Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts offers a pre-professional training program emphasizing the practical aspects of theatre/ musical theatre, and the importance of process. It is the belief of the faculty that the training process must prepare students for the real world of theatre. Faculty teaching in the Theatre Arts and Musical Theatre programs are experienced working professionals. Based on the belief that theatre is both an art form and a business, the curriculum provides a strong undergraduate foundation in theatre and musical theatre performance, design, production, and literature.
Theatre Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in performance, technical theatre or design. In collaboration with Music a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre to prepare students for professional careers in musical theatre. Housed in a liberal arts environment, this course of study trains students in the three essential elements of musical theatre: music, acting and dance. In addition to multiple performance opportunities, students study the history and literature of musical theatre.
Mission Statement
The Theatre Arts program at LaGrange College is committed to providing students with the tools necessary to function as complete artists and creative, self-realized individuals by combining pre-professional theatrical training with a strong liberal arts curriculum.
Faculty are dedicated to the development of students’ abilities to think critically and creatively and to the enhancement of their communication skills. A combination of classroom training and realized production work provides a supportive, invigorating environment for the collaborative and creative process.
Program Objectives
The faculty of Theatre Arts strive to:
- Provide students opportunities through auditions, classroom training, performances, projects, and realized production experience to develop a thorough understanding of the Theatre Arts and its significance in a liberal arts education.
- Develop and enhance students’ abilities to think critically and collaboratively in order to communicate their ideas and insights as self-realized theatre artists in a creative, thought-provoking way.
- Provide students with a comprehensive Theatre Arts curriculum and well-rounded production, audition, and performance experiences in order to prepare them for graduate study and/or to help them seek gainful employment in their area of expertise.
- Provide students with challenging, diverse and innovative learning opportunities in Theatre Arts, which will encourage them to engage the world in an imaginative, thoughtful and ethical manner.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of a degree in Theatre Arts, a student should be able to:
- demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the components of the theatrical process
- demonstrate the ability to critically interpret and communicate the cultural, social, and historical relevance of dramatic works
- demonstrate growth in creativity and self-expression through coursework and the realization of theatrical productions
Assessment of Learning Objectives
Learning objectives are assessed in the following manner:
- Examinations, critiqued performances, auditions, and critiqued projects assigned within each track
- Critiques for all departmental assignments
- Upperclassmen scholarship audition interviews
- Sophomore Review
Departmental Requirements and Expectations
A student pursuing a major in Theatre Arts must meet all of the following criteria on an ongoing basis:
- satisfactory completion of all degree requirements as outlined in this catalogue;
- participation in all departmental productions and activities, including auditions, production crews, work calls, and production strikes as assigned by faculty;
- enrollment in THEA 2285, Practicum, every semester
- attendance at all scheduled departmental meetings, activities, and productions;
- writing proficiency – a grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1101 & 1102;
- theatrical proficiency – a grade of “C” or better in all Theatre Arts courses; and
- a professional work ethic
A student who does not meet all of the above criteria each semester may be placed on probation. After the probationary period, the student will be reevaluated by the Theatre Arts faculty. If it is determined that the student has failed to meet the above criteria satisfactorily, then the student will be advised to choose another major.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS (THEA/MUTH)
*Denotes THEA courses that satisfy the Fine Arts requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
B. A. in Theatre Arts Minor in Theatre ArtsCourses
A study of the lighting design process. Students will apply the principles of design to lighting through intense practical assignments.
A survey of theatre beginning with ancient Greece continuing through Romanticism. Students will study theatre as a developed art form through reading, viewing, and discussing plays representing diverse eras of history. Drama Survey I may be taken independently of Drama Survey II.
A survey of theatre from the rise of Realism through contemporary drama. Students will study theatre as a developed art form through reading, viewing, and discussing plays representing diverse eras of history. Drama Survey II may be taken independently of Drama Survey I.
A course designed to provide the student with theoretical and working knowledge of technical theatre. An emphasis is placed on the fundamental techniques and processes used in theatre productions. Students work on a departmental production.
A course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of acting for the stage. The course includes achievement of a simple objective, self and sensory awareness, relaxation, concentration, and beginning scene and text analysis.
A course designed to develop body awareness by exploring movement connected to impulse and instinct, focusing on integration of the mind, body, and spirit.
A study in the theories and application of stage makeup. Topics may include corrective, old age, and character makeup, as well as prosthetics.
This course introduces students to the fundamental elements of the design process, with emphasis on script analysis, visual communication, and creative expression.
To introduce students to the process of voice production, methods of Linklater’s freeing the voice with emphasis on relaxation and breathing, and applicable techniques for working with text.
A course that introduces methods of creating, designing, and utilizing drama to enhance teaching skills and fosters the educational development of students. Highly recommended for Early Childhood and Secondary Education majors.
A course designed to provide students with introduction to, and basic training in, the area of stage management.
Designed for students to gain practical experience in and outside of their areas of focus. Students will engage in production assignments each semester to earn credit for this course. May be repeated for credit.
A study of major genres of dramatic literature designed to provide the director, actor, designer, dramaturge, and/or technician with basic guidelines for text analysis. Students develop and utilize skills to thoroughly analyze text.
A continuation of THEA 1184 that explores further character development through advanced scene work and improvisational exercises.
A survey of Western clothing, ornament, architecture, and style that will examine roughly 3000 years. Beginning with the Ancient Greeks and continuing to contemporary style, students will be introduced to a wide range of designers and architects.
This course introduces students to the basic and advanced techniques of costume construction for the stage. Students will engage in hand and machine sewing, learn how to alter and create patterns, and identify costume styles.
This course is designed to explore a myriad of processes involved in researching, designing and building props for the stage. Possible projects will include: sculpting, carving, casting, furniture maintenance, food for the stage and blood & gore effects.
This course is designed to be an exploration of the scenic painting process. Through practical application students will interact with the materials and apply the techniques required for painting scenery.
An advanced acting course which introduces students to period styles of acting and movement including Greek, Elizabethan, Comedy of Manners, Farce, and the Theatre of the Absurd.
This course examines theatrical traditions, styles, and practices from ancient Greece through the mid-17thcentury.
This course examines theatrical traditions, styles, and practices from the Restoration to contemporary theatre.
A study of the scenic design process. Students will apply the principles of design to scenery through intense practical assignments. Emphasis is placed on communication through drafting, rendering, and modeling.
A study of the lighting design process. Students will apply the principles of design to lighting through intense practical assignments.
A course that acquaints students with the basic skills needed to design theatrical costumes. Students will focus on research methods and rendering techniques to create a diverse portfolio of work.
Students will apply the principles of stagecraft to rigorous practical assignments intent on developing fine craftsmanship skills. This project-based course will provide opportunities for woodworking, metal work, and technical design.
A course designed for developing audition techniques and examining guidelines for audition procedures with emphasis on practical auditions, résumés, headshots, selection of audition material, and compilation of an audition portfolio.
Advanced study in the theories and application of stage makeup. Students will design for a variety of genres including fantasy, period and post-modern. Students will experiment with advanced techniques such as air-brushing, casting. Advanced topics may include casting, moulage, and full body projects.
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of directing, including the director’s role in interpreting, choosing, rehearsing, and staging a play. The course culminates in realized One Act productions.
A series of courses designed to provide students with advanced material/study in either performance or design tracks.
A course in which senior Theatre Arts majors bring their training and emphasis into focus. Senior thesis projects must be track-specific.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.