Please note: This is NOT the most current catalog.

Theater

http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/theater/

Chair, 2011-12: Brian Bjorklund, design and production

Faculty, 2011-12: Todd Edwards, design and production; Dona Freeman, acting; Gary Gisselman, acting, directing; Karen Peterson Wilson, theater, voice/phonetics, oral interpretation; William Sonnega, theater, media studies; Jeanne Willcoxon, acting, theater history

The St. Olaf Department of Theater takes for its subject matter all aspects of making theater. It produces a season of plays whose focus is the liberal arts curriculum rather than a typical theater company’s season of plays. All courses focus on the making of dramatic art. Courses 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. Students 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 Theater Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater.

overview of the major

The theater major requires nine courses plus four 0.25 credit practicums. The major includes an introductory course in theater texts and performances as well as coursework in acting, directing, design, production, and history of theater plus one upper-level elective. Student majors enroll in a senior capstone course in the final semester. The requirements for the major are designed to provide a well-rounded course of study in the theater discipline. The co-curricular theater production program serves as a lab for our courses and offers extended learning and experience for St. Olaf students.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE MAJOR

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THEATER MAJOR
(Students who entered St. Olaf Prior to the 2010-11 Academic year)

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, plus four practicum quarter credits. All majors must register with the department chair as soon as they declare the major. Course requirements: Theater 110, 130 or 131, 232, 240 or 250, 270, 271, 352, 379 or 380, plus one additional course selected from: Theater 338, 379, 380, 394, 398. All students must enroll in four practicum classes, of which at least one must be Theater 233 and at least two must be Theater 253, the fourth practicum class being a choice of either 233 or 253.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THEATER MAJOR
(Students who entered St. Olaf in the 2010-11 Academic year and beyond.
Pre-2010-11 students may elect this major if scheduling permits.)

This major requires a minimum of nine courses plus four practicum quarter credits. All majors must register with the department chair as soon as they declare the major. Course requirements: Theater 130, 140, 180, 240 or 232, 250, 270, 271, 360, plus one additional course selected from: Theater 338, 352, 379, 380, 394, 398. All students must enroll in four practicum classes, of which at least one must be Theater 233 and at least two must be Theater 253, the fourth practicum class being a choice of either 233 or 253.

THEATER TEACHING LICENSE

St. Olaf offers a K-12 teaching license in theater. Contact Brian Bjorklund, Theater Department chair or Maria Kelly, Education Department chair, for further information.

Special Programs

Students have the opportunity to study theater in London during Interim as part of a regular course taught by Theater faculty. Students can set up internship experiences with theaters and other arts organizations in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Courses in the department regularly attend professional theater performances in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Guest artists from those theaters often visit the courses in the department to talk about and demonstrate their work and occasionally collaborate in the production work for our season of plays.

recommendations for graduate and professional study

Students planning on graduate study in theater should take the graduation major and additional courses for a total not to exceed 14.00 credits. Students should work closely with a faculty member in the area of their interest to plan their program. Students who are considering professional work in the theater or related arts should work together with faculty to develop appropriate resume or portfolio documents prior to graduation.

COURSES

100 Oral Interpretation

This performance course is designed to develop a student's understanding, analysis, and presentation of poetry, drama, and prose. Offered annually.

110 Introduction to Theatre

A broad-based introduction to the art and craft of theatre, this course focuses on the roles of actor, director, playwright, and designer, as well as aspects of theatre history, performance, and 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 each semester.

115 Acting for the Non Major

This studio course is designed as an overview of the acting process for the non major and includes 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 theatres in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. This course does not fulfill the acting requirement for the major. Offered each semester.

120 Public Speaking

Students learn and apply principles of speech composition and analyze speeches to understand effective methods. They demonstrate their knowledge in classroom speeches. Offered each semester.

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. Students learn history of actor training from Stanislavski to present. Exercises, improvisation, monologue and scene work are all explored. This course requires trips to professional theatres in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. Offered each semester. Counts toward film studies concentration.

