curriculum

• Theatre 121 or 201 or 221; Theatre 245, 335, 355, 371; and English 261;
  
• One of the following: Theatre 345, 362, 435, 436 or 455;
  
• Any additional two Theatre course at the 300 level or above. These two courses may not include independent studies, Theatre 401 (Theatre Practicum) or 499 (Honors Thesis)

• One additional course in dramatic literature approved by the department chair. Approved courses outside the department (other than English 261) will meet this requirement.
  

In addition, Majors are required to fulfill the production requirements under either a. or b. below:

a) Serve as production stage manager for a faculty- or guest-directed play. Written requests for these assignments should be submitted during the semester preceding production. Requests are submitted to the faculty advisor and are subject to the approval by the director

b) Serve in one of the following positions for department production: assistant director, assistant stage manager, assistant to the designer, or properties master. Work will be supervised by an assigned faculty member.

Note: Majors should consult with their faculty advisers about these assignments during the semester preceding production. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that both requirements a and b above are met.

Minor Requirements: Six courses, at least three of which must be taken in residence at Davidson College, consisting of:

• Theatre 371;
  
• Two courses from Theatre 221, 245, 335, 355.
  
• Three courses from Theatre 300 level or above.

Courses taken Pass/Fail may not be counted toward the minor.

Honors: Candidates for honors in Theatre must first meet the college's requirements for departmental honors as described in "Academic Regulations," and must have at least a 3.5 GPA in Theatre Courses counted toward the major. In addition to completing the regular course requirements for the major, honors candidates must complete Theatre 499, with an oral defense of the thesis before the theatre faculty.

Courses

11 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; First-year students only. (Fall)
12 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; First-year students only. (Spring)
21 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; Second-year students only. (Fall)
22 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; Second-year students only. (Spring)
31 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; Third-year students only. (Fall)
32 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; Third-year students only. (Spring)
41 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; Fourth-year students only. (Fall)
42 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; Fourth-year students only. (Spring)
45 (non-credit) Applied Theatre; Topics in Arts Management; Fourth-year students only. (Fall)


101 INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS
Ms. Green
Study of materials of creative expression in theatre. Lectures, readings, discussions, videos, field trips, critical writing and laboratory work build understanding of the theatrical event and the fundamental components of stage production. Open to first-years students and sophomores only, with juniors and seniors permitted during Drop/Add. (Fall, Spring)

121 STUDIO THEATRE I
Ms. Costa, Mr. Gardner
Group study of theatre practices intended to expand the student's knowledge of presentational modes. Ensemble exercises and improvisational work contribute to the development of a performance piece which is included in the studio theatre series. (Spring)

201 EXERCISES IN PLAYCRAFTING AND PERFORMANCE
Ms. Costa, Mr. Gardner
Examination and utilization of the creative elements of theatre stressing theory, script development, problem-solving and critical analysis. Intended for the student with previous training or experience in theatre. Open to first- and second-year students only with juniors and seniors permitted during Drop/Add.

221 STUDIO THEATRE II
Ms. Costa, Mr. Gardner
Continuation of group study and exercises from THE 121. Students in Theatre 221 have additional responsibilities in ensemble leadership, script development, and production supervision. Open to Theatre majors and students who have completed Theatre 201, 121, or 245. (Spring)

245 ACTING I
Ms. Costa, Mr. Beasley, Ms. Green
Study and application of the psycho-physical and emotional bases of performance. Emphasis on relaxation of the actor's body, ensemble improvisation, freeing the natural voice, acting on impulse. The training will culminate in realistic scene work.

295 INDEPENDENT STUDY
Staff
For the beginning or intermediate student with a special topic to be pursued under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The topic of study must be reviewed and approved by the faculty member before permission is granted for enrollment. Normally assigned work and criteria for evaluation will be clearly established by the instructor before the beginning of the semester and in all cases no later than the end of the drop/add period. Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

335 (231) FUNDAMENTALS OF STAGE DESIGN
Mr. Gardner
Theory and practice of scene and lighting design, including basic stagecraft, design principles, drafting and rendering techniques. Prerequisite: Theatre 101 or 201 and permission of the instructor. (Fall)

345 ACTING II
Ms. Costa, Mr. Beasley, Ms. Green
Study and application of the Stanislavsky acting process. Group and individual exercises designed to promote personalization and emotional fullness in characterization. Advanced techniques for scene and character analysis. Performance of scenes from classical realism, acting for the camera scenes, and from Shakespeare's plays. Not open to first-year students. Prerequisite: THE 245.

