BFA in Musical Theatre

4.00 Credits
This course introduces students to the various means of expression available to the art of the stage. In addition to an exploration of the techniques of the written script, students will be introduced to the visual forms of artistic communication, their history, and the conventions of all theatrical forms.

0.00 Credits
Performing Arts majors are assigned to crew one Emerson Stage production project during their first year in the program. Successful completion of this crew assignment is required as part of the Performing Arts curriculum. Students who fail to earn a satisfactory grade in TH 149 during their first year may not be eligible for work with Emerson Stage until they do so through a new crew assignment.

4.00 Credits
A survey of theatre and drama from the Greeks through the Renaissance, with a focus on the major periods of Western theatre and dramatic literature: the Greeks, Roman theatre and drama, Medieval theatre, Elizabethan drama, and Italian, French, and English Neo-Classicism. In addition, a survey of Eastern classical theatre and drama with a particular emphasis on the Sanskrit theatre, the Chinese drama and the Peking Opera, and the classical theatre of Japan, including Kabuki, No, and the puppet theatre. Selected readings of plays in their historical context with particular attention paid to theatrical styles of plays and production.

4.00 Credits
The development of American musical theatre from the early minstrel shows to the works of Stephen Sondheim is studied with a critical examination of representative musicals. Slides and recordings of Broadway productions will supplement the lectures.

2.00 Credits
An introduction to the analysis of music, especially as it appears in Musical Theatre. Topics include song structure, dance forms, and identification of the features in various genres and historical styles. Required for BFA Musical Theatre majors. Prerequisite: MU301.

2.00 Credits
A continuation of MU204, this course focuses on analysis of the music and lyrics of songs and shows in the Musical Theatre repertoire. In this semester the focus moves from basic terminology to a more detailed connection between analysis and performance. Other topics include the structure of entire shows, detailed analysis of duets and other ensemble pieces and an increased focus on recent Musical Theatre repertoire. Required for BFA Musical Theatre majors. Prerequisite: MU204

4.00 Credits
An intensive exploration of movement and improvisation. A variety of improvisatory approaches are employed to tap into individual creativity and to discover the power of group creation. Physical demands increase as the body is emphasized as the instrument of communication. The work includes exploration of space, energy, dynamics, rhythm, and sensory response. Actors learn to channel their physical and emotional energy into dramatic action. Students in TH 123 must also enroll in TH129, Playreading Aloud. Prerequisite: By audition only.

4.00 Credits
This course bases the actor's work in the experience of voice and language. The goal is a free voice in a free body and the ability to express thought and emotion with openness and truth. The course guides the student through awareness of and release from habitual tensions and into body alignment, breathing, resonators, sound and movement, group interaction and the exploration of individual and group creativity. The student will use both scripted and improvised material as they discover the two to three octaves of the speaking voice and its connection with thoughts and words. Students in TH 124 must also enroll in TH 129, Playreading Aloud. Prerequisite: TH 123.

4.00 Credits
This intensive scene study class builds on TH123 and TH124 (movement, improvisation and voice) to ensure a personal commitment in the way students approach and experience the mapping of a scene from the canon of 20th century naturalistic/realistic plays. We will emphasize the text, context and the given circumstances of each play studied. Actors' scene breakdown, intentions, actions, obstacles, objectives and moment-to-moment work will be some of the tools used to bring scenes from these plays to life. Prerequisites: TH124 and permission.

4.00 Credits
In this course we combine and deepen the movement, improvisation and voice work accomplished in TH 123 and TH 124. Along with imagination, intelligence and emotional availability, they form the actor's instrument and are put into service of a playwright's scripted material. This amalgam is the basis of work on a scripted ensemble play, which will be performed at the end of the semester. Ensemble techniques that explore the theatre's collaborative nature will be used. Prerequisites: TH 221 and permission.

2.00 Credits
Intensive discovery of scene study in the musical theatre genre. Significant personal and group preparation are required outside of class time. Open only to students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Musical Theatre who have successfully completed a faculty review, audition, and TH 222.

4.00 Credits
Continuation of the intensive studio training work of TH 327 for students in the BFA Program in Musical Theatre. Significant personal and group preparation are required outside of class time. Prerequisites: TH 327 and permission of instructor.

2.00 Credits
An investigation of various genres and styles of musical theatre performance, incorporating work in solo and ensemble performance. Prerequisites: TH 328 and permission.

4.00 Credits
In this course senior-level BFA Musical Theatre majors continue the exploration of musical theatre genres and styles, ending with a group showing of selected work. Prerequisites: TH 427 and permission.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.

2.00 Credits
This course offers experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. Students study fundamental techniques in selected technical/craft areas. Including, but not limited to, scenery construction and handling, scene painting, sculpture for the stage, costume and properties construction, make-up prosthetics, electrics, and lighting. Students are expected to provide appropriate materials as needed. Students may complete different Stagecraft units to a total of eight credits. The Performing Arts core curriculum requires completion of two laboratory units, or four credits.