Susan W. Whitfield, Department Chair
Gary Benson, John Bidwell,
W. Hyrum Conrad, Rebecca Foster,
J. Omar Hansen, Robert W. Nelson
Departmental Office (208) 356-2077
The Department of Theatre offers an Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree with majors in Theatre Arts and Technical Theatre. These degrees are designed for transfer to a college or university theatre program, or to a professional training school. Beginning Fall 2001 the department will offer a composite in Theatre and Speech secondary education certification and a Theatre minor in secondary education certification. Check requirements in the Education Handbook. Beginning Fall 2004 the Department of Theatre will offer a Theatre Major as part of the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree. The Associate Degree will continue to be offered until the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree becomes available.
The Mission of The Department of Theatre:
1. To teach students that they will become better performing artists through living the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. To teach students how the principles of the performing arts connect to their roles as individuals, Church members, citizens and parents.
3. To teach students how to make value judgments about the quality of the form and content of performances.
4. To create performances which pursue truth.
5. To prepare students for further
education, training, and experience in the performing arts.
Performance Opportunities
At least six major theatre productions are staged each season. They include musical comedy and opera, which are produced in cooperation with the Department of Music. Auditions for major productions are open to the entire student body.
Performance spaces include a 500-seat proscenium theatre and a 235-seat arena theatre. Both are equipped with the latest in lighting and sound equipment. Teaching and rehearsal spaces include two theatres, an acting studio, a readers theatre studio, scene and costume shops, and a make-up studio.
Wide participation in theatre as an elective is encouraged for all students.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Associate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Theatre Arts (258)
The Major in Theatre Arts is a transfer program designed for those planning to pursue a career either as a teacher or a performer. Theatre Arts majors must complete the following 23 credits of Core Courses with at least "B" grade point average: TA 115, 116, 121, 123, 126, 219, 225 or 233, 401, and 402 .
Recommended sequence of courses
First Semester Religion 2 General Education 6 TA 115 Intro to Theatre 3 TA 116 Dram Struc and Ana 2 TA 123 Acting I 3 Total Credits 16 Second Semester Religion 2 General Education 7 TA 121 Voice Diction 2 TA 219 Beg Technical Theatre 3 TA 233 Movement for Theatre 2 Total Credits 16 Third Semester Religion 2 General Education 5 TA 126 Stage Makeup 2 TA 225 Stage Dialects 2 TA 401 Theatre History I 3 Major Electives 2 Total Credits 16 Fourth Semester Religion 2 General Education 9 TA 402 Theatre History II 3 Major Electives 2 Total Credits 16 Major Electives: Theatre Arts majors may choose from among the following elective theatre courses in order to further their work towards a degree: TA 106 Individual Coaching TA 117 Intro to Film Art TA 223 Acting II TA 233 Movement for Theater TA 260 Theatre Practice TA 320 Scenic and Lighting Design TA 321 Readers Theatre TA 322 Interpretation and Storytelling TA 335 Song Interpretation TA 362 Intro to Costume Design TA 374 Theatre Management TA 424 The Beginning Director Theatre Arts Majors are encouraged to take: PE-C 110 Fencing Dance 131 Jazz Dance Dance 135 Tap Dance Dance 140 Modern Dance Music 104 Group Vocal Instruction Eng 373 Shakespeare as part of their General Education and elective course work.General Education Requirements
See pages 35-37 for a complete explanation of the General Education requirement. TA 115 will fill the Arts half of the Arts and Letters requirement. We recommend taking English 373, Shakespeare and the Arts, to fill the letters half of the Arts and Letters GE requirement.
Associate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Technical Theatre (257)
The Major in Technical Theatre is a transfer program designed for students planning a career in scenic, lighting or costume design, as well as scenery and property construction, and lighting execution.
Technical Theatre Majors must complete the following 18 credits of Core Courses in theatre with at least a "B" grade point average: TA 115, 116, 121, 123, 126, 219 and 402. TA 219 must be taken the first semester of the freshman year for Technical Theatre Majors.
Major Electives:
Technical Theatre Majors must also select a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses, depending upon their technical emphasis:
TA 260, 360, 460 Theatre Practice TA 320 Scenic and Lighting TA 362 Intro to Costume Design TA 374 Theatre Mgmt TA 424 The Beg Director Art 101 Intro to Visual Arts Art 102 Gen Art 2-D Cloth 145 Flat Pattern Dsgn Cloth 240 Fitting & Alteration Cloth 260 Textiles Comm 256 Intro to Broadcasting ET 135 Basic Electricity ID 140 Intro to Arch Photo 260 Color Photo Const 100 Woodwork Fund Weld 105 Ess of WeldingThe Technical Theatre Major must complete a minimum of 25 credits from the Core and Major Elective courses.
Following is a recommended outline to use in registering as a Technical Theatre Major.
First Semester Religion 2 General Education 6 TA 115 Intro to Theatre 3 TA 126 Stage Makeup 2 TA 219 Technical Theatre 3 Total Credits 16 Second Semester Religion 2 General Education 8 TA 116 Structure & Analysis 3 Major Electives 6 Total Credits 16 Third Semester Religion 2 General Education 6 TA 121 Voice Diction 2 TA 123 Acting I 3 Major Electives 3 Total 16 Fourth Semester Religion 2 General Education 8 TA 402 Theatre History II 3 Major Electives 3 Total Credits 16General Education Requirements
See pages 35-37 for a complete explanation of the General Education requirement.
