• Home
• Overview
  • About Us
  • News
  • Spaces
  • Contact
  • Map/Directions
  • Mailing List
• Degrees
  • M.F.A.
  • B.A.
  • Minor in Theatre
  • Courses
    • Schedule of Classes
    • Undergraduate Courses
    • Graduate Courses
    • Professional Courses
  • Education Abroad
  • Fellowships and Grants
  • Surviving
• People
  • Faculty
  • Contributing Artists
  • MFA Graduates
  • Staff
  • Alumni
    • Update Form
    • Graduating Classes of 2010s
    • Graduating Classes of 2000s
    • Graduating Classes of 1990s
    • Graduating Classes of 1980s
    • Graduating Classes of 1970s
    • Graduating Classes of 1960s
    • Graduating Classes of 1950s
• Performances
  • Current Season
  • Calendar
  • Student Productions
  • Guest Events
• Call Board
• Production
• Gallery
  • 2010s
  • 2000s
  • 1990s
  • 1980s
  • 1970s
  • 1960s
  • 1950s
• Employment
• Links
  • Performing Arts
  • Palm Desert
  • Gluck Fellows Program
    of the Arts
  • Arts Facilities Administration
  • Theatre Facilities Unit

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 Latino theatre and film from 1965 to the present. Examines the major works of playwrights and important films and videos. Cross-listed with ENGL 021.

THEA 050. Public Speaking (4) Lecture, 3 hours; studio, 3 hours. Covers the principles and practice of effective speech composition and delivery. Provides the communicative skills 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, 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): none. An introduction to writing for stage and screen. Addresses structure, character, dialogue, theme, and story. Cross-listed with CRWT 066 and MCS 066.

THEA 067. Introduction to Playwriting and Screenwriting (4) Workshop, 3 hours; Written Work, 3 hours; Screening, group activity, 3 hours; Prerequisite(s): CRWT 066/MCS 066/THEA 066 or consent of instructor. An introduction to writing for stage and screen. Addresses structure, character, dialogue, theme, and story. 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 099. Introduction to the Theatre Department (1) Lecture, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): none. An introduction to the faculty and the areas of study offered by the Department of Theatre. Promotes a better understanding of undergraduate opportunities, graduate training, and careers in the entertainment industry. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC).

Upper Division

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; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. A study of technical production practices, equipment, and architecture for theatre, film, and television design. Explores the application of production practices and principles of stagecraft in relation to scenic, costume, lighting, sound, and projection design. Letter grade or petition for Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC).

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 114. Acting for Writers (4) Lecture, 2 hours; discussion, 2 hours; outside research, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 164C/THEA 164C or THEA 166C. Examines the theory and practice of acting to enable writers to better understand how language reflects character, as well as how actors turn the written word into spoken language. Includes text work and improvisation. Credit is awarded for only one of THEA 114 or THEA 214.

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 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 155. Introduction to Digital Film Production (5) Lecture, 4 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 066/MCS 066/THEA 066; upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Introduces the skills needed for making a narrative film. Includes examining and utilizing scripts, cameras, lighting, sound, and editing. Includes filmmaking projects.

THEA 156A. Digital Film Production (5) Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 155 with a grade of "C" or better or consent of instructor. Examines the techniques of narrative filmmaking and directing for the camera. Emphasizes the working relationship with actors.

THEA 156B. Digital Film Production (5) Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 156A or consent of instructor. Examines the techniques of postproduction for narrative filmmaking. Emphasizes sound and editing processes.

THEA 157. Editing the Narrative Film (4) Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 156B or consent of instructor. Examines the art and craft of editing the narrative film. Includes hands-on work in editing a montage, a short documentary and a narrative fiction scene.

THEA 160. The Filmmaker's Life (4) Seminar, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of instructor. An overview of the various jobs (and their requirements) connected to the process of creating products for film and television entities.

THEA 163. Writing the Short Film (4) Workshop, 3 hours; Written Work, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 166C or consent of instructor. Addresses the mechanical and creative components of crafting a screenplay for a short film. Letter Grade or petition for Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC).

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 166A. Screenwriting: Introduction (4) Lecture, 3 hours; Reading, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 066/MCS 066/THEA 066 or consent of instructor. Explores the fundamentals of screenwriting. Includes story development, plotting, and characterization as they are used in creating a complete script for television or feature film. Letter Grade or petition for Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC).

THEA 166B. Screenwriting: Outline to First Draft (4) Lecture, 3 hours; Reading 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 166A or consent of instructor. Explores the fundamentals of screenwriting. Includes story development, plotting, and characterization as they are used in creating a complete script for television or feature film. Letter Grade or petition for Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC).

THEA 166C. Screenwriting: Rewrites and Writing for Television: (4) Lecture, 3 hours; Reading, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 166B or consent of instructor. Explores the fundamentals of screenwriting. Includes story development, plotting, and characterization as they are used in creating a complete script for television or feature film. Letter Grade or petition for Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) Course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 units.

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 168. Writing for the Family Audience (4) Lecture, 2 hours; Discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): THEA 166C. An introduction to the demands and challenges of writing film and television projects designed for the family audience. Letter Grade or petition for Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC).

THEA 169. Rewriting the Script (4) Workshop, 4 hours per week. Prerequisite(s): CRWT 164C/THEA 164C or THEA 166C; consent of instructor is required for students repeating the course. Covers rewriting a full-length script (screenplay or play). Letter Grade or petition for Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 units. Credit is awarded for only one of CWPA 269 or THEA 169.

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 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. Improvisation.

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 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.