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Pamela McDaniel, Chair mcdanielp@wcsu.edu VPA 239A, Westside campus (203) 837-8422 (203) 837-8912 (fax)
Batreece Jett, Department Secretary Jettb@wcsu.edu VPA 239, Westside campus (203) 837-8250 (203) 837-8912 (fax)
Faculty
P. McDaniel, Chair, Acting, Directing F. Herbert, Technical Direction, Technical Theatre I & II T. Howard, Musical Theatre J. Johns-Lerner, Costume Technology E. Popiel, Costume Design, Scenic Design, Scenic Art, Puppetry, Theatre Design Fundamentals S. Trapani, Acting, Directing, Playmaking with Children, Devised Theatre, Theatre History J. Cowan, Music Director
Adjunct Faculty
A. Anderson, Stage Management M. Bartoli, Acting, Voice and Diction P. Baldwin, Set Design H. Bechard, Introduction to Theatre A. Bennett, Sound Design/Technology G. Bennett, Audio Engineer C. Bolan, Acting, Voice and Dictation, Audition Techniques M. Bolan, Applied Voice S. Cally, Lighting Design M. Chii, Set Design A. Cochrane, Director, Audio Techniques, Performance Techniques A. DePoto, Playmaking with Children, First Year Experience, Children’s Theatre Production C. Donovan, Acting, Playmaking with Children, Meisner Techniques R. Ercole, Acting, Performance Techniques, Voice and Diction P. George, Director, Scene into Song K. Hansen, Production Lab Supervision I. Hatch, Costume Technology J. Hickok, Meisner Techniques, Performance Techniques H. Katcher-Striano, Introduction to Theatre H. Kilik, Music Direction, Vocal Coach A. Levis, Audio Engineer R. McGee, Theatrical Makeup, Costume Design T. Miller, Acting, Performance Techniques N. Palmatier, Costume Design E. Parkinson, Musical Theatre-Dance, Ballet, Choreography B. Phelps, Costume Technology J. Powell, Applied Voice J. Robinson, Applied Voice J. Rose, Set Design, Stage Lighting S. Sobel, Costume Technology T. Swetz, Technical Direction I. Thelen, Costume Technology J. Tursey, Choreography J. Wise, Directing Tap
Overview
The Department of Theatre Arts provides a strong theoretical and practical approach to the study of the art and craft of theatre. Students who major in Theatre Arts prepare for graduate studies and/or careers directly related to performance, design/technology, management and dramaturgy. Students also combine theatre 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 theatre 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 theatre 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 theatre 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 department provides a thorough, modern education in the theory, skills and technology of theatre production and performance that is tailored to the individual student’s background and career objectives.
The department believes in fostering a diverse student environment with an emphasis on professionalism and a commitment to excellence.
Objectives
To accomplish this mission the Department of Theatre Arts:
Transfer Admissions
All students wishing to transfer into any degree program in theatre at WCSU must meet the criteria listed for each program, including those currently attending institutions holding articulation agreements with WCSU. All applicants will be assessed in the areas of their selected option for matriculation and appropriate prerequisite placement in courses within the major.
Transfer Review Process and Transfer Articulation Policy (TAP)
Western Connecticut State University, as part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU), accepts credits for non-theatre courses as per the Transfer Articulation Policy for students with an earned Associates Degree. Information regarding this specific classification of transfer credits can be found at the CSCU website. For the 2016-2017 academic year there are no approved “pathways” for community college students to utilize TAP and seamlessly enter Western’s Department of Theatre Arts at the junior level.
Awarding of Credit
Credit Hour: A semester hour of credit is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
Learning Outcomes for General Education
As per NAST standards and the stated goals for this degree, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with concentrations in Design Technology, Performance, Theatre Arts Management or Theatre Studies and in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre degree program are expected to demonstrate the following competencies upon graduation:
General Education prior to Fall 2016
General Education for new students starting Fall 2016
General Education at Western Connecticut State University combines course-based competencies with opportunities to explore a wide range of disciplines outside of a student’s major. The university has identified 10 competencies that support academic success and prepare students for life-long learning. There are shared learning outcomes for each competency, which are embedded in courses across the curriculum.
Competencies may be satisfied in the major, minor or any other area of interest. There are no rules about how many competencies can be satisfied in the major. The only rules are:
With this approach, the university has created the opportunity for students to develop essential skills and habits of mind in disciplines where they are most engaged with the material. It is important that students explore ideas from several areas of curriculum outside their major, but without an arbitrary limit on that exploration.
DEGREE PROGRAMS IN THEATRE ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS Theatre Arts with options in: Design/Technology Performance Theatre Arts Management Theatre Studies
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS Musical Theatre
MINOR PROGRAM Theatre Arts
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE ARTS (B.A.)
