Theatre

Michael Knight (Department Head)
Location: Performing Arts Center, Room 101, 903-886-5346, Fax 903-886-5199
Theatre Web Site

The Department of Theatre offers the Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees with a major in Theatre with the following emphases available: Acting/Directing, Technical/Design, and Secondary Teacher Certification. Also, Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees are offered in Theatre. The department consists of separate, but interrelated majors, with a strong liberal arts education, that prepare students for careers in the preforming arts.

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in a non-teacher education major must complete:

  1. Degree requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, and
  2. Core Curriculum Requirements (refer to those sections of this catalog).

In addition, courses in the major must be completed as shown.

Teacher Education Programs

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in a teacher education program must complete:

  1. Degree requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree (refer to the bachelor’s degree requirements section of this catalog),
  2. Core Curriculum Requirements (refer to that section of this catalog),
  3. Requirements for admission to and retention in the Teacher Education Program (refer to the Center for Educator Certification and Academic Services section of this catalog), and
  4. Professional development courses (refer to the appropriate departmental section in this catalog. i.e., Department of Curriculum & Instruction).

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THE 1310 - Intro to Theatre
Hours: 3
(DRAM 1310) A survey of the fields of theatre activity designed to provide introductory knowledge of all phases of drama, literature, performance, and production procedures.

THE 1341 - Stage Make-up
Hours: 3
Theory and practice in standard and character make-up for stage. Attention to the study of physiognomy, prosthetic pieces, and character make-up.

THE 1351 - Fundamentals of Acting
Hours: 3
Basic acting techniques of characterization, role analysis, stage movement, voice and body control.

THE 2355 - Play Analysis
Hours: 3
This course in dramatic literature will chronologically and thematically introduce the student to a wide variety of plays. Students will read and discuss plays as literature intended for theatrical performance, often dealing with the translation of the written page onto the stage. The plays will be examined from the angles of theatre movements, history, cultural context, structure, genre, and form as various viewpoints from which playwrights write and scholars criticize and interpret.

THE 109 - Practicum
Hours: 1
Supervised practice and instruction in theatre production experiences including: set construction, costuming, lighting, front of house duties, and other activities related to the production of plays. Required of all majors for each semester of study. Practicum is required in addition to the regular course of study.

THE 122 - Stage Movement
Hours: 3
This course explores the movement skills necessary for the actor with emphasis on physical training and practical application in realistic and abstract performance efforts.

THE 129 - Costume Technology I
Hours: 3
An introduction to both hand and machine sewing skills with specific reference to theatrical costuming practices.

THE 149 - Design Rendering
Hours: 3
An introduction to the basic uses of various art mediums that are commonly used when creating a variety of theatrical designs.

THE 209 - Practicum
Hours: 1
Supervised practice and instruction in theater production experiences including: set construction, costuming, lighting, front of house duties, and other activities related to the production of plays. Required of all majors for each semester of study. Practicum is required in addition to the regular course of study.

THE 212 - Theatrical Design
Hours: 3
The basic fundamentals of design as related to the particular disciplines across theatre arts.

THE 215 - Stage Technology I
Hours: 3
The basic techniques of scene construction, lighting, painting, drafting, and rigging.

THE 229 - Costume Technology II
Hours: 3
An intermediate sewing course that teaches pattern drafting and adapting as used for creating theatrical costumes. Prerequisites: THE 129 or permission of instructor.

THE 236 - Voice and Diction
Hours: 3
This course involves a practical and theoretical study of the voice mechanism and the broad International Phonetic Alphabet in order that the student may improve vocal performances onstage.

THE 305 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Teachers
Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce students to various theatre, visual, and musical arts content and experiences in the elementary school classroom.

THE 308 - Playwriting I
Hours: 3
Developing the skill of writing plays is emphasized. Play criticism and review of plays by professionals and students will be stressed. Prerequisites: THE 2355 - Play Analysis or permission of instructor.

