6.19 DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE (TH)
Interim Chairperson: Professor William Teague,
Office: 115 Rowand-Johnson Hall
The Department of Theatre and Dance
is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST),
and all of its programs and policies are in accordance with NAST requirements. The
department offers several programs leading to the master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degree
in theatre. These include programs conducted entirely on the campus in
Tuscaloosa, programs with residency split between the campus and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival
(ASF) in
Montgomery, and a program conducted entirely at ASF. The purpose of the M.F.A. degree in theatre
is to train students whose previous experience, demonstrated ability, and professional
potential are sufficient to suggest a productive career in the theatre.
Admission Requirements
General. While the M.F.A. degree has several areas of specialization,
admission is granted in only one area. Admission to the M.F.A. degree
program in theatre requires satisfaction of all admission requirements of
the Graduate School (please note that no test scores are required); and an
interview, including audition, and/or portfolio review. Certain areas have
specific admission requirements as noted below.
Programs on the Tuscaloosa campus. The M.F.A. degree program requires
specialization in one area of production. Students in the program must be
admitted to one of the following areas of study: acting pedagogy, directing,
costume design/production, scene design, and lighting design/technical
production. (Note: The costume design/production, scene design, and lighting
design/technical production programs offer the option for a third-year
residency at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. See "Programs in conjunction
with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival" below.) Other areas of concentration
are available through the programs conducted in conjunction with the Alabama
Shakespeare Festival.
Subject to approval by the department chairperson and the dean of the
Graduate School, in specified programs, a maximum of 20 semester hours of
graduate work may be transferred from another institution. These hours must
be in theatre or in a closely allied subject, and they must contribute to
the student's educational objective. Should deficiencies in the student's
undergraduate program be perceived, appropriate undergraduate courses will
be required. While these undergraduate courses may not be counted toward the
graduate degree, they may be taken in addition to the maximum allowable
number of graduate hours.
The M.F.A. program is normally a three-year program. Students who hold the
M.A. degree in theatre upon admission to the program may expect a shortened
course of study, dependent upon faculty evaluation of the previous work.
Students seeking such a shortened program must apply to have previous work
evaluated. Normally, a two-year minimum residency is required for students
with shortened programs.
Programs in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. M.F.A.
programs in theatre management/arts administration, stage management, scene
design, lighting design/technical production, and costume design/production
are available in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and
require a residency split between Tuscaloosa and Montgomery. Admission to
the joint UA/ASF programs depends heavily on an interview and portfolio
review. Faculty members in each area of specialization normally attend the
U/RTA unified auditions and the Southeastern Theatre Conference for the
purpose of conducting admission interviews. Interviews may also be arranged
in Tuscaloosa and Montgomery. Due to these programs' highly structured
curricula, transfer of credit from other institutions is not allowed.
UA/ASF Professional Actor Training Program. In addition to the M.F.A.
program in acting pedagogy conducted on the Tuscaloosa campus, the
department, in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, offers the
Professional Actor Training Program (an Equity Membership Candidacy
Program), which leads to the M.F.A. degree.
Students are admitted to the program by audition only, and they must meet
all Graduate School admission requirements. Due to these programs' highly
structured curricula, transfer of credit from other institutions is not
allowed.
Degree Requirements
General. All students must follow Plan II (see "Academic
Policies" in this catalog) and complete 60 semester hours of
graduate coursework for the degree. Continuation in the M.F.A.
degree program is contingent upon recommendation by the theatre
faculty, following an annual review of the student's academic and
production work. Students may be placed on probation following the
review; students placed on probation have one semester in which to
reestablish their academic standing. Under no circumstances will a
student be permitted to continue in the program on probation for
more than one semester.
Programs on the Tuscaloosa campus. The Department of Theatre
and Dance uses "contract advising," which requires each student in
the department to develop a plan of study within six weeks of
beginning the program, in conjunction with an assigned advisor from
the student's area of specialization. The plan of study must meet
the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and the Department
of Theatre and Dance, and have the approval of the assigned advisor.
