Courses

• CFA DR 323: A Physical Approach to Acting ? Advanced
  A further examination of a physical approach to acting building upon the work of the previous semesters. Independently motivated investigation of principles in action will be encouraged. The opportunity for each actor to deepen his/her work through continued exploration of psycho-physical connections will arise. Rigorous physical training, object exploration, vocal proposal experimentation, creation and execution of physical action scores. Application to text and character work and the making of a montage in collaboration with fellow actors. Prereq: DR222 or DR223; 3.0 credits
• CFA DR 324: Theatre Ensemble III: Directors Project
  In this acting/directing workshop, a series of scene assignments and short plays provide students with multiple opportunities to exercise and enhance their rehearsal and performance skills. The course emphasizes diagnosing and addressing rehearsal challenges. The workshop culminates in presentation of an evening of short plays acted and directed (and, when feasible, written) by students. 3.0 credits
• CFA DR 326: Acting Restoration/ LAMDA
  Students in these courses will develop a sustained focus in class work, rehearsals and scene showings, while learning to translate feelings and experience into characterization. Emphasis is placed on awareness of weight, space and time with respect to character, as well as liberated imagination, to develop freedom to explore a character. Improvisation and short scene study develop awareness of different classical styles of play writing, with research and presentation of different social relationships.
• CFA DR 327: Acting Shakespeare/ LAMDA
  Students in these courses will develop a sustained focus in class work, rehearsals and scene showings, while learning to translate feelings and experience into characterization. Emphasis is placed on awareness of weight, space and time with respect to character, as well as liberated imagination, to develop freedom to explore a character. Improvisation and short scene study develop awareness of different classical styles of play writing, with research and presentation of different social relationships.
• CFA DR 334: Principles of Choreography
  Using concepts of space, rhythm, text, and content in putting movement together for theatre and dance. 2.0 Credits
• CFA DR 335: Armed Combat
  Use of rapier, dagger, broadsword, and quarterstaff in theatrical scenes. 2.0 credits
• CFA DR 336: Movement IV
  Commedia dell'Arte. Introduction to the 16th- and 17th- century form of Italian street theatre based on improvised scenarios. Actors explore the stock characters of the old men, lovers, servants, and warriors, and learn techniques for mask transformations and physical comedy. Pre-requisite: CFA DR 135 or permission. 2.0 credits.
• CFA DR 338: Movement/ LAMDA
  This course will help students develop group interaction skills, focus skills, physical strength and posture, while encouraging disciplined skills in free movement and suspend and fall. Students will work on stretching, extending and strengthening skills, as well as retention and attention to detail in movement and dance. Further training involves complicit play and understanding of rhythms, interpretive movement improvisation, basic stage combat, technical movement in relation to mime, and comedic character movements. It explores various styles of movement. Further works in alexander techniques and improvisation supplement the teaching.
• CFA DR 339: Historic Dance/ LAMDA
  Utilizing the foundation of movement, students will develop an understanding of the dances and social background of the Elizabethan period, the 17th through the 19th Centuries with sessions devoted to Flamenco. Students will develop spatial awareness, period empathy with respect to the techniques, poise and deportment, as well as achieving a recognition of poor posture, muscular tension, and release of energy and anxiety levels in a constructive way. Styles of dance including commedia dell'arte, court dance, and other period forms will be explored.
• CFA DR 341: Directing I
  A consideration of the basic tasks of play direction from script selection through opening night, emphasizing script analysis and interpretation and their projection into staging. Prerequisites for Section A: two semesters each of acting and dramatic literature, one semester each of design/production (beyond Stagecraft) and Stage or Production Management, concurrent registration in Theatre Ensemble III?or permission of the instructor. Prerequisites for other sections: at least 12 credits in theatre courses or permission of the instructor. 2.0 credits
• CFA DR 342: Stage Direction
  Prereq: two semesters of Acting, one semester of design/tech beyond Stagecraft, and one semester of Stage Management, concurrent registration with DR 323 or DR 324. Development of an approach to conceiving a theatre production. Definition of people, situations, ideas, action and flow inherent in script. Identification of form and structure from the director's point of view. Fundamental considerations in physical staging. Experience in lab events and scenes. 2 cr, each semester.
• CFA DR 346: Twentieth-Century Theatre Practice
  An examination of the work of seminal theatre practitioners of the last 100 years: producers, actors, directors, and designers whose ideas and techniques have shaped theatre practices of the twentieth century. Consideration of the work of such artists as Artaud, Brecht, Stanislavski, Appia, Jones, Meyerhold, Copeau, Grotowski, and Brook. 3 cr.
• CFA DR 347: Rehearsal and Performance 1
  Extension of work of the performance classes into performance for audiences. 2 cr.
• CFA DR 350: Colloquium
  Prereq: none. Weekly meeting of all students by major, with their advisor, to discuss past, current, and future production needs. May be repeated for credit. 1.0 credit.
• CFA DR 351: History of Decor
  Prereq: none. Survey covering the history of and significant cultural expression through interior decoration and furniture in major civilizations. Work involves research projects with emphasis on historic fabrics and construction. 3.0 credits.
• CFA DR 352: History of Decor
  Prereq: none. Survey covering the history of and significant cultural expression through interior decoration and furniture in major civilizations. Work involves research projects with emphasis on historic fabrics and construction. 3.0 credits.
• CFA DR 355: Production Management
  Prereq: none. Roles and responsibilities of Production Managing on a professional level, including scheduling, staffing, budgeting, relationships, and time management. Students will get hands-on experience in each of these through the creation of a theoretical theatre. 2.0 credits.
• CFA DR 356: Stage Management
  Prereq: none. Functions and responsibilities of stage managing on a professional level, including development of prompt scripts, union rules, handling of auditions and rehearsals, calling of performances, and relationships within the profession. 2.0 credits.
• CFA DR 359: Scenery Rendering Lab
  Prereq: consent of instructor. Advanced work in rendering techniques for scenery design. May be repeated for credit. 1.0 credit.
• CFA DR 369: Vectorworks 3
  Prereq: CFA DR 269 & 270 or CFA DR 669 & 670 or consent of instructor. Advanced work in Vectorworks CAD; specific rendering techniques for the individual areas of scenery, lighting, and drafting in 3D. 1.0 credit.

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