| Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
Theatre http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/theatre/ The Department of Theatre replaces the former Department of Communication and Theater at St. Olaf. Because there have been substantial changes in its focus, the catalog entry for the new department is printed in its entirety. Chair, 2001-02: Patrick Quade, theater, aesthetics Faculty, 2001-02: Brian Bjorklund, design and technical theater; Dona Freeman, acting; Gary Gisselman, artistic director; William Sonnega, theater, media studies; Karen Peterson Wilson, theater, voice/phonetics, oral interpretation Theatre studies takes for its subject matter all aspects of making theater. Theatre at St. Olaf produces a season of plays whose focus is the liberal arts curriculum rather than a typical theater company's season of plays. All classes focus on the making of dramatic art. Classes in history and theory, no less than those in acting, directing and design, approach the problems and difficulties of making production their central issue. The activities and skills necessary for learning about and making theater are well suited to learning about and contributing to lives of worth and service. The basic theater activity is making things: play scripts, sets, costumes, characters and the complete works of which these are a part. The theater skills are leading, following, reading, writing, talking, drawing, building, acting, performing and making arrangements. We place these skills in the service of our conception of theater as a way of knowing. Our courses, along with the rest of the college curriculum, develop an appreciation of the need for moral choice, an imagination that constructs and examines alternatives, and an understanding of creativity as a reality in the world and an agency of community and change. We think of the program as a kind of laboratory for a serious and productive life. This is what we mean when we call the study of theater at St. Olaf a liberal arts major. In contemporary culture, theater and the entertainment industry overlap, with the result that public approbation and artistic success have become difficult to separate. Our program emphasizes process as well as public performance so that students can, without the confusing interference of popular acclaim or criticism, learn to judge their own work according to principles derived from the art itself. And as part of the fine arts at St. Olaf, we also emphasize collaboration and the interdisciplinary nature of theater. The St. Olaf College Theatre Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. General Education Credit Courses in the Theatre Department meet selected GE requirements. See notations within each course description. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THEATRE MAJOR The major requires a minimum of nine courses, of which two must be from Level I, two from Level II, and three from Level III. All majors must register with the department chair as soon as they declare the major. Course Requirements: Theatre 110, 130 or 131, 150 or 250, 232, 270, 271, 352, 379 plus one additional course selected from: relevant internships, independent study/research and interims, 100, 200, 252, 130 or 131, 150 or 250, 230, 338, Dance 332. All students must enroll in two practicum classes (Theatre 233 or 253, one of which must be 253. REQUIREMENTS FOR A TEACHING MAJOR Students interested in a teaching major should check with the chairs of the Theatre and Education Departments in order to obtain the requirements. SPECIAL PROGRAMS The department is committed to a dialogue among the fine arts and participated in the Interdisciplinary Fine Arts major and the Fine Arts Elementary Education program. See the Index for details. COURSES 100 Oral Interpretation Students examine and apply aesthetic principles involved in the performance of prose-fiction, poetry, and drama. Offered every year. GE: ALS-A, ORC. 110 Introduction to Theater A broad-based introduction to the art and craft of theater, this course focuses on the roles of actor, director, playwright, and designer, as well as aspects of theater history and works of great dramatic literature. Students attend performances on campus and in the Twin Cities and integrate them with readings, lectures, and discussions. A ticket fee is required. Offered every year. GE: ALS-A. 115 Acting for the Non-Major This studio course is designed as an overview of the acting process for the non-major: basic acting theories, rehearsal techniques, improvisation, history and styles. Students explore and practice exercises, scene work and audition material. The course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. No prerequisites. This course does not fulfill the acting requirement for the major. Offered annually. GE: ALS-A, ORC unless otherwise indicated - see course instructor. 130 Introduction to Acting This studio course is centered on training the actor's instrument and developing basic acting skills including characterization, vocal production, physical and emotional connection, motivation and ensemble work. Exercises, improvisation, monologue and scene work will all be explored. This course requires trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities.A ticket fee is required. Offered each term. GE: ALS-A, ORC, PHA 131 Acting for the Lyric Stage This studio course focuses on the techniques of acting and singing for the musical theater. Students learn the basics of voice, movement, improvisation and characterization in class exercises, prepared scenes, solos and duets. Offered Spring Semester only. GE: ALS-A 133 Producing Theater: Introductory This course studies theater performance through the full-scale mounting of a production during the month of January, followed by public performances at the beginning of Spring Semester. Students enroll in the class through either an acting audition or a production position interview held in late October or early November. No previous experience is necessary. Selected participants are notified prior to Interim registration. Details about the audition/interview and scripts are available by calling the Theatre Office, x3240. Offered only in Interim. GE: ALS-A. 150 Scenery and Costume Production This course focuses on the practices, techniques, and materials used in the production of scenic and costume elements for stage performance. Students work on course projects in costume production, scenery production, visual research, and computer-aided design. A course fee is required. Open to majors and non-majors. No prerequisite required. Offered once a year. GE: ALS-A. 200 Voice and Phonetics This course focuses on training the speaking voice, with an emphasis on clarity and flexibility of voice usage. Students