Course Descriptions

Degrees and Programs Index


Theatre

THR 101, 201
THR 301, 401 (1 - 3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Theatre Practicum (0+Variable) h

Participation in drama workshop or lab production as performer or technical staff member. Credit in this course may not be applied to a major program in theatre.


THR 121 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Fundamentals of Acting (3+0) h

Basic stage acting techniques for persons with little or no prior acting experience. Emphasis on physical, emotional and imaginative awareness. Scene work fundamentals introduced.


THR 161 (3 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Alaska Native Performance (2+3) h
(Cross-listed with ANS 161)

For Native and non-Native students with no prior acting or theatre experience. Includes both academic and practical components to examine traditional Alaska Native theatre, mythology, ritual, ceremony and performance methods. Application of exercises and developmental scenes drawn from the Alaska Native heritage.


THR 190 (0 Credits) Fall
Audition or Portfolio Review Participation

Theatre majors are required to participate in auditions and/or portfolio reviews every semester. Theatre majors are also expected to attend all Theatre UAF productions (tickets are provided free) and to attend all theater department "Town" meetings.


THR 191 (0 Credits) Spring
Musical Audition or Portfolio Review Participation

Theatre majors are required to participate in auditions and/or portfolio reviews every semester. Theatre majors are also expected to attend all Theatre UAF productions (tickets are provided free) and to attend all theater department "Town" meetings.


THR 200X (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Aesthetic Appreciation: Interrelation of Art, Drama, and Music (3+0) h
(Cross-listed with ART 200X and MUS 200X)

Understanding and appreciation of art, drama, and music through an exploration of their relationships. Topics include the creative process, structure, cultural application and diversity, the role of the artist in society, and popular movements and trends. Materials fee: $25.00. (Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.)


THR 215 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Dramatic Literature (3+0) h

Studies of drama and forms of plays such as tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, tragic comedy. Emphasis on reading plays of the classic theatre designed to give basic knowledge of masterpieces of the world drama. (Next offered: 2000-01.)


THR 220 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Voice and Diction for the Theatre (2+2)

Development of fluency and clarity in the voice, study and practice to improve speech and eliminate faults of articulation and pronunciation. Emphasis on preparing the student for vocal work in theatre, radio, and television, including individual analysis and tape recordings. (Prerequisite: Any 100 level oral communication course or permission of instructor.)


THR 221 (3 Credits) Spring
Intermediate Acting (1+4) h

Continued development of physical, emotional and imaginative awareness. Emphasis on text and character analysis, scene and monolog study and presentation, introduction to improvisation. (Prerequisite: THR 121 or permission of the instructor.)


THR 225 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Movement for the Actor (1+4) h

Principles of stage movement, body awareness, and control as explored through analysis, exercise, study of historical dance and scene work. (Next offered: 2001 - 02.)


THR 241 (4 Credits) Fall
Basic Stagecraft (2+5) h

Materials of scene construction, painting, lighting design and their use, safe use of standard construction tools, fundamentals of theatre drafting. Theatre majors are encouraged to fulfill this requirement by their junior year.


THR 245 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Stage Management (3+0) h

Organizational skills for a successful stage manager, completion of a prompt script including creating all forms and schedules necessary, working with actors, directors and designers.


THR 247 (3 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Theatrical Design (3+0) h
(Cross-listed with ART 247)

Introduction to all the design elements used in the theatre. Analysis of line, texture, color, and how they relate to designing for the theatre including costumes, scenery and lighting.


THR 254 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Beginning Costume Design and Construction (3+0) h

Introduction to theory and practice of costume design for the theatre, methods used to make costumes out of a variety of media. Projects include simple hat making, mask making, stenciling, hot gluing and body padding.


THR 290 (0 Credits) Fall
Audition or Portfolio Review Participation II

Theatre majors are required to participate in auditions and/or portfolio reviews every semester. Theatre majors are also expected to attend all Theatre UAF productions (tickets are provided free) and to attend all theater department "Town" meetings.


THR 291 (0 Credits) Spring
Musical Audition or Portfolio Review Participation II

Theatre majors are required to participate in auditions and/or portfolio reviews every semester. Theatre majors are also expected to attend all Theatre UAF productions (tickets are provided free) and to attend all theater department "Town" meetings.


THR 321O (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Advanced Acting (1+4) h

Refinement of physical, emotional and imaginative awareness. Introducing a variety of character building methods. Study and performance of scenes and short plays. Introduction of audition techniques. (Prerequisite: THR 221, or permission of the instructor. Next offered: 2001 - 02.)


THR 329 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Children's Theatre (1+6) h

Rehearsal and performance of children's plays. Rehearsals during the first half of the semester will be followed by performances. Emphasis on audience-actor interaction and performance style for the child audience. (Prerequisites: Audition, THR 121, THR 221, or permission of instructor.)


