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 406: Contemporary Theatre
Prereq: CAS WR 120 -This discussion course explores the most current trends in theatre from the United States and United Kingdom, with particular attention paid to the voices of African-American, Asian-American, Disabled, Feminist, Gay, and Lesbian playwrights, as well as to plays that break the standard molds of realism and naturalism. The course pairs close reading and analysis with other dramaturgical methods in order to provide students with intellectual depth and practical skill for the professional theatre. Attendance of selected performances at B.U. and in Boston-at-large is required. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: The Individual in Community. -
CFA TH 430: Professional Theatre Initiative Lab
PTI Lab introduces students to the many aspects of professional theatre practices as an actor, including but not limited to best practices, next practices, industry norms, agents, managers, unions, auditioning, casting, health, goal setting, financial planning, equity, diversity and inclusion in the field, and community building through ongoing conversations with working artists in the field. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. -
CFA TH 450: Senior Capstone Project
Prereq: CFA TH 136 A significant culminating final project that synthesizes key practices that the student has acquired during their course of study, with an eye toward what their art means in the wider professional landscape. The project is chosen with approval of the faculty mentor and presented in a public exhibition or performance on a schedule established by the School of Theatre. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA TH 455: History of Period Styles 3
Prereq: Instructor Consent; A survey covering the history of social, political and cultural movements and the expressions of those movements through architecture, interior decoration, furniture and dress in major civilizations. Work involves research projects and presentations. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 458: History of Dress 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. 2.0 units. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2025 this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Research and Information Literacy. -
CFA TH 459: Social Change Through Theatre of the Oppressed
An active, experiential learning course for theatre and non-theatre students that explores Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed and Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed. This course engages and challenges students' minds, bodies and creativity as we read, discuss and apply the political, social and educational theories and ethics through Boal's physical theatre gamesercises, image techniques, and Forum Theatre. These techniques serve