Requirements

Major/Minor

The theatre arts program develops creative artists and technicians, theatre educators and scholars who are well prepared for applied professional work or study, graduate level academic pursuits, and for vital, informed teaching. Through multidisciplinary study and artistic collaboration, students will deepen their aesthetic sensibility, engage in rigorous intellectual and creative activity, and develop greater social awareness and responsibility. Students majoring in theatre arts must complete a concentration in one of the following areas: performance; design/technical; dramaturgy; theatre in education; or theatre studies.

Major Requirements
The completion of at least 42 and not more than 54 semester hours of theatre, of which at least fifteen hours in the major must be completed at Dominican.

Required Foundation Courses for All Concentrations
• Theatre 140 (seven semesters), 150, 170, 180, 230, 305, 375, 456, and two of the following:
• LAS 163, 254, Theatre 270, 292, 340, 350, 358 or 392

Required Core Courses for Specific Concentrations
• Performance: Theatre 161, 415
• Two of the following: 254, 257, 284, 285 and 387.
• Highly recommended electives: 253, 254, 257, 284, 285, 362, 382, 387, 398, 455
• Design/Technical: Theatre 160 or 161, 330, 415
• One of the following: 388 or 400.
• Highly recommended electives: 451, 455
• Dramaturgy: Theatre 160 or 161, 415
• Two of the following: 270, 340, 350, 358, 392, and LAS 163, 254.
• Highly recommended electives: 270, 340, 350, 392, 455 and LAS 163, 254
• Theatre in Education: Theatre 161, 254, 255
and 415.
• Highly recommended electives: 211, 253, 257, 284, 340, 398, 455
• Theatre Studies: 161, 415, one course chosen
from 255, 284, 285 or 387 and one chosen from
330 or 388.
• Highly recommended electives: 211, 253, 254, 257, 340, 455

In addition to the thirteen required foundation and core courses, a major in theatre arts requires:
1. Reading of 100 plays over a four-year period, beginning with ancient Greek classics through contemporary theatre; most plays will be covered in theatre courses;
2. Completion of an interdisciplinary minor, such as art, communication arts and sciences, fashion design, English or music;

All majors and minors with a concentration in performance, theatre in education or theatre studies are required to participate in the following:
1. Annual audition: students will present two audition pieces, specific requirements to be determined annually.
2. Audition workshop: majors will participate in a total of two workshops, minors in one; or students may elect to take Theatre 398 to fulfill the workshop requirement.
3. Arts management workshop: majors and minors will participate in one workshop over a four-year period.

Some of the above requirements, determined by the faculty, may be waived for transfer students.

Minor Requirements
Twenty-two semester hours, of which a minimum of nine must be completed at Dominican, including:
• Theatre 150, 180 and 230 and one course from: LAS 163, 254, Theatre 260, 270, 292, 350, 358 or 392.
• Four semesters of Theatre 140; each practicum will be assigned by theatre faculty.
• Three additional courses, except Theatre 456. In addition, the student must read thirty five plays.

Theatre arts majors and minors should seriously consider the Dominican-in-London fall semester in their junior or senior year. An eight-credit tutorial in any aspect of British theatre provides the opportunity to study in one of the great theatre capitals of Europe. Options include working with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, BBC personnel, as well as other British theatre/media professionals. The semester practicum requirement is waived for London participants.

Foundation Courses

140. THEATRE PRACTICUM (1)
This course provides a hands-on opportunity for students to work with professional entertainers contracted through the performing arts series. Areas include front of the house, performance, costuming, lighting and sound, set/scene work and more. The course also includes the practical application of skills to university productions.
150. INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE (3)
This course develops students’ understanding and experience of theatre. The elements of drama, the collaborative process of theatre production, contemporary performance forms and contexts, and methods of criticism are introduced. Coursework includes weekly reading and oral and written analyses of dramatic texts and live and filmed performances. Attendance at theatre performances in the Chicago area is required.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

170. HISTORY OF THEATRE (3)
This course focuses primarily on the history of Western theatre, with a secondary emphasis on Asia and Africa. Through weekly reading, writing and discussion of primary texts and secondary sources, students will examine the purposes, forms and processes of theatre as manifested in specific cultural contexts from the beginning of theatre to the present.

180. FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING (3)
We are actors in everyday life. Through the study of the Stanislavski System, along with other acting methodologies and exercises, students will explore how characters relate to others, thereby enhancing individual aesthetic awareness. The course will focus on the art of acting as a craft and discipline, and the ways these skills can connect to and enrich other aspects of our daily world.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

230. THEATRE PRODUCTION I (3)
This course and its hands-on approach will equip the student in the fundamental techniques, materials and shop skills relevant to the various elements of technical theatre. Students will assist in preparing and mounting university productions in the areas of lighting, set construction, scene work, sound, etc.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

305. COSTUMING FOR THEATRE (3)
This course will cover the basic elements necessary to produce costumes for the theatre. These aspects will include sewing skills, tracking and paperwork, measurements, elements of design, and rendering skills.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

375. DRAMATURGY (3)
Through research, students will uncover layers of meaning within a variety of classical and modern plays. As dramaturges, students will provide answers to what theatre artists and audiences need to know in order to appreciate and understand drama. This is a capstone course that requires the application of knowledge and experience already gained in other theatre courses. A production casebook will be a culminating final project.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

456. SENIOR PERFORMANCE/PRODUCTION PROJECT (2)
During the summer preceding senior year, students will submit a proposal for faculty approval. The project may be one or a combination of the following:
1. An expansion of a project already begun within a theatre course;
2. A substantial role or responsibility in one of the university’s productions in the student’s senior year;
3. An original project integrating theatre with other disciplines, such as the interdisciplinary minor. Any of the above may be a solo or collaborative effort. Two or more seniors may do a joint theatre project. Depending on the student’s area of interest, he or she may choose to do research, write, perform, design, direct, manage, promote or combine any of the above.
4. A portfolio delineating the project will be required.

Core Courses

160. VOICE AND DICTION (3)
Students will improve the quality and effectiveness of their speaking voice through a program of drills and performance exercises. Rodenburg’s text The Right to Speak will be fully covered. TV and radio announcing skills will also be included. Course offered on satisfactory/fail basis only.
Listed also as Communication Arts and Sciences 160.

161. VOICE AND MOVEMENT I (3)
Students will enhance the use of their voices and bodies for performance and presentation through individual body connection work. Using the techniques of Linklater, Alexander, Penrod, Spolin and others, students will explore how their instrument functions and how to maximize their physical and vocal aptitude.

415. DIRECTING (3)
The course will focus on the art and business of directing. Through the practical application of play analysis and staging exercises, students will explore how characters can relate to others and provide physical form for the themes that exist within a text. The course will also explore various communication skills and the utilization of space for both relationship, translation and aesthetic impact. This is a capstone course that requires the application of knowledge and experience already gained in other theatre courses.
Prerequisitse: Theatre 180 and either Theatre 230 or 300 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

Performance and Production Courses

142. DANCE (2)
This course is conducive for students new to dance as well as for those who already have basic dance skills. A different form of dance will be offered each year, such as ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, etc. Each course is designed to impart basic techniques as well as aid physical fitness and awareness.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

253. IMPROVISATION (2)
Viola Spolin says, “Spontaneity is the moment of personal freedom when we are faced with a reality and see it, explore it, and act accordingly.” This course will help students embrace creative freedom, discover and design new realities, and enhance their intuitive skills through the fundamental study of improvisational acting. The course will cover a wide variety of improvisational forms, techniques and exercises.

254. THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES (3)
This course focuses on the elements involved in producing quality theatre for young audiences. Through the practical application of acting exercises, improvisation, and textual analysis, students will extensively explore acting in children’s theatre and gain knowledge in the various aspects of directing, scripting and producing youth-oriented theatrical experiences.
This course requires some time outside class for additional rehearsals and live performances.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

255. CREATIVE DRAMATICS (3)
Students will study theatre techniques so as to connect to a community, consider the impact of significant events, and explore different aspects of everyday life. The course will include trust and team-building exercises, improvisation, theatre games, role-playing and story-telling.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

257. GROUP PERFORMANCE OF LITERATURE (3)
Working with various forms of literature, students will be introduced to methods for adapting these for performance. Additional focus on techniques for developing performance skills including storytelling, improvisation, and characterization. Each student will develop a repertoire of pieces by working on individual and collaborative projects. All students will participate in a final, public performance of selected projects. The course requires some rehearsal time outside class.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

284. SOLO PERFORMANCE (3)
Students will write, interpret, stage and perform a variety of works in a variety of performance spaces. They will develop analytical skills in evaluating performance material—prose, poetry and drama. Students will also examine the work of prominent contemporary solo performers: John Leguizamo, Lily Tomlin, Laurie Anderson, Spalding Gray, Anna Deavere Smith and others. Students will design and execute a final, public solo performance.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

