101. Introduction to Acting 1. Permission of instructor (brief interview). (3). (Excl).
This course is designed as a general introduction to the fundamental skills of acting in the theatre. It involves discussion and practical work, including theatre games, warm-up, monologue, and scene work. Some papers and selected reading. Brief, informal interviews are required for admission to all sections. Further details at Theatre Office, Room 2550, Frieze Building. Cost:1 (Gwillim)
102. Introduction to Acting 2. Permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
This course is designed to build on the experience of Theatre 101 or Theatre 236. The course offers an introduction to acting in the theatre, with particular attention to the fundamentals of dramatic action and characterization. Scene work is stressed. Scenes and monologues will be performed in class, and graded, and a midterm examination will also be part of the grade in the course. Brief, informal interviews are required for admission to all sections. Further details at Theatre Office, Room 2550, Frieze Building. Texts: Robert Cohen, Acting One, 2d edition, and Ed. McNamara, Plays from the Contemporary American Theater. Cost:2 (Woods)
211/Res. College Hums. 280/English 245. Introduction to Drama and Theatre. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in RC Humanities 281. (4). (HU).
The course aims to introduce students to the power and variety of theatre, and to help them understand the processes which go toward making a production. Five plays will be subjects for special study, chosen to cover a wide range of style and content, but interest will not be confined to these or to theatre using literary texts. Each students will attend two lectures weekly, plus a two-hour meeting in sections each week; the latter will be used for questions and discussions, viewing rehearsals and video or films of performance, and periodic exams and writing exercises. Students will be required to attend two or more theatre performances, chosen from those available in Ann Arbor. Cost:3 WL:2 (Brown)
245(345). Introduction to Stage Management. Theatre 250, or permission of instructor. (2). (Excl).
Class covers methods of stage management including rehearsal coordination, prompt book preparation, record keeping, and director, cast, and crew relationships during the rehearsal period. Students will be assigned as Assistant Stage Manager on a School of Music production (theatre, opera, musical theatre) requiring, during the rehearsal/performance period, approximately 70 hrs. outside of class time. Evaluation is based on class participation, occasional written assignments, and execution of assigned stage management duties. (Finley)
250. Introduction to Technical Theatre Practices. (3). (Excl).
This class is s survey of all aspects of theatre production. Scenery construction, rigging and painting, stage lighting, costume construction, and stage makeup are among topics investigated. Students also work in University Productions in the lab portion of the class. Cost:2 WL:4 (Decker)
251. Production Practicum 1. (1). (Excl).
Theatre Practicum. Students enrolled in this class perform
duties as stage scenery, lighting, sound, wardrobe, or stage properties
crews for School of Music Theatre, Dance, Opera, and Musical Theatre
Productions. No previous experience required. No Text. WL:4 Assignment
meeting 5:00 PM Sept. 17 in the Trueblood Theatre. (Decker)
260(351). Introduction to Design. Theatre
250 or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
Introduction to Theatrical Design. A general theatre design
course that will introduce students to all aspects of design including
scenery, costumes, and lighting. It is team-taught by members
of the Design faculty with the goal of acquainting students with the "process" that is necessary to analyze a script
in order to develop a design concept for the production. Basic
graphic communication techniques will also be explored. Cost:2
WL:3 (Decker)
345. Stage Management Practicum: Plays. Theatre
250 and permission of instructor. (2). (Excl). May be elected
for a total of 4 credits.
Plays. Seminar class covers methods of stage management including
rehearsal coordination, prompt book preparation, record keeping, and director, cast, and crew relationships during the rehearsal
period. Students will be assigned as Stage Manager on a Theatre
Department production requiring, during the rehearsal/performance
period, approximately 170 hrs. outside of class time. Evaluation
is based on execution of assigned stage management duties. WL:3
(Finley)
385. Performing Arts Management. Theatre
250 and permission of instructor. (2). (Excl).
Management of the Performing Arts is a broad survey course
designed to introduce students to the administrative operations
carried on by arts companies, and to teach some elementary techniques
for effectively managing these companies. By use of the case method, students make managerial decisions presented in scenarios from
a wide range of arts organizations, including symphonies, theatres, dance companies, and opera companies. The overall themes of the
course are (1) setting long-term and short-term goals (how to
avoid crisis management); (2) interpersonal and organizational
issues (How to manage people); (3) arts companies and the community
(Do they want what we want?); and (4) administering money (How
to get it and how to spend it). This course is useful to future
performers for understanding the environment in which they will
seek employment, and why their prospective employers make the
decisions they do. Topics of arts administration: Budgeting and ticket pricing; Contracts and agents; Financial statements; Corporate
structure; incorporations; 501 (c)(3) organizations; Long range
planning; strategic plans; Marketing theory; market segmentation;
Marketing mix and plan; marketing of services; Promotion: advertising
and public relations; Board of Directors; Individual, corporate, & foundation fundraising; Governmental grants & grant
writing. Cost:2 (Hoffman)
386. Practicum in Performing Arts Management. Permission of instructor. (2). (Excl).
Students will gain practical experience in arts administration by assisting in the creation of approximately five productions per term presented under the auspices of the School of Music, including drama, dance, musical theatre, and opera. Students are required to meet "real world" deadlines and to contribute toward meeting actual ticket-sales goals. Administrative assignments include: writing press releases, developing marketing campaigns, creating print and radio ads, assisting in ticket-office operations, managing the house during performances, and analyzing budgets. One and one-half hour class per week is required plus weekly duties according to the particular production. Theatre 385 is a suggested prerequisite (or concurrently), or previous backstage experience. Students who are interested in all types of performing arts are welcome. Cost:3 WL:3 (Kuras)
423/English 449. American Theatre and Drama. (3). (HU).
See English 449. (Brater)
441. Directing I. Theatre 102 or 237, and permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
Theatre 441 is an orientation to play direction for aspiring and interested theatre directors. The course covers all the basic skills, requirements, and responsibilities of stage directing. Topics and areas explored are: relationships with designers, playwrights, stage-managers, producers, actors, and dramaturgs. The course also explores and puts into practical demonstration; script analysis and interpretation, blocking technique, principles of stage movement and effective stage pictures, directorial concept and realization of the text. Other topics include: auditioning, casting, rehearsal technique and the final rendition of a production. (Neville-Andrews)
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