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2024-25 Academic Catalog

THEA Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

THEA 105 Mainstage Theatre Practicum

0-6 credit hour

The practical application of theatrical disciplines (acting, directing, design, technical & management) in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: instructor permission.

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THEA 110 First Year Theatre Seminar

1 credit hour

This First Year Theatre Seminar is a one-hour credit course for students who are new to the GFU theatre community. The course will help students make the transition to GFU theatre, develop a strong community, and challenge students to think seriously about the integration of their faith and/or values into their work as theatre artists and servant storytellers.

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THEA 115 Acting Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of acting techniques in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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THEA 120 Art and Global Culture

3 credit hours

The world is full of dissonance and beauty—a fact which artists from cultures throughout the world have pointed to time and time again through their creative craftsmanship. This course explores a selection of global perspectives on beauty and dissonance through the lens of art, music and theater, explores the theories that run behind them, allows you to practice creative work, and research underrepresented areas of creative practice. Whether or not you enter this course with the belief that you are a creative person, this course invites you to cultivate an appreciation for artistry by trying on creative practice in addition to traditional academic approaches of reading, writing and discussion. This may mean creating small theatrical moments, practicing the principles of design in creating a print, or learning to write a musical composition. It is our firm belief that all people are born with creative instincts that reflect and respond to God’s original creative action, and we hope to see that creative spark reawaken in you. By the end of this course, you should have a stronger understanding of the multiple perspectives artists might take towards beauty and dissonance and how those perspective reflect the culture surrounding the artist, an ability to appreciate and move beyond a mere “I like it or not attitude” towards creative work, exposure to what it feels like to create and perform original work, and will also have done original research into works of art that are too often left out of history courses and academic study. Ultimately, regardless of your major, this course will help you cultivate and appreciate the discipline that surrounds creativity which remains an essential part of living a fulfilled life and a critical skill that is sought after in most professions.

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THEA 130 Stagecraft

3 credit hours

Do you ever wonder what happens backstage during a theatre production or concert? Come learn the magic of how scenery is built, colors are mixed, and lights move. Through a series of hands-on projects, this course is designed to introduce students to the diverse skills, equipment, and professional practices used in staging theatre productions. Learn to set up a sound system and light a stage. Explore scenic materials, hardware, rigging, and construction techniques. Learn how to correctly coil cables and ropes, tie knots, fold drapes, and safely use all the tools in a typical scene shop. The course culminates with teams participating in Tech Olympics. Additional course fee is required.

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THEA 135 Design Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of design techniques in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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THEA 145 Management Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of theatre and stage management techniques in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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THEA 155 Directing Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of directing techniques in connection with university theatre productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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THEA 160 Improvisational Theatre Workshop

2 credit hours

Focus on development of improvisational skills through structured and directed psychological, physical, and social exercises. May be repeated once for credit.

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THEA 165 Epiphany: Faith and Performing Arts Ensemble

0-3 credit hour

Participation in the traveling performing arts ministry ensemble. Students must remain with the troupe the entire year. May be repeated for credit. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: Audition and invitation.

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THEA 200 Acting II: Stage Voice and Movement

3 credit hours

A study of the basic principles and techniques of increasing vocal and physical awareness and production on the stage, including life study projects and an introduction to basic theoretical approaches to voice and movement. This course requires additional outside-of-class time for rehearsal and performance of selected material. Prerequisites: THEA 100 Acting I: Fundamentals and instructor's permission.

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THEA 205 Acting Studio

3 credit hours

Whether you are interested in learning the fundamentals of acting or sharpening your current acting skill-set, this class is designed to take your work as an actor to the next level of excellence. Students will engage in fun acting games, rigorous training, performance of scenes, the study of acting theories, and critical analysis of performance throughout the semester. There are a number of variations of this course including Fundamentals of Acting, Contemporary Performance, Shakespeare & Music Theatre Performance. This course requires additional outside-of-class time for rehearsal and performance of selected material. Repeatable for credit.

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THEA 240 Understanding Drama

3 credit hours

A study of significant plays from the classical period to the present, both as literary works and staged productions, the goal being a deeper understanding and appreciation of drama as a symbolic form. Primary focus is on literary values, with attention also given to the constraints and interpretations embodied in the staging, acting, and directing of a play. (LITR 240 and THEA 240 are identical courses.)

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THEA 265 Directing/Literature Studio

3 credit hours

This dynamic studio explores the cultural intersections between dramatic literature and performance through the eyes of the director. Each iteration of this course examines how cultural forces throughout history have created unique dramatic structures that impact the way stories are performed and received in their particular contexts. Students will analyze a wide variety of plays, do historical research, participate in directing exercises, and direct scenes throughout the semester. In doing so, students will examine how text impacts the audience’s reception of a play, and thus informs moment to moment directing choices, artistic interpretation and performance concepts. Specific topics rotate, and the course can be taken more than once with different topics. Prerequisite: THEA 205: Acting Studio or instructor’s permission. Repeatable for credit

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THEA 275 Field Experience

1-10 credit hou

Offered summers only. Supervised experience with off-campus professional, community, church, or camp theatre productions or drama programs. The experience may include acting, directing, technical production, design, publicity, management, therapy, or any combination thereof. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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THEA 285 Selected Topics in Theatre

3 credit hours

Characteristically offered as part of May Term. Special courses offered occasionally to meet the needs and interests of students, professors, and visiting professors, specifically including technical theatre.

