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Undergraduate Courses

Lower Division

THEA 010. Introduction to Acting (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): none. Introduction to acting in theatre, film, television, and performance art. Through exercises, lectures, videos, and on-site visits, explores the work of actors and their collaborations with other artists in historical and contemporary settings. Recommended for nonmajors. Normally graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC), but students may petition the instructor for a letter grade on the basis of assigned extra work or examination.

THEA 021. Culture Clash: Studies in Latino Theatre and Film (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): none. An introduction to U.S. Latino theatre and film from 1965 to the present. Students read the major works of authors and examine important films and videos. Cross-listed with ENGL 021 and FVC 025.

THEA 022. Shakespeare in Performance (4) Lecture, 2 hours; workshop, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): none. A study of contemporary Shakespearean production on stage and on film. Considers the problems of adapting the text, creating visual elements, speaking the language, and performing the characters. Numerous videos depict a wide range of performance styles.
Credit is awarded for only one of ENGL 018 or THEA 022.

THEA 038. From Hamlet to Babylon 5: Introduction to Design in Film, Television, and Theatre (4) Lecture, 3 hours; screening, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): none. An introduction to the design process for film, television, and theatre. Through exercises, lectures, videos, and on-site visits, students explore the design process, the influence of design on the viewer, and how looks are achieved in different media. Cross-listed with ART 028 and FVC 028.

THEA 050. Public Speaking (4) Lecture, 6 hours; studio, 4 hours. Covers the principles and practice of effective speech composition and delivery. Designed to provide students, in all areas, the opportunity to learn communicative skills which are essential in professional careers and community life. Offered in summer only.

THEA 066. Screenwriting: How Movies Work (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour; screening, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): none. An introduction to the craft of screenwriting. Discusses how screenwriting differs from other kinds of writing and examines the various techniques that writers use to create their ?blueprints? for movies in a variety of genres. Students
view and discuss one film and screenplay per week. Cross-listed with CRWT 066 and FVC 066.

THEA 070. Living Theatre (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. The art of theatre through an introductory study of its component arts: dramatic literature, acting, directing, and mise en scene and their historical development. Lectures, demonstrations, special projects.

Upper-Division Courses

THEA 100. Play Analysis (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Close analysis of selected plays: structure, character, imagery.

THEA 101. Introduction to Design (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A comprehensive introduction to design for theatre, film, and television. Topics include design principles and practice of set, costume, and lighting; the history of design; and conceptual approaches and research.

THEA 102. Production Techniques for Theatre, Film, and Television (4) Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 5 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of technical production practices, equipment, and architecture for theatre, film, and television design. The laboratory explores the application of production practices and principles of stagecraft in the fabrication of scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design.

THEA 109. Acting: The Process (4) Lecture, 3 hours; studio, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A comprehensive introduction to the process of acting. Topics include theories, history, and expressive skills related to theatrical performance.

THEA 110A. Acting: Fundamentals (4) Lecture, 2 hours; studio, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 109 or consent of instructor. A study of the acting fundamentals. Topics include concentration, motivation, and the psychophysical development of the actor's instrument. Explores basic approaches to characterization through monologues and introductory scene study.

THEA 110B. Acting: Techniques (4) Lecture, 2 hours; studio, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 110A or consent of instructor. An examination of acting techniques with an emphasis on the American Method. Topics include actions, objectives, and characterization. Includes analysis and performance of scenes from modern and contemporary drama.

THEA 111A. Acting: Styles (4) Lecture, 2 hours; studio, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 110A, THEA 110B, consent of instructor. Advanced scene study in classic theatre to develop the actor's skills with heightened language. Emphasis is on works by Shakespeare. Topics include performance styles and working with text to emphasize environment, actions, and intentions.

THEA 111B. Acting: Styles (4) Lecture, 2 hours; studio, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 111A, consent of instructor. Advanced scene study in English and European theatre to expand the actor's emotional range and character range. Emphasis is on works by Chekhov. Topics include performance styles and working with the text to emphasize environment, actions, and intentions.

THEA 112 (E-Z). Voice for Actors (4) Lecture, 2 hours; assignment of the remaining hours varies from segment to segment. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Study in voice, vocal performance techniques, and theories for actors.

THEA 113 (E-Z). Movement for Actors and Performers (4) Lecture, 2 hours; workshop, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of movement techniques and theories for actors and performers. F. Stage Combat; M. Mime; N. Nonverbal Theatre.

THEA 115. Hip Hop Theatre (4) Lecture, 2 hours; workshop, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Provides students with tools to create new work by using elements of hip hop culture such as Graffiti Art, Emceein' (rappin'), DeeJayin' and Breakdancin' as primary means of storytelling on stage. Exposes students to theoretical aspects of hip hop culture and a working knowledge of playwriting, acting, directing, and design.

