Schedule of Classes

Study of genres, terminology, and discipliines of acting; fundamental techniques necessary for performance; scene study from contemporary plays.

Actors work on the text: analysis in rehearsal of scripts drawn from contemporary realism for dramatic characterization.

Basic training for the actor's body for expression and communication. Awareness and control through mind-body techniques.

Basic principles and techniques of acting through theatre games and improvisation. Introduction to contemporary texts, basic characterization and cold reading techniques. Open to BFA acting majors only.

The elements of the actor's imaginative skills. Not available for credit to theatre majors.

Individual and group exercises to free the actor physically and emotionally and to stimulate creativity, imagination, and self-expression.

Concentration of imaginative processes which develop the individual characteristics of a dramatic role. Not available for credit to theatre majors.

Focuses on the questions, artistic choices, methodologies, and approaches of an actor/director/designer in the preparation of a production score prior to rehearsal.

Introduction to the non-performance areas of theatrical production (administrative, design, and technical fields) through hands-on participation in USC productions.

Physiological mechanism of voice: breath control, phonation, resonance, articulation of language for the stage; expressive use of stress, intonation and rhythm.

a: Techniques of modern dance; elements of dance composition.

a: Beginning techniques of classical ballet consisting of basic barre and center work; basic body and arm positions, port de bras, allegro and elementary adagio.

Intermediate techniques of classical ballet with intermediate barre, adagio, allegro combinations and pirouettes; development of a working knowledge of ballet terminology.

Advanced techniques of classical ballet; emphasis on clarity and precision with execution of movement. Study of beats, tours, advanced adagio and allegro, grand combinations, pointe-work.

Beginning techniques and practice of jazz dance.

Continuing study in the techniques of jazz dance.

Advanced techniques of jazz dance: advanced warm-up, rhythmic and isolation exercises, turns and advanced jazz sequences or combinations.

Elements of Hip-Hop dance, including technique, movement, musical rhythm, tempo and phrasing required to develop the skills needed to perform this unique dance form.

Representative ballroom dances: waltz, slow foxtrot, tango, and quickstep. a: Beginning. Graded CR/NC.

Representative ballroom dances: waltz, slow foxtrot, tango, and quickstep. b: Intermediate.

Basic tap rhythms developed into elementary dances with progression of time steps and other combinations of sound.

b: Continuing study of tap dancing including more complicated rhythmic patterns and combinations; polishing technique; combinations to varied music and introduction to advanced steps and combinations.

A multicultural and transnational examination of the history, theory, and practice of theatre from the Renaissance to the 19th century. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 311.) Recommended preparation: THTR 125.

Training of the actor's body with focus on development of precision and strength.

Training and practice in the coordination of the physical apparatus of the actor utilizing various movement techniques through improvisation.

Continuing development of imagination leading to an increased range of dramatic expression through the formalized text of William Shakespeare. Open to BFA acting majors only.

Principles of stage make-up materials and skills allowing the actors to enhance their features and techniques for moderate and extreme aging, injuries, and character roles.

The visualization and communication of design ideas through free-hand and mechanical drawing: orthographics, isometrics, perspective, shades and shadows, plans, sections and elevations.

Historical survey, theory and practice in construction of costume, emphasis on period and style. Recommended preparation: THTR 125, THTR 201

Theory and practice of theatrical lighting design including electricity, radiant energy, refraction, reflection, absorption, chromatic variation, and electronic controls.

Development of the voice using material which explores the techniques of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

a: Polishing the actor's skills through analysis and class performance of scenes from plays.

Polishing the actor's skills through analysis and class performance of scenes from plays. Continuation of 252a.

Gateway to the minor in Dance. Concepts of art exemplified in dance; origins and evolution of classic and contemporary dance forms; elements of art criticism applied to dance productions. Required attendance at dance concerts and art exhibits.

Current state of American theatre, through a study of acting, playwriting, criticism, stage design, lighting, dramatic styles.

Examines the function of theatre, production, and acting conventions, and the drama of classical Greece and Rome. Recommended preparation: THTR 125, THTR 201.

Examination of basic directorial principles. Pre-production analysis and rehearsal procedures; relationship of the director to actor; integration of technical aspects of production.

Study of the development of Comedy of Manners, with primary focus on Restoration Comedy of Manners. Recommended preparation: THTR 201, THTR 310, THTR 311

Actor training anchored by rigorous physical movements. Activities include comdey, clowning, juggling, and mask work. Open to BFA acting majors only.

Advanced physical training and practice for the BA actor utilizing various movement techniques through improvisation.

Further development of range and breadth of performance skills with emphasis on texts of heightened language and style. Open to BFA acting majors only.

Historical styles, methods and dramatic analysis for scene design as applied in contemporary practice. Recommended preparation: THTR 130b

Historical styles, methods, and dramatic analysis in costume design as applied in contemporary practice. Execution of costume designs for assigned works. Recommended preparation: THTR 231

Historical styles, methods and dramatic analysis in lighting design as applied in contemporary practice.

Basic skills, including assembly of prompt book, blocking notation, and organizational and communication procedures applied in theater production.

Technology, organization, and operation of the theatrical scene shop centered around the proper and safe use of tools, the choosing of materials, and methods of construction.