285. ADVANCED ACTING (3)
Students will study the process associated with in-depth character work. Thorough characterization is developed through analysis, research, vocal/physical aptitude and external adjustment, and the application of materials for both monologues and scene work.
Prerequisite: Theatre 180 or consent of instructor

330. THEATRE PRODUCTION II (3)
This course focuses on the techniques of designing for the theatre. Related media, stage-managing and running productions will be explored, as well as working in the entertainment industry. Students will assist in preparing and mounting university productions. This course may be taken out of sequence with Theatre 230.

362. VOICE AND MOVEMENT II (3)
Continued exploration and development of physical and vocal skills initiated in Theatre 161. Topics include IPA, dialects, mask work and more.
Prerequisite: Theatre 161

382. MUSICAL THEATRE (3)
This course explores performance in musical theatre. Topics include acting values, musicality, research and performance styles. Students will be required to sing, dance and work independently with an accompanist.
Prerequisite: Theatre 180 or consent of instructor

387. ACTING STYLES (3)
This course will focus on applying acting techniques to different theatre genres and textual styles. Students will explore a variety of period styles, such as Shakespeare, Restoration, Molière, Commedia dell’arte and others.
Prerequisite: Theatre 180 or consent of instructor

388. STAGE MAKEUP (2)
This course will cover elements for basic theatrical makeup. These include general stage, youth, middle age, old age, “blood and guts”, prosthetics and fantasy makeup. Makeup will be purchased in class.
$10 course fee

398. AUDITIONS (3)
Auditioning in theatre is a lifetime craft. This course will provide the practical tools to help students develop a diverse audition portfolio and knowledge of materials in order to assist them with the ongoing and necessary process of auditioning. Topics include contemporary and classical monologues, cold readings, headshots/resumés, musical theatre singing and dancing.

400. COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING AND DESIGN (CADD) (3)
This course is an introduction to the basic skills and techniques used in producing two-dimensional drafting and three-dimensional modeling on the computer. Some familiarity with basic drafting and drawing skills is helpful but not required.

451. SPECIAL TOPICS IN TECHNICAL THEATRE (1-4)
Individualized study in specialty and advanced topics in technical theatre. Topics include but are not limited to set design, costume design, lighting design, scene painting, theatre technology, model-making and drafting-rendering for the theatre. This course may be taken for credit multiple times in different areas
of interest.
Prerequisite: Theatre 230 or 330 or consent of instructor

Dramaturgy Course

240. FORMS OF DRAMA (3)
Listed also as English 240.

260. THE ENGLISH DRAMA (3)
Listed also as English 260.

270. THEATRE: THE AMERICAN SCENE (3)
Students will study major developments in the American theatre from 1929 to the present with emphasis on the dramatic literature and theatre personalities of each decade. Attendance at theatre productions is required.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

292. MODERN DRAMA (3)
Listed also as English 292.

340. SCRIPTWRITING (3)
Students will explore methods of scriptwriting in order to discover and develop their writer’s voice and to produce scripts that articulate their individual perspective regarding the human experience. To support the study and practice of techniques of script writing and to contextualize their own work, students will read, see, and learn to analyze various forms of dramatic and film literature. They will also learn methods for assessing their own writing and that of their peers. The course will culminate in a staged reading of the students’ work.
Listed also as Communication Arts and Science 340.

350. IMAGES OF WOMAN IN DRAMA (3)
Students will study the roles and conflicts of women in diverse cultures as these are embodied in dramatic world literature from the ancient Greeks to the present.
Thematic units will include Woman as Legend, as Mother, as Victim, as Accommodator and as Pretender.
Attendance at theatre productions is required.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

358. SHAKESPEARE (3)
Listed also as English 358.

392. AVANT-GARDE THEATRE (3)
Students will study the radical trends in European and American theatre of the late 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Topics will include naturalism, expressionism, Theatre of Cruelty, surrealism and absurdist theatre as well as the non-literary experimental theatres of Molina and Beck, Grotowski, Chaikin and Schechner. Attendance at theatre productions is required.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

Additional Courses

450. INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4)
Open to majors with the consent of the theatre faculty.

455. INTERNSHIP (1-8)
Open to majors with the consent of the theatre faculty

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty
mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor