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 234: Movement 4
Prerequisite: CFA TH 231 or permission of instructor. Continuous movement development and articulation of human nature physical/ movement transformations through inanimate objects energy/imagery, embodied elevated partnering and translation to expressive pure movement/dance styles and related . 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 235: Theater Collaboration 2
During this course, students will explore theatre making through collaboration. Students will engage with directing, playwriting, and dramaturgy through a series of in-studio exercises and projects. By the end of their time in this course, students will be best poised to select a Primary and Secondary Discipline in their Theatre Arts Major. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 237: Somatic Practice 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 142. Somatice Practice 2 will explore the Alexander Technique through the context of scene work where actors will confront 'performative habits'. Just like with any activity, performance comes full of acquired habits. This course will seek to identify and point out these habits and how they uniquely interfere with the actor's instrument. Emphasis will be placed on moment-to-moment awareness of the body in order to combat the common tendency to anticipate the next moment in a scene. 1.0 credit. Fall 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
The goal of this course is to provide a consistent understanding of what the director's work entails from an analytical and practical perspective, while emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration. The class will be part colloquium and part rehearsal/studio class. The aim here is not to present polished work but rather to focus on the process of working with a creative design team and an ensemble cast, with a particular emphasis on the practical application of analytical and critical thought. 2.0 credits. Fall & Spring semesters. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA TH 242: Somatic Practice 3
Perquisite: CFA TH 238. This course will continue to build upon the Alexander Technique as a somatic practice while introducing breath work as an additional tool in the actor's arsenal. Body awareness will continue to improve as students observe and change habitual patterns in walking and breathing so that they can find and occupy a 'true neutral.' Inhabiting a character by beginning from this true neutral will be applied to each student's R&P assignment. Individual, one-on-one tutorials will occur throughout the semester to address habits of tension and foster sustainability for the actor during their rehearsal process. 1.0 Credit. Spring Semester. -
CFA TH 245: Artist Community 2
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 Performance 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. 1.0 credit. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 246: Artist Community 3
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 Performance 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. 1.0 credit. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 249: Introduction to Theater Practice
During the course of this semester, Performance students in the first semester of their 2nd Year of study will select a Theatre In Practice (CFA TH 349/549) process to engage with at least six (6) times during the project¿s rehearsals and/or performance period. Examples are: participating in the process as an offstage shadow (non-performative); assistant directing, assistant dramaturging, assistant movement direction, shadowing a playwright in process, assistant designing/shadowing a designer, shadowing a stage manager, and so on. Students may also choose to observe their selected process. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 257: Scenography 1
This course will explore the various ways all disciplines of theatre design ¿ Scenic, Costumes, Lighting, Sound ¿ collaboratively support storytelling in live performances. Emphasis will be placed on excavating and visualizing the text and how to be a knowledgeable and informed collaborative partner in the creation of theatrical work. Students will further develop their creative artistic voice and research skills that support the theatrical design process. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Research and Information Literacy. -
CFA TH 258: Scenography 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 257. Building on the foundations of Scenography 1, this course continues an exploration of the various ways all disciplines of theatre design ¿ Scenic, Costumes, Lighting, Sound ¿ collaboratively support storytelling in live performances. Emphasis will be placed on excavating and visualizing the text and how to be a knowledgeable and informed collaborative partner in the creation of theatrical work. 3.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 273: Graphic Rendering 1
Prerequisite: CFA TH 174 or permission of instructor. Studio work in advanced hand drafting techniques. Exercises include completion of a drafting package including orthographic projections, true size & shape, section drawings, properties drawings, mechanical perspective drawing, package layout and design. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 274: Graphic Rendering 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 273 or permission of instructor. A continuation of CFA TH 273. Studio work in advanced hand drafting techniques. Exercises include completion of a drafting package including orthographic projections, true size & shape, section drawings, properties drawings, mechanical perspective drawing, package layout and design. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 279: Costume Production 1
This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of flat patterning and draping methods based on historical research. Course work, readings lectures and practical applica-tion will ensure that students are capable to lead a costume build team and successfully pro-duce costumes for an assigned production. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning I. -
CFA TH 285: Lighting Crafts 1
Introduction to theatrical lighting and technology as a technical craft within the performing arts industry. Discussion of basic terminology, shop organization, job descriptions, maintenance procedures, and safety. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 286: Lighting Craft 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 285. Intermediate study of theatrical lighting as a technical craft within a larger industry. Techniques of safe, efficient, and professional methods of implementing theatrical lighting will be explored and discussed. Projects will prepare students with skills and knowledge required to act as Production Electrician on a theatrical production in the School of Theatre. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
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 292: Costume Production 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 279 or permission of instructor. Continuation of CFA TH 279 Costume Production 1, this class covers historical information dating from early Renaissance to the Regency Period of women's dress. Clothing of various stages in the evolution of this broad period are discussed in lectures and explored by students using a method of radial projection draping or flat patterning. Draping assignments and in class exercises supplement the historical information and provide the student with draping/ flat patterning knowledge of more elaborate garment elements. Students will produce a corset and underpinnings for a chosen period, petticoat and bodice. Upon completion of the class students will have the knowledge to Drape, Flat Pattern and Radial Project period specific garments. 3.0 credits. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU HUB area: Quantitative Reasoning II. -
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.
