Drew's Theatre Department Course Listing

Theatre Arts Courses

• THEA 5 / Introduction to Theatre Arts
  An introduction to the theory and practice of the theatre and its arts and crafts: acting, directing, playwriting, design, production/administration. Combines background and theory for each discipline with work on creative projects that demonstrate and implement the theories and principles. Requires no previous theatrical experience. Offered annually.
• THEA 15 / The Art of the Play
  A survey of major works of the theatrical repertoire with special emphasis on understanding play construction and developing an analytical process that inspires and facilitates translation of dramatic writing into theatrical presentation. Offered fall and spring semester.
• THEA 25 / Introduction to Theatre Technology
  An introduction to the theory, techniques, materials, and equipment of theatre technology. Focuses on the principles and practice of set and costume construction, scenery painting, the nature and use of electricity, lighting, and sound equipment, tools and their safe usage, technical production organization and management. Lecture format with extensive practical laboratory work. Signature of instructor required for registration. offered each semester annually.
• THEA 26 / Introduction to Theatre Design
  An introduction to the theory, process, and techniques of set, lighting, sound, and costume design. Topics include the principles and dynamics of design, the development of a design concept, script analysis from the designer's perspective, drafting and rendering techniques, color. Lecture/lab format. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 15, 25 or equivalent and permission of instructor. Offered each semester.
• THEA 35 / Introduction to Acting and Directing
  A laboratory course in the basic theories and techniques of acting and directing. Extensive scene work, class exercises, and written analyses. Each student directs two scenes and acts in at least four. Signature of instructor required for registration. Offered fall and spring semester.
• THEA 36 / Actor's Lab: Monologues I
  A course geared to the actor's individual skills, to strengthen performance in monologues. Students will work with contemporary plays, developing character, emotional truth, and physical action. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 35. Offered spring semester.
• THEA 37 / Actors' Lab: Scenes I
  A course geared to the actor's individual skills, to strengthen performance in scene study. Students will work with contemporary plays, developing character, emotional truth, and physical action. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 35. Offered spring semester.
• THEA 45 / Intermediate Directing
  A study of the theory and practice of directing, from the selection of a play through casting, rehearsals, and performance. Emphasizes script analysis and how one translates the playwright's vision into theatrical reality. All students are several involved in project work with new plays written by advanced playwrights. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 26, THEA 35, and permission of instructor. Offered spring semester.
• THEA 55 / Introduction to Playwriting
  Writing the one-act play from rough draft through polished revision. Exercises in characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, theme, metaphor and dramatic structure. Course focuses on developing material based on observation, adaptation, and imagination through the use of journals, newspapers and improvisation. Class meetings focus on the reading and discussion of student work and selected published plays. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 15 and permission of instructor. Offered fall and spring semester.
• THEA 65 / Women in the Theatre
  A selected study of the contributions of women in the theatre, with special focus on plays by women. Course may be organized by historical period(s) or appropriate theme. Also could include study of other women theatrical artists and practitioners: actors, directors, designers, artistic directors, producers. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years.
• THEA 109 / Theatre History I: Origins to the Renaissance
  An examination of the development of Western theatre from its origins through the Greeks, Romans, Middle Ages, and Renaissance, in relation to culture and society. Gives consideration to the plays, criticism, theatres, audiences, performers, styles and conventions of theatrical production. Signature of instructor required for registration. Offered fall semester.
• THEA 110 / Theatre History II: Restoration through World War I
  An examination of the development of Western theatre in relation to culture and society from the Restoration through the beginnings of Modern Theatre. An exploration of the significant departures and complements to the mainstream as well as other compelling theatre traditions, particularly those of Asia, Indonesia and Africa. Gives consideration to the plays, criticism, theatres, audiences, performers, styles and conventions of theatrical production. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 109. Offered spring semester annually.
• THEA 111 / Theatre History III: 20th Century to the Present
  A survey of Modernism in the Theatre from Realism through Absurdism to the implications of Post-Modernism. Examines significant departures from and complements to the mainstream such as the development of noncommercial theatre and the growth of multiculturalism, performance art and interactive, multidisciplinary theatre. Gives consideration to the plays, criticism, theatres, audiences, performers, styles and conventions of theatrical production. Students will synthesize and correlate classroom work with ongoing observation of historical influences in contemporary theatre, developing familiarity with the particular theatres and artists who are currently interpreting, rejecting or re-inventing theatre history. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 110. Offered fall semester.
• THEA 122 / Scene Painting
  The art of scenic painting, examining a wide variety of painting techniques used in the theatre. Each student completes several scenic painting projects. May be repeated once for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 25 and permission of instructor. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years.
• THEA 126 / Lighting Design
  An advanced study of lighting design. Examines theories and approaches, as well as drawing, rendering, and drafting techniques. Includes use of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) technology and other software as a tool to aid the designer. Each student completes several advanced design projects and light labs. May be repeated once for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 25, THEA 26, THEA 35, and permission of instructor. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years.
• THEA 127 / Costume Design
  An advanced study of costume design. Examines theories and approaches, as well as drawing, rendering, and painting techniques. Includes use of computer technology as a tool to aid the designed. Each student completes several design projects. May be repeated once for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 25, THEA 26, THEA 35, and permission of instructor. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years.
