The bachelor’s degree requires completion of 124 credits, a cumulative grade point average or 2.00 and a grade of C– or above in all core and required courses in the major. Theatre majors and minors are required to adhere to the department policies regarding portfolio review, capstone, internships, and advancement within the program. These policies are available in the current Theatre Department Handbook.
The Waldorf College Theatre Department offers a Shakespeare minor in cooperation with the History and English Departments. Students in the Shakespeare minor take an array of courses in classical acting, Elizabethan history, original staging, etc. and work with Waldorf’s annual Shakespeare play each fall. Students who successfully complete the minor and receive necessary faculty recommendations are granted entry into the Mary Baldwin College Master of Letters (M.Litt) and Master of Fine Arts program in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature Performance.
The musical theatre track does not require the completion of the theatre arts core. All theatre majors (except theatre-eductation) must complete the humanities minor.
Students on the musical theatre track must pass the piano proficiency test.
English 101/106, (3 cr.) Artistic Expression 120, (3 cr.) Religion 103, (3 cr.) Critical Inquiry 111, (3 cr.) Acting I 132, (3 cr.) Practicum, (.5 cr.) Total of 15.5
English 102/107, (3 cr.) Social Science Elective, (3 cr.) Math 101 or higher, (4 cr.) Emphasis Elective, (3 cr.) Elective, (3 cr.) Wellness 101, (1 cr.) Practicum, (.5 cr.) Total of 17.5
History Elective, (3 cr.) Emphasis Elective, (3 cr.) Elective, (3 cr.) Investigations in Humanities 300, (3 cr.) Theatre History, (3 cr.) Practicum, (.5 cr.) Total of 15.5
Religion Elective, (3 cr.) Lab Science Elective, (4 cr.) Directing 300, (3 cr.) Emphasis Elective, (3 cr.) Humanities Minor Elective (3 cr.) Practicum, (.5 cr.) Total of 16.5
Tech 141, 142, or 143, (3 cr.) Theatre History, (3 cr.) Emphasis Elective, (3 cr.) Phy. Ed. Elective, (1 cr.) Humanities Minor Elective, (3 cr.) Total of 13
Playwriting 385, (3 cr.) Theatre Company 400, (3 cr.) Elective, (3 cr.) Soc. Sci. Elective, (3 cr.) Humanities Minor Elective, (3 cr.) Practicum, (.5 cr.) Total of 15.5
Religion 300+ Elective, (3 cr.) Theatre Elective, (3 cr.) Humanities Minor Elective, (3 cr.) Theatre Capstone 450, (3 cr.) Practicum, (.5 cr.) Total of 15-18
Emphasis Elective, (3 cr.) Theatre Elective, (3 cr.) Humanities Minor Elective, (3 cr.) Internship 495, (6-9 cr.) Total of 15-18
English 101, (3 cr.) Religion 103, (3 cr.) Critical Inquiry 111, (3 cr.) Human Growth 144, (3 cr.) Intro. to Theatre 131, (3 cr.) Phy. Ed. Elective , (.5 cr.) Total of 15.5
English 102, (3 cr.) Artistic Expression 120, (3 cr.) Human Relations 210, (2 cr.) Intro. to Teaching 201/202, (3 cr.) Public Speaking 111, (3 cr.) Phy. Ed. Elective, (.5 cr.) Total of 14.5
Exceptional Learners 220, (3 cr.) Wellness 101, (1 cr.) History Elective, (3 cr.) Lab Science Elective, (4 cr.) Acting I 132, (3 cr.) Elective, (3 cr.) Total of 17
Educational Media 230, (1 cr.) Educational Psychology 240, (3 cr.) Math Elective, (4 cr.) Mass Comm. & Society 103, (3 cr.) Creative Dramatics 200, (3 cr.) Elective, (3 cr.) Total of 17
Content Area Reading 395, (2 cr.) Secondary Teaching Methods 370, (2 cr.) Clinical Experience 371, (1 cr.) Assessment 440, (3 cr.) Religion Elective, (3 cr.) Directing 300, (3 cr.) Total of 14
Ethics & Religious Diversity 400, (3 cr.) Intro. Theatrical Design 146, (3 cr.) Argumentation & Debate 300, (3 cr.) Electives, (6 cr.) Total of 15
Behavior Management 460, (2 cr.) Secondary Theatre Methods 375, (3 cr.) Clinical Experience 376, (1 cr.) Electives, (9 cr.) Total of 15
5-9 Student Teaching 420, (6 cr.) 9-12 Student Teaching 423, (6 cr.) Capstone, (1 cr.) Total of 13
Multicultural Inclusive Teaching 411, (2 cr.)
