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.

• CFA TH 352: Technical Production 2
  This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of stage rigging techniques, tools, and equipment. Course work, readings, field trips, and practical application will ensure the student can safely lead a rigging crew.
• CFA TH 353: AutoCAD 1: 2D Theatrical Drafting
  Prereq: CFA TH 173 or permission of instructor. Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting program AutoCAD and its application to theatrical drafting. Basic terminology, plate organization and technical drafting for Technical Production majors. Drafting elective requirement variable for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 354: AutoCAD 2
  Prerequisite: CFA TH 353 or permission of instructor. A continuation of AutoCAD 1 as a more advanced, in-depth study of AutoCad. A heavier focus on 3D Modeling and an introduction to CAM for theatrical shops. 2.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 357: Costume Production 7: History of Tailoring
  This class emphasizes the historical evolution of tailoring in menswear dating from 1690 to 1800. Lectures focus on the historical significance of silhouettes for each time period facilitating information on changing seam lines and infrastructure of the garment. Time will be allotted in class to participate in detail sample making, pattern drafting from different systems, cutting and assembling garments. Fittings will also be used to teach different methods of construction through class participation. The final product will be a finished tailored garment in preparation for modern tailoring. 3.0 credits. Fall semester of odd academic years.
• CFA TH 363: Scene Design 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 264 or consent of instructor; Intermediate design solutions with an emphasis on conceptual approach; work in a variety of theatre spaces. Students work in collaboration with costume and lighting designers and directors. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance, opera, television, and film. 3.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 364: Scene Design 4
  Prereq: CFA TH363 or consent of instructor; Continuation of intermediate design solutions with an emphasis on conceptual approach; work in a variety of theatre spaces. Students work in collaboration with costume and lighting designers and directors. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance, opera, television, and film. 3.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 365: Scene Painting 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 266 or consent of instructor; Studio class. Painting specific architectural detail; projects include stain glass, perspective and trompe l'oeil techniques; special finishes for furniture and constructed projects. 2.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 366: Scene Painting 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 365 or consent of instructor. Studio class. Continuation in painting specific architectural detail; projects include stain glass, perspective and trompe l'oeil techniques; special finishes for furniture and constructed projects. 2.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 369: Technical Production 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 269 or Permission of Instructor. This course is designed to give Technical Directors the engineering knowledge to design safe and efficient scenery. Through real conditions and a text, students will develop a vocabulary and a database of formulas to effectively engineer scenery. Students will discuss concepts typical to engineering, study the variables and formulas used to determine material strengths, typical and atypical loading conditions, and how to engineer scenery used in normal theatrical applications. 3.0 credits. Fall Semester. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning I.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Quantitative Reasoning I
• CFA TH 370: Technical Production 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 369. This course is designed to give Technical Directors an in-depth look into engineering safe and efficient scenery. Through real conditions and a text, students will learn how to engineer wood and steel elements used in theatre. The primary focus of study will be beam and column design. 3.0 credits. Spring Semester. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning II.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Quantitative Reasoning II
• CFA TH 375: Costume Design 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 276; For the intermediate design student. Geared toward practical application of design theory. Continued development of script analysis, style, research techniques and rendering skills. Exercises examine the principles of design as applied to historical costume. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera depending on individuals in the class. 3.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 376: Costume Design 4
  Prereq: CFA TH375; Continuation of CFA TH 375. For the intermediate design student. Geared toward practical application of design theory. Continued development of script analysis, style, research techniques and rendering skills. Exercises examine the principles of design as applied to historical costume. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera depending on individuals in the class. 3.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 377: Rendering for Costume Design 1
  The Rendering for Costume Design course serves to elevate conceptual design ideas with an emphasis on visual and verbal presentation. Drawings are treated as informational tools which are used when facilitating discussions with fellow designers and directors. With practice of the skills learned in class, students find that they will achieve greater individual expression in addition to the research used in the costume design process. The use of various drawing and watercolor techniques are employed to help create dynamic, expressive renderings with an emphasis on composition and style. 1.0 credits. Fall Semester.
• CFA TH 378: Rendering for Costume Design 2
  The Rendering for Costume Design course serves to elevate conceptual design ideas with an emphasis on visual and verbal presentation. Drawings are treated as informational tools which are used when facilitating discussions with fellow designers and directors. With practice of the skills learned in class, students find that they will achieve greater individual expression in addition to the research used in the costume design process. The use of various drawing and watercolor techniques are employed to help create dynamic, expressive renderings with an emphasis on composition and style. 1.0 credits. Spring Semester.
• CFA TH 380: Costume Production 4: Modern Tailoring
  Prereq: CFA TH 379 or permission of instructor. Continuation of CFA TH 379, this class explores the evolution of men's tailoring of the 20th century. Lectures focus on the significance of changing silhouettes for each decade and the inner structure that creates the perfect shape for various body types. Time will be allotted in class to participate in detail sample making, pattern drafting of various systems, cutting and assembling garments. Fittings will also be used to teach different methods of construction through class participation. The final product will be a finished three-piece suit. 3.0 credits. Spring Semester of even academic years.
• CFA TH 383: Lighting Design 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 284 or Permission of Instructor. Introduction to lighting design for the stage as a medium for communicating artistic ideas to an audience. Explores the language of light, both verbal and abstract, with a strong emphasis on dramaturgical analysis and how these textual ideas can be interpreted using light. Required Labs will supplement class work with hands-on activities. 3.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 384: Lighting Design 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 383 or Permission of Instructor. A continuation of CFA TH 383. Introduction to the process of lighting design for the stage. Explores how to develop lighting ideas, concepts, and visual images from a text, and how to support those ideas to the point of realization. Required Labs will supplement class work with hands-on activities. 3.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 385: Photography 1
  Prereq: Instructor Consent; A general survey of the art and practices of photography. Focus is especially strong in aspects of: history of artists and images, history of technology, photographic processes and basics of the camera and technology. 1.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 387: Sound Design 3
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CFATH288) consent of instructor. - For the intermediate sound design student. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate sound design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate genres, ballet, dance, and opera. 3 cr
• CFA TH 388: Sound Design 4
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CFATH387) consent of instructor. - Continuation of sound design exploration for the intermediate sound design student. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate sound design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance, and opera. 3 cr