Course Descriptions
Theatre (THEA)THEA 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001. Encore. A work course which includes production techniques and practices for a touring entertainment company. Each course may be taken for credit once only. THEA 1001 and THEA 3001 – fall semester, THEA 2001 and THEA 4001 – spring semester.
THEA 1101, 2101, 3101, 4101. Theatre Dance. Individualized and group instruction in various types of dance for the theatre. May receive credit for dance and/or choreography in spring musical. Each course may be taken for credit once only. Offered as needed.
THEA 1103. Introduction to the Theatre. A survey of theatre history, principles and techniques of theatre, and an introduction to theatre terminology. Fall semester.
THEA 1301, 2301, 3301, 4301. Theatre Production Practicum. Practical experience in theatrical productions. Open to the cast and crew of each major play. Each course may be taken for credit once only. Fall, spring semesters.
THEA 2013. Dance and Stage Movement. Study and practice of basic elements of dance with emphasis on modern dance and dance as it might be used in the theatre. Spring semester.
THEA 2033. Voice and Diction. A lecture-laboratory course that develops the speaking voice for performance and any public presentation. Topics covered include breathing, projection, clarity and articulation, and non-regional speech. One dialect is introduced. Emphasis is on individual improvement and development. Fall semester.
THEA 2606, 4606. Summer Theatre Workshop. An in-depth study of theatre through the production of major plays for public presentation. May be taken only once for credit. Spring semester.
THEA 2613. Stagecraft. Stage scenery, lighting, basic design principles and procedures; theory and practice. Spring semester.
THEA 2633. Fundamentals of Acting. This course is an introduction to the essential tools of the actor. The ability to live truthfully within imaginary circumstances is developed through exercises that augment imagination, relaxed readiness, concentration, and awareness. Script and character analysis are introduced and culminate in a public performance of a scene. Fall semester.
THEA 3353. Oral Interpretation. Oral reading of prose, poetry, and drama with emphasis on interpreting thought and emotional content. Same as SPCH 3353. Spring semester.
THEA 3533. Auditions and Business. Prerequisite: THEA 2633 or permission of the instructor. This course develops the essential skills an actor needs to be successful in the professional world of theatre as an actor. Different audition situations are discussed. The student will prepare a portfolio of eight auditions monologues of various lengths and styles. Cold reading techniques will be covered and enhanced through the use of 12 successful audition guidelines. Headshot, resumes, and the different actor union will be discussed. Auditions for commercials and camera will also be covered. Offered as needed.
THEA 3573. Studies in Theatre I. Studies in theatre subjects drawn from American, British, or world drama. Offered as needed. THEA 3583. Studies in Theatre II. Studies in theatre subjects drawn from American, British, or world drama. Offered as needed.
THEA 3593. Studies in Musical Theatre. Prerequisite: THEA 2013 or permission of instructor. Studies in theatre subjects drawn from musical theatre, dance, and mime. Fall semester – offered as needed.
THEA 3613. Costume and Make-up. A study of the basic principles of stage costuming and make-up, theory, and practice. Spring semester.
THEA 3633. Advanced Acting. Prerequisite: THEA 2633 or permission of instructor. This course continues the work initiated in THEA 2633. Scene study, monologues, and audition technique are emphasized. The semester culminates in a public performance of scenes and monologues. Spring semester.
THEA 3643. Theatre History I: Origins to 1600. Survey of the development of the physical theatre, presentation means and styles, origins and characteristics of tragedy and comedy, and representative plays from different periods of major playwrights. Fall semester – odd years.
THEA 3653. Theatre History II: 1600 to the Present. Survey of the development of the physical theatre, presentation means and styles, origins and characteristics of tragedy and comedy, and representative plays from different periods of major playwrights. Fall semester – even years.
THEA 3663. Performance in Shakespeare. Prerequisite: THEA 2633 or permission of the instructor. Approaches to acting the works of Shakespeare will be explored by various acting and vocal exercises. Two plays and sonnets will be explored for their action and character. Scansion of iambic pentameter; use of figures of speech; use of verse and prose are just a few skills that will be developed. Spring semester – offered as needed.
THEA 3673. Creative Dramatics. Techniques of creative dramatics and children’s theatre, experience in pantomime, improvisation, and presentation of plays for children. Fall semester – offered as needed.
THEA 3813. Directed Study in Theatre. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and department head. Individually designed to meet needs of students concentrating in drama. Offered as needed.
THEA 4613. Theatre Design I - Scenery. This project driven course is an in-depth study of the process of theatrical scene design, including script analysis, principles of design as applied to scenery, theatrical color theory, drafting modeling, and technical direction. Spring semester – offered as needed.
THEA 4623. Theatre Design II – Lighting and Sound. This project driven course is an in-depth study of the process of theatrical lighting and sound design, including script analysis, color theory, principles of electricity, equipment selection, light plots, set structure, sound plots, sound editing, and basic theatrical sound engineering. Spring semester – offered as needed.
THEA 4633. Directing. This course introduces the building blocks of the director’s process with emphasis on understanding and clarifying story and dramatic action. This is achieved by studying script analysis, understanding symbolic images, blocking and stage composition, working with actors and designers, and creation of a director’s script. Each student directs a short play at the end of the semester. Spring semester – odd years.
THEA 4663. Contemporary American Theatre. An examination of trends, developments, current events, and practices in American commercial, regional, community and educational theatre. The course will also explore influential 20th and 21st century playwrights and production. Spring semester – offered as needed.
THEA 4913. Theatre Internship. Prerequisites: Completion of 12 upper-class hours in theatre, senior standing, and a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or higher. Structured experience in a professional or university setting other than Southern Arkansas University in performance, production, stage management, costuming, or other areas of theatre. Offered as needed.
THEA 4923. Project in Theatre. Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission of theatre faculty. Major project in production: set design, costume design, lighting, directing, acting, play writing, and management. Students will be responsible for complete production workbook. Fall, spring semesters.
THEA 4933. Special Problems. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. Topics chosen from areas in technical theatre, lighting or scene design, sound, costume design, stage management, or any other related technical area. Fall, spring semesters – offered as needed.
