Course detailsTheaterDoug Caskey, Department Chair, Prof of Theater & Comm.Jerry Peters The theater department offers:• major in theater• minor in theater • theater arts education Visit the theater department home page. The theater program at Goshen College has a strong liberal arts emphasis grounded in aesthetic communication and performance theory. Concentrations are available in acting/performance, design/technical, film studies and generalist areas. Students explore major historical, philosophical and artistic movements, the specialized areas of theater design, acting, literature, playwriting, voice and artistic movements, and courses from other departments that augment knowledge and skills for theater studies. Students may focus on theatrical design with art department courses, performance with music classes, theater arts education with education courses, communication with communication courses and language and literature with courses from foreign language and English departments. The John S. Umble Center is the home for most theater productions. There are two major productions and numerous one-acts during the academic year. The department also holds a biennial peace playwriting contest and produces the winning play. The department also holds a biennial peace playwriting contest and produces the winning play. Career opportunitiesStudents have completed internships with major theater companies, and a significant number have attended graduate schools. Graduates are working coast to coast in repertory theaters, video production, education, business and Christian ministry.Major in theaterStudents majoring in theater must complete 41 hours of theater, communication and related courses. All theater majors, in consultation with a faculty adviser, develop a plan of study that includes one of the concentration areas below.Basic requirements for the major include these courses:All students majoring in theater are required to take the general education course Comm 202, Oral Communication for three credit hours.
*The Thea 409/Internship should be in the student’s area of concentration.
A transfer student should have a minimum of nine hours of theater courses at Goshen College. A senior recital and a portfolio or its equivalent are required for graduation. Concentration optionsActing/PerformanceRequired: (nine hours)
Students are required to participate during at least four semesters
with mainstage and/or one-act theater productions.
Design/TechnicalRequired: (nine hours)
Students are required to participate during at least four semesters with
mainstage and/or one-act theater productions.
Film StudiesSame as communication major concentration requirements/options.GeneralistThis concentration is individually designed, in consultation with the faculty adviser, to develop individual areas of interest or encompass a broad base of theater and related areas. The course selection must include at least nine upper-level hours, at least nine hours in theater, and at least six hours from the Goshen College theater department. Generalist students are required to participate in at least four semesters with mainstage and/or one-act theater productions.Planning guide
Minor in theater (18 credits)
Theater minors must take Comm 202 for three hours as a general education requirement (not included in the 18 hours for the minor). A faculty-approved and supervised theater recital (or its equivalent) is encouraged, but not required for theater minors. Theater arts educationA secondary teacher education program is available in theater arts. The Goshen College Teacher Education Handbook, available from the teacher education office, describes the education programs fully.Theater coursesTHEA 200 Theater Practice 1 (1-2)Applied on-campus work in a theater production or other theater activity. A maximum of two hours applicable toward a theater major or minor. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. THEA 209 Field Experience 3 (1-3) Experiential learning in an off-campus professional setting, for theater majors and minors. The student contracts with a faculty member in regard to goals, performance expectations, supervision, evaluation and course subtitle. The 209 level is intended for first year and sophomore students. Upper level students should enroll in 409. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. THEA 225 Introduction to Theater 3 This course will introduce students to the basic elements of theater. It will include script analysis of selected plays, acting improvisation techniques, scene performance studies, design and production work. A theater lab will be required. THEA 235 The Power of Story 3 An introduction to performance studies as a mode of inquiry. Concentration on the methods of communicating narrative texts for various audiences. Course activities/assignments will explore the power and role of story in contermporary culture by analyzing and participating in various storytelling methods. Attention will be paid to the elements of vocal expression. Prerequisite: Comm 202 or Thea 225. THEA 245 Aesthetics 3 The study of aesthetics focuses on the philosophy of art, the nature of creativity, the work created, the problem of form and style, expression in art, society and ethics and arts and religion. The course includes lectures, primary reading materials and papers. THEA 320 The Expressive Voice 3 Effective development of vocal skills to communicate expressive meaning. A study of the formation of speech sounds and techniques. Exercises in eliminating vocal problems and developing clear enunciation, diction and phrasing skills. Prerequisite: Comm 202 or Comm 290 or Thea 225. THEA 332 Design for the Theater 3 Principles, methods and aesthetics of theater production: design, stagecraft, lighting, costume, sound and make-up. Lab work on current productions. Prerequisite: Thea 225 or Art 107 or consent of instructor. THEA 334 Acting 3 Fundamental acting skills: movement, voice and character development. An emphasis on Stanislavski's theory of acting and realistic scene work. Scene studies from selected scripts. Prerequisite: Comm 202 or Thea 225 or consent of instructor. THEA 338 Directing 3 Principles of interpretation, analysis, design, composition and stage movement. The director's craft: play selection, auditions, rehearsals, and production. Lab session under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: Thea 334 or consent of instructor. THEA 350 Playwriting 3 (1-3) Students will examine the theory and practice of playwriting. Every class member will write a one-act play as the course requirement. Class will meet regularly as a seminar. Prerequisite: Engl 110 or consent of instructor. THEA 355 Arts in London 4 A May term class that encompasses theater, art and music study and experiences in London, England. Class activities include morning lectures, visits to art galleries, attending music and theater performances, and day trips to Coventry, Stratford-upon-Avon, Salisbury and other locations. Daily writing assignments and a major project required. Offered in alternate years. Extra cost. THEA 387 History of Theater 3 A study of the forms and conventions of all phases of theater (writing, performance, design, analysis) from classical Greece to the contemporary age. Emphasis on trends in performance. Includes the reading of selected plays. THEA 388 Themes in Drama: 3 A concentrated study of selected themes in drama. Focus on scripts that examine justice, peace, and historical or religious issues. Emphasis on methods of dramatic analysis. Themes might include a major playwright, advanced acting, musical theater, creative drama, improvisational acting, religious drama or theater and multiculturalism. Prerequisite: Thea 225 or Thea 235 or consent of instructor. THEA 409 Internship 3 (1-3) An off-campus internship in a professional setting for theater majors and minors. The student contracts with a faculty member in regard to goals, performance expectations, supervision, evaluation and course subtitle. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. THEA 410 Senior Seminar 3 A consideration of ethical and professional issues in contemporary communication and theater. Information interviews with practitioners in communication and theater. Writing of risumis. Creation of a portfolio. Required of all theater majors. THEA 412 Special Project 1 (1-3) Students may conduct research of particular interest or pursue specialized applied projects in theater under faculty supervision. Can be used as credit for senior theater recital. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. |
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