English 101/106, (3 cr.) Artistic Expression 120, (3 cr.) Theory I 101, (3 cr.) Aural Skills I 103, (1 cr.) Acting I 132, (3 cr.) Phy. Ed. Electives, (1 cr.) Applied Lessons, (2 cr.) Total of 16
English 102/107, (3 cr.) Theory II 102, (3 cr.) Aural Skills II 104, (1 cr.) Critical Inquiry 111, (3 cr.) Religion 103, (3 cr.) Wellness 101, (1 cr.) Applied Lessons, (2 cr.) Total of 16
History Elective, (3 cr.) Investigations in Humanities 300, (3 cr.) Math 101 or higher, (4 cr.) Intro. Theatrical Design 146, (3 cr.) Applied Lessons, (2 cr.) Total of 15
Religion Elective, (3 cr.) Lab Science Elective, (4 cr.) Amer. Musical Theatre 325, (3 cr.) Musical Theatre Perf. 333, (3 cr.) Applied Lessons, (2 cr.) Total of 15
Humanities Minor Elective, (3 cr.) Directing 300, (3 cr.) Diction I 111, (1 cr.) Social Science Elective, (3 cr.) Elective, (3 cr.) Applied Lessons, (2 cr.) Total of 15
Humanities Minor Electives, (6 cr.) Half Recital 313, (1 cr.) Theatre Internship, (6 cr.) Applied Lessons, (2 cr.) Total of 15
Humanities Minor Electives, (6 cr.) Senior Capstone 450, (3 cr.) Religion 300+ (3 cr.) Applied Lessons, (2 cr.) Total of 14
Humanities Minor Elective, (3 cr.) Social Science Elective, (3 cr.) Full Recital 413, (2 cr.) Electives, (6 cr.) Total of 14
Participation in the cast, crew, and/or staff for a Department of Theatre production.
Provides a perspective of theatrical form and function through history to the present. Aims to develop a critical ability based on background knowledge which will increase the understanding and appreciation of the theatre and related arts. Specific emphasis will be placed upon theatrical literary survey, dramatic analysis techniques, and developing oral interpretation skills.
A study of acting theories and practices with emphasis given to the development of monologues, workshop experiences, exercises, and scenes.
Survey of theatre performance spaces, basic tools and set construction, basic scenic, lighting, sound and properties design and construction. Survey of the costume process from concept to realization; basic hand and sewing machine techniques; basic patterning and fitting methods and craft techniques.
An analytical approach to the visualization of characters focusing on research and design application techniques and media. Basic design skills including drafting, sketching, rendering, and model building will be focused on – concentration will be on all aspects of theatrical design.
A participatory study of creative dramatics—an improvisational, process-oriented form of theatre. Experiences include individual and group work, movement, and creative play-making. Theoretical and exploratory study includes the development of strategies for utilizing creative dramatics in various settings including language arts education. (3-year rotation; Required for Education Major-Theatre Concentration)
Intermediate and disciplined work in the theories and techniques of stage acting. Emphasis is on script and character analysis; performance preparation; makeup techniques; and introductory approaches to various periods and styles. (Prerequisite: THR 132)
Planning and managing artistic events and performances; basic concepts of management theories; creating budgets; stage and production management.
An exploration of the directing process with a dual emphasis on theory and practice. Topics include text analysis of dramatic action, elements of staging, rehearsal strategies, collaborative relationships in production, and the theories and production histories of established directors. Activities will include preparation of scenes and projects for presentation. (Prerequisites: THR 131, 132, and 141/142 or consent of instructor)
An advanced and disciplined work on exploration of the directing process with a dual emphasis on theory and practice. Topics include text analysis of dramatic action, elements of staging, rehearsal strategies, collaborative relationships in production, and the theories and production histories of established directors. Activities will include preparation of scenes and projects for presentation. (Prerequisites: THR 132, 300 or consent of instructor)
An exploration of dramatic forms and styles, production practices, and theatre performance in its respective society. Periods include Ancient Greek and Roman, traditional Asian, and may extend into Medieval-Renaissance European. Work in the course will include script analysis, historical reading and research, and performance/audience experience through live and/or video productions. (Prerequisite: THR 131 or ENG 102/107)
An exploration of dramatic forms and styles, production practices, and theatre performance in Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Restoration England. Work in the course will include script analysis, historical reading and research, and performance/audience experience through live and/or video productions. (Prerequisite: THR 131 or ENG 102/107)
A study of American Musical Theatre from its beginnings to the present with a concentration on several significant works.
