THEATRE and DANCE COURSE LIST

THR 110.   Stagecraft (3) Introduction to the basics of theatre production in three sections exploring rudimentary procedures, equipment, and techniques necessary for involvement in theatre courses and production.  Section 1. Scenic design set dressing, scene painting.  Section 2. Costume design and construction.  Section 3. Technical production, lighting and sound design, and set construction.

THR 112.   Introduction to Dance (3) Appreciation of dance as an art form.  The study of dance as a reflection and expression of various cultures from pre-history to present.  Includes exposure to contemporary concert dance through films and televised or live performance.  Introductory experience in selected dance techniques.  Two class hours and two laboratory hours each week.

THR 121.   Introduction to the Theatre (3) Appreciation of theatre through an understanding of its artistic elements, history, dramatic literature, and audience involvement. 

THR 130.  Improvisation (3) Exploration of spontaneous dramatic playing through intensive exercises and theatre games meant to generate greater individual freedom and self-discipline, as well as to employ improvisation techniques in acting to develop characterization, stage movement, and ensemble performance.

THR 134.   (PED 134) Dance Techniques I (2) Basic techniques at a beginning level, including ballet, jazz, and modern dance.  Three studio hours per week.  Accumulative credit limited to four semester hours.

THR 136.   (PED 136) Movement Exploration (3) Study through creative dance techniques of the body's potential as a tool for creative expression.  Exploration of the relationship of dance to other art forms.  Solo and group work using basic art concepts and the individual's own experience as materials for movement improvisation and composition.  No dance training necessary.

THR 165.   Script Analysis (3) How to read a play.  Study of the structure of drama, including both traditional and contemporary forms of dramatic literature.  Emphasis on the play text as a blueprint for theatrical production.

THR 201.   Technical Production (3) Use of scenic materials, methods of construction, and handling of scenery.  Basic use of stage lighting and stage properties.  Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.  Requires participation in University Theatre productions.

THR 205.   Stage Make-up (3) Theory and practice in the application of make-up for theatrical performances.  Emphasizes make-up design theory used by the actor in his/her exploration of character.  Requires crew participation in UNCW University Theatre productions.

THR 206.   Costume History (3) A survey of major historical costume styles through lecture, discussion, and projects.

THR 207.   Costume Pattern Design and Draping (3) Development of skills in pattern making through the flat pattern and draping techniques along with garment construction applied to individual as well as departmental production projects.  Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.

THR 208.   Costume Crafts (3) Introduction to a variety of craft and garment accessory construction techniques.  Individual and departmental production projects.

THR 211.   Computer Aided Drafting (3) A study of theatre drafting conventions and software-related techniques.  Topics include line-use, dimensions, text, notation, and symbols for use in creating floor plans, elevations, shop drawings, pictorials, and lighting plots.

THR 225.   (FST 225) History and Appreciation of Film: Silent (3) Survey of the development of motion picture from its primitive beginnings to the advent of sound film.  A visual illustration of the basic aesthetic principles controlling film as art.

THR 226.   (FST 226) History and Appreciation of Film: Sound (3) A continuing survey of cinema from the advent of “talkies” in the mid-1920s to its full artistic expression in the 1960s. Selected films from around the world will be assigned, screened, and discussed.

THR 227 (FST 227).  History and Appreciation of Film:  Modern (3) Explores the development of world cinema from the 1970s to the present.  Emphasis on important films emerging from the Far East, Eastern Europe, former Soviet Republics, and Third World counties.

THR 230.   Acting for Non-Majors (3) An introduction to basic acting techniques for non-majors.

THR 231.   Acting I: Introduction for Theatre Majors (3) Prerequisite: THR 165, sophomore standing and consent of instructor.  Fundamental techniques of acting.

THR 234.   (PED 234) Dance Techniques II (2) Prerequisite: THR 134 or PED 134 or consent of instructor.  Basic dance technique at an intermediate level.  Three studio hours per week.  Accumulative credit limited to four semester hours.

THR 241.   Painting and Properties Studio (1) Prerequisite: THR 110.  Structured involvement in theatre production preparation and running in the areas of scenic painting, properties and set dressing.  One lecture and three laboratory hours per week.  Requires crew participation in UNCW University Theatre productions.

THR 242.   Technical Production Studio (1) Prerequisite: THR 110.  Structured involvement in theatre production preparation and implementation in the areas of scenic construction, lighting and sound installation.  One lecture and three laboratory hours per week.  Requires crew participation in UNCW University Theatre productions.

THR 243.   Costume and Makeup Studio (1) Prerequisite: THR 110.  Structured involvement in theatre production preparation and implementation in the areas of costume construction and makeup application.  One lecture and three laboratory hours per week.  Requires crew participation in UNCW University Theatre productions.

THR 270.   (ENG 270) (FST 203) Introduction to Film Study (3) Introduction to film study, including analysis of cinematography, editing, composition, dialogue, genre, narrative and the relation of sound to image.  Films drawn from various national cinemas, representing diverse styles, periods and genres.  Three lecture and two screening hours each week.

THR 295.   Topics in Theatre (3) Prerequisite: THR 165 or permission of instructor.  A broad study of a topic within the theatre discipline, such as history of theatrical design, dramatic theory.  Commedia dell Arte.  Content will be geared to the student with a general understanding of theatre.  May be repeated under a different subtitle.

THR 301.   Movement for the Actor (3) Prerequisite:  Theatre major or consent of instructor.  Introduction to body work in acting.

THR 302.   Voice for the Actor (3) Prerequisite:  Theatre major or consent of instructor.  Intensive study of the speaking vocal instrument for stage and screen.

