Theater

THEAT 100: Oral Interpretation

This performance course is designed to develop a student's understanding, analysis, and presentation of poetry, drama, and prose.

THEAT 110: Introduction to Theater

A broad-based introduction to the art and craft of theater, this course focuses on the roles of actor, director, playwright, and designer, as well as aspects of theater history, performance, and literature. Students examine theater as a culturally diverse art form, with emphasis on the ways ethnicity, gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation inform theater in the United States. Students attend performances on campus and in the Twin Cities and integrate them with readings, lectures, and discussions. A ticket fee is required. Offered each semester.

THEAT 115: Acting for the Non Major

This studio course is designed as an overview of the acting process for the non-major and includes basic acting theories, rehearsal techniques, improvisation, history, and styles. Students explore and practice exercises, scene work, and audition material. The course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. This course does not fulfill the acting requirement for the major.

THEAT 120: Public Speaking

Students learn and apply principles of speech composition and analyze speeches to understand effective methods. They demonstrate their knowledge in classroom speeches.

THEAT 130: Introduction to Acting

This studio course is centered on training the actor's instrument and developing basic acting skills including characterization, vocal production, physical and emotional connection, motivation and ensemble work. Students learn history of actor training from Stanislavski to present.Exercises, improvisation, monologue and scene work are all explored. This course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. Offered each semester. Also counts toward film studies concentration.

THEAT 131: Acting for the Lyric Stage

This studio course focuses on the techniques of acting and singing for the musical theater. Students learn the basics of voice, movement, improvisation, and characterization in class exercises, prepared scenes, solos and duets. Course culminates in a public showcase of students' work. Offered periodically.

THEAT 133: Producing Theater: Introductory

This course studies theater performance through the full-scale mounting of a production during the month of January, with public performances at the end of the January Interim or the beginning of spring semester. Students enroll in the class through either an acting audition or a production position interview held in late October or early November. No previous experience is necessary. Selected participants are notified prior to Interim registration. Details about the audition/interview are available online at the Theater Department website. Scripts are available in the Theater Department office. P/N only. Offered during Interim.
Prerequisite: concurrent registration in THEAT 233 or THEAT 253 (0 credit option) required.

THEAT 140: Introduction to Design for Performance

The attributes of the things we see and hear in the performances that we attend contribute strongly to our experience as an audience. This course considers the elements and principles of design and their application to performance work. Students study the performance space, scenery elements, costuming, lighting and shadow, and the aural experience that the audience encounters during a performance. Problem-solving, collaboration, and design development are included in project work.

THEAT 180: Text and Performance

Play texts are the raw material for our classes in acting, directing, design, and historical studies. This introductory course for theater majors introduces students to canonical texts and performances that have helped to define our field. Primary emphasis is on the text as a blueprint for production focusing on analysis, variety of interpretation, the changing nature of theater space, and our growing awareness of the changing nature of performance. Students are expected to communicate clarity of understanding both orally and in writing. Non-majors are invited to take this course, though its primary focus is a comprehensive preparation for further theater studies. Offered each semester.

THEAT 230: Intermediate Acting

A studio course for the student with previous acting experience. Through scene and monologue work students explore text and character analysis as well as the requirements of major theatrical period styles. Students perform regularly throughout the semester. The course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. Offered annually in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180, and THEAT 130 or THEAT 131 or permission of the instructor.

THEAT 232: Stage Direction

This studio course focuses on the fundamentals of stage direction. Students develop skills of play selection, audience analysis, text interpretation, working with actors, stage picturization and blocking, design considerations, and the process of casting and rehearsals. A primary focus is on developing a point of view about theater and directing by the study of other directors and theories of theater. Offered annually in the fall semester. Also counts toward management studies concentration.
Prerequisites: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180, and THEAT 115 or THEAT 130 or THEAT 131, and THEAT 140.

THEAT 233: Theater Lab: Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy (0.25)

This theater lab involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of artistic creation and performance production in theater. Students study current theory and practice as well as historical approaches to performance problems. Lab sessions include creative projects and practical problem-solving in assistant directing, acting, or dramaturgy as part of the St. Olaf theater season. P/N only. First-year students are encouraged to enroll. May be repeated. Registration is by audition or interview only. Offered each semester.