An exploration of dramatic forms and styles, production practices, and theatre performance in this respective society. Emphasis will be on the rise of realism and post-modernism in Europe and America. Work in the course will include script analysis, historical reading and research, and performance/audience experience through live and/or video productions. (Prerequisite: THR 131 or ENG 102/107)
Advanced and disciplined work in acting styles including Shakespeare. Emphasis on verse, text, and performance; audition technique; advanced character development and scene work; resume and portfolio. (Instructor approval required)
An advanced and disciplined work in modern musical acting styles. Emphasis is placed on text, delivery, movement and performance; audition techniques and scene development.
This seminar course will cover an announced special topic. This course’s offerings will be used to supplement and cover materials and subjects not specifically addressed within the theatre curriculum. In particular, this course’s offerings will address emerging trends and developments in the ever changing world of theatre with attention paid to ethnic, gender-oriented, and political subject matter. Theatre majors are required to take two different offerings of this course. Students must be of sophomore standing or above.
This seminar course will cover an announced special topic. This course’s offerings will be used to supplement and cover materials and subjects not specifically addressed within the theatre curriculum. In particular, this course’s offerings will address specific techniques and areas of study within design such as stage makeup, scenic painting, costume patterning, mask making, etc. Theatre majors on the design track are required to take at least one offering of this course. (Prerequisite: Sophomore status or above)
Study of scenic design process with beginning problems in textual analysis, style, historical research, and preliminary and finished methods of design presentation. Concentration on developing fundamental design skills and awareness.
Study of the lighting design process with beginning problems in textual analysis, style, historical research, with preliminary and finished methods of design presentation. Concentration on developing fundamental design skills and awareness.
Study of the costume design process with beginning problems in textual analysis, style, historical research, and preliminary and finished methods of design presentation. Concentration on developing fundamental design skills and awareness.
An introductory and exploratory study concerning the elements and process of playwriting. This course will place emphasis upon developing and understanding play structure, dramatic analysis, and the creative process. Activities in this course will focus upon creating and revising original play scripts.
Students experience total immersion in the formation of a production company and the day-to-day workings of a functioning theatre company leading to, and including public performance. All aspects of production and management are explored and students fulfill a primary position in the company, as well as secondary positions and necessary functions. Students are required to keep a daily activity log, a response journal, participate in peer review, and public faculty evaluation. (Prerequisite: Junior status in theatre or by approval; can be repeated)
Immersion in a significant theatre center of the world; course involves in-depth study in culture, architecture, history, art, society, and performance; survey of museums, cultural sites; theatre performances and journaling. Course may be repeated once by theatre majors as an elective outside of the designated theatre requirements.
Senior capstone/thesis taken in the 7th or 8th semester. Advanced approach and documentation of a project undertaken in an area of acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, or management relative to a production of the department. Expectations include extensive preliminary study, journal-writing, review and assessment. This course will also serve as the cumulation of the previous annual major evaluations and will include a final comprehensive examination over material covered in the major. Work on the capstone should result in a significant component of a student’s portfolio and/or audition repertoire. Thesis project may replace capstone requirements as determined by advisor. (Prerequisite: Senior status as determined by advisor)
Advanced techniques and further study in problems of scenic design. More in-depth projects, textual analysis, style, and historical research. Examination of unique problems presented by various theatre spaces and style of plays. Additional focus on the history of design and influential designers, as well as architectual designs and designers. Use of the computer in drafting and rendering.
Advanced techniques and further study in problems of lighting design. More in-depth projects, textual analysis, style, and historical research. Examination of unique problems presented by various theatre spaces and style of plays. Additional focus on the history of design and influential designers. Use of the computer in drafting and rendering.
Advanced techniques and further study in problems of costume design. More in-depth projects, textual analysis, style, and historical research. Additional focus on the history of design and influential designers. Examination of unique problems presented by various theatre spaces and style of plays. Use of computer in rendering.
Theatre internships are designed to give students practical experience in their focus area by placing them in a professional setting. The internship credit may be divided into two 3-credit hour blocks, or can be completed as a single 6-9 credit block depending upon the scale, experience and complexity of the opportunity (to be determined by the Director of Theatre).
Thesis projects synthesizing literary, historical, biographical, and theatrical elements of plays of Shakespeare and/or early modern dramatists. An advisor from the English or Theatre departments must be assigned as an advisor for this thesis project. Further guidelines for the thesis are available from the Theatre Department. Students will present research/project at Inquirere colloquium.