This degree is appropriate for students who wish to study theatre within the broader context of a liberal arts education and to emphasize areas of concentration such as performance, design/technology, theatre arts management or theatre studies. Students are encouraged to explore breadth and variety in their educational pursuits to enhance their understanding of the world around them and to give them greater career versatility as a graduate.
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 120 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 100 Introduction to Theatre Production Lab (FY) THR 181 Acting I: An Introduction THR 182 Technical theatre I THR 202 Technical theatre II or THR 306 Costume Technology II THR 279 History of theatre THR 283 Scenic Design or THR 383 Methods of Scenic Art and Craft THR 284 Costume Technology THR 289 Playmaking with Children or THR 390 Play Production THR 300 Theatre Production Lab –– (1 SH for 7 semesters) THR 386 Directing I THR 387 Devised Theatre Workshop THR 490 Senior Portfolio –– Theatre Arts
Options (select one) –– Required in addition to general education and theatre arts core.
Design/Technical Option (15 SH)
THR 125 Theatre Design Fundamentals THR 304 Computer Drafting THR 383 Methods of Scenic Art and Craft (THR 283 used in the core) THR 383 Fundamentals of Stage Lighting Design/Tech Electives: (select 1) COM 146 Basic Video Production ART 141 Drawing I THR 297 Cooperative Education THR 302 Costume Design THR 402 Special Topics in Design/Tech
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
Theatre Studies Option (15 SH)
THR/WRT 244W Playwriting HR 363 Performing Shakespeare Theatre Studies Electives: 9 SH in Theatre with 6 SH at the 200-level or higher
Performance Option (15 SH)
THR 150 Performance Techniques THR 260 Voice and Diction THR 281 Acting II: Scene Study THR 388 Acting III: Period Styles Performance Elective: (select one) THR 289 Children’s Theatre Practicum THR 252 Acting for the Camera THR 363 Performing Shakespeare THR 389 Auditioning Techniques THR 402 Special Topics in Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts Management Option (15 SH)
THR 110 Theatre Arts Management THR 210 Stage Management MGT 250 Organizational Behavior MKT 200 Principles of Marketing or MIS 260 Information Systems Concepts Theatre Arts Management Electives: (select 1) ACC 201 Financial Accounting MGT 251 Human Resources Management THR 297 Cooperative Education MKT 310 Consumer Behavior MKT 315 Advertising and Integrative Marketing COM 362 Organizational Communication WRT 245W Technical Writing THR 402 Special Topics in Theatre
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN MUSICAL THEATRE (B.F.A.)
This degree offers students knowledge of and training in all aspects of musical theatre within a liberal arts context in order to compete for employment opportunities in the entertainment industry where musical talent is utilized. Students will develop the following skills:
The Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre degree is a specialized degree offered in collaboration with the Department of Music. Set within a liberal arts context, this degree provides students with knowledge of, and training in, all aspects of musical theatre in order to compete for employment opportunities in the entertainment industry where musical theatre is utilized. Students will develop the following skills:
Students wishing to pursue a degree in Musical theatre in the Department of theatre Arts must adhere to the following criteria for admission:
Information regarding audition dates and specific audition requirements can be found online or by contacting the Department of Theatre Arts at (203) 837-8250.
Major Core Requirements (60 SH):
THR 100 Introduction to Theatre Production Lab FY THR 103 Ballet Fundamentals for Musical Theatre THR 150 Performance Techniques: Integration of Voice & Movement THR 171 Musical Theatre Workshop THR 181 Acting I: Character Study THR 182 Technical Theatre I THR 203 Dance for Musical Theatre I THR 260 Voice and Diction THR 279 History of the theatre THR 281 Acting II: Scene Study THR 284 Costume Technology THR 300 Theatre Production Lab (1 SH for 4 semesters) THR 303 Dance for Musical Theatre II THR 370 Cabaret Performance THR 372 Advanced 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 114/155 Sightsinging/Eartraining I and II MUS 125/126 Keyboard Competency I and II Choose 3 SH from the following: THR 165 Stage Makeup THR 301 Singing and Dancing for Musical Theatre THR 370 Cabaret Performance THR 387 Devised Theatre Workshop THR 389 Auditioning Techniques THR 390 Play Production THR 402 Special Topics in Theatre Arts
Musical Theatre Recommended Course Sequence:
Minor in Theatre (18 S.H.)
Eighteen semester hours in theatre which must include at least 12 semester hours above the 100-level and at least 3 semesters of THR 300. Emphasis must be on Theatre Arts.
