Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.
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CFA TH 214: Voice & Speech 2
Prereq: CFA TH211 or consent of Instructor; Sound and movement linked to text. Introduction to speaking Shakespeare. Dialects and characterization as they relate to voice and speech. 1.0 credit. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 217: Music Theatre Performance Skills 1
An individualized approach to singing designed for the actor. Using as a springboard the fundamentals of the 'freeing the natural voice' progression established in the first year, this course will explore human sound as a manifestation of the actor's inner life. The vocal training will focus on expanding range and character, emphasizing efficient use of breath, a released body and physical grounding. This course will then move into an approach to learning a new music text, and exploring the storytelling of song through imagery, Laban effort-shapes, physical actions and energizing primers for the actor. Students will wake up their awareness of the self through the voice. No previous singing experience required. 3.0 credits. -
CFA TH 218: Music Theatre Performance Skills II: Applying Stanislavski Principles
This course builds on the foundation of the Music Theatre 1 course, by looking at the basics of psychological actions and creative possibilities of relationships. Musicality and diction exploration allow for vocal clarity and ease, while transitioning the actor to work in collaboration with an accompanist. This course will use transformation, and the imagination to help actors use song to communicate. Basic but essential acting beats and questions are explored, through singing. Song material may be drawn from the music theatre canon and the focus is on solo exploration. 3.0 Credits. -
CFA TH 220: Acting & Performance 2
Prereq: CFA TH 120 or consent of instructor; The mission of this class is to focus the students on acting printed script through organic inter-relation of self and environment (character building and sensory work to establish place). We will explore release of individuality through improvisational exercises in relaxation and physical freedom. Observation, research, justification of action, objectives, talking and listening are introduced as tools for understanding, then rehearsing texts for presentation. Specific approach may vary by instructor, consult course syllabus for most detailed breakdown of class mission. 4.0 credits. Fall & Spring semesters. -
CFA TH 221: Acting 2: The Actor?s Job in Rehearsal & Performance of a Play
Prereq: CFA TH 122; Work on a part: breakdown of text into actions, objectives, beats; sensory work and its application to script. Developing and sustaining characters and action in increasingly complex texts. Exploration and skill work will grow into rehearsal and performance of a play at the end of the semester. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 222: Acting 2: A Physical Approach/Acting 2
Prereq: CFA TH 122; Exploration of a physical approach to acting inspired by the work of Jerzy Grotowski. Students will engage in physical and vocal exercises that facilitate psycho-physical connections within the self. The actor's expressive use of the body, voice, imagination, and intellect is awakened and nourished. Possible pathways through the actor's mental and physical structure are navigated, opening up the connections between the body and the actor's emotional life. Investigation and exploration of principles in action will be encouraged and lead to transition into text and character work. 3.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 223: Fundamentals of Acting: A Physical Approach/Fund of Act Phy
Prereq: CFA TH 122; Exploration of a physical approach to acting inspired by the work of Jerzy Grotowski. Students will engage in physical and vocal exercises that facilitate psycho-physical connections within the self. The actor's expressive use of the body, voice, imagination, and intellect is awakened and nourished. Possible pathways through the actor's mental and physical structure are navigated, opening up the connections between the body and the actor's emotional life. Investigation and exploration of principles in action will be encouraged and lead to transition into text and character work. 3.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 224: Fundamentals of Acting: Narrative and Imagery
Prereq: CFA TH 122; The essential aspects of the actor's approach to the script and the development of a character. This class focuses on acting printed script through organic inter-relation of self and environment (character building and sensory work to establish place). The course explores the release of individuality through improvisational exercises in relaxation and physical freedom. Observation, research, justification of action, objectives, talking, and listening are introduced as tools for understanding, then rehearsing texts for presentation. 3.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 227: Theatre Ensemble 2: Autobiography
Prereq: CFA TH 128; This course is designed to develop the student's ability to write, direct and act in autobiographically based theatre pieces. Students will develop autobiographical work through a series of in-class and assigned writing explorations. In addition, students will be exposed to a variety of readings and performances by autobiographical artists. A final ensemble driven, organized, and executed performance will result. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 228: Theatre Ensemble 2: Adaptation