• THEA 128 / Set Design
  An advanced study of scenic design. Examines theories and approaches, as well as drawing, rendering, and drafting techniques. Includes use of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) technology and other software as a tool to aid the designer. Each student completes several advanced design projects. May be repeated once for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 25, THEA 26, THEA 35, and permission of instructor. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years.
• THEA 130 / Advanced Acting: Technique
  An extensive exploration of the actor's process for the experienced student. Through exercises, scenework and journal assignments, students investigate the specific technique of a master teacher of acting such as Sanford Meisner. Signature of instructor required for registration. Recommended: THEA 36 and/or 37. Prerequisite: THEA 15, THEA 35 and permission of instructor. Offered fall semester.
• THEA 136 / Actors' Lab: Monologues II
  A course geared to the actor's individual skills, to strengthen performance in monologues. Students will investigate material from the world repertoire, exploring periods and styles. May be repeated for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 130. Offered spring semester.
• THEA 137 / Actors' Lab: Scenes II
  A course geared to the actor's individual skills, to strengthen performance in scene study. Students will investigate material from the world repertoire, exploring periods and styles. May be repeated for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 130. Offered spring semester.
• THEA 138 / Advanced Acting: Special Topics
  An emphasis on specific challenges an actor faces with advanced material. Topics covered from semester to semester include elements of characterization, period, language and style, voice and movement, and research. Students explore scenes, exercises, and rehearsal methods as dictated by the material. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 130 and permission of instructor (possibly by audition). Offered fall semester.
• THEA 145 / Problems in Directing
  A study of the process of directing through the experience of directing a one-act or full-length play for public performance. Classroom discussion focuses on works in progress, with special emphasis on the problems of translating a text to the stage; working with actors, designers, playwrights; composition and creating stage business; style; rhythm. May be repeated for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 45, stage management of department production, and permission of instructor. Offered fall and spring semester.
• THEA 153 / Writing for the Musical Theatre
  An exploration of the history, style, and techniques of writing for the musical theatre through the collaboration of composer, playwright, and lyricist. Course work will include development of original material. Enrollment priority: Priority given to Theatre Arts and Music majors. Prerequisite: THEA 55 or MUS 22, or permission of the instructor. Same as: MUS 153.
• THEA 155 / Advanced Playwriting
  A writer's workshop with an emphasis on form, language, theatricality, and deep revision. Students complete a full-length play or two one-act plays. Class meetings focus on the the reading and discussion of student work and selected published plays as well as preparing manuscripts for production and publication. May be repeated for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 55 and permission of instructor. Offered fall semester.
• THEA 165 / The Stage and Its Plays
  A study of selected plays from one or more periods of dramatic achievement, emphasizing their theatrical qualities and staging. Periods studied and specific emphases vary when offered. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 5 or THEA 15 and permission of instructor. Offered spring 2006 and spring semester in even-numbered years.
• THEA 185 / Theatre Practice
  Significant practical projects under faculty supervision in one or more designated area(s) of the department's production program-acting (a major role), playwright-in-rehearsal, design, stage management, technical direction, master electrician. Summary paper required at completion of project. Theatre arts majors: up to two total credits of THEA 185, 186, and/or 187 per semester; up to a total of six credits cab ne counted toward the degree. Students must consult with the faculty member assigned to the course (to determine whether the project is sufficient for credit) and formally enroll with the Registrar's Office before completion of the project (i.e., before the end of the production) to receive academic credit. Graded Pass/Unsatisfactory. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Nonmajors: One credit per semester, up to a total of four credits; theatre arts majors: One to two credits per semester, up to a total of six credits. Signature of instructor required for registration. Offered fall and spring semester.
• THEA 186 / Problems in Theatre Design
  A study of the process of design through the experience of designing in the department's production season. Classroom discussion/presentation focuses on works in progress, with special emphasis on the problems of creating and executing a design for the stage; working with directors, other designers, technicians and crew; drafting and rendering techniques. Enrollment is required of all students designing sets, lights or costumes, in the production season, in a given semester. Theatre arts majors: up to two total credits of THEA 185, 186, and/or 187 per semester; up to a total of six credits can be counted toward the degree. Non majors: one credit of THEA 185, THEA 186, and/or THEA 187 per semester; up to four credits can be counted toward the degree. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: THEA 25. Corequisite: THEA 26. Offered fall and spring semester.
• THEA 187 / Problems in Stage Managing
  A study of the process of stage managing through the experience of stage managing in the department's production season. Classroom discussion and presentations focus on works in progress, with special emphasis on the stage manager's role in production organization and communication. Enrollment is required of all students' stage managing a production in a given semester. Graded Pass/Unsatisfactory. Graded Pass/Unsatisfactory. Theatre arts majors: up to two total credits of THEA 185, THEA 186, and/or THEA 187 per semester; up to a total of six credits can be counted toward the degree. Non majors: one credit of THEA 185, THEA 186, and/or THEA 187 per semester; up to four credits can be counted toward the degree. Signature of instructor required for registration. Offered fall and spring semester.
• THEA 195 / Independent Study in Theatre Arts
  A tutorial course stressing independent investigation of a topic selected in consultation with the instructor. Regular meetings with adviser and written assignments or creative projects. Amount of credit established at time of registration. May be repeated once for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: At least eight credits in theatre arts courses. Offered fall and spring semester.