While each plan is developed individually, examples of typical
curricula are available on request from the department. A student
with a.5 FTE departmental assistantship cannot take more than 10
hours and no less than 6 hours of graduate work during a semester or
more than 6 hours in each term of the summer session.
Programs in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
The theatre management/arts administration program and the stage
management program require two calendar years of continuous
residency for completion. Students will be enrolled in a total of 60
semester hours of intense academic and applied work. These hours are
divided between the University campus in Tuscaloosa and the ASF in
Montgomery. At ASF, students study with both academic faculty and
members of the festival's professional staff. The programs in scene
design, lighting design/technical production, and costume
design/production require a standard three-year program, which
includes two years in Tuscaloosa and the third year in residence at
ASF. That residency includes 20 semester hours of work with the
festival's professional design and technical staff, as well as
visiting designers. The program is planned to allow rotation through
the various areas of the festival's studio operations.
UA/ASF Professional Actor Training Program. The Professional
Actor Training Program requires two calendar years of continuous
residency at ASF, comprising six consecutive terms (60 semester
hours) of a very intensive program of academic study and
performance.
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites for 500- and 600-level
courses: Graduate standing and permission of the instructor
TH 521 Period Decor. Three hours.
A survey of period architecture, ornament, and furniture as applied in the
stage designer's research.
TH 523 Sketching and Drafting for the Theatre. Three hours.
A studio course in drawing and painting techniques for the stage designer.
TH 525 Scene Painting. Three hours.
A studio course in the materials and techniques for painting stage scenery
and properties. Lab fee, $25.00.
TH 526 Sound Production Techniques for Theatre and Dance. Three hours.
A course providing a working knowledge of sound production, with an emphasis
on the creation of sound tapes for theatre and dance and the setup and
maintenance of sound reproduction and modification equipment. Lab fee,
$25.00.
TH 527 Computer Graphics for the Theatre. Three hours.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
A study of computer drawing programs and computer-assisted design and
drafting programs used in producing technical drawings for theatre. AutoCAD
will be the primary program studied.
TH 530 History of Costume for the Stage. Three hours.
A historical study of civil costume in relation to costuming for the stage.
TH 531 Costume Construction I. Three hours.
A studio course in patterning, cutting, and constructing costumes for the
stage. Additional hours in related theatre activities are required. Lab fee,
$25.00.
TH 533 Costume Design I. Three hours.
A studio course in costume design principles and presentation for stage
costumes. Lab fee, $25.00.
TH 535 Professional Presentation for Theatre Designers. Three hours.
The study and development of professional presentations for theatre artists.
This includes, but is not limited to, “hard” portfolios, digital portfolios,
exhibits and personal presentations.
TH 539 Advanced Stage Makeup. Three hours.
A studio course using a variety of materials in the craft of mask making,
hair ventilating, and prosthetics. Lab fee, $25.00.
TH 540 Stage Movement and Physical Acting. Three hours.
An advanced course in body awareness, alignment, breathing techniques,
physicalization, and physical characterization.
TH 541 Advanced Scene Study. Three hours.
Advanced course in specific methodologies for character conception and
projection.
TH 542 Careers in the Professional Theatre. Three hours.
A course focusing on audition and interview techniques, unions, résumé
writing, and other skills required to apply for positions in the academic
and professional theatre.
TH 543 Script Analysis and Interpretation. Three hours.
Theory and methodology of the textual analysis of playscripts for
production.
TH 544 Period Acting Styles I. Three hours.
Study and practice of period acting styles.
TH 545 Period Acting Styles II. Three hours.
A continuation of TH 544, usually focusing on verse drama, especially
Shakespeare.
TH 546 Advanced Voice and Speech for Performance. Three hours.
Intensive exercise and practice for acquiring acceptable use of voice and
speech for performers.
TH 547 Stage Dialects. Three hours.
Prerequisite: TH 546.
Study of dialects in dramatic literature. Offered in alternate years.
TH 548 Rehearsal Process. Three hours.
Acting course in which students analyze and participate in the rehearsal
process with both unpublished and published scripts.