THE 309 - Practicum
Hours: 1
Supervised practice and instruction in theatre production experiences including: set construction, costuming, lighting, front of house duties, and other activities related to the production of plays. Required of all majors for each semester of study. Practicum is required in addition to the regular course of study.

THE 310 - Design Period Styles
Hours: 3
Survey course of the evolution of Western design styles across architecture, furniture, and fashion.

THE 315 - Stage Dialects
Hours: 3
A survey of the basic techniques for learning and applying stage dialects. Prerequisites: THE 236.

THE 316 - Lighting I
Hours: 3
The basic techniques of the principles and practices of lighting design for stage and television. Included are design functions, instrumentation, electricity, history and theories of design. Prerequisites: THE 215.

THE 317 - Stage Management
Hours: 3
This course is an in-depth look at the role of the stage manager within the theatre industry. Topics will include: terminology, management skills, production books, blocking notes, interpersonal skills, duties (pre-production, production, and post-production), communication, and training of assistants and crew members.

THE 318 - Scenic Painting
Hours: 3
The course will cover the techniques and skills necessary in scenic painting. Topics include: terminology, tools, faux finishes, abstract techniques, realistic reproduction, as well as washes and glazes.

THE 319 - Stage Properties
Hours: 3
This course will cover the techniques and skills necessary to create stage properties for use in theatrical productions. Topics will include: terminology, tools, sculpting, adaptation of pre-formed objects, slip cast molds, plaster casting, and vacuform.

THE 320 - Intermediate Acting
Hours: 3
Continuation of Fundamentals of Acting with emphasis on realistic character and range through enhanced study of the theories of Constantin Stanislavski. Prerequisites: THE 1351: Fundamentals of Acting (or transfer equivalent).

THE 340 - History Of Theatre I
Hours: 3
Detailed study of the development of all phases of theatre art and drama from its origins to Elizabethan theatre. Includes study of plays and major dramatic movements. Prerequisites: THE 1310 with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor.

THE 341 - Voices from the Alternative Canon
Hours: 3
A survey of dramatic literature that seeks to centralize plays beyond the canon. Particular attention will be given to issues of visibility, accessibility, and the diversification of theatre in a contemporary context. We will study plays and other theatre documents across history, paying particular attention to issues of what it means to be marginalized. Prerequisites: THE 1310-Introduction to the Theatre or permission of the instructor.

THE 345 - Acting Period Styles
Hours: 3
For the intermediate and advanced student actor, this course places primary emphasis on the development of characterization techniques, participation in physical and vocal acting exercises, and practical performance application through stylistic scene and monologue work. Prerequisites: THE 1351: Fundamentals of Acting and THE 2355 - Play Analysis or permission of instructor.

THE 349 - Costume Design I
Hours: 3
An exploration of the process and role of the costume designer in a production. Students will learn to analyze a script, create costume charts and renderings, research, and communicate effectively using proper design terminology.

THE 359 - Costume Crafts
Hours: 3
Examines the history, practical construction, and fabrication of common costume crafts and their application in relation to theatrical productions. This is a rotating topics course, as the skills taught may change based on the needs of the students, productions, and department.

THE 366 - Scene Design I
Hours: 3
An introduction to the elements of design with a concentration on proper techniques of drafting ground plans and other design drawings. Prerequisites: THE 215 or permission of the instructor.

THE 370 - Introduction to Theatre Education
Hours: 3
This course focuses on the study of the principles and methods of creating effective theatre curriculum for the theatre classroom as well as planning and creating theatrical performances for educational environments.

THE 389 - Independent Study
Hours: 1-4
Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. This course is only offered under special circumstances. Prerequisites: Consent of department head. Note May be repeated when the topic varies.

THE 397 - Special Topics
Hours: 0-3
Organized class. May be repeated when topics vary.

THE 409 - Practicum
Hours: 1
Supervised practice and instruction in theatre production experiences including: set construction, costuming, lighting, front of house duties, and other activities related to the production of plays. Required of all majors for each semester of study. Practicum is required in addition to the regular course of study.

