Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. 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 114: Voice & Speech 2: Exploring Voice
Prereq: CFA TH 111 or permission of instructor. Having embarked on connecting the voice with one's own words and experience, poetic texts will now be introduced that make a demand on the vitality of the voice and imagination in communicating a wider range of experience. We will continue to free and strengthen the voice through the development of the resonators, breath, power, range, and articulation. Through "Sound and Movement" explorations, students will learn to activate new pathways through which intention, voice, and breath can travel, unifying work in acting, movement, and voice. Students will learn to recognize and activate individual sounds as building blocks of embodied language. Required for BFA Performance Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 120: Acting & Performance 1
Acting is behaving believably in imaginary circumstances. This course will explore techniques to hone the imagination through improvisations, play, and imagination. Students will learn to clarify dramatic action, understand given circumstances, and notice sensory perceptions through physical, vocal, and emotional exercises. Students will work with monologues and scenes to develop believable actions in performance. The core to learning acting is generosity, simplicity, specificity, and focus. Specific approach may vary by instructor, consult course syllabus for most detailed breakdown of class mission. Open to BU Community. 4.0 credits. Fall & Spring semesters. -
CFA TH 121: Acting 1: Personal Approach to Acting
Explores individuality through relaxation, imagination, and improvisation. Builds pathways to physical and emotional awareness, and clarity of thought. Develops an awareness of inner impulses and how to make them the basis for spontaneous interaction with others. Reading and journal of will lead to the culmination of end-of-semester projects under faculty supervision. Required for BFA Performance Core. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 124: Acting 2: Intro to Scene Study
Prereq: CFA TH 121 or permission of instructor. Building upon the foundational acting course in Theater Ensemble, this course shifts to the exploration of the individual role of the actor within the overall theater-making process. Students will gradually move from improvisation into the interpretation of the written text through an organic integration of self and theatrical storytelling elements. Exploring the text of various plays adhering to the cultural and historical significance, students will learn a shared vocabulary to enhance their ability to analyze and critique theatre's art form by reading and viewing theatrical productions. Required for BFA Performance Core. 3.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Aesthetic Exploration. -
CFA TH 131: Movement 1: Expressive Human Instrument
An experiential and explorative practicum that will allow each practitioner to engage with the authentic and artistic potential of their physical body-- beginning on a journey to embrace how movement can be embodied as an expressive channel for their "inner landscape"--their thoughts, feelings, images, sensations, dreams and expressive colors. The course will curiously embrace locating expressive entry points via introduction and understanding of foundational movement language, preparation mindset via structured warming- up development and beginning to transport and physically radiate imaginative and authentic thoughts. The inspiration for the course is focused on what it means to begin to embody a J.O.Y--Journey of Youth--mindset. Required for BFA Performance Core. 2.0 credits. Fall Semester. -
CFA TH 134: S24: Movement 2: The Expressive Human Instrumentalist
Pre-req: CFA TH 131 or permission of instructor. An immersive practicum experience that will allow each practitioner to continue to engage and explore the essential and artistic potential of the physical body. Building on the release of habitual patterns from CFA TH131 Movement 1, and fusing elements from an amalgamation of movement practices and techniques, the experience emphasizes imagery application, impulses, risk taking, stamina, release and suppleness, centering, and multi-dimensionality. The actor-artist body is learning its human instrument of expression in a stimulating environment of engagement through identity with the language of movement via the channel of physical "Play." Required for BFA Performance Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 136: Theatre Collaboration 1: Equitable and Inclusive Theatre Practice
In this course, students will actively engage in equitable and inclusive theatre-making practices. Equitable and Inclusive theatre practice will serve as a foundation for students as they strengthen their kinesthetic awareness and stage composition skills as well as collaboratively engage in writing, improvisatory, and devising exercises to form and present dramatic material as creative teams of performers, directors, writers, dramaturgs, and designers. Required for BFA Theatre Core (Design, Production & Management Core and Performance Core). 2.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU HUB area: Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA TH 139: 20th Century Dance History
An introduction to the people, events and masterworks that shaped the development of dance in the twentieth century. Course includes lectures, viewing videos and films, select readings and discussions. Course does not presuppose a technical knowledge of dance. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Aesthetic Exploration. -
CFA TH 142: Somatic Practice 1
This course will introduce the Alexander Technique as a somatic practice for the actor - or practice for the body. Principles of the Alexander Technique will develop students' kinesthetic sense and self-observation skills. Students will learn to embody support and how that influences movement so they can occupy their bodies more fully in performance settings. Students will also learn to deal with the effects of stress and performance anxiety. Required for BFA Performance Core. 1.0 credit. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 146: Artists in Community 1
Artists in Community is a course that follows the student throughout their time at BU SOT and places them with their peers and colleagues for communication, learning, sharing, and giving back. It is the single time when all Students, Faculty and Staff can come together in a room. The four-year progression of this course supports the student journey in finding their creative voice, discovering community, and acknowledging their personal impact on the world. This course progression will engage the student as an artist who has a role to play in responding to and shaping the future of the art form by taking on topics such as local, national, and global issues in theater, emerging practices in the profession at large, and what it means to foster a sustainable and meaningful life in the arts. Required for BFA Performance Core. 1.0 credit. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 157: Introduction to Design 1: Storytelling and Collaboration for Live Performance