Extended development of vocal freedom and range, acquisition of articulate speech. Enhancement of vocal power and resonance, techniques for performing with a dialect. Open to BFA acting majors only.

a: Examination of the individual voice centering on resonance, tone, flexibility, and support through dramatic selections for transmitting meaning and emotion of character.

Designed to give students confidence and integrity for auditions in musical theatre. Choosing appropriate material and preparation for the audition and performance. Audition required.

a: Building and sustaining character in drama.

Basic approach to the acting and analysis of the highly formalized texts of William Shakespeare. Recommended preparation: THTR 252b.

Essential elements of playwriting through weekly assignments, students' initiative, occasional productions of scenes, and extensive classroom analysis.

Aesthetic concepts in dance and related arts; integration of concepts in choreography, performance, and production; philosophical bases of dance criticism; critical analysis of performances. Lecture, 3 hours; performance laboratory, 3 hours.

Synthesis of principles, philosophy, and history of dance, culminating in senior individual project.

Examination of the potentials as a means of social redress. The medium's sociocultural function in reflecting, creating, and critiquing the performing artist's emergent identities.

A focus on American ethnic and multicultural diversity from the perspectives of gender, race, and myth as revealed in plays, film, and other performance media.

Substantive participation in a production sponsored by the School and supervised by the faculty.

Examination of the theoretical foundations of acting as an art form through the reading of primary historical texts.

Drawing and rendering techniques appropriate for theater designers. Drawing and rendering.

The study of standard American stage dialect using the international phonetic alphabet.

Advanced physical acting focusing on principles of verbal/non-verbal improvisation and communication. Elements of textual analysis, including development of character mask and of the ensemble. Open to BFA acting majors only.

Contemporary material from plays and screenplays with an emphasis on individual challenges and problems. Open to BFA acting majors only.

Developing and practicing performance skills necessary to give an effective oral presentation.

Continuation of 330. Evolution of scene design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.

Evolution of costume design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.

Continuation of 332. Evolution of lighting design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.

Introduction to electronic sound and sound reinforcement, including basic equipment, recording, editing, and show operation.

Continuation of exercises related to the individual student for the stage. Open to BFA students only.

Intensive investigation and performance of audition techniques. Scene study skills developed including cold readings, first readings, rehearsal procedure, performance process, camera/taping.

Exploration of the theory and practice of theatre arts in the learning environment. Design and implement projects to support elementary and secondary education. Recommended preparation: THTR 201, EDUC 200

In this course acting students will learn to develop on-camera acting skills and to collaborate with student directors and cinematographers from the School of Cinematic Arts. Recommended preparation: a 300-level acting course.

This class explores theatre as a healing art form. Techniques include games, improv, playback theatre, Boal's and Moreno's drama therapy, and Jungian dream theatre to name a few. Work with incarcerated youth, gay/lesbian/bi teens, elderly, disabled and other populations.

A writing-performance workshop in which students write, develop, and rehearse original, autobiographical and character monologues and perform them at the end of the semester.

Structured to address the dynamics of acting in relation to film/television. Refining the students' understanding of the similarities/differences between acting on stage/film. Audition required.

Preparation, rehearsal, and performance of experimental choreography in main stage repertory.

An on-camera, workshop-style introduction to techniques, perspectives and theories unique to performing in television commercials. Recommended preparation: a 300-level acting or voice class

A writing workshop devoted to the creation of living, breathing characters, exploring a range of techniques designed to develop authenticity.

Introduction and overview of all aspects of marketing the arts including both non-profit and commercial organizations.

Practical experience in the entertainment industry.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Budgets, contracts, box-office procedures, public relations; personnel and executive policies of the school, community, and professional theatre.

A survey of the influence of historical and cultural events on the evaluation of theatrical styles. Classical to Jacobean.

Guidance and direction in the production of new and experimental plays for a public audience.

Intensive participation in a production sponsored by the school and supervised by the faculty, to increase and develop artistic growth.

Studies in selected areas of theatre art. Intensive practice in role and script interpretation and its psychological relationship to the audience.

Plays for the stage shall be written using public-domain poetry and prose as inspiration and source material, complemented with exploring poetry, prose, and varied dramas as context for the student writer. Students should be well-versed in literature, and have written in one or more genres. Recommended preparation: reading poetry and novels.

Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage.

Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage.

Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage.

Advanced training in acting skills; emphasis upon individual needs.

Advanced training in acting skills; emphasis upon individual needs.

Close textual reading of dramatic texts as a fundamental tool for rehearsal and performance.

Individual work in improving the actor's vocal range.

Individual work in improving the actor's vocal range.

Individual work in improving the actor's vocal range.

Fundamentals of speech, diction, dialects and accents, including work in the International Phonetic Alphabet.

To provide the basic foundations for the conceptualization and execution of works for the stage.

Extensive examination of playwriting, dramaturgical development process, and readings of work toward the completion of professionally promising plays.

Advanced creative projects

Research leading to the Master's Degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit awarded upon completion of project. Graded CR/NC.

Development of thesis plays utilizing faculty dramaturgical support and involvement of student actors/directors. Includes readings with/without audiences. Simulates professional development process.

Substantive participation in productions sponsored by the school and supervised by the faculty.