Theatre Arts Courses*
THEA 102C • Introduction to Acting for Non-Majors (3 units) Introduces students to the art and craft of creating believable characters for the stage using various theatre games and improvisations leading into scene work and monologues. The course is specifically designed for non majors who which to gain skills in speaking in front of large groups. Lab Fee.
THEA 106 • Beginning Set Construction (2 units) Participation in the construction and assembling of the mainstage and/or showcase sets including painting and various techniques utilized in set design. Repeatable up to four units. Lab Fee.
THEA 108A, 108B, 208A, 208B, 308A, 308B, 408A, 408B • Theatrical Production (1-2 units)
THEA 110 • Beginning Costume Construction (2 units) Participation in the construction of costumes and costume accessories for mainstage/showcase productions. Appropriate sewing and patterning techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. All class hours are arranged and lab based.
THEA 120 • Voice and Speech for the Actor: Fundamentals (3 units) Developing voice production and speech using techniques that allow the freeing of one’s natural voice concentrating on breathing, relaxation, articulation and language through the use of class exercises and monologues. Some dialect study. Lab fee.
THEA 132A, 132B, 232A, 232B, 332A, 332B, 432A, 432B • Theatrical Performance (1-2 units) Prerequisite: Audition. Majors and minors must enroll for one or two units at a time. Participating in mainstage theatrical production including a thorough study of the play, the development of the character in rehearsal and the performance of the role. All must audition before adding this class Repeatable up to six units.
THEA/KINE 135 • Theatre Movement (2-3 units) An introduction to the study of stage movement and health fitness. It will include exercises and techniques to insure cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and meaningful aesthetic stage movement and physicality utilizing the Laban and Alexander techniques.
THEA 175 • Vanguard Players Summer Tour (1 unit) A drama ministry group which consists of three weeks of rehearsal camp (after VU graduation) and three weeks of touring to high schools and churches within and outside the state of California. Room/Board/Scholarship are provided as well as one unit tuition waiver. Vanguard Players are selected by an audition/interview process from current students. Ask the theatre department for details. May be repeated.
THEA 200C • Introduction to Theatre (3 units) An introduction to the study of theatre with focus on forms, genres, performance space, and the artistic principles of production, as well as the technical aspects. Selected readings, discussions, attendance at plays, and critiques of performances are required. Theatre majors may not take THEA 200C to fulfill the core curriculum. Lab fee.
THEA 201C • History of Theatre (3 units) A study of the history of theatre from the ancient Greeks to present day: its physical aspect, its literature, and its personnel. Theatre majors may not take THEA 201C to fulfill the core curriculum requirement in fine arts. Lab Fee.
THEA 202C • History of Theatre I (3 units) An intensive study of theatre history – its literature, practitioners, and environs – from the Ancient Greeks through the French Neo-classical period. Readings, discussions, attendance at plays, and critiques of performances are required. Theatre majors may take THEA 202C to fulfill either their major requirement or the fine arts core curriculum requirement. Lab fee.
THEA 204C • History of Theatre II (3 units) An intensive study of theatre history – its literature, practitioners, and environs – from the Restoration to modern. Readings, discussions, attendance at plays, and critiques of performances are required. Theatre majors may take THEA 204C to fulfill either their major requirements or the fine arts core curriculum requirements. Lab fee.
THEA 206 • Crew (1 unit) Participation in production crew for mainstage show for one or more of the following production teams: set construction, costumes, makeup/hair, lighting, sound, house management, props, stage hand, box office, parking, refreshments, ushering, stage management, assistant stage management. Repeatable up to four units.
THEA 210 • Beginning Acting (3 units) Theory and practice in the art of creating believable characters for stage, including developing technique in observation, sensory awareness, applied imagination, ensemble work, theatre exercises, and scene work. This course is designed for theatre majors and minors. Lab fee.
THEA 239 • Makeup Design: Fundamentals (3-4 units) An introduction to the techniques and application of makeup for stage, film, and television. Character analysis and design techniques are used to create old age, fantasy, and special effects makeups. The student is required to serve arranged lab hours as part of the makeup crew for one of the three mainstage productions within the fall semester. Lab fee.
THEA 240 • Scenic Painting (3-4 units) A study of the scenic painting techniques necessary to paint theatrical scenery and various faux finishes. Students will study the design process, the use of color and will learn all of the various painting styles and techniques used in theatre and film. The student is required to serve arranged lab hours for the mainstage productions (painting set pieces). Lab fee.
THEA 252 • Producing/Theatre Management (3 units) The study of how to produce and manage a theatre company of various sizes from box office payroll to publicity and marketing. This class examines the business side of running a theatrical event including budgets and fundraising.
THEA/ART 256 • Drawing and Rendering (2-3 units) Students will learn the basic artistic techniques involved in sketching, drawing and rendering. Training will include use of varied media, perspective and architectural rendering, as well as human anatomy.
THEA 263 • Prop Building/Design (3 units) Students will learn about the history and use of props in theatre. Emphasis will be placed on prop design materials and fabrication techniques.
THEA 306 • Intermediate Set Construction (2 units) Participation in the construction and assembling of the mainstage and/or showcase sets including painting and various techniques used in set design. Repeatable up to four units.