Prereq: CFA TH 128, First-Year Writing Seminar (CAS WR 120 or equivalent); This course is an experiential introduction to adaptation for the stage. Through class readings, writing assignments, devising, and theatrical excursions, students will begin to understand the nuts and bolts of translating work from one form (and/or medium) to another. Students will engage in writing exercises that reinvestigate pre-existing material, and will work as writers, performers, directors, and designers to create original theater pieces for the page. Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Writing-Intensive Course. -
CFA TH 231: Movement 2: Awareness of Self into Physical Transformation
Prereq: CFA TH 132; Deepening awareness of self and exploring techniques for physical transformations through body centers, Laban, Chakras, Breath Rhythms, animal imagery, and neutral mask work. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 232: Movement 2
Prereq: CFA TH 231 or consent of instructor; continued awareness of self, body, and movement. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 237: Alexander Technique 2: Primary Control
Prereq: CFA TH 138; Developing a deeper understanding of Alexander's primary control, related to the vocal mechanism, the respiratory system, and fear responses, both in self and character. Concepts of wholeness and evolutionary design are presented. 1.0 credit. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 238: Alexander Technique 2: Environmental Response
Prereq: CFA TH 237 or instructor's permission. Work is explored more in developing characters as they move, speak, breathe and respond to the environment. Continue to embody the Alexander principles and learn Alexander procedures. 1.0 credit. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 239: Aesthetic and Philosophy of Dance
This course looks at three major theories of art and applies them to dance. How do we view and perceive dance? The theories that provide us the most insight are the mimetic/representation, formal, and expression theories. We will use them to consider visual art, theater, and music, and then focus on dance. How is movement and gesture organized to tell a story, convey an idea and/or create an aesthetic experience? How do we make sense of this nonverbal form of communication and increase our appreciation for dance's power to engage? Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Aesthetic Exploration. -
CFA TH 240: Beginning Directing
A consideration and introduction of the basic tasks of play direction from script selection through opening night, emphasizing script analysis and interpretation and their projection into staging as well as the process of working with a creative design team and an ensemble cast. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA TH 247: Stagecraft 3: Advanced Production
Prereq: CFA TH 147 & CFA TH 148; For BFA majors ONLY. Meets late afternoons, evenings, and/or weekends. Specific production assignments as Run Crew, Wardrobe, Front of House, Board Operator or other duties as necessary in the mounting of student or professional productions. 1 credit. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 248: Rehearsal & Performance 1
Rehearsal/Performance assignment work for participation in the School of Theatre productions. Faculty assignment is based on faculty advising on a given production, all students should first register for the "X1 " section. After the student has been cast, they will be re-sectioned to the appropriate faculty advisor in charge of grading for that project. Course for SOT population only. Variable credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 255: History of Costumes 1
This course is an intensive survey covering the history of significant cultural expression in dress from 3000 B.C.E. through the 18th century. Students will examine the evolution of fashion by studying various types of art and literature as well as socio-economic, political, and religious influences. Students will familiarize themselves with the vocabulary, theory, production, silhouettes, and trends in Western dress through effective researching, experiential learning, discussion-based learning, and interactive lectures. Class work involves research projects with emphasis on color, materials, manufacture, theory, and application. 2.0 credits. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Historical Consciousness. -
CFA TH 256: History of Costumes 2
Intensive survey course covering the history of significant cultural expression in dress from the end of the 18th century to the present. Students examine the evolution of fashion by studying various types of art & literature as well as socio-economic, political, and religious influences. Students will familiarize themselves with the vocabulary, theory, production, silhouettes, and trends in Western dress through effective researching, experiential learning, discussion-based learning, and interactive lectures. Research projects emphasize color, materials, manufacture, theory, and application. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Research and Information Literacy.
