University of Maine at Farmington 2017-2018 Catalog

 
The University
Academic Organization, Faculty Listing
Academic Programs
Courses
Admission, Costs, Financial Aid
Academic Policies
Personnel
Notices
UMF Logo
 
Context

Theatre
Print This Page

  THE 115A - Improvisation as Acting Technique

This course introduces the student to the uses of Improvisation for developing acting techniques and methods in character development. The focus will be on developing fundamental improvisational skills through physical, emotional, and imagination exercises in a collaborative environment. Prerequisites: none. Every fall.



Credit: 4

  THE 117A - Contemporary American Theatre

This course examines playwrights, directors, and designers, and explores the complexity of modern times through new plays of the American stage.  Contemporary American Theatre considers all aspects of production through design concepts, technical elements, and performance. Prerequisite: None. Every year.



Credit: 4

  THE 122A - Introduction to Scenic and Lighting Design

This is an intensive survey course exploring the use of lighting and scenic elements in live performance mediums.  Using methods, language, theories, and resources developed primarily in traditional live theater, it is the intent of the course to first develop a common language between the collaborative artists that are at the heart of performance design so the intent of the artistic vision can be defined and thus achieved. The course will include lectures, demonstrations, and practical application of ideas, techniques, and methods employed in the traditional collaborative theatrical production process, as well as class discussion about the application of this process to other live performance and collaborative art. Prerequisite: None. Every year.



Credit: 4

  THE 163A - Improvising Sound and Music

This course explores the ideas, practices, and techniques of improvising with sound or/and music. Any kind of aural improvisation will be accepted as valid coursework, and students will be rewarded for their willingness to experiment and innovate.  This class is open to all and no prior music or sound experience is needed. Students have the option of signing up for this course under SPV 163A, ART 163A, MUS 163A, or THE 163A, but may only receive credit for one. Prerequisite(s): None. Every year.



Credit: 4

  THE 177A - Topics in Theatre

This course allows for the inclusion of electives in other areas of general theatre interest not covered by other courses.(ie single artist or topic). Specific topics to be covered and course availability are variable. Prerequisites: none. Varies.



Credit: 4

  THE 202A - Space Lab and Performance

Space Lab and Performance involves active participation in the production process. Students participate as actors or on technical crews during the semester’s theatre productions. Using the script as a central text, students consider all aspects of the production, from design to performance and character study through current social and historical context. Individual work with the director and designers is considered part of the course experience. This 4-credit course may be repeated for an additional 8 credits. Prerequisites: None. Every semester.



Credit: 4

  THE 211A - Text, Imagery, and Sound as Performance

This course will explore the methods and ways that the written word, (prose, poetry) pictures (paintings, drawings, photographs, images) and sound (speech, noise, recorded or live material) can be translated into visual form to create a theater experience. Prerequisites: none. Every spring.



Credit: 4

  THE 212A - Play Structure and Analysis

This course will focus on methodologies for study and understanding the play as a literary genre in relationship to theatre. A variety of plays from Greek to the modern era will be read and discussed applying the Aristotelian concept of play analysis. Prerequisites: none. Every other spring.



Credit: 4

  THE 224A - Light and Space for Performance

This course examines the principles and theories behind creating performance environments, both in and out of the theatre. It includes lectures, demonstrations, and practical application of ideas, techniques and methods employed in the performance production process. Content may vary depending on current performance schedule. Prerequisites: none. Every two years.



Credit: 4

  THE 242A - Costume Design

This course provides an overview of the process of designing costumes for the stage. Students will apply the principles of design to clothing through text analysis and collaborative visual effort. The course will also cover sketch presentations and the building process. Prerequisite: None. Every year.



Credit: 4

  THE 252A - Directing Contemporary Theatre I

An introductory course that focuses on the director's responsibilities including pre-production activities: script selection and analysis and development of a directors and production concept, auditioning, casting, and development of a rehearsal schedule. Rehearsal duties: character development, blocking/picturization, as well as understanding the relationship between director and the various designers: scenic, lighting, costume, makeup, and sound. Students, in relationship with the THE-215 Improvisation: As Acting Technique, will select, audition and direct a final short scene. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. Every fall.