131 Acting for the Lyric Stage

This studio course focuses on the techniques of acting and singing for the musical theatre. Students learn the basics of voice, movement, improvisation, and characterization in class exercises, prepared scenes, solos and duets. Course culminates in a public showcase of students' work. Offered in the spring semester. Not offered every year. Inquire in the theatre office about scheduling.

133 Producing Theatre: Introductory

This course studies theatre 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 Department office, x3240. Offered during Interim.

140 Introduction to Design for Performance

The attributes of the things we see and hear in the performances that we attend contribute strongly to our experience as an audience. This course considers the elements and principles of design and their application to performance work. Students study the performance space, scenery elements, costuming, lighting and shadow, and the aural experience that the audience encounters during a performance. Problem-solving, collaboration, and design development are included in project work. Materials fee. Offered annually in the fall semester.

180 Text and Performance

Play texts are the raw material for our classes in acting, directing, design, and historical studies. This introductory course for theatre majors introduces students to canonical texts and performances that have helped to define our field, Primary emphasis is on the text as a blueprint for production focusing on analysis, variety of interpretation, the changing nature of theatre space, and our growing awareness of the changing nature of performance. Students are expected to communicate clarity of understanding both orally and in writing. Non-majors are invited to take this course, though its primary focus is a comprehensive preparation for further theatre studies. Offered annually in the fall semester. (Theatre 180 was formerly Theatre 210: Plays and Playwrights.)

200 Voice and Phonetics

This course focuses on training the speaking voice, with an emphasis on clarity and flexibility of voice usage. Students learn how to use the phonetic alphabet to improve their speech. Contact the Theaetre Department office (x3240) for current scheduling. Offered annually or in alternate years.

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. The course requires trips to professional theatres in the Twin Cities. A ticket fee is required. Prerequisites: Theatre 110 or 180, and 130 or 131. Offered annually in the fall semester.

232 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, stage picturization and blocking, design considerations, and the process of casting and rehearsals. A primary focus is on developing a point of view about theatre and directing by the study of other directors and theories of theatre. Prerequisites: Theatre 110 or 180, 115 or 130 or 131, and 140. Offered annually in the fall semester.

233 Theatre Practicum: Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy (0.25)

This theater practicum involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of artistic creation and performance production in theatre. 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; four total registrations allowed. Registration is by audition or interview only. Offered each semester.

234 Producing Theater: Advanced

Designed for the student with previous course work and production work in theatre, this course studies theatre 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 course through either an acting audition or a production position interview held in late October or early November. Selected participants are notified prior to Interim registration. Details about the audition/interview and scripts are available by calling the Theatre Department Office, x 3240. Prerequisite: Theatre 133 or permission of instructor. Offered during Interim.

240 Scenery and Costume Design and Production

This course balances the elements of production with the elements of design, focusing on materials, practices, and techniques used to create scenic and costume elements used in live production. The course includes hands-on experience in the scenic and costume studios, and projects in technical drawing, designing, analysis, and research. A course fee is required. Open to majors and non-majors. Prequisite: Theatre 140 is recommended. Offered annually in the spring semester. (Formerly Theatre 150.)

250 Lighting and Sound-Design and Production

The design and production of lighting and sound in theatre, 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. Prerequisite: Theatre 140 is recommended. Offered annually in the fall semester.

252 Drawing and Painting for Theatre

This studio course covers drawing and painting as it relates to theatre design and production work. Students engage in exercises and project work in perceptual drawing, scene painting, and technical drawing. Course fee is required. Open to all majors and non-majors. Offered periodically.

253 Theatre Practicum: Design, Technical (0.25)

This theater practicum involves the student in the conceptual and practical processes of stage performance. Class sessions include practical problem-solving and hands-on experiences for productions which are part of the St. Olaf theatre season. Experiences in scenery, props, costumes, lighting, sound, publicity, and stage management are available. Contact the Theatre Department Office (x3420) for specific details. First-year students are encouraged to enroll. This course may be repeated; four total registrations allowed. The theatre practicum 253A is offered each semester; practicum 253B — covering computer-aided design and drawing (CADD) — is offered annually in the fall semester; 253C — covering stage management — is offered in the fall semester.