THEA 120A. Literature and History of the Theatre: The Classical Period through the Italian Renaissance (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examines the literature and history of the theatre from the classical period through the Italian Renaissance. Focuses on analysis of representative plays, theatrical architecture, and production modes.

THEA 120B. Literature and History of the Theatre: The Elizabethan Period through the Nineteenth Century (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examines the literature and history of the theatre from the Elizabethan period through the nineteenth century. Focuses on analysis of representative plays, theatrical architecture, and production modes.

THEA 120C. Literature and History of the Modern and Contemporary Theatre (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examines the literature and history of the modern and contemporary theatre. Focuses on analysis of representative plays, theatrical architecture, and production modes.

THEA 121. World of the Play (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of a significant play in the context of the social, intellectual, and artistic movements of its time. Offered simultaneously with the Theatre Department's production of the play. May also consider related works and writings. Course is
repeatable.

THEA 122. Theatre for Social Change (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examines theatre for social change, as created by grassroots theatrical organizations. Focus is on how community-based theatre groups develop works and how theatre in public or private spaces redefines traditional theatre practices.

THEA 124A. American Theatre, 1900-1945 (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examination of the major American playwrights, theatrical figures, and movements from 1900 through World War II.

THEA 124B. American Theatre, 1945-Present (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examination of the major American playwrights, theatrical figures, and movements from World War II to the present.

THEA 125 (E-Z). History of the Theatre (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of the plays, playhouses, and players of the following theatrical eras: E. Classical Theatre; F. Medieval Theatre; G.
Renaissance Theatre; I. Romantic Theatre; J. Realistic Theatre; K. Contemporary Theatre; M. American Theatre; N. Neo-Classic Theatre; S. American Musical Theatre; T. Asian Theatre; W. American Theatre and Drama of the Great Depression; X. Experimental Theatre in America. Segments are repeatable.

THEA 126A. History of Dress (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of the psychological, sociological, and economic history of fashion and dress from 4000 B.C. to A.D. 1700.

THEA 126B. History of Dress (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of the psychological, sociological, and economic history of fashion and dress from A.D. 1700 to the present.

THEA 127. Theories of the Modern Theatre (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examines the major theories underlying twentieth-century theatre practice. Special attention is paid to the ideas of important theatre artists such as Konstantin Stanislavsky, E. Gordon Craig, Antonin Artaud, and Bertolt Brecht.

THEA 131. Sound Design for the Theatre (4) Lecture, 2 hours; workshop, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Introduces sound design for theatre productions. Covers topics such as critical listening, psycho acoustics, computer editing, sound recording and processing, and copyright laws pertaining to sampling.

THEA 132. Lighting Design for Theatre, Film, and Television (4) Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 102 or consent of instructor. A survey of lighting design for theatre, film, and television. Students view and discuss examples of lighting design and participate in class projects. Develops skills associated with the creation and execution of a lighting design.

THEA 133. Design for Theatre, Film, and Television (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 101. An introduction to basic skills and techniques for theatre design and to issues of contemporary design for theatre, film, and television. Topics include sketching, rendering, drafting, and model making.

THEA 135. Costume Design for Theatre (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): THEA 101. A study of theory, principles, and practice of costume design for theatre.

THEA 138. Art Direction for Film and Television (4) Lecture, 3 hours; individual study, 1.5 hours; screening, 1.5 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 101 or consent of instructor. An introduction to the design principles and methods professional art directors use in the entertainment industry. Projects related to feature film and television design explore current methods of presentation
and composition for the film and television
camera.

THEA 141. Drafting and Rendering for Theatre, Film, and Television (4) Lecture, 3 hours; studio, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 102 or consent of instructor. A study of basic drafting and drawing skills. Topics include drafting conventions, graphic skills, black and white drawing, color rendering, and story boarding.

THEA 142. Costume Construction (4) Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A theoretical and practical study of theatrical costume production. Topics include draping and flat pattern development, fabric, fitting, and sewing techniques. Costume projects are required. Sewing skills are helpful but not essential.

THEA 143. Scene Painting (4) Discussion, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of the skills needed to translate scaled painter's elevations to full-size, two-dimensional and three-dimensional scene elements. Covers fundamental paint application techniques such as wet blending, glazing, dry brushing, lining, and spattering. Includes a review of paints and materials commonly used in theatre, film, and television.

THEA 144. Makeup for Theatre, Film, and Television (4) Discussion, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of the theory and practice of makeup for theatre, film, and television. Students complete advanced projects and a makeup research notebook. Includes demonstrations by industry professionals.

THEA 145. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Theatre, Film, and Television (4) Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 102 or consent of instructor. Explores the established computer-aided design (CAD) applications in the design industry: 3RD Studio Max, Adobe Photoshop, and Vectorworks.

THEA 150A. Directing (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 110A, THEA 110B; or consent of instructor. A comprehensive introduction to directing for the stage. Topics include working with actors, articulation of stage space, and theories of directing.