will learn how to use the phonetic alphabet to improve their speech. Offered Fall semester only. GE: ORC. 230 Intermediate Acting A studio course for the student with previous acting experience. Through scene and monologue work students explore text and character analysis as well as the requirements of major theatrical period styles. Students perform regularly throughout the semester. Prerequisites: Theatre 110 and 130. Offered Fall Semester only. 232 Beginning Stage Direction This studio course focuses on the fundamentals of stage direction. Students develop skills of play selection, audience analysis, text interpretation, working with actors (including improvisational and technical approaches to voice and movement), stage picturization and blocking, design considerations, and the process of casting and rehearsals. A series of scenes are prepared and presented during the semester focusing on individual elements of stage direction. Prerequisite: Theatre 110, and 115 or 130 or 131. Offered Fall Semester only. 233 Theater Practicum (0.25) Theater Practicum involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of artistic creation and performance production in theater. Students study current theory and practice as well as historical approaches to performance problems. Lab sessions include creative projects and practical problem-solving in assistant directing, acting or dramaturgy as part of the St. Olaf Theatre season. First-year students are encouraged to enroll. This course may be repeated. Registration is by audition or interview only. GE: ALS-A. 234 Producing Theater: Advanced Designed for the student with previous course work and production work in theater. This course studies theater performance through the full-scale mounting of a production during the month of January, followed by public performances at the beginning of Spring Semester. Students enroll in the class through either an acting audition or a production position interview held in late October or early November. No previous experience is necessary. Selected participants are notified prior to Interim registration. Details about the audition/interview and scripts are available by calling the Theatre Office, x3240. Offered only in Interim. GE: ALS-A. 250 Lighting and Sound-Design and Production The design and production of lighting and sound in theater, dance, music, and general presentation work plays a significant role in the experience of these events. This course introduces the production problems of lighting and sound and includes design projects in both lighting and sound. Course fee required. Open to all majors and non-majors. No prerequisite required. Offered Fall Semester only. GE: ALS-A. 252 Drawing and Painting for Theater This studio course covers drawing and painting as it relates to theater design and production work. Students engage in exercises and project work in perceptual drawing, scene painting, and technical drawing. Course fee is required. No prerequisite. Open to all majors and non-majors. Offered periodically, dependent upon student interest. 253 Theater Practicum (0.25) Theater Practicum involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of stage performance. Course sessions study projects and practical problem-solving for productions which are part of the St. Olaf Theatre season. First-year students are encouraged to enroll. See Class/Lab schedule for course topics each term. A theater practicum covering computer-aided design and drawing (cad) is offered each Fall Semester. The course may be repeated. GE: ALS-A. 258 Interdisciplinary: Theater in London (abroad) The course objective is to acquire a keen sense of analytical and critical thinking skills and appreciation for theater as a major art form. The London stages will serve as the primary resource for the development of the knowledge, understanding, and informed response to the theater experience. The group will attend performances, tour backstage at the National and Royal Shakespeare Theatres, attend lectures and discuss each play. Offered in Interim only. GE: ALS-A. Counts towards major: English, Theatre, Fine Arts. 270 History of Theater up to 1700 Examines theatrical activities, from theater's origins to 1700, from three interrelated perspectives 1) theater as social history 2) theater as dramatic literature, and 3) theater as performance; i.e. the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers. Prerequisite: Theatre 110. Offered in 2000-01 and alternate years. GE: ALS-L, HWC. 271 History of Theater since 1700 Examines theatrical activities, in the period 1700 to the present, from three interrelated perspectives 1) Theater as social history 2) theater as dramatic literature, and 3) theater as performance; i.e. the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers. Prerequisite: Theatre 110. Offered in 2001-02 and alternative years. GE: ALS-L, HWC. 275 Writing for Performance An introduction to the art and craft of writing for stage and screen. Special emphasis is given to the technical elements of dramatic writing, the vocabulary of the playwright and screenwriter, and the nature of the writing experience - from germinal idea to marketing the completed script. The course culminates with an evenings of readings of new works written by the students. Offered in Interim only. 294 Internships Prerequisite: At least three previous courses in department. 298 Independent Study Prerequisite: At least three previous courses in department. 338 Intermediate Stage Direction A studio course focusing on the artistic decision-making process of stage direction, script analysis, directorial concepts, production designs, and hands-on directing experience building on the skills developed in Theatre 232 (Beginning Stage Direction). Students direct a one-act play as the final project for the course. Offered Spring Semester only. Prerequisite: Theatre 232, 352, 270 or 271. 352 Design for Theater This course studies and analyzes the concepts, principles, and techniques of doing visual designs for stage performances, focusing on scenery and costumes. Students will complete design projects, drawings, renderings, and scenic models. Course fee required. Prerequisite: Theatre 150 or 250. Theatre 253 Theatre Practicum in computer-aided design and drawing (CAD) recommended. Offered Fall Semester. 379 Topics in Interpretation and Theater An in-depth investigation of a selected topic through readings, bibliography, reports, and projects. Students may register for the course more than once, provided a different topic is studied. Prerequisite: Theatre 110. Offered every year. 394 Internship Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in department. 398 Independent Research Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in department. |