THEA 309 • Costume Design: Fundamentals (3-4 units) This course covers the elements of design, the design process, and the working environment of the costume designer. Projects include costume designs in various genres. The student is required to serve arranged lab hours as part of the costume crew for one of the three mainstage productions within the spring semester. Lab fee.
THEA 310 • Improvisation (3 units) Problem solving theatre games and exercises are explored so as to develop spontaneity and impulse in action to free the player’s imagination.
THEA 317 • Intermediate Costume Construction (2 units) Participation in the construction of costumes and costume accessories for mainstage/showcase productions. Appropriate sewing and patterning techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. All class hours are arranged and lab based.
THEA 318 • Drafting and Scenic Design (3-4 units) A study of design theory and practicum as it pertains to the stage set using the techniques of drawing/drafting of ground plans and construction of models. Lab Fee.
THEA 320 • Lighting Design: Fundamentals (3-4 units) Introduction to the principles, theories, and equipment employed by the designer for the stage. Areas of investigation include history, technology and script analysis. Detailed studio attention is given to the theory and practice of design of the two mainstage productions. The student is required to serve arranged hours as part of the lighting crew for one of the two mainstage productions for lab. Lab fee.
THEA 321 • Acting/Directing for the Camera (3 units) Prerequisite: THEA 210. An introductory level class designed to familiarize students with the process of acting and directing for film or video using scenes from current stage and screen plays. Emphasis is on “single camera” situations. Lab fee.
THEA 323 • Sound Design (2-3 units) The design and integration of live and recorded digital sound into production as indicated by directors’ conceptualization approaches.
THEA 324 • Theory and Criticism (3 units) Reading and analysis of theories and critical approaches to contemporary theatre: Stanislavski, Aristotle, Brecht and others who have contributed to the form and idea of the modern theatre. Lab Fee.
THEA/KINE 338 • Stage Combat (2-3 units) This course introduces basic stage techniques with unarmed combat including falls, rolls, chokes, punches and kicks, advancing to broad sword combat using scenes from classical or contemporary works, and applying these techniques with special attention to safety. Lab fee.
THEA 340 • Period Styles for Theatre Design (3 units) A detailed study through slides, books and field trips of architecture, interior design, furniture and costume from ancient to modern times.
THEA 350 • Stage Management (3 units) The study of how to become a successful stage manager. The students will learn organizational, interpersonal, and publicity skills. The students will learn how to manage actors and scheduling, work with the directors, and oversee the production for stage as well as television/film.
THEA/ENGL 360 • Dramatic Literature: Script Analysis (3 units) This course introduces the student to history’s most influential stage and screen plays giving the student skills with which to critically analyze the script in order to understand the work of each playwright. Lab fee.
THEA 386 • Junior Project (1 unit) Participation in production crew for mainstage show for one or more of the following production teams: set construction, costumes, makeup/hair, lighting, sound, house management, props, stage management, assistant stage management. Repeatable up to four units.
THEA 410 • Advanced Acting (3 units) Prerequisite: THEA 210. An in-depth study of characterization utilizing the Stanislavski system and Sanford Meisner’s techniques of acting. Lab fee.
THEA 425 • Computer Aided Design for Theatre (3-4 units) Prerequisites: THEA 318 and THEA 320. Advanced theatre design and technical production with an emphasis on the computer as a design and drafting tool for sets and lighting.
THEA 430 • Directing for Theatre (3 units) Prerequisites: THEA 309, 318, 320. Introduction to the techniques and fundamentals of stage directing using text, theory, and practicum while applying these approaches to student directed one-acts. Lab fee.
THEA/COMM 440/ENGL 441 • Script Writing: Stage and Film (3 units) Development of script writing techniques as applied to stage and film. The student will be required to develop and write a one-act stage or screen play. Lab fee.
THEA 450 • Theatre Internship (1-3 units) Prerequisite: This must be arranged the previous semester and must be approved by the student’s advisor. The student is to serve a 100-hour internship with one of our approved professional theaters. Freshmen may not take this course.
THEA/ENGL 455 • Shakespeare (3 units) Reading Shakespeare’s major works of drama and poetry within the historical and cultural context of the Renaissance.
THEA 465 • Renderworks and Painter for Theatre (3 units) Prerequisite: THEA 218, THEA 309 AND THEA 425. Advanced theatre design through the use of Renderworks and Painter as a computer aided program for rendering in costume, scenic, makeup, and lighting design.
THEA 470 • Special Topics (1–3 units) Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Study of a special topic in the area of theatre (i.e. Musical Theatre). May be repeated for credit.
THEA 480 • Individual Studies (1-3 units) Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor and department chair. May be repeated for credit.
THEA 492 • Senior Project: Planning (1 unit) Prerequisite: Consent of the department chair. The student will develop a prospectus including the concept, purposes, research, definition of terms, description, and methods of procedure for a project to be carried out in the following semester.
THEA 494 • Senior Project: Production (1 unit) Prerequisite: Approval by advisor and department chair. The student will execute the prospectus developed in THEA 492, and will produce, and/or direct and edit the project into final form for presentation to the college community. Lab fee.