THEA 150B. Directing (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 150A or consent of instructor. An examination of the rehearsal process with a focus on combining the elements of text, acting, and design.

THEA 161. African American Drama (4) Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Examines the major African American plays and playwrights from the 1800s to the present.

THEA 164A. Beginning Playwriting (4) Seminar, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): THEA 100 or CRWT 056 or consent of instructor. Seminar in the practice of playwriting centering on the construction of a plot. Cross-listed with CRWT 164A.

THEA 164B. Intermediate Playwriting (4) Seminar, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 164A/THEA 164A. Seminar in the practice of playwriting. Revisions of works in progress with emphasis on character development and techniques for writing dialogue. Cross-listed with CRWT 164B.

THEA 164C. Advanced Playwriting (4) Seminar, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 164B/THEA 164B. Seminar in the practice of playwriting. Playwrights' participation in staged readings of their work. With consent of instructor, course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 units. Cross-listed with CRWT 164C.

THEA 165A. Plays in Production (4) Workshop, 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 164A/THEA 164A or CRWT 166A/FVC 166A/THEA 166A or consent of instructor. Development and preproduction of half hour or one-hour plays written specifically for stage, soundstage, radio, television, or Web-based broadcasting. Students learn the basics of sound and video production to enhance their writing and rewriting process. Course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 units. Cross-listed with CRWT 167A.

THEA 165B. Plays in Production (4) Workshop, 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 167A/THEA 165A or consent of instructor. Advanced production and postproduction of half-hour and one-hour drama (including comedy) for radio, video, or webcasting. Postproduction of previously taped shows. Course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 units. Cross-listed with
CRWT 167B.

THEA 166A. Screenwriting: Introduction (4) Lecture, 2 hours; discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 056 or consent of instructor. Explores the fundamentals of screenwriting including story development, plotting, and characterization as they are used in creating a complete script for television or feature film. Crosslisted with CRWT 166A and FVC 166A.

THEA 166B. Screenwriting: Outline to First Draft (4) Lecture, 2 hours; discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 166A/FVC 166A/THEA 166A or consent of instructor. Explores the fundamentals of screenwriting including story development, plotting, and characterization as they are used in creating a complete script for television or feature film. Cross-listed with CRWT 166B and FVC 166B.

THEA 166C. Screenwriting: Rewrites and Writing for Television (4) Lecture, 2 hours; discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 166B/FVC 166B/THEA 166B or consent of instructor. Explores the fundamentals of screenwriting including story development, plotting, and characterization as they are used in creating a complete script for television or feature film. Course is repeatable. Cross-listed with CRWT 166C and FVC 166C.

THEA 167. Writing for Television: Creating the One-Hour Series Drama (4) Seminar, 3 hours; written work, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Introduces the craft of writing for television with the primary focus on production of original work. Students write a one-hour pilot, create series guidelines, and formulate work leading to a 13-episode series. Course is repeatable to a maximum of 12 units.

THEA 170. Advanced Dramatic Production (1-4) Studio, 5-20 hours. Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor; demonstrated ability in dramatic production. Advanced assignments in dramatic production, performance, and stage management. Course is repeatable.

THEA 176. Performing Arts of Asia (4) Lecture, 3 hours; extra reading, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A survey of music, dance, theater, and ritual in four major geocultural regions of Asia: Central, East, South, and Southeast. No Western music training is required. Course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 units. Cross-listed with ANTH 128, AST 128, DNCE 128, and MUS 128.

THEA 180 (E-Z). Theatre Practicum (4) Discussion, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. An investigation of theatrical production theories and practices. E. Contemporary Mexican Theatre; L. Musical Comedy; M. Arts Management; Q. Plays in Progress; R. New Plays; S. Improvision.

THEA 190. Special Studies (1-5) Prerequisite(s): consent of the chair of the department. Course is repeatable to a maximum of 20 units.

THEA 191 (E-Z). Seminar in Theatre (4) Seminar, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor. Covers various topics on a rotating basis. Includes playwriting, acting, directing, scenic design, theatre history, and dramatic literature. J. Staging the Middle East; M. American Frontier in American Drama; N. Theatre of Eugene O'Neill; S. Script to Production; W. Women in Theatre.

THEA 195. Senior Thesis (1-4) Thesis, 3-12 hours. Prerequisite(s): senior standing; consent of Department Chair. Open by invitation only. Presentation of a significant piece of creative work with faculty supervision. Course is repeatable to a
maximum of 8 units.

THEA 198-I. Individual Internship in Theatre (1-12)Internship, 2-24 hours; reading and written work, 1-12 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing; consent of instructor. An internship in a theatre, television, or film production company. The student works with directors or designers in one or more areas of professional production, such as acting, design, costumes, lighting, and sound. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 16 units.

THEA 199. Senior Research (1-4) Prerequisite(s): consent of chair of the department. Open to seniors by invitation only. Research in the practice and/or theory of the theatre.