USC Schedule of Classes

Study of genres, terminology, and disciplines 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.

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

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-onparticipation in USC productions.

A guided student exploration of the fundamentals of applied design elements and their use as creative tools in the design process

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

Comedy and Performance traces the history of comedy in performance from its earliest incarnations to the present day.

A multicultural and transnational examination of the history,theory, and practice of theatre from the Renaissance to the 19thcentury. 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.

Basic audio engineering science, how sound is measured, basic transducers and signal flow. Operation of recording and playback equipment used in theatrical sound design/mixing.

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.

Current state of American theatre, through a study of acting, playwriting, criticism, stage design, lighting and 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

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.

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.

This course explores the live performance medium as a creative means of social redress and personal expression. Duplicates credit in the former THTR 393m.

An exploration of the art of theatre at the edge of possibilities.

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.

Training and practice in the work of F.M. Alexander. A clear and systematic look into the underlying principles that govern human movement.

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

Public speaking approached as performance, using acting techniques to communicate with confidence, clarity and charisma.

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.

Acting techniques, recording studio technology and editing for the field of voice acting and voice overs.

Designed to expand the uniqueness of one's own voice in the areas of pitch, power, clarity, and warmth.

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

A writing and performance course (partially online) for new media. Students will learn to create original short form andweb series content for new media including YouTube, Funny or Die, Vine, Periscope and other internet platforms.

A Writing-performance workshop in which the students create, rehearse, and perform original sketch comedy material.

Introduction to the skills, knowledge, and promotional materials that will enable the student to manage an independent career in the performing arts. Recommended preparation: THTR 101 and THTR 252ab.

An introduction to the discipline of conceiving, writing, and creating original Stand Up Comedy routines

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.

Theory and practice of youth theatre, including development and rehearsal of mainstage productions. Emphasis on multicultural and bilingual pieces. Enroll by audition or interview only.

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. Duplicates credit in former THTR 480.

Continued exploration of acting for film/television. Furthering the student's understanding of the similarities/differences between acting on stage/film

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.

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.

Investigates art and craft of dramatic writing initiated/completed in other MFA in Dramatic Writing courses or that was submitted as a sample for program entry.

An investigation of the role that collaboration plays in making ensemble work. MFA Actors will collaborate with MFA Dramatic Writers in creating an ensemble company

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.

Writing dramatically, utilizing the Pacific Rim and the Western United States as cultural sites of knowledge and as inspirations.

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.

An introduction to the various facets of singing in theatrical performance

Investigates gestalt of the student dramatic writer's professional development from the empty page and writing fundamentals to the first-draft script, business affairs, and dramaturgical advancement.

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.

Designed to guide the MFADW student toward refinement of thesis including vision, development, and execution.

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