355 (251) FUNDAMENTALS OF DIRECTING
Ms. Costa, Mr. Beasley, Ms Green
Fundamentals of directing for the stage, focusing on text analysis, the director-actor relationship, the director-designer conceptual process and scene work. Prerequisite: Theatre 201 or 245 and permission of the instructor. (Fall)

362 COMMUNNITY-BASED THEATRE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Ms. Green
This course investigates the potential for theatre and performance to be catalysts for social change. Focusing specifically on Community-Based Theatre, the course explores the ways in which performance has participated in struggles against oppression of various kinds and has been integral to community-building. The course combines case studies from various historical and geographical contexts with practical activities used by Community-Based Theatre practitioners. (Meets for extra hours, please consult with the instructor.)

371 WORLD THEATRE HISTORY
Ms. Green
Study of theory and practice of stage performance throughout the world from ancient Greece to the present. Lectures, readings, and discussions, with emphasis on the Western tradition. (Fall)

375 AMERICAN THEATRE STUDIES
Ms. Green
Selected topics in American theatre practice, including a historical overview and topical study of current regional activity. The course will include a trip during Spring Break to a city regarded as an important site of contemporary theatre. Depending on programming and scheduling opportunities, Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, and New York will beconsidered as possible destinations. (Spring Semesters: even numbered years)

380-385 SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
Staff
Group study of selected theatre topics. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

390-396 INDEPENDENT STUDY
Staff
For advanced students with a special topic to be pursued under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. The topic of study must be reviewed and approved by the faculty member before permission is granted for enrollment. Normally, assigned work and criteria for evaluation will be clearly established by the instructor before the beginning of the semester; in all cases this will occur before the end of the Drop/Add period. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

390 INDEPENDENT STUDY-- HISTORY AND CRITISM
Ms Green
Topics normally involve reading assignments, research projects and papers. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

391 INDEPENDENT STUDY-- ADVANCED ACTING
Staff
Topics normally involve role research, preparation, and/or performance. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

392 INDEPENDENT STUDY-- ADVANCED DIRECTING
Ms Costa
Topics normally involve background research, script analysis, promptbook preparation, scene and/or play direction. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

393 INDEPENDENT STUDY-- ADVANCED DESIGN
Mr Gardner
Topics may concentrate on any area of theatre design, including lighting, scenery, costumes, make-up, properties or sound, and normally involve design exercises and projects. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

394 INDEPENDENT STUDY-- DRAMATURGY
Staff
Play analysis and interpretation in a performance-related context. Topics normally involve research in analytical methodologies as well as participation in production as an assistant to a faculty or guest director. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

395 INDEPENDENT STUDY-- STAGE MANAGEMENT
Staff
Practicum in play preparation and oversight responsibility for mainstage or studio production, including rehearsal assistance, backstage communications and performance management. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

396 INDEPENDENT STUDY-- PLAYWRITING
Staff
Topics normally involve writing exercises and a fully-developed original playscript. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

399 ADMINISTRATION OF THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATION
Staff
Issues of administration, operation, evaluation, public cultural policies and funding as they relate to the visual and performing arts. Readings, papers, and discussions, including regular sessions with executive directors from regional arts organizations. Recommended for juniors and seniors with interest in the arts, contemporary American culture, public policy, and/or relevant economic issues
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (Fall-Odd numbered years)

401 THEATRE PRACTICUM
Staff
Field work and study in production, administration or dramaturgy in an off-campus program approved by the department and supervised by a department faculty member. Preparatory readings, research, and written work relevant to the area of study are required. Grading for the course is Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

435 (331) SCENE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Gardner
Advanced study, through exercises and projects, of the materials, principles and techniques of designing scenery for the theatre, with parallel study of related technical areas. Prerequisite: Theatre 231. (Spring)

436 (332) LIGHTING DESIGN AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTION
Mr. Gardner
Advanced study, through exercises and projects, of the tools, principles and techniques of designing and executing stage lighting, with parallel study of related technical areas. Prerequisite: Theatre 231. (Spring)

445 ACTING III
Ms. Costa
Advanced study of one or more production styles involving in-depth research and resulting in class performance. An effort will be made to tailor course content to promote the individual actor's development. Prerequisite: THE 245, 345 and permission of the instructor.

455 (351) DIRECTING
Ms. Costa
Study and employment of directing principles, culminating in presentation. Each student will direct a one-act play for the Studio Theatre Series. Prerequisite: Theatre 251 and permission of the instructor. Limited to juniors and seniors only. (Spring)

499 HONORS TUTORIAL AND THESIS
Staff
Required for graduation with honors in Theatre. For Theatre majors only. Prerequisite: Approval of topic by department faculty. (Spring)

Other Course Descriptions:

ENGLISH 261 MODERN DRAMA
European, American, and British drama from Ibsen to Pinter with emphasis on the major movements within Western theatre: Realism, naturalism, expressionism, Epic Theatre, and Theatre of the Absurd.

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