2001-2002 University Catalog -- George Mason University 2000-2001 Catalog

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Theater

Faculty

Robinson professor: D'Andrea

Associate professor: Davis

Visiting assistant professors: Austin, Gero, Johnsen-Neshati (chair), Kurtz, Raybuck

Contractual assistant professor: McDonald

Adjuncts: Anduss, Chew, Cisek, Cohen, Lechter, Lee, Mountain, Murray, Paglin, Pippins, Wallace, Waller

Course Work

The Theater Department offers all course work designated THR in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Program

The B.A. in Theater stresses the breadth of a liberal arts education in the belief that such study, combined with serious practical training and experience, offers the best preparation for a life in the theater. Students electing to major in theater complete the theater core, a group of courses that provides a broad introduction to the various arts of the theater and strives to create a shared body of knowledge within the department's student population.

To organize their advanced work within the major, students elect a course of study that includes classes in at least two of three areas: performance, design and technical theater, and theater studies. The department aims to prepare students for graduate study and/or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated and individualized training. However, students are encouraged to maintain wide-ranging interests both inside the department and throughout the university's extensive offerings.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students in the B.A. in Theater program fulfill this requirement by successfully completing THR 350 or THR 351.

Diagnostic Examination

Theater students are required to take a diagnostic examination during their junior year or upon reaching 30 credits in Theater Department courses, whichever comes first. This examination cannot be "passed" or "failed"; it is a tool with which the faculty can assess each student's progress in the major to provide better advising for the student's final year and for preparation for life after college. The exam also serves to assess the curriculum's effectiveness. Arrangements for the diagnostic exam are initiated by the student through the department chair.

Theater, B.A.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Credits
General Education
43-55

Foundation Requirements

  
  Written Communication
6
 

 

ENGL 101, 302
Non-native speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. A student must attain a minimum grade of C to have ENGL 100 or 101, and 302 fulfill degree requirements. Students are reminded that the English Department offers proficiency exams for credit and exemption from this requirement.
  Oral communication
3
 

Quantitative reasoning
Either:
3
    (a) appropriate placement score on quantitative skills and one of MATH 108, 110, 111, 113, 115, 125, or IT 250, or STAT 250 or
(b) lower placement score requiring MATH 106 		 
  Information technology
3

Core Requirements

  
 

Literature

3
  Arts (outside the major)
3
  Natural science (including 1 laboratory science)
7
  U.S. history
6
  Western civilization
3
  Global understanding
3
  Social and behavioral sciences
6

Synthesis Requirement

  
 

Synthesis Requirement

3

Other

  
 

Foreign language

Students must demonstrate proficiency (at the intermediate level) in one foreign language offered by the university either by examination or course work.

0-12


Major

53-54

Theater Core Requirements
32-33
 

Additional Literature

3
  Additional Arts (outside the major)
3-4
  THR 150, 151 Drama, Stage, and Society I and II
6
  THR 200 Play Production Practicum (1 each, repeated for a total of 4)
4
  THR 210 Acting I
3
  THR 230 Introduction to Technical Theater I
3
  THR 240 Directing I
3
  THR 350 Script Analysis
3
  One upper-level dramatic literature seminar (THR 351, 352, or 355)
3
  One from the following group of one-credit mini-courses:
THR 201 Stage Management, THR 202 Literary Management, THR 203 Production/Company Management
1

Upper-Level Units
Twenty-one credits of 300- and 400- level courses, chosen from at least two of the following areas: performance, design and technical theater, and theater studies.
21

Performance
This area is designed for the serious student of acting with performance aspirations. Solid grounding in the fundamentals of analysis and basic training of the actor's instrument is complemented by intensive, individualized instruction in the various facets of the actor's craft.

 

THR 300 Voice and Speech Fundamentals

3
  THR 301 Voice and Speech for the Performer
3
  THR 310 Acting II
3
  THR 320 Beginning Modern Acting
3
  THR 321 Acting Shakespeare
3
  THR 322 Alexander Technique/Stage Combat
3
  THR 345 Puppetry: History and Technique
3
  THR 420 Advanced Modern Acting
3
  THR 421 One-Person Show
3
  THR 423 Audition Techniques: Stage and Camera
3
  THR 425 Verse Speaking
3

Design and Technical Theater
This area prepares students for further study and work in the design and technical fields. Courses in this area are also strongly recommended for students interested in directing.

 

THR 330 Seminar in Technical Theater

3+
  THR 333 Stage Design
3
  THR 334 Lighting Design
3
  THR 335 Costume Design
3
  THR 336 Advanced Theater Technology
3
  THR 343 Costume Draping and Drafting
3

Theater Studies
This area is designed to provide the theater generalist with thorough preparation for further study and work in directing, dramaturgy, theater criticism, theater scholarship, playwriting, and teaching. For specific teacher licensure (certification) requirements, students are directed to the Office of Teacher Education.

 

THR 340 Directing II 3

3
  THR 351 Dramatic Theory and Criticism 3
3
  THR 352 Dramatic Literature Seminar 3
3
  THR 355 Moral Vision in American Theater 3
3
  THR 359 World Stages 3
3, 3
  THR 380, 381 Playwriting I, II 3, 3
3
  THR 424 Contemporary Women Playwrights 3
3
  THR 440 Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy 3
3
  THR 480 Advanced Playwriting 3
3
  THR 490 Special Topics in Drama, THR 494 Field Experience, and THR 497 Independent Study may be applied to the appropriate area.  

Practicum (1 credit)

Students must earn a total of four practicum (THR 200) credits, one from each of the three groups below. Students will select their fourth practicum assignment from the group of their choice.

Group 1: Performance/Design (e.g., acting, directing, design, stage management)

Group 2: Production Crew (e.g., run crew, wardrobe, set construction, costume construction, electrics)

Group 3: Production Administration (e.g., positions such as master electrician, company manager, publicity manager, dramaturg)

Minor in Theater

The theater minor consists of eighteen credits in theater, selected in consultation with a faculty adviser and approved by the department chair.

Honors in Theater

Students wishing to pursue Honors in Theater should contact the department chair.

Production Opportunities

Participation in Theater Department (GMU Players) productions is expected of all declared majors. Up to four practicum credits (one per assignment) can be awarded for satisfactory completion of performance/production assignments in the major (i.e. faculty- or guest-directed GMU Players mainstage, studio, or TFA productions).

Theater of the First Amendment (TFA), a professional theater in residence within CVPA, offers students the chance to work closely with professional artists. TFA productions regularly employ student assistants in stage management, directing, dramaturgy, technical crews, and production/company management. Students are eligible to audition for roles or understudy assignments in TFA productions and may participate in the membership candidate program through Actor's Equity Association.

George Mason University: 2001-2002 University Catalog: Catalog Index: Theater