THR 305.   Scenic Design (3) Prerequisite:  THR 165 or consent of instructor.  An intermediate study of set design development and presentation.  Topics include script interpretation; research methods; sketching and rendering; perspective techniques; drafting floor plans, elevations, and centerline sections; and model making.

THR 306.   Lighting Design (3) Prerequisite:  THR 165 or consent of instructor.  Basic techniques of lighting design.  Includes fundamentals of lighting production techniques and equipment, and the use of color.  Requires participation in University Theatre productions.

THR 308.   Costume Design (3) Prerequisite:  THR 165 or consent of instructor.  Principles of theatrical design applied to stage costume.  Period play interpretation, figure drawing, color theory, and rendering techniques pursuant to developing an individual aesthetic and design style.

THR 310.   Sound Technology (3) Prerequisite: THR 165.  Basic techniques of sound design.  Includes fundamentals of the use of stage sound reinforcement and computerized sound production.

THR 312.   Scene Painting (3) Beginning exercises with materials and tools used to paint stage settings and backdrops.  Demonstrations and projects in brush and non-brush techniques; layout; color mixing; and stencils.  Practical projects include color blends; textures; brick and stone; interior and exterior woodwork, and marble.  Requires involvement with University Theatre productions.

THR 316.   (CRW 316) Playwriting I (3) Prerequisite: ENG 201.  Analysis of one-act plays and their construction; the writing of an original one-act play required.  

THR 321.   Western Theatre History I (3) Prerequisite:  THR 165 or permission instructor.  Classical Greece through the Renaissance.  Emphasis on theatrical production in its cultural contexts, including playwriting, acting, staging, architecture, and audiences.

THR 322.   Western Theatre History II (3) Prerequisite: THR 165 or permission instructor.  Development of theatre and drama from the seventeenth century to World War II.  Emphasis on theatrical production in its cultural contexts, including playwriting, acting, staging, architecture, and audiences.

THR 332.   Acting II: Intermediate (3) Prerequisite:  THR 231 or consent of instructor.  Continuation of Acting I with increased emphasis on individual growth, creative development, and scene study and performance.  Four contact hours per week.

THR 333.   Acting III: Advanced (3) Prerequisite: THR 332 or consent of instructor.  Preparation for performance and individual character study for the advanced student of acting.

THR 335.   (FST 335) Acting for the Camera (3) Prerequisites: THR 231 or THR 332 or permission of instructor.  Explores acting techniques particular to the mediums of film and video.

THR 355.   Directing I (3) Prerequisite: THR 305, 306, 308 or consent of instructor.  Fundamental principles of directing with emphasis on one-act productions. 

THR 365.   (ENG 365) Studies in Drama (3) Prerequisite: Six hours of literature at the 200 level or above; THR 321 or THR 322; or consent of the instructor.  A variety of plays representing tragedy, comedy, and modern forms.  Works from a variety of periods, authors, and traditions with some attention to dramatic criticism.  May be repeated once under a different subtitle.

THR 395.   Advanced Studies in Theatre (3) Prerequisite: THR 165 or permission of instructor.  In-depth study of a specific topic within the theatre discipline, such as advanced scene painting techniques, dramatic theory of a particular era, or advanced theatrical lighting.  May be repeated once under a different subtitle.

THR 411.   Three Dimensional Computer Modeling (3) Prerequisite: THR 211.  A study of software to develop models of scene designs for the stage.  Topics include shape and texture generation; light handling; rendering; scanning; and output.

THR 433.   Acting IV: Period Styles of Acting (3) Prerequisites: THR 231, 232, 301, 302, and 333 and permission of instructor.  Explores acting styles in various historical periods of the theatre, such as Greek, Commedia dell’Arte, Shakespearean and Neo-classical.

THR 445.   (CRW 445) Playwriting II (3) Prerequisite:  THR 316 (ENG 316) or permission of instructor.  Advanced techniques of playwriting with an emphasis on full-length plays; the writing of an original full-length play.

THR 455.   Directing II (3) Prerequisite:  THR 355.  Advanced techniques in the direction of plays for the stage. 

THR 485.   Senior Project (3) Every major may choose an area in theatre for a senior project.  The proposal for planning and executing a public presentation in the chosen area must be submitted to the faculty of the Department of Art and Theatre for approval prior to the semester during which the project will be attempted.

THR 486.   Senior Seminar: Performance (3) Prerequisite:  Senior standing in theatre.  A comprehensive assessment of the performance student’s experience and study as a theatre major in preparation for continued study or employment.  Preparation of portfolio and scenes.

THR 487.  Senior Seminar: Design and Technology (3) Prerequisite: Senior standing in theatre.  A comprehensive assessment and synthesis of the design/tech student’s four-year experience as a theatre major in preparation for employment or continued study.  Development of resumé and career goals strategy, organization and formatting of portfolio materials, presentation exercises, and a study of interview and workplace issues.

THR 491.   Directed Individual Study (1-3) Prerequisite:  Overall GPA of at least 2.00, junior or senior standing, and consent of instructor, department chair and dean.  Involves investigation under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses.  For further information, consult the Directed Individual Studies section in this catalogue.

THR 495.   Theatre Seminars (1-3) Consideration of special subjects not covered in regular course offerings.  More than one topic may be taken for credit.

THR 498.   Internship in Theatre (3 or 6) Prerequisite:  Junior or senior standing, minimum 3.00 GPA in the major, and permission of chair.  Academic training and practical field experience through a program of work and study within an agency and/or setting related to the student's principal area of interest.  Faculty supervision and evaluation of all study and on-site activity.  (A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree).

THR 499.   Honors Work in Theatre (2-3) Prerequisite: Senior standing.  Independent study for honors students.

Click here for explanations on 292 and 492 (Trial Courses); 294 and 494 (International Courses).