TH 549 Advanced Stage Movement: Stage Combat. Three hours.
Students will learn to create safely the illusion of armed violence
including work with the broad sword, small sword, rapier/dagger, and knife.
TH 551 History of the Theatre I. Three hours.
Beginnings to the Restoration.
TH 552 History of the Theatre II. Three hours.
Restoration to the present.
TH 553 European Theatre History. Three hours.
Special topics relating to Western theatre. Examples include the commedia
dell'arte, European sources of the modern theatre, studies in Brecht, the
avant-garde theatre, etc.
TH 554 Seminar in Contemporary Theatre. Three hours.
An examination of trends and developments in the theatre and drama since the
Vietnam Era.
TH 555 Seminar in Theatre History and Literature: Classical. Three hours.
The theatre and drama of ancient Greece and Rome.
TH 556 Seminar in Theatre History and Literature: Elizabethan, Jacobean, and
Carolinian. Three hours.
The English theatre and drama from 1558 to 1642.
TH 557 Seminar in Theatre History and Literature: American. Three hours.
Theatre and drama in the United States from its beginnings. Special focus on
19th-century developments and current post-modern adaptations of earlier
plays and forms.
TH 565 Musical Theatre Performance I. Three hours.
Musical theatre scene study for the actor and director; the blending of
acting, singing, and movement skills in the performance of songs and scenes.
TH 566 Musical Theatre Performance II. Three hours.
A special topics course for the actor and director, exploring such areas as
musical theatre history, cabaret performance, the in-depth study of a single
work, etc.
TH 567 Musical Theatre Repertoire Coaching. One to two hours.
Individual coaching in musical theatre repertoire and the preparation of
material for auditions, principal roles, cabaret performances, and
recordings.
TH 570 Theatre Management. Three hours.
Principles of management applied to the fields of theatre operation and
production, with emphasis on marketing, development, budgeting, and
organizational structure.
TH 572 Arts Administration. Three hours.
A study of fiscal, administrative, and legal principles as they apply to the
performing arts, particularly theatrical productions.
TH 576 Theatre Management: Internship. Six hours.
Prerequisites: TH 570, TH 576, and completion of 20 hours in the M.F.A.
program.
Professional experience with a major professional resident theatre company.
Course may be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
TH 582 Playwriting I. Three hours.
An introduction to writing for the stage, from dramatic conception to
finished script.
TH 583 Playwriting II. Three hours.
Advanced course in playwriting; concentration on various play forms, draft
revision, and the script development process.
TH 584 Dramaturgy: Principles and Practices. Three hours.
Prerequisite: TH 582.
Explores dramaturgic theory, current practices, and historical foundations.
Includes studies in adaptation, literary management, new play development,
production, and audience-related dramaturgy.
TH 586 Dramatic Theory and Criticism. Three hours.
A survey of the major critical and performance theories, with special
emphasis on Aristotelian and 20th-century approaches. Includes study and
practice of reviewing dramatic productions.
TH 599 Thesis Research. Three hours.
TH 600 Advanced Practicum. One hour.
Execution of significant creative assignments in mainstage and/or A. B.
Theatre productions throughout the term.
TH 602 Alabama Shakespeare Festival: Conservatory. Ten hours.
Professional, practical application of various theatre specialties in
conjunction with the ASF in Montgomery, Alabama. This rubric is used for the
Professional Actor Training Program, as well as the programs in stage
management, theatre management and arts administration, scene design and
production, and costume design and production.
TH 606 Stage Management I. Three hours.
The precepts and practice of stage management.
TH 607 Stage Management II. Three hours. Continuation of TH 606.
TH 615 Lighting Design I. Three hours.
A thorough study of the technical aspects of stage lighting, including
electricity, optics, color, control theory, and light-plotting techniques.
TH 616 Lighting Design II. Three hours.
An advanced course covering the theory and practice of lighting design for
the theatre, with an emphasis on script analysis and execution.
TH 618 Lighting Design III. Three hours.