Credit: 4

  THE 260A - Language of Performance

This course challenges students to develop a greater understanding of the “language” of performance by exploring the numerous prisms (e.g. sound, image, space, language, text, etc.) through which performativity is/can be refracted.  Does a sound carry meaning?  What is the difference between space and place?  What does the presence of stillness suggest?  What does a piece of clothing reveal about its wearer?  How does light shift our perspective?  In order to foster a corporeal interrogation of these questions and others, this course will be run as an interactive workshop and seminar in which we will: engage in various forms of play; analyze and critically evaluate our ideas, arguments and points of view; and learn to apply course material to improve our own performance practices. Students have the option of signing up for this course under SPV 260A, ART 260A, MUS 260A, or THE 260A, but may only receive credit for one. Prerequisite(s): None. Every two years.



Credit: 4

  THE 264A - Art and Social Change

This course challenges us to foster a historical, comparative, and tactile understanding of the relationship between art and social change.  How do artists address social issues?  Can art transform lives?  How can art serve as a force for encouraging ethical dialogue and action within the public sphere? How do we make our ideas and revelations actually matter within our collective place and space? Through lectures, discussions, presentations, and projects we will set about to engage ourselves with the work of contemporary artists who have addressed issues related to the environment, racial and cultural identity, human rights, healthcare, and social justice.



Credit: 4

  THE 265A - Sound as Art

This course will explore the ways that musical composers, sound artists, and visual artists have composed with sound. Students will go through a process of reading, listening and creating in order to gain an understanding of how sound works, and can be used to achieve different outcomes for a viewer or listener. Students have the option of signing up for this course under SPV 265A, ART 265A, MUS 265A, or THE 265A, but may only receive credit for one. Prerequisite(s): None. Every year.



Credit: 4

  THE 275A - Social & Political Theatre and Film

This course examines the context of turbulent environments and considers how theatre and film can be a powerful force in social and political movement.  Plays and films are discussed in historical and current context and how technical aspects of a production can influence an audience beyond the script. Prerequisites: none. Every year.



Credit: 4

  THE 277A - Topics in Theatre

This course allows for the inclusion of electives in other areas of General theatre interest not covered by other courses (i.e. single artist or topic). Specific topics to be covered and course availability are variable.  Prerequisites: none. Varies.



Credit: 4

  THE 278A - Commedia dell'arte

The study begins with stock characters, masked players and improvisation style of Italy's' historic commedia dell'arte and moves into an exploration of both comic and tragic characters to examine how improvisation works as a foundation for character development in performance. Prerequisites: none. Every year.



Credit: 4

  THE 352 - Directing Contemporary Theater II

This course continues with the practices and responsibilities of the director initiated in THE 252A with script selection and analysis, developing a director's and production concept, auditioning, casting and character development. There will be greater emphasis and study in blocking (composition and movement.) The capstone experience will be script selection, auditioning and directing a one-act production for public performance. Prerequisite: THE 252A Directing Contemporary Theatre I and permission of instructor. Every spring. May be taken twice for credit with instructor’s permission.



Credit: 4

  THE 377 - Special Topics in Theatre

 Intensive study of a specific theatre-related topic. Varies.



Credit: 4

  THE 397 - Independent Study in Theatre

Advanced project in directing, Internship or student's area of interest initiated by course elements within the curriculum. Course may be repeated, but THE 397 and THE 497 may not exceed 12 credits. Prerequisites: Permissions of instructor and the Arts Division chairperson. Varies.



Credit: 2-4

  THE 477 - Topics in Theatre

The study of a specialized topic not offered in the usual curriculum. Varies. 



Credit: 2-4

  THE 497 - Independent Study in Theatre

Advanced project in directing or design and execution of projects in costumes, lighting or scenery, depending upon the student's interest and choice. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and The Arts Division chairperson. Varies.



Credit: 2-4

See other years' Catalogs