270 History of Theatre up to 1700

Examines theatrical activities, from theatre's origins to 1700, from three interrelated perspectives: 1) theatre as social history; 2) theatre as dramatic literature; and 3) theatre as performance (the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers). Prerequisite: Theatre 110 or 180 or permission of instructor. Next offered: fall semester 2011 and then fall semester 2013. Theatre 270 will be offered during fall semester 2014-15 and 2016-17. Counts towards ancient studies and medieval studies majors.

271 History of Theatre since 1700

Examines theatrical activities in the period 1700 to the present, from three interrelated perspectives: 1) theatre as social history; 2) theatre as dramatic literature; and 3) theatre as performance (the result of creative decisions made by playwrights, actors, directors, and designers). Prerequisite: Theatre 110 or 180 or permission of instructor. Offered spring semester 2012 and during 2012-13. Offered spring semester 2014, during 2015-16 and spring semester 2017.

275 Writing for Performance

This course introduces students to the art and craft of writing for stage and screen. As a workshop, the course encourages students to work out unique solutions to the aesthetic and practical challenges confronting dramatic writers of a one-act play or short screenplay in light of historical, theoretical, and critical materials. The course emphasizes the technical elements of dramatic writing, the vocabulary of the writer, and the nature of the writing experience, from germinal idea to marketing the completed script. Prerequisite: Theatre 110 or 180 or permission of instructor. Offered periodically. Counts toward film studies concentration.

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: Stage Direction. Students direct a one-act play as the final project for the course. Prerequisite: Theatre 232, 240, or 250. Theatre 270 or 271 recommended. Offered annually in the spring semester.

352 Advanced Design for Performance

This course studies and analyzes the concepts, principles, and techniques of doing visual designs for stage performances and extends the techniques and experiences of design for each student. Students engage in design project work that is theoretical or part of a production in the St. Olaf Theatre season. Students study creating the Design and Production Portfolio, do project work in perceptual drawing and scene painting, and explore digital media applications and techniques for design and production in the performing arts. Pre-requisite: Theatre 140 or 240 or 250. Equivalent experiences or study may quality; see instructor for permission. Offered annually.

360 Senior Capstone

This is a seminar course open exclusively to theatre majors, to be taken during the spring semester of the senior year. Students engage in analysis of performance work as well as dissemination of creative work through written and spoken presentation methods. Each student applies research, analysis, writing, and presentation methods in the exploration of a particular theatre topic or case study of his or her choosing. Prerequisites: Theatre 130, 140, 180, 232, 240 or 250, 270 or 271 or permission of instructor. Offered annually in the spring semester.

379 Topics in Interpretation and Theatre

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 or 180. Some topics courses may require additional prerequisites. Please inquire in the Theatre Department office before registering. Offered annually.

380 Who Owns the Arts: Censorship, Sponsorship, and Artistic Freedom

An investigation into the relationship between theatre and society through study of various issues in theater arts including censorship, funding, arts advocacy and arts education. Issues of contemporary ethical concern will be discussed and analyzed through a variety of historical and contemporary normative perspectives. Prerequisite: Theatre 110 or 180; BTS-T. Offered fall 2011. Please inquire in the Theatre Department office (x3240) about schedule of offering for future academic years.

394 Internship

Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in department.

396 Directed Undergraduate Reseach: Topic Description

This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Prerequisite: Determined by individual instructor. Offered based on department decision.

398 Independent Research

Prerequisite: at least five previous courses in the department.

Related courses

258 Theatre in London (abroad)

A full immersion in the art of theatre, students will attend approximately 22 performances at London and Stratford theatres. The course will include the reading of play texts, dramatic criticism, group discussions and backstage tours. England, a theatrical center of the English-speaking world, enables students to experience a wide variety of theatrical performances ranging from traditional to modern. Excursions to Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Canterbury and Oxford offer additional cultural perspectives. Offered annually during Interim.