PerformingArts@ricks.eduAssociate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Theatre Arts (258)
Associate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Technical Theatre (257)
Susan W. Whitfield, Department Chair
John Bidwell, W. Hyrum Conrad, J. Omar Hansen, Roger L. Harris, 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 degree’s are designed for transfer to a college or university theatre program, or to a professional training school.
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 educa-tion and training in the performing arts.
Performance Opportunities
At least five 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 (and an even larger number of student-directed one-act
plays and readers theatres) 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.
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 24 credits of Core Courses with at least "B" grade point average: TA 116, 117, 121, 123, 125, 126, 200, 201, and 219.
Recommended sequence of courses:
First Semester
Religion 2
General Education 9
TA 121 Voice Diction 2
TA 123 Acting I 4
Total Credits 17
Second Semester
Religion 2
General Education 7
TA 125 IPA/Dialects 2
TA 219 Technical Theatre 3
TA 116 Structure & Analysis 2
Total Credits 16
Third Semester
Religion 2
General Education 7
TA 126 Stage Makeup 2
TA 200 Theatre History I 3
Major Electives 2
Total Credits 16
Fourth Semester
Religion 2
General Education 6
TA 117 Introduction to Film Art 3
TA 201 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, 115, 122, 124, 133, 135, 220, 221, 224, 260, 262, 274.
Theatre Arts Majors are encouraged to take Fencing (PE-C 110), Jazz Dance (Dance 131), Modern Dance (Dance 140), Group Vocal Instruction (Music 104), and Shakespeare and the Arts (English 282) as part of their General Education and elective course work.
General Education Requirements
TA 117 will fill the Arts half of the Arts and Letters requirement. We recommend taking English 282, Shakespeare and the Arts, to fill the letters half of the Arts and Letters GE requirement.
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 116, 117, 121, 123, 126, 201, and 219. 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 220, 224, 260, 262, 274; Art 105A, 105C; Cloth 145, 240, 260; COMM 256; ET 135; ID 222; PHOTO 280; TE 100: and WELD 125.
The 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 116 Structure & Analysis 2
TA 219 Technical Theatre 3
Major Electives 3
Total Credits 16
Second Semester
Religion 2
General Education 6
TA 126 Stage Makeup 2
TA 117 Intro to Film Art 3
Major Electives 3
Total Credits 16
Third Semester
Religion 2
General Education 6
TA 121 Voice Diction 2
TA 123 Acting I 4
Major Electives 3
Total 17
Fourth Semester
Religion 2
General Education 8
TA 201 Theatre History II 3
Major Electives 3
Total Credits 16
General Education Requirements
The Ricks College Math requirement should be filled as early as possible. TA 117 will fill the Arts half of the Arts and Letters requirement. We recommend taking English 282, 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.
TA 106 Individual Coaching 1
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
Three hours per week
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.
*Gives GE credit in the Arts Area of the Arts and Letters Requirement.
TA 116 Dramatic Structure and Analysis 2
Two class hours per week
Fundamentals of play analysis and dramatic theory.
TA 117* Introduction to Film Art and Analysis 3
Two class hours plus three lab hours per week
Developing analytical skills for understanding and appreciating the best of motion picture
art; basic history, theory, and aesthetics of film.
*Gives GE credit in the Arts Area of the Arts and Letters Requirement.
TA 121 Voice Diction 2
Two class hours plus one lab hour per week
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 122 Interpretation 2
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 121
Two class hours plus one lab hour per week
A fundamental class helping students become more proficient in interpreting poetry,
stories, plays, and all other aspects of reading aloud. It will continue to stress vocal
quality as well as interpreting the printed page. This course is strongly recommended for
those studying elementary education, English and broadcasting.
TA 123 Acting I 4
Four class hours plus two lab hours per week
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 124 Acting II 4
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 121 and 123
Four class hours plus two lab hours per week
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 125 IPA/Dialects 2
Two class hours plus one lab hour per week
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 126 Stage Makeup 2
Two class hours plus two lab hours per week
Theory and practice of theatrical makeup.
TA 133 Movement for Theater 2
Two class hours plus two lab hours per week
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.
TA 135 Song Interpretation 4
Four class hours plus two lab hours per week
Concentrated practical work with textual analysis, emotional, and physical
charac-terization, staging/blocking techniques, types of progression in songs,
auditioning, and centering the dramatic focus within a song.
TA 200 Theatre History I 3
Three class hours per week
The first half of theatre history: the origins of theatre, Greek, Roman, Medieval, Italian
Renaissance, Spanish, Elizabethan and Oriental .
TA 201 Theatre History II 3
Three class hours per week
The second half of theatre history: Renaissance and Baroque; French, English 1642-1800,
eighteenth century European, romanticism, realism, contemporary.
TA 219 Beginning Technical Theatre 3
Three class hours and two lab hours per week
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 220 Scenic and Lighting Design 3
Prerequisite: TA 219
Three class hours plus two lab hours per week
An introduction to the basic concepts of scenery and lighting design.
TA 221 Readers Theatre 3
Three class hours plus one lab hour per week
A course studying the theory and practice of the narrative approach to performance.
TA 224 The Beginning Director 3
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and TA 123 or consent of instructor
Three class hours plus one lab hour per week
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.
TA 260 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 262 Introduction to Theatrical Costume Design 2
Two class hours plus three lab hours per week
A practical course covering the principles, aesthetics and construction of costumes for
the theatre (Winter Only).
TA 274 Theatre Management 2
Two class hours plus two lab hours per week
Theory and practice of organizing, developing and managing a theatre company from its
conception to opening night and beyond.
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