The Brigham Young University-Idaho Math requirement should be filled as early as possible. TA 115 will fill the Arts half of the Arts and Letters requirement. We recommend taking English 373, Shakespeare and the Arts, for the Letters half of the Arts and Letters requirement. Technical Theatre majors are encouraged to consult with their advisor in selecting Major Electives.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
106 Individual Coaching (1:1:0)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Fee Required:
May be repeated for credit
Personal attention to individual needs beyond classroom practice. Affords particular value for students who would like special help in articulation and pronunciation, and/or acting and oral interpretation. This is private study intended for those who have taken at least one basic course, TA 121 or TA 123.
TA 115 * Introduction to Theatre (3:3:0)
Non-performance oriented
A course designed to develop discriminating appreciation of theatre in relation to the other fine arts. Fundamentals of play analysis and dramatic structures are included. All the facets of theatrical production and the artists who accomplish them are also discussed.
TA 116 Dramatic Structure and
Analysis (2:2:0)
Recommended to be completed before Sophomore year
Fundamentals of play analysis and dramatic theory.
TA 117* Introduction to Film Art and Analysis (3:2:3)
Developing analytical skills for understanding and appreciating the best of motion picture art; basic history, theory, and aesthetics of film.
TA 121 Voice Diction (2:2:1)
A fundamental course designed to teach vocal production skills for the stage using one of the major body-based voice
training systems. Emphasis is given to learning and developing vocal skills in preparation for voice interpretation. This class is recommended for students studying Elementary Education, English and Broadcasting. This is a required course for Theatre majors.
TA 123 Acting I (3:3:1)
May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor
Theory and preparation in the basic skills of acting; intensive and integrated work on vocal, physical, emotional, improvisational and perceptional skills.
TA 126 Stage Makeup (2:2:2)
Theory and practice of theatrical makeup.
TA 219 Beginning Technical
Theatre (3:3:2)
An introduction to the theory and practice of scenery construction, painting, lighting, and rigging. Laboratory experience includes actual participation backstage in college productions. Technical Theatre majors must enroll in this course during the first semester of their freshman year.
TA 223 Acting II (3:3:3)
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 121 and 123
May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor
Continuation and advancement in the basic skills of acting; intensive and integrated work in vocal, physical, emotional, improvisational and perceptional skills.
TA 225 Stage Dialects (2:2:1)
An intense study of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and its direct application and use with dialects in performance. This is a required course for Theatre majors.
TA 233 Movement for Theater (2:2:2)
This movement course will strengthen the performance skills of actors, singers, and dancers by refining the kinesthetic awareness and nonverbal expressiveness of each class member.
(Recommended for students transferring to 4 year performance program.)
TA 250 Contemporary Arts
Ensemble 1-2
Contemporary Arts Ensemble Production.
TA 260, 360, 460 Theatre Practice 1-2
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Four to twelve hours of lab per week
May be repeated for credit ( up to a total of 6 credits)
Participation in the creative process of theatrical production, acting, directing, scenery, lighting, makeup and costuming.
TA 320 Scenic and Lighting
Design (3:3:2)
Prerequisite: TA 219
An introduction to the basic concepts of scenery and lighting design.
(Winter only; odd years)
TA 321 Readers Theatre (3:3:1)
A course studying the theory and practice of the narrative approach to performance.
TA 322 Interpretation and
Storytelling (2:2:1)
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 121
A fundamental course helping students become more proficient in interpreting and performing poetry, stories, scripture plays, and historical documents and all other aspects of reading aloud. Introduces students to the craft of storytelling. This course is strongly recommended for those studying Elementary Education, English, or Broadcasting.
TA 324 Special studies in Theatre: Actors and Emotion (2:4:0)
Prerequisite: TA 123
A performance skills course for actors, singers, and dancers which focuses upon methods for generating complete and honest emotional experiences while performing. Alba Emoting and Instant Acting techniques will be taught and then integrated. Monologues and scenes will be created and refined utilizing those methods.
TA 335 Song Interpretation (4:4:2)
Concentrated practical work with textual analysis, emotional, and physical
characterization, staging/blocking techniques, types of progression in songs, auditioning, and centering the dramatic focus within a song.
TA 350R Special Studies in Theatre 1-4
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Taught on an “as needed” basis. Course material can consist of scenic art, mask making, stage combat and various other THEATRICAL CRAFTS.
TA 352 Drama in the Elementary Classroom (2:2:2)
Using theatre techniques such as creative dramatics/improvisation, puppetry, storytelling, reader’s theatre, choral reading, theatre production for children as a tool to enrich all subject matter taught in the elementary classroom.
TA 362 Introduction To Theatrical Costume Design (3:3:3)
A practical course covering the principles, and practice of design and selection of costumes for non-realistic, historical, and modern plays. Study of the relationship of costume to character and production.
(Winter Only; even years.)
TA 374 Theatre Management (2:2:2)
Theory and practice of organizing, developing and managing a theatre company from its conception to opening night and beyond.
TA 401 Theatre History I (3:3:0)
The first half of theatre history: the origins of theatre, Greek, Roman, Medieval, Italian Renaissance, Spanish, Elizabethan and Oriental .
TA 402 Theatre History II (3:3:0)
The second half of theatre history: Renaissance and Baroque; French, English 1642-1800, eighteenth century European, romanticism, realism, contemporary.
TA 424 The Beginning Director (3:3:1)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and TA 123 or consent of instructor
May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor
An introduction to the basic principles of directing coupled with extensive experience in directing two scenes and a one-act play; designed to prepare students for directing assignments in church, educational, and community theatre.
Complete General Education listing
Credit Hour Designations/Abbreviations (e.g., 3:3:3)