THEAT 234: Producing Theater: Advanced

Designed for the student with previous course work and production work in theater, this course studies theater performance through the full-scale mounting of a production during the month of January, with public performances at the end of the January Interim or the beginning of spring semester. Students enroll in the course through either an acting audition or a production position interview held in late October or early November. Selected participants are notified prior to Interim registration. Details about the audition/interview are available online at the Theater Department website. Scripts are available in the Theater Department office. P/N only. Offered during Interim.
Prerequisites: THEAT 133 or permission of instructor; concurrent registration in THEAT 233 or THEAT 253 (0 credit option) required.

THEAT 240: Scenery and Costume Design and Production

This course balances the elements of production with the elements of design, focusing on materials, practices, and techniques used to create scenic and costume elements used in live production. The course includes hands-on experience in the scenic and costume studios, and projects in technical drawing, designing, analysis, and research. Open to majors and non-majors.
Prerequisite: THEAT 140 is recommended.

THEAT 250: Lighting and Sound-Design and Production

The design and production of lighting and sound in theater, dance, music, and general presentation work plays a significant role in the experience of these events. This course introduces the production problems of lighting and sound and includes design projects in both lighting and sound. Open to majors and non-majors. Offered annually in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: THEAT 140 is recommended.

THEAT 252: Drawing and Painting for Theater

This studio course covers drawing and painting as it relates to theater design and production work. Students engage in exercises and project work in perceptual drawing, scene painting, and technical drawing. Course fee is required. Open to majors and non-majors. Offered periodically.

THEAT 253: Theater Lab: Design, Technical Production (0.25)

This theater lab involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of stage performance. Class sessions include practical problem-solving and hands-on experiences for productions which are part of the St. Olaf theater season. Experiences in scenery, props, costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management are available. P/N only. First-year students are encouraged to enroll. May be repeated. Registration is by audition or interview only. The theater lab 253A: Design, Technical Production is offered each semester.

THEAT 270: History of Theater up to 1700

Examines theatrical activities, from theater's origins to 1700, from three interrelated perspectives: 1) theater as social history; 2) theater as dramatic literature; and 3) theater as performance (the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers). Also counts toward ancient studies and medieval studies majors. Offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180 or permission of instructor.

THEAT 271: History of Theater since 1700

Examines theatrical activities in the period 1700 to the present, from three interrelated perspectives: 1) theater as social history; 2) theater as dramatic literature; and 3) theater as performance (the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers). Offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180 or permission of instructor.

THEAT 294: Academic Internships

Prerequisite: at least three previous courses in department.

THEAT 298: Independent Study

Prerequisite: at least three previous courses in department.

THEAT 338: Intermediate Stage Direction

A studio course focusing on the artistic decision-making process of stage direction, script analysis, directorial concepts, production designs and hands-on directing experience building on the skills developed in THEAT 232: Stage Direction. Students direct a one-act play as the final project for the course. Offered annually in the spring semester. Also counts toward management studies concentration.
Prerequisite: THEAT 232 and THEAT 240 or THEAT 250. THEAT 270 or THEAT 271 recommended.

THEAT 378: Topics in Interpretation and Theater

An in-depth investigation of a selected topic through readings, bibliography, reports and projects. May be repeated if topic is different.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180; some topics courses may require additional prerequisites.

THEAT 379: Topics in Interpretation and Theater

An in-depth investigation of a selected topic through readings, bibliography, reports and projects. May be repeated if topic is different.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180; some topics courses may require additional prerequisites.

THEAT 380: Top: Who Owns the Arts: Censorship, Sponsorship, and Artistic Freedom

An investigation into the relationship between theater and society through study of various issues in theater arts including censorship, funding, arts advocacy and arts education. Issues of contemporary ethical concern will be discussed and analyzed through a variety of historical and contemporary normative perspectives. Also counts toward management studies concentration.
Prerequisite: THEAT 110 or THEAT 180; BTS-T.

THEAT 394: Academic Internship

Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in department.

THEAT 396: Directed Undergraduate Research

This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course.
Prerequisite: determined by individual instructor.

THEAT 398: Independent Research

Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in the department.