A seminar involving the presentation of designs for various productions and
preparation of problem-related demonstrations. May be repeated.
TH 622 Scene Design I. Three hours.
A studio course in scenic design for the theatre. Students will execute
designs for several plays focusing on analysis, graphic representations, and
portfolio building.
TH 623 Scene Design II. Three hours.
A continuation and intensification of the material in TH 622. Attention
given to script analysis and complete design drawing, plus design for varied
forms of stages.
TH 628 Problems in Theatre Arts: Design. Three hours.
An intensive study of the designer's responsibility involving design for
varied forms of staging and design drafting.
TH 632 Costume Construction II. Three hours.
A studio course in advanced costume construction and costume crafts.
Included topics are tailoring, corsetry, millinery, armor, wigs, masks, and
jewelry, both period and modern. May be repeated. Lab fee, $25.00.
TH 634 Costume Design II. Three hours.
A continuation and intensification of the material in TH 533. Projects will
address specific problems of design. May be repeated. Lab fee, $25.00.
TH 635 Costume Design III. Three hours.
Continuation of TH 634. Projects address larger and more specific problems
in design.
TH 636 Costume Design IV. Three hours.
Continuation of TH 635. Projects are produced with the aid of computers.
TH 637 Period Costume Construction. Three hours.
Prerequisites: TH 531, TH 632.
A studio course in the patterning, fit, and construction of garments popular
prior to the 20th century.
TH 638 Advanced Tailoring Techniques for Theatre. Three hours.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
A studio course in both hand and machine tailoring techniques needed to
produce high quality custom tailored garments for the stage. This includes,
but is not limited to hand padding, machine padding, decorative and couture
techniques.
TH 639 Problems in Theatre Arts: Costuming. Three hours.
Study and studio work in a specialized area of costume design or technology.
TH 640 Problems in Theatre Arts: Stage Movement. Three hours.
Prerequisite: TH 540 or permission of the instructor.
Advanced theory and practice in stage movement topics such as anatomy,
clowning, mask, stage combat, mime, etc. May be repeated for credit when the
topic differs.
TH 642 Teaching Acting. Three hours.
A course to provide practical experience in teaching and coaching actors and
developing methods and various approaches in teaching acting.
TH 643 Teaching Practicum. Three hours.
Prerequisites: TH 642 and permission of the instructor.
A course covering the practical aspects of teaching, including syllabi
preparation, course planning, and classroom experience.
TH 649 Problems in Theatre Arts: Performance. Three hours.
Advanced theory and practical application of performance techniques.
TH 662 History of Directing. Three hours.
Historical development of directing theory and methodology since Saxe-Meiningen.
TH 669 Problems in Theatre Arts: Directing. Three hours.
Advanced theory and practical application of directing techniques.
TH 673 Fund-raising and Financial Management. Three hours.
A study of fund-raising and financial management of nonprofit arts
organizations with an emphasis on fund-raising audits, forecasting, and
plans.
TH 674 Arts Advocacy, Policy, and Public Relations. Three hours.
A study of the history and manifestation of public arts policy in the United
States, with emphasis placed on arts advocacy and public relations tactics
and campaigns.
TH 675 Business and Legal Issues in the Arts. Three hours.
An examination of legal requirements of nonprofit arts organizations,
specifically addressing tax exemption, reporting of contributions,
development considerations, and contemporary legal issues affecting artists.
TH 676 Marketing the Arts. Three hours.
A study of contemporary marketing practices and how they are applied to the
nonprofit arts organization. Special emphasis on marketing audits,
forecasting, analysis, and campaigns.
TH 679 Problems in Theatre Arts: Management. Three hours.
Directed studies in specific management techniques and theoretical
development of theatre projects.
TH 683 Problems in Theatre Arts: Playwriting. Three hours.
Specific topics such as the historical play, New Dramaturgy, and writing;
workshops with visiting writers from the New Playwrights Program.
TH 684 Problems in Theatre Arts: Dramaturgy. Three hours.
TH 690 Independent Study. Three hours.
TH 698 Research not Related to Thesis. Three hours.
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