Internship Programs: Theatre Semester

• THEA 197 / Theatre Internship
  A full-time internship with an established professional theatre in New York New Jersey metropolitan area, including the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey on campus or Playwrights Theatre of N.J. Specifics of each assignment are determined by the theatre arts department, the theatre involved, and the individual student. Most internships are entry-level positions with a variety of tasks, allowing the student to gain a working knowledge of and experience in the professional theatre as both a business and an art. Increased responsibilities during the course of the internship depend upon a student's performance and the needs of the theatre. All interns meet regularly with the faculty supervisor to examine various topics relating to the professional theatre. A detailed written summary of the internship is due at the end of the semester. Internships in New York City or at a distance from campus usually require students to live, at their own expense, off campus, suitably convenient to their work. Graded Pass/Unsatisfactory. Open only to qualified Drew theatre arts majors Signature of instructor required for registration. Offering to be determined.
• THEA 198 / Theatre Semester Independent Study
  Several research papers, the topics of which to be chosen in consultation with faculty adviser, undertaken as part of the Theatre Semester program. Open only to qualified Drew theatre arts majors Signature of instructor required for registration. Offering to be determined.

Internship Program

• THEA 191S / The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Apprenticeship/ Internship
  A full-time apprenticeship or internship lasting from early May through late August with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. The specifics of each assignment are determined by the department, the Shakespeare Theatre, and the individual student. The apprentice program is designed for students with little experience and a primary interest in acting. Apprentices receive intensive training in scene study, voice and movement, and have broad exposure to all aspects of theatre production, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in each. The internship program is designed for more advanced students interested in developing their knowledge and skills in a specific, non-acting area, such as set, lighting, or costume design, directing, stage management, general management, publicity, and box office. Requirements include the keeping of a journal that records the student's day-to-day activities and experiences, a detailed written summary of the entire apprenticeship/internship, and a creative project. All work must be completed before the student finishes the program. Exact completion date and nature of the creative project are determined in consultation with the Shakespeare Theatre and the Drew faculty adviser. Drew students receiving four credits for THEA 191S can apply only four additional credits of internship (INTR 50) toward the degree. Additional tuition required when taken during summer. Signature of instructor required for registration.