THR 331 (3 Credits) Spring
Fundamentals of Film and Stage Direction (1+4) h

Introduction to the history, theory, basic concepts of film and stage direction. Includes interpretative script analysis, creative visualization, conceptualization, use of space, working with actors and designers, and direction of short scenes and videos. (Prerequisite: THR 121, THR 215 or permission of instructor.)


THR 334W (3 Credits) Spring
Film and Drama (3+0) h

Comprehensive overview of film acting process for non theatre students: theoretical and practical frameworks of acting; screen performance as the means of dramatic communication.


THR 341 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Intermediate Stagecraft (2+2) h

An examination of the less common scenic materials with methods and techniques for their use. Students will spend approximately $40 for materials. (Prerequisite: THR 241 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2001 - 02.)


THR 343 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Scene Design (3+0) h

Principles and techniques of theatrical scene design. Includes designing projects directed at solving particular scenic problems or in a specific scenic style with specific physical limitations. Students will spend approximately $40 for materials. (Prerequisite: THR 241 or permission of the instructor. Next offered: 2001 - 02.)


THR 347 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Lighting Design (3+0) h
(Cross-listed with ART 347 and JB 347)

Principles and techniques of theatrical lighting design. The student will conduct practical experiments and design projects applying the experience gained from the experiments. Student will spend approximately $40 for materials for this class. (Prerequisite: THR 343 or permission of instructor. May be taken concurrently with THR 343. Next offered: 2000-01.)


THR 348 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Sound Design in the Theatre (2+2) h

Exploration and application of the elements of design as they relate to sound for theatre, dance, other art forms, and life in American and other cultures. Production work is required. (Prerequisite: THR 241 or permission or the instructor.)


THR 351 (3 Credits) Spring
Makeup for Theatre (1+4) h

Theatrical makeup for actors, teachers, directors, and other theatre workers; makeup materials and use, straight and character makeup, illusory and plastic relief, national types, and influence of lighting. Student will spend approximately $85 for materials for this class. (Prerequisite: Any lower division theatre course or permission of the instructor.)


THR 355 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
History of Fashion and Dress (3+0) s

Social history of costume in Western Civilization, from Ancient Greece to the present time. Includes instruction in the methods of research used to find visual source material, and assignments that exercise these research skills. (Prerequisite: HIST 101 or HIST 102 or permission of the instructor. Next offered: 2000-01.)


THR 361 (3 Credits) Spring
Advanced Alaska Native Performance (2+3) h
(Cross-listed with ANS 361)

In-depth study of Alaska Native theatre techniques and tradition, including traditional dance, song and drumming techniques, mask characterizations and performance application and presentation of a workshop production developed by the students during the semester. (Prerequisite: ANS/THR 161.)


THR 411W (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Theatre History I (3+0) h

Theatrical form and practice from its origins in story telling and ritual through the French Neoclassic Theatre. (Prerequisites: Junior standing and THR 211 or permission of instructor.)


THR 412W (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Theatre History II (3+0) h

Theatrical form and practice from the English Restoration through the present. (Prerequisites: Junior standing and THR 211 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2001 - 02.)


THR 413W (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Playscript Analysis (3+0) h

Investigation of the structure of playscripts designed to develop skills in analysis and interpretation for performance. (Prerequisites: Junior standing, THR 211 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2001 - 02.)


THR 416W (6 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Performance Studies Abroad (3+9) h
(Stacked with NORS 616)

Intensive course for actors, directors, designers, technicians and playwrights interested in script development/training with the participation of international theatre professionals. Develop new scripts and performances in a multicultural environment under the supervision of a theatre faculty member. Previous faculty and student work abroad includes: Russia, Zambia, South Africa and Scandinavia. Course requirements vary according to the project.


THR 447 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Lighting Design II (2+2) h

Further exploration and application of elements of design (color, texture, intensity, line, composition) as they relate to lighting for theatre, dance, other art forms, and life. Production work required. (Prerequisite: THR 347 or permission of the instructor. Next offered: 2001 - 02.)


THR 456 (3 Credits) Spring
Advanced Costume Design and Construction (3+0) h

Examination of the methods and materials used in the design and construction of costumes for the theatre. Special projects in design, pattern drafting, and advanced construction. (Prerequisite: THR 254 or permission of instructor.)


THR 461 (3 Credits) Spring
Tuma Theatre Seminar (2+4) h

Advanced study and application of Alaska Native Performance techniques. Active participation in playwriting, acting, directing or designing in the development and performance of either a workshop or fully mounted Tuma Theatre production. (Prerequisites: ANS/THR 161, ANS/THR 361 or permission of instructor.)


THR 470 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Film and Video Directing (1+6) h

In depth investigation into the history, theory, basic concepts of film and video direction, script preparation, story board, blocking actors and staging the camera, sound, editing. Projects include directing and shooting short videos. (Prerequisite: THR 331 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2000-01.)


THR 499 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Thesis Project (1+4) h

Final step in acting/directing/design or playwright training which involves performing a leading role on main stage, or a one-person show, or a directing/designing/writing project for the UAF season. (Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.)