This course introduces students to design through a focus on the origins and history of Storytelling in all regions of the world and how storytelling developed into the Theatrical Art forms of drama, dance, and music. In addition to and concurrently, we will discuss how collaboration in the Theatre is practiced and nourished and how collaborative relationships are developed and formed. Required for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 158: Introduction to Design 2: 2D & 3D Design Fundamentals
Prereq: CFA TH 157. Students will develop their individual artistic voice and approach to the creative process utilizing the fundamentals of the Seven Principles of Design in 2D & 3D visual design as well as their application in digital and multimedia. The class will also introduce how these design principles apply to the traditional design elements used in theatre: Scenic, Costume, Lighting, and Sound. Through individual and group design projects, students will explore the visual and the conceptual nature of design and utilize peer and instructor critique to hone visual, aural, and oral communication skills. Required for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 3.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Digital/Multimedia Expression. -
CFA TH 165: DP&M Community Forum 1: Discovering Theatre through History
This course will look at the development and importance of Theatre in America during the 20th and the beginning of the 21st Century and how these developments and theatrical movements shape and inform the work that is being created today. The class will look at the various cultural, racial, and global influences that shaped the rise of the American Theater and center our conversation on the most significant playwrights, directors, designers, producers, and institutions that have shaped the medium we know today. Required for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. -
CFA TH 166: DP&M Community Forum 2: Contemporary Theatre Makers
This course will look at contemporary theatre artists, productions, and aesthetics to gain a greater understanding on the impact of Theatre as an art form in today's culture and society. The class will look at significant productions, playwrights, directors and designers from around the World and examine innovative ways the Theatre is being used to tell stories and challenge audiences. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Required for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 171: Language & Craft of Theatre 1
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the foundational vocabulary and skills essential to the craft of theatre making to gain an overview of the people and the physical techniques involved in each major area of theatrical production: scenery, lighting, costumes, sound, properties, scene painting and management. The students will also have a hands-on lab experience in technical theatre and have the opportunity to intersect with multiple facets of the School of Theatre community. The Laboratory experience will include evenings and weekends depending on assignment(s). Required for BFA Theatre Core (Design, Production & Management Core and Performance Core). 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 172: Language & Craft of Theatre 2
Building on their experiences in CFA TH 171 Language & Craft of Theatre 1, students will continue to explore the vocabulary and skills essential to the craft of theatre making. Students will expand their knowledge within the areas of scenery, lighting, costumes, sound, properties, scene painting and management, developing an understanding of the collaborative professional production process across the broadest possible range of theatrical experiences. The students will also have a hands-on lab experience in technical theatre and have the opportunity to participate as a member of the production team on projects produced by the School of Theatre. The Laboratory experience will include evenings and weekends depending on assignment(s). Required for BFA Theatre Core (Design, Production & Management Core and Performance Core). 2.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in the following Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA TH 173: 2D DRAFTING & VISUAL COMMUNICATION 1
This course is designed to train students to read technical drawings and execute 2D Drafting & Visual Communication associated with theatrical design and production. Students will be introduced to various techniques that are often employed in this field with the end goal of becoming proficient in the language of graphic communication and quantitative reasoning tools and methodology utilized in theatrical drafting. This course will be a series of studio sessions that will expose you to the materials, techniques and procedures associated with scenic, lighting, properties and technical design. Required for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning I. -
CFA TH 174: 2D Drafting & Visual Communication 2
Prereq: CFA TH 173. Continued exercises in theatre space and vocabulary through hand drafting. Advanced techniques communicating three-dimensional objects in 2D including mechanical perspective, detail drafting, package layout and execution. Drafting elective requirement variable for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 205: Dramatic Literature 2: 1850 to 1950
Introduction to the value of modern theatre texts, performances, history, and theories from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, examining work created in the US and internationally, with discussions on the material and concepts through theoretical, practical, sociopolitical, and cultural lenses. By the conclusion of this course, you will have the working tools to communicate about the relevance of modern drama and theatre to your given course of study and further developed skills in research, inquiry, and analysis. Pre-req: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 120). Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy, Writing-Intensive Course. -
CFA TH 206: Dramatic Literature 3: 1950 to the Millennium
This course introduces students to the value of modern to postmodern theatre texts, performances, history, and theories from the mid-20th century to the millennium. We will examine work created from around the world through theoretical, practical, sociopolitical, and cultural lenses and discuss how it is in conversation with each other. By the conclusion of this course, you will have the working tools to communicate about the relevance of modern drama and theatre and further developed skills in research, inquiry, and analysis.
