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Courses

Theatre Studies

From the 2010-11 Millsaps College Catalog

1000 Research and Analysis in Theatre (4 sem. hours). An introduction to research methods, specifically formulated for understanding theatre as an art form and instrument of social commentary. Students explore how theatre professionals prepare for productions by engaging in visual, historical, and cultural research centered on specific scripts that span cultures and ages. This course fulfills the Fine Arts requirement. Offered every year.

1100 Theatre Crafts I (4 sem. hours). Introduction to basic theories and practices of scenic construction, scenic painting, rigging and shifting, and practical experience in constructing sets for theatrical productions including equipment use,safety training, shop protocol, and handling stage properties, lights, and sound. Requires five construction hours per week plus lecture. Offered every fall semester.

1102 Theatre Crafts II (2 sem. hours). Practical experience in technical theatre. Requires five construction hours per week. Offered every semester. Prerequisite: THEA 1100 or permission of the instructor.

1410-1413; 2410-2413; 3410-3413; 4410-4413 Company Performance (1-4 sem. hours). Acting in a theatrical production sponsored by the Department of Theatre, applying methods and skills learned in coursework to actual production. Number of credit hours is determined by the departmental chair based on degree of participation and the value of the participation to the student's general education and theatrical training. May be repeated for credit. Theatre majors are expected to take the course level appropriate to their year of study. Four credit hours fulfills the Fine Arts Requirement. Prerequisite: Audition and permission of the instructor and departmental chair. Offered every semester.

1420-1423; 2420-2423; 3420-3423; 4420-4423 Company Production (1-4 sem. hours). Technical participation in a theatrical production sponsored by the Department of Theatre, applying methods and skills learned in coursework to actual production. Number of credit hours is determined by the departmental chair based on degree of participation and the value of the participation to the student's general education and theatrical training. May be repeated for credit. Theatre majors are expected to take the course level appropriate to their year of study. Four credit hours fulfills the Fine Arts Requirement. Prerequisite: Audition and permission of the instructor and departmental chair. Offered every semester.

1500 Beginning Acting (4 sem. hours). An introduction to acting centered on the Stanislavski System. This course fulfills the Fine Arts requirement. Prerequisite: THEA 1000 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: THEA 3002. Offered in alternate years. (Generally fall semester of even-numbered years.)

2100 Stage Movement (4 sem. hours). An introduction to bodily movement for theatrical purposes, including the basics of body coordination, alignment, gesture, space, plasticity, and rhythm, techniques designed to integrate verbal and nonverbal communication, techniques of mask work, the relationships between literature, music, painting, and photography to the actor's presence on stage, techniques for enhancing storytelling, and the development of solo and ensemble performance pieces. This course fulfills the Fine Arts requirement. Offered every year.

2300 Basic Theatre Design (4 sem. hours). An introduction to the theory and techniques of designing for theatre, including such topics as scenic, lighting, costuming, and sound design. This course fulfills the Fine Arts requirement. Prerequisites: THEA 1000 or permission of instructor. Offered occasionally.

2500 Intermediate Acting I (4 sem. hours). A continued investigation of the Stanislavski System with a focus on the fundamental elements associated with the art of acting. This course familiarizes students with the actor's tools, adding to the foundation acquired in the introductory acting class. Emphasis is placed on the special demands of the psychophysical connection, scene analysis, milieu study, characterization, and vocal work. Prerequisite: THEA 1500. Corequisite: THEA 3002. Offered in alternate years. (Generally spring semester of odd-numbered years.)

2750-2753 Special Topics (1-4 sem. hours). A sophomore level course on special issues not regularly covered by the curriculum. 4 credit hours may fulfill the Fine Arts Requirement. Offered occasionally.

2902 Theatre Observation (2 sem. hours). Observation, study, and written analysis of professional theatrical productions staged in major world venues such as New York and London. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and departmental chair. Offered occasionally.

3002 Theatre Ensemble Studio (2 sem. hours). Based on the conviction that it is not useful to categorize theatrical disciplines in a single generic or individually focused way, this course trains students in ensemble-based theatre methodology, including establishing a common vocabulary for collaborative work and focusing on the creation of new theatre. Is suggested for freshman and sophomore Theatre majors and is required for all students currently enrolled in acting and directing courses. May be repeated for credit. Corequisite: THEA 1500, 2500, 3500, 3600, or 3610. Offered every semester.

3010 Research and Analysis in Theatre History I (4 sem. hours). Applying research skills to understanding theatre in historical context, including significant written analysis and training in dramaturgical methodology and significant reading and cross-cultural study of works from ancient origins through the Renaissance. Offered in alternate years. (Generally fall semester of even-numbered years.)

3020 Research and Analysis in Theatre History II (4 sem. hours). Applying research skills to understanding theatre in historical context, including significant written analysis and training in dramaturgical methodology and significant reading and cross-cultural study of works from the English Restoration through the 21st Century. This course fulfills the Fine Arts requirement. Prerequisite: THEA 1000 or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years. (Generally spring semester of odd-numbered years.)

3030 Theatre and Social Change (4 sem. hours). An examination of theatre as a tool for social change, including political theatre, propaganda, and documentary drama. Students investigate social issues in theatrical form and typically produce their own short work based on interviews and filming. This course fulfills the Fine Arts requirement. Prerequisites: THEA 1000 or permission of instructor. Offered occasionally.

3100 Stage Management (4 sem. hours). An introduction to, and practical experience with, the role and duties of the stage manager in contemporary theatre, including planning and organizing, understanding rehearsal schedules, blocking notation, writing cues, prompting, managing reports, managing technical rehearsal, maintaining and running shows, and developing human resource management skills. Must be taken in conjunction with stage managing a mainstage production. Prerequisites: THEA 1000 or permission of instructor. When enrolled in this course, students may not also receive credit for Company Production (THEA 1420-4420). Offered occasionally.

3300 Advanced Theatre Design (4 sem. hours). An advanced study of the theory and techniques of a particular area of theatre design, such as scenic, lighting, costuming, and sound design. Prerequisites: THEA 2300 or permission of instructor. Offered occasionally.

3310 Advanced Theatre Design Studio (4 sem. hours). An advanced study of scenic design including training with computer-aided design, culminating in a fully implemented project. Prerequisites: THEA 3300 or permission of instructor. Offered occasionally.

3500 Advanced Acting (4 sem. hours). Utilizing the Stanislavski System actors will explore classical texts. Prerequisite: THEA 2500 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: THEA 3002. Offered occasionally.

3600 Directing I (4 sem. hours). An introduction to directing theory and practice including play selection, script analysis and research, character biographies, scene analysis, casting, rehearsal planning, developing a production team, managing rehearsals, blocking, integrating sets, lighting, sound, costumes, and music, and basics of accounting and marketing. Prerequisites: THEA 2500. Corequisite: THEA 3002. Offered occasionally.

3610 Directing II (4 sem. hours). A continuation of THEA 3600 culminating in the direction of an evening of 10-minute plays. Prerequisites: THEA 3600. Corequisite: THEA 3002. Offered occasionally.

3750-3753 Special Topics (1-4 sem. hours). A junior level course on special issues not regularly covered by the curriculum. Offered occasionally.

3850-3853 Arts Management Internship (1-4 sem. hours). Practical experience and training with the Millsaps Integrated Center for Academic Theatre (ICAT), including participation in and partial responsibility for components such as season selection, production management, legal compliance, facilities management, marketing, financing, budget management, grant-writing, community outreach, academic  presentations, and education. Prerequisite: This is a competitive internship requiring a formal application to the ICAT Board (including submission of a resume and application essay) and a formal interview with the Board. Offered every year.

4000 Playwriting (4 sem. hours). A studio course in playwriting focusing on the study of dramatic form, character, and narrative structure, with an emphasis on a play's arc through its beginning, turning point, and ending. Extensive writing is required culminating in the completion of two one-act plays. Prerequisites: THEA 1000 or permission of instructor. Offered occasionally.

4750-4753 Special Topics (1-4 sem. hours). A senior level course on special issues not regularly covered by the curriculum. Offered occasionally.

4800-4803 Directed Study (1-4 sem. hours). Intensive individual study on a topic of the student's and professor's choosing. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

4900 Senior Seminar I: Senior Project (4 sem. hours). A thesis project in which students research, analyze, explain, manage, and carry out some important aspect of a theatrical production. An oral defense of this project will satisfy the oral portion of the senior comprehensive exams. Depending on the student's interests, the project may focus on acting, directing, dramaturgy, or design. Prerequisites: Fulfillment of all major requirements (appropriate to the student's focus) and approval of the formal Senior Project Proposal by a committee appointed by the Chair of the Theatre Department. Senior Project Proposals must be submitted in the spring semester of the student's junior year. Prerequisites may be added or subtracted by authorization of the department chair as indicated by the nature of the senior project and the student's educational needs. Offered every fall semester.

4902 Senior Seminar II: Professional Development (2 sem. hours). The capstone theatre course in which students take the written portion of senior comprehensive exams, prepare a professional resume or portfolio (depending on the student's specialization), prepare materials for graduate school application (if applicable), and write their Core 10 reflective essay on their Millsaps College experience. Prerequisite: THEA 4900. Prerequisites may be added or subtracted by authorization of the department chair as indicated by the nature of the senior project and the student's educational needs. Offered every spring semester.

For further assistance please contact Dr. Shane Grant.