Theatre Arts
Sal Trapani, Co-Chair
trapanis@wcsu.edu
Berkshire Hall 148, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8258
(203) 837-8912 (fax)
Pamela McDaniel, Co-Chair
mcdanielp@wcsu.edu
Berkshire Hall 135, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8422
(203) 837-8912 (fax)
Karen Walsh, Department Secretary
walshk@wcsu.edu
Berkshire Hall 120b, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8250
(203) 837-8912 (fax)
Faculty
| S. Trapani, Co-Chair | P. McDaniel, Co-Chair |
| F. Herbert | E. Popiel |
Adjunct Faculty
| T. Cuffari | A. Jones | N. Jowdy |
| S. Swan | E. Toner | J. Turey |
| B. Walton | B. Schlaefer |
Overview
The Department of Theater Arts provides a strong theoretical and practical approach to the study of the art and craft of theater. Students who major in theater arts prepare for graduate studies and/or careers directly related to performance, design/technology, management and dramaturgy. Students also combine theater studies with other majors and/or minors such as music, art and media, to enhance work opportunities within the entertainment industry.
In addition to its academic functions, the department serves the campus and community by offering diverse theatrical performances including, musicals, traditional plays, and plays for children. Connections to the greater theater community are promoted through sponsorship of professional training workshops and performances of guest artists.
Our proximity to New York City (one hour to mid-town Manhattan) gives us an opportunity to make excellent use of its vast resources. The theater faculty maintains close ties with professional organizations, activities and research facilities within the area, and opportunities are regularly planned to introduce students to the professional environment.
Mission
The theater department keeps consistent with the university’s mission to serve as an accessible and responsive intellectual resource for the people and institutions of Connecticut. The theater department provides a thorough, modern education in the theory, skills and technology of ?theater production and performance that is tailored to the individual student’s background and career objectives.
Objectives
To accomplish this mission the Department of Theater Arts:
- Offers its students the highest quality undergraduate programs in performance, theory, theater technology and design by professors that have worked professionally in their field and maintain high academic credentials in their respective areas.
- Emphasizes performance and production techniques, dramatic theory, writing and theater management throughout the undergraduate curriculum to develop students’ ability to understand and deliver appropriate performance and theoretical concepts and to apply and utilize these techniques in a professional setting.
- Provides studio and theatrical experiences using public and classroom productions to entertain live audiences. Our season each year consists of two main stage productions, two large-scale children’s musicals, studio productions, and a variety of workshops and readings which promote further interest in the university and its programs.
- Organizes a residency of our students in New York for a week to perform off-Broadway, take workshops, visit network television and theatrical venues and meet theater professionals.
- Organizes a bi-annual trip to perform at Edinburgh International Theater Festival in Scotland.
- Provides a personalized learning environment for students through faculty mentored undergraduate research/creative projects and internships.
- Prepares students for graduate education in any area of the theater arts and education.
- Assists students in discerning appropriate careers through diligent advising.
- Provides students with connections and references to professional organizations (such as USITT), internship programs and job placement opportunities.
- Arranges for New York theater professionals to travel to our campus to conduct workshops in all aspects of theater training.
- Provides and fosters the growth and development of faculty by encouraging research, attendance at professional meetings, publication and presentation of scholarly work and creative performance.
- Collaborates with organizations and institutions in all areas of the entertainment industry within the tri-state area to support professional growth of faculty as well as internship opportunities for students.
- Expresses its strong commitment to the community by collaborating with regional elementary, junior and senior high school educators to further our programs in children’s theater.
DEGREE PROGRAMS IN THEATER ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Options:
Design/Technology
Theater Arts Management
Drama Studies
Performance
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Musical Theatre
MINOR PROGRAM
Theater Arts
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATER ARTS (B.A.)
Requirements:
Students must complete all general education requirements, the courses and credits listed below by option and additional free electives to total a minimum of 122 semester hours, including foreign language and exercise science.
Student Standing
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0, with 2.5 in courses used to satisfy major requirements. Courses with grades lower than “C” will not be accepted as meeting the requirements for the major.
