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 287: Sound Design 1
Prereq: CFA TH 162 & CFA TH 190, or consent of instructor; An overview of theatrical sound design, focusing on the process of creating a design. The emphasis is on sound cue creation, establishing mood, emotion and environment with sound, and critical listening. Covers the basics of the tools and technology used to implement a professional sound design. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 291: Audio Fundamentals
Prerequisite: CFA TH 172. This course will provide an overview of the function and integration of analog audio components as applied to theatrical production. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 294: Stage Management 1
Introduction to the role of the stage manager and assistant stage manager in the collaborative facilitation of each phase of the pre-production, rehearsal, technical rehearsal, and performance processes for a theatrical production. Course work involves developing the paperwork necessary for the typical production of a play. 3.0 Credits. Fall Semester. -
CFA TH 299: Stage Management 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 294 or permission of instructor. Building on the foundational stage management skills introduced in CFA TH 294 Stage Management 1, this course continues an exploration into the role of the stage manager and the assistant stage manager in their facilitation of the design, rehearsal, and production process. Topics include production paperwork, creative problem solving, collaboration, communication, and team management for the stage manager, with a focus on stage management for musicals, opera, and dance. 3.0 credits. Spring Semester. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA TH 303: Playwriting 1
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing (WR 120 or equivalent) - Prereq: CFA TH 227, CFA TH 228 or consent of instructor; Run like an intensive development workshop, this class offers students an introduction to the practice of playwriting through the exploration of dramatic texts and writing exercises. Students will develop writing processes conducive to accessing an authentic voice, rendering interesting characters, and building character relationships. Students should also develop a refined awareness of their artistic power to shape and control a theatrical reality. Students interested in developing original plays for thesis productions are encouraged to register. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 305: Theatrical Welding 1
Prerequisite: CFA TH 172. An introduction to welding technology explaining and outlining welding safety and the best welding practices for theatre. Course covers cutting, drilling and assembling mild steel for theatrical scenic construction. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 307: History of Period Styles 1
This is the first course in a series of 4 seminar style classes where we explore periods throughout history primarily through studying Architecture and Decor along with exploring the political and social atmosphere of the times. Each student will have a weekly assignment to research and share with their classmates in a PowerPoint style presentation. History of Period Styles 1 covers the Dawn of Man through the Fall of Rome. 2.0 credits. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU HUB area: Historical Consciousness. -
CFA TH 311: Voice & Speech 3: Classical Voice
Prereq: CFA TH 212; An exploration of a variety of approaches to Shakespeare's text, with an attempt to unify form and content. Developing and strengthening the voice and exploring the anatomy of language. Vowels and consonants, words and images, phrasing, and the intelligent orchestration of these components into overall meaning. The figures of speech, iambic pentameter, rhythm, line endings, verse and prose. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 317: Music Theatre Performance Skills 3: Scene Study
The focus of this course is developing and strengthening the individual singer's connection to song, freedom and repertoire with a focus on the physical and external potential of the actor. The voice will learn to adapt to a variety of styles, while deepening the actor's connection to his/her inner life. Attention will also be paid to the composition style, intention and notation. We are looking to find meaningful interplay of content and form, and increase specificity of thought and authenticity of experience. Ensemble scene work will be explored, transitioning the individual singer-actor from text to song and a larger whole. Different eras and styles within the music theatre canon will be explored. 3.0 credits. Fall Semester -
CFA TH 321: Acting 3: Shakespeare
Acting 3: Shakespeare -
CFA TH 327: Theatre Ensemble 3: Acting/Directing Lab
Prereq: CFA TH 128 and either CFA TH 227 or CFA TH 228 or instructor permission; 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 'The Director's Project,' an presentation of short plays acted and directed (and, when feasible, written) by students. Those wishing to direct must be concurrently registered in CFA TH 341. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 331: Movement 3: 360 Physical Storytelling
Prereq: CFA TH232 or consent of the instructor; Inspired by the genre of black and white silent film, where expressive movement was paramount, this course is an immersive amalgamation of movement practices, styles and ideas to develop an ecstatic, informed, imaginative and truthful actor as artist- transitioning the actor into an artistic movement instrument with the ability to transcend through physical storytelling. 2.0 credits TH Only, Junior Act, Permission Req for Junior TA; Fall Semester. -
CFA TH 333: Figure Drawing
Studio work in figure drawing. Emphasis on drawing techniques and media through observation. Drafting elective requirement variable for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. May be repeated for credit. 2.0 credits. Fall & Spring semesters. -
CFA TH 337: Alexander Technique 3: Shakespeare
Prereq: CFA TH 238; Focus on Alexander Technique and Shakespeare, including: organic iambic pentameter movement, dynamics of status, intensity with less tension, and responding to inner and outer environment consciously. 1.0 credit. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 339: Production
Production provides students with a discipline-specific laboratory experience to build knowledge, skills, and safety practices outside of their specifically assigned projects in CFA TH 349 Theatre in Practice. It includes a weekly area-specific Colloquium to discuss progress on projects within the School of Theatre season, celebrate triumphs and strategize about challenges on current shows, and engage in discussion of special topics. Students will build community among their peers within their major. -
CFA TH 341: Undergraduate Directing Colloquium 1
Prereq: CFA TH 240; Development of an approach to conceiving a theatre production and forum for young directors to discuss and share the challenges/discoveries of their process. Definition of people, situations, ideas, action and flow inherent in script interpretation. Identification of form and structure from the director's point of view. Fundamental considerations in physical staging. Experience in lab events and scenes. Requires simultaneous enrollment in CFA TH 327 for culminating work on The Director's Project. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 347: Rehearsal & Performance 2
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. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 348: Scene Painting 1
Studio class. Exposure to materials and tools used in theatrical scene painting. Exercises in general lay-in texture techniques and beginning work in nature studies. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 349: Theatre in Practice
Theatre in Practice serves as the CFA School of Theatre’s laboratory for the development of new work or new approaches to existing work and encompasses the practical application of the skills that the student develops through their collective coursework within their program of study. This course covers the design, rehearsal, production, and performance work in the mounting of School of Theatre productions. The specific role each student is assigned is made by the SOT faculty with thought towards a student’s personal artistic and academic goals. Assignments seek to challenge the student to take artistic risks and engage with a diverse community of theatre artists. 2.0 credits. Fall & Spring semesters. -
CFA TH 351: Technical Production 1
Prerequisite: CFA TH 353 AutoCAD 1 or CFA TH 391 Vectorworks 1. This course is designed to introduce students to the roles and skills that the technical director fulfills. Students will focus on drafting scenery to be built, budgeting, paperwork, and communication. Throughout the semester, students will take an actual designed show and break it down to its individual parts. They will each draft, budget, and organize a load-in. 3.0 credits. Fall Semester.