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THEA 295 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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THEA 300 Acting III: Contemporary Scene Study

3 credit hours

A study of the acting and philosophical challenges that face contemporary actors in the professional world of theatre. Through in-depth scene study, structural analysis, in-class presentations, and outside research the student is exposed to the theatre community's various artistic responses to recent political and social movements. This course requires additional outside-of-class time for rehearsal and performance of selected material. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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THEA 305 Mainstage Theatre Practicum

0-6 credit hour

The practical application of theatrical disciplines (acting, directing, design, technical & management) in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

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THEA 315 Acting Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of acting techniques in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

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THEA 325 Production Design Studio

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the design process for theatrical productions. There are a number of different variations of this course. Each variation picks a different topic through which to examine how the design process can be a tool for analyzing and understanding a script. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will explore the skills needed to work through the design process from conceptualization to implementation. While focused primarily on live theatre, the course will also explore how the topic applies to music, cinema, art installations and related industries. Examples of different variations of this course include: Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, and Projection Design. Repeatable for course credit. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor permission.

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THEA 330 Stage Lighting and Sound

3 credit hours

An introductory study of the principles of stage lighting and sound design for theatrical production. The emphasis will be on both design and operation of sound and lighting equipment. Students will apply theory through a number of projects. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor's permission.

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THEA 335 Design Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of design techniques in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

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THEA 340 Theatre as Ministry

3 credit hours

A consideration of theatre skills as tools for meeting human needs in essentially nontheatrical environments. Focus on drama as a service medium rather than as strictly an entertainment vehicle.

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THEA 345 Management Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of theatre and stage management techniques in connection with university theatre main stage productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

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THEA 350 Music Theatre Performance

3 credit hours

An introduction to the acting, dance, and vocal techniques required for music theatre performance. Through in-depth scene study, vocal training, dance, and in-class performances, the student will be introduced to the various artistic challenges inherent in music theatre since its inception. This course requires additional outside-of-class time for rehearsals and performance of selected material. Additional course fee is required. (MUSI 350 and THEA 350 are identical courses.) Prerequisites: THEA 100 Acting I: Fundamentals and MUSA 105 VC Applied Voice or MUSI 125T Music Theatre or MUSI 325T Music Theatre.

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THEA 355 Directing Practicum

1-3 credit hour

The practical application of directing techniques in connection with university theatre productions. Open to any student taking part in a university theatre production. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

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THEA 360 Improvisational Theatre Workshop

2 credit hours

Focus on development of improvisational skills through structured and directed psychological, physical, and social exercises. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: THEA 160 Improvisational Theatre Workshop.

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THEA 365 Epiphany: Faith and Performing Arts Ensemble

0-3 credit hour

Participation in the traveling performing arts ministry ensemble. Students must remain with the troupe the entire year. May be repeated for credit. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: Audition and invitation.

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THEA 370 Directing for Theatre

3 credit hours

An introduction to the director's role in theatre through historical and artistic research, comprehensive structural analysis, scene work, the creation of composition, stage pictures, blocking, rhythm, tempo, and an exploration of the working relationships with actors and design teams. This course requires additional outside-of-class time for rehearsal and performance of selected material. Prerequisite: THEA 205 Acting Studio or instructor's permission.

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THEA 380 Costume Design

3 credit hours

A study of the elements and principles of costume design for the theatre. Students will develop skills in play analysis for costuming, basic rendering skills, and period research. The class will include an introduction to the various media used in communicating a costume design concept. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor's permission.

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THEA 390 Playwriting

3 credit hours

This course is designed to introduce basic playwriting, in particular elements of the playwright's craft: dramatic action, plot, characterization and theatricality. The course functions as a playwriting workshop with students presenting exercises in class to be discussed by their peers. Utilizing techniques learned, students will complete a draft of a one-act play.

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THEA 400 Acting IV: Acting Shakespeare

3 credit hours

An in-depth study of the world and words of Shakespeare. Through classroom exercises, scene study, and outside research the student is exposed to how word choice, syntax, and grammar informs the actor, influences action, exposes character, and creates the world of play. This course requires additional outside-of-class time for rehearsal and performance of selected material. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

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THEA 420 Theatre Management

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the diverse issues involved in managing a theatre company. It includes an examination of marketing and promotions, financial management, and organizational structures of various types of theatres, with special emphasis given to stage management. Students will be able to apply learned principles to hands-on projects and presentations. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor's permission.

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THEA 430 Scenic Design

3 credit hours

An introductory study of the theories and skills of stage design with an emphasis on script analysis and good visual research. Assignments will guide the student to learning the practices of drafting, perspective drawing, watercolor rendering, and model building. Students will apply these learned techniques and research skills to several projects. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor's permission.

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THEA 440 Theatre History

3 credit hours

A broad survey of the history of theatre dedicated to the research, study, and analysis of the innovators and revolutionaries in playwriting theory, acting, directing, design, and production.

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THEA 475 Field Experience

1-10 credit hou

Offered summers only. Supervised experience with off-campus professional, community, church, or camp theatre productions or drama programs. The experience may include acting, directing, technical production, design, publicity, management, therapy, or any combination thereof. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

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THEA 485 Selected Topics

3 credit hours

Characteristically offered as part of May Term. Special courses offered occasionally to meet the needs and interests of students, professors, and visiting professors, specifically including technical theatre.

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THEA 490 Senior Theatre Seminar

1 credit hour

The Senior Theatre Seminar is a one credit fall course that is designed to help our students develop key entrepreneurial skills as individual theatre artists to help them transition from their undergraduate careers to the professional world of theatre. The class culminates in a GFU Senior Theatre Showcase in which senior theatre majors showcase their talent for Portland artistic directors and casting directors. (permission number required)

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THEA 495 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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