Course Restrictions
For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
Major Core Requirements (37 SH):
THR 181 Acting I: An Introduction
THR 182 Technical Theater I
THR 202 Technical Theater II
THR 279 History of Theater
THR 283 Stage Design or THR 383 Methods of Scenic Art and Craft
THR 284 Costume & Makeup
THR 289 Children’s Theater Practicum or THR 390 Play Production
THR 300 Theater Production Lab –– (1 SH for 7 semesters)
THR 386 Directing I
THR 387 Production & Performance Lab
THR 490 Senior Portfolio –– Theater Arts
Options (select one) –– Required in addition to general education and theater arts core.
Design/Technical Option (15 SH)
THR 383 Methods of Scenic Art and Craft
THR 384 Lighting
Choose 9 SH from the following with no more than 6 SH at 100 level:
ART 108 Design I
ART 111 Drawing I
COM 110 Sight, Sound and Motion
COM/THR 125 Design for Media
COM 146 Basic Video Production
COM 235 Preproduction for Television and Film
THR 297 Cooperative Education
THR 390 Play Production (if THR 289 used in Core)
THR 402 Honors Seminar in Theater Arts
Theater Arts Management Option (15 SH)
COM 310 Business and Professional Speaking
MGT 102 Introduction to Business
MIS 260 Information Systems Concepts
MKT 301 Principles of Marketing
Choose 3 SH from the following:
ACC 201 Financial Accounting
COM 362 Organizational Communication
MGT 250 Organizational Behavior
MGT 251 Human Resources Management
MKT 310 Consumer Behavior: Concepts, Research Methods, and Application
MKT 315 Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications
THR 297 Cooperative Education
THR 402 Honors Seminar in Theater Arts
WRT 245W Technical Writing
Drama Studies Option (15 SH)
ENG 307W Shakespeare I
ENG 308W Shakespeare II
THR/WRT 244W Playwriting
Choose 6 SH from the following:
ENG/COM 372 Film and Literature
THR 163 Essentials of Oral Interpretation
THR/ENG 205 Literature for the Stage I (See note)
THR/ENG 206 Literature for the Stage II (See note)
THR 297 Cooperative Education
THR/WRT 346W Advanced Playwriting Workshop
THR 363 Advanced Oral Interpretation
THR 402 Honors Seminar in Theater Arts
Note: THR/ENG 205 and THR/ENG 206 are no longer offered. Students in the Drama Studies Option should check with the Theater Arts department chair for appropriate substitutions.
Performance Option (15 SH)
THR 150 Performance Techniques: Integration of Voice and Movement
THR 260 Voice and Diction
THR 281 Acting II: Characterization, Theory and Practice
THR 388 Acting III: Period Styles
Choose 3 SH from the following:
THR 201 Creative Dramatics
THR 252 Acting for the Camera
THR 285 Body Movement and Mime
THR 389 Auditioning Techniques for the Actor
THR 402 Honors Seminar in Theater Arts
THR 486 Directing II: Styles, Theory and Practice
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSICAL THEATRE (B.A.)
Requirements:
Students must complete all general education requirements, the courses and credits listed below by option and additional free electives to total a minimum of 122 semester hours, including foreign language and exercise science.
Student Standing
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0, with 2.5 in courses used to satisfy major requirements. Courses with grades lower than “C” will not be accepted as meeting the requirements for the major.
Course Restrictions
For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
Major Core Requirements (54 SH):
THR 150 Performance Techniques: Integration of Voice & Movement
THR 181 Acting I : An Introcuction
THR 182 Technical Theatre I
THR 260 Voice and Diction
THR 279 History of the Theatre
THR 281 Acting II: Characterization, Theory and Practice
THR 284 Costume & Makeup
THR 300 Speech Activity (1 SH for 5 semesters)
THR 370 Cabaret Performance
THR 371 Musical Theatre Workshop
THR 388 Acting III: Period Styles
THR 490 Senior Portfolio
MUS 108 Music Theory I
MUS 182/183 Applied Voice (1 SH for 6 semesters)
MUS 114/1155 Sightsinging/Eartraining I and II
MUS 125/126 Keyboard Competency
Choose 3 SH from the following:
THR 255 Performance Techniques: Pantomimic Dramatization
THR 285 Body Movement and Mime
THR 387 Production and Performance Lab
THR 389 Auditioning Techniques
THR 390 Play Production
THR 402 Honors Seminar in Theatre Arts
Minor in Theater
Eighteen (18) semester hours in theater which must include at least 12 semester hours above the 100 level. Emphasis must be on theater arts.