THE 415 - Stage Directing I
Hours: 3
The procedure and the problems involved in directing a play from selection of the script, auditions, and conducting rehearsals to the final production. Prerequisites: THE 1351: Fundamentals of Acting & THE 2355: Play Analysis with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor.

THE 416 - Stage Directing II
Hours: 3
Advanced explorations in directing with extended study in the organization, interpretation, casting, and staging of theatrical performance. Prerequisites: THE 415 Stage Directing I.

THE 439 - Dramaturgy
Hours: 3
An introduction to the theory and practice of dramaturgy, including a survey of contemporary critical theories as they apply to the pre-production work of the dramaturg. The student will apply methodologies studies to plays from the classical repertory and to the work of new playwrights. Prerequisites: THE 2355: Play Analysis with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor.

THE 440 - History of Theatre II
Hours: 3
Detailed study of the development of all phases of theatre and drama from the French Renaissance to the present. Includes the study of plays and major dramatic movements. Prerequisites: THE 340 or permission of the instructor.

THE 445 - Projects in Acting
Hours: 3
For the intermediate or advanced student actor, this course is designed to hone skills in characterization and script analysis as they apply to auditioning skills. Prerequisites: THE 1351: Fundamentals of Acting and THE 2355: Play Analysis with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor.

THE 449 - Resume and Portfolio
Hours: 2
Learn to write a theatrical resume, create your portfolio, how to interview for a job, write a cover letter, and where to look for work. Prerequisites: 6sh of Practicum or permission of instructor.

THE 461 - Meisner Acting I
Hours: 3
Through exercises, performance activities, and presentations this course provides the student with a practical introduction to Sanford Meisner’s approach to actor training. Crosslisted with: THE 561.

THE 462 - Meisner Acting II
Hours: 3
For the student-actor who has previously acquired a working knowledge of the foundational principles of Sanford Meisner’s approach to actor training, this course provides more advanced instruction in the following concepts: emotional preparation, interpretation, the personalization of text, the deeper wish and spine, personalizing the deeper wish provocative statements, and key fact. Prerequisites: THE 461. Crosslisted with THE 562.

THE 463 - Meisner Acting for the Camera
Hours: 3
This class offers practical explorations of Sanford Meisner’s approach to working with both the text and the character through assignments based on monologue and scene work for the camera. Emphasis will be placed on honing the concepts of “Specificity,” “Doings,” and “Personalization” in performance, with an additional introduction to “Particularization.” Crosslisted with: THE 563.

THE 489 - Independent Study
Hours: 1-4
Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated when the topic varies. This course is only offered under special circumstances. Prerequisites: Consent of department head.

THE 490 - H Honors Thesis
Hours: 3
Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisites: Consent of Dept. Chair. Note May be repeated when the topic varies.

THE 491 - H Honors Readings
Hours: 3
Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisites: Consent of head. Note May be repeated when the topic varies.

THE 495 - Senior Theatre Project
Hours: 3
Theatre research and/or creative work that is intended to be the culmination of the theatre or broadfield theatre major. The work consists of a project proposal, outline, paper, and bibliography. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

THE 497 - Special Topics
Hours: 1-4
Organized class. May be repeated when topics vary.

THE 499 - Rehearsal and Performance
Hours: 3
Techniques, practices, and processes in lighting, scenic, costume, sound, management, and acting for the undergraduate student.

Carrie Klypchak
Associate Professor
B.F.A., M.A., Southwest Texas State University; Ph.D., Bowling Green State University.

Michael Knight
Associate Professor
B.S., Texas AM University-Commerce; M.F.A., The University of Mississippi.

Jackie Rosenfeld
Assistant Professor
B.A. Angelo State University; M.F.A. Texas Tech University

Cade Sikora
Assistant Professor
B.A. University of Wisconsin; M.F.A. Ohio State Univeristy

Andrea Williams
Assistant Professor
B.S., Ripon College; M.F.A., University of Arkansas

Rebecca Worley
Assistant Professor
B.F.A., M.F.A., Texas Tech University