Off-Campus Programs: Drew London Semester

• THEA 169 / British Political Drama
  Much British theatre of the latter half of the 20th century has been characterized by strong social and political commitment. This course focuses on the major politically inclined dramatists of the past 40 years, including John Osborne, Arnold Wesker, Edward Bond, David Hare, Howard Brenton, Caryl Churchill. It may include some historical examples of the genre, such as Shakespeare's histories, Henry Fielding's satirical plays, and G. B. Shaw's philosophical comedies. Plays are viewed in production whenever possible; the specifics of the course depend, to some degree, on the range of current productions available in London (including those at the fringe and pub theatres, as well as those by major companies). Signature of instructor required for registration. Same as: ENGL 169.
• THEA 182 / Research Tutorial
  Each student conducts research and writes a paper on a topic approved by the London program instructor. The project stresses normal library research as well as personal interviews and other out-of-class experiences as part of the research process. Students are urged to consult with their home campus adviser about their topic before going to London. Signature of instructor required for registration. Same as: PSCI 182.

Dance Courses

• DAN 2 / Beginning Movement Studies
  An exploration of dance technique through several current movement styles. Focuses on alignment, strength, and flexibility. Students develop the basic body connections necessary to execute more advanced movement sequences, while fostering body awareness and integration. Offered spring semester.
• DAN 24 / Movement for the Musical Stage
  An exploration of various movement and dance styles utilized in musical theatre. The first half of the semester will focus on the technique of Jazz dance, exposing students to a specific anatomical use particular to that style and combinations influenced by the historical jazz genre. Among the other styles that may be included in the remainder of the semester are ballroom, swing, and tap. May be repeated once for credit. Offered every fall semester.
• DAN 62 / Intermediate Movement Studies
  A continuation of hte movement explorations of DAN 2 for students who want to develop their physical awareness, flexibility, and strenth further as well as their awareness and experience of different dance techniques. Students will be challenged to achieve a high level of technical execution. They will also be required to participate in the Theatre Arts Department's dance concert at the end of the semester and to view selected videos on different dance techniques and submit written analyses. Course may be repeated. Prerequisite: DAN 2. Offered spring semester.
• DAN 122 / Advanced Movement Studies and Choreography
  Advanced technical, compositional, and theoretical exploration through the preparation of a choreographed piece and all the accompanying research and production work necessary to present the piece in the department dance concert. May be repeated for credit. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: Prior dance experience or DAN 62, and permission of instructor. Offered every fall and spring semester.
• DAN 123 / Choreography and Performance Studies
  Advanced technical composition and theoretical exploration through the preperation and performance of several choreographed pieces as aprt of the Theatre Arts Department's dance concert at the end of the semester. Will require the development of extensive preproduction research and performance preparation work in conjunction with choreographed pieces in the concert. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: DAN 2. Offered spring semester.

Film Courses

• FILM 15 / The Art of Film
  An introduction to the basic expressive elements of film art. Extensive screenings illustrate such elements as shot composition, editing, camera movement, color, lighting, and directorial style. Readings in film theory and criticism.
• FILM 18 / History of Film
  A survey of developments in film history from 1895 to the present, from the foundation of the basic language of film to the rise of national cinema in the United States and Europe. Extensive screenings of illustrative works; readings in film history and criticism. Offering to be determined.
• FILM 116 / Selected Studies in Film
  An intensive study of a single topic or problem in film history, theory, or criticism, or an analysis of works by a single filmmaker. Course may be repeated. Same as: HISTG 116.

Speech Courses

• SPCH 1 / Speech Fundamentals
  Provides students with a variety of extemporaneous and impromptu speaking experiences, which develop the student's skills in the organization, content, and delivery of public communication. Includes some vocal exercise work to help train the speaker to better understand, use, and control the voice and body in performance. Overall aim is to help students feel more confident in their ability to "think on their feet" and present ideas in a clear and interesting manner. Offered fall and spring semester.
• SPCH 105 / Advanced Speech
  Designed for the serious student who wishes to excel in oral communication. Builds on previous experience with extemporaneous and impromptu speaking to give each student practice at speech-making that is specialized to his/her career plans. Emphasizes careful crafting of speeches, debate, fielding questions, leading panel discussions, making an impact in two minutes, and holding interest in longer presentations. Uses video resources to tape and analyze performances. Students are required to attend selected speeches given on campus. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: SPCH 1 or equivalent and permission of instructor. Offered spring semester.