actual mounting and performance of a touring theatrical production.Prerequisites: Consent
300 Level
Credits: 1-4
Technical work and/or acting in summer theatre productions. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
A considerable production responsibility which utilizes skills in script analysis, actor coaching, design coordination and general production management; or assistant directing for a mainstage production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
A considerable production responsibility dealing with the preparation and performance of a major acting role. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Special assignments in stage management, house, and/or concessions management, public relations or related areas. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Preparation and execution of a major scene design assignment. Requires a design and construction schedule, preliminary and final design concepts, and necessary drafting details. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
A considerable production responsibility dealing with some technical aspects including technical drawings, budget management, or construction techniques. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Full and assistant costume design assignments for theatre productions. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
The construction of costumes for theatre productions. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Preparation and execution of a major lighting design assignment. Requires a design with appropriate schedules, supervision of hanging, focusing and cues. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Preparation and execution of a major sound design assignment including all sound effects, reinforcement and amplification. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 0
Continuation of THEA 111. May be repeated.Prerequisites: THEA 111
Credits: 1
Introduction to the various career opportunities directly in or appertaining to theatrical arts performance.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 3
Exploration of teaching creative dramatics in the K-12 setting.Prerequisites: THEA 121
Credits: 3
The study and application of various analytical approaches to play texts in preparation for production.Prerequisites: THEA 100
400 Level
Credits: 1
Exploring the techniques of building a working design/technology portfolio and resume.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
Introduction to musical theatre performance techniques for the American Musical Theatre actor.Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent
Credits: 3
Scene studies from the American Musical Theatre, as well as performance techniques for the singing actor.Prerequisites: THEA 210 and consent
Credits: 2
Study and exercises in vocal development emphasizing the demands of stage speech.Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent
Credits: 2
Study and exercises in vocal development, including the study of the International Phonetic Alphabet.Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent
Credits: 2
A study and practice of vocal dialects most often used in performance.Prerequisites: THEA 413
Credits: 2
A continuation of Stage Dialects I.Prerequisites: THEA 413
Credits: 3
Advanced scene studies with a focus on analysis and the varied approaches to developing motivations.Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent
Credits: 3
The development of individual performance craft and advanced acting methodologies.Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent
Credits: 3
The development of individual performance craft and advanced acting methodologies.Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent
Credits: 3
Advanced scene studies in classical and stylized dramatic literature.Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent
Credits: 3
Development of performance craft for the media.Prerequisites: THEA 210 and consent
Credits: 3
Pedagogy of theatre in the K-12 setting. Emphasis will include: national and state standards, assessment practices, lesson planning and curriculum development.Prerequisites: THEA 324
Credits: 1-2
Specialized training in a variety of physical techniques. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 2
An exploration of basic skills involved in unarmed combat and a variety of historical weapons systems with primary emphasis on theatricality and safety.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
Exposes students to the functions of theatre managers through case studies, discussions, practical application and readings.Prerequisites: THEA 235
Credits: 1
Exposes future teachers to a practical methodology of producing theatre in the K-12 setting. Coreq: THEA 424Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-2
Serve as Choreographer for a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Serve as Musical Director for a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-2
Serve as Dramaturg for a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
Advanced studies in script analysis, actor psychology and staging techniques culminating in performance projects with critical analysis.Prerequisites: THEA 235 and consent
Credits: 3
Development of techniques and skills in the creation of scenery.Prerequisites: THEA 240 or consent
Credits: 3
Refinement of model building and drawing skills in theatrical design.Prerequisites: THEA 440
Credits: 3
A visual appreciation of assorted cultures through the study of their architecture, decoration, furniture, utensils, etc.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
Provides information on materials and techniques of scenic painting with a large amount of lab time for experimentation with technique.Prerequisites: THEA 252 or consent
Credits: 3
Exploring compositional organization of the two-dimensional surface by experimenting with a variety of media, materials, forms, approaches and subjects as a means for theatrical communication.Prerequisites: THEA 240
Credits: 3
Enhances the advanced theatre student's ability to show complex elements of a theatrical design in a clear manner using accepted theatrical drafting methods.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
Explores all facets of technical direction, construction techniques, and project management.Prerequisites: THEA 255
Credits: 3
Explores advanced facets of technical direction including entertainment engineering and technology currently in use in the field.Prerequisites: THEA 455
Credits: 3
Theory and techniques in costume design and execution.Prerequisites: THEA 240 or consent
Credits: 3
Advanced costume design theory and techniques.Prerequisites: THEA 460
Credits: 3
Survey of costume history from ancient Egypt to 1900.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 3
Practical application of advanced makeup techniques.Prerequisites: THEA 265
Credits: 3
The study of lighting equipment, usage, techniques and stage lighting design.Prerequisites: THEA 270
Credits: 3
Solving particular lighting design challenges.Prerequisites: THEA 470
Credits: 3
Computer realization for virtual lighting design to enhance practical production quality.Prerequisites: THEA 470. Permission of Instructor
Credits: 3
A study of the concepts behind digital audio and an exploration of their practical uses.Prerequisites: THEA 275
Credits: 3
Production and sound effects, electronic sound reinforcement of live performance, choice and operation of sound equipment, as well as basic music styles and terminology.Prerequisites: consent
Credits: 3
Integrated sound design to support and enhance theatrical production.Prerequisites: THEA 475
Credits: 3
Survey of theatrical history from its origins to 1700.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 3
Survey of theatrical history from 1700 to the present.Prerequisites: THEA 100
Credits: 3
Survey of the history of the American Musical Theatre from its origins to the present.Prerequisites: THEA 100 and consent
Credits: 3
This class teaches how to access historical information and present it to directors, actors, or designers in a way that will help them make informed and practical artistic choices.Prerequisites: THEA 100 and consent
Credits: 3
Writing the short and long play.Prerequisites: THEA 100. Permission of instructor.
Credits: 1-3
Special topics not covered in other classes. May be repeated.Prerequisites: THEA 100. Permission of Instructor
Credits: 1-3
.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-8
.Prerequisites: Consent
Credits: 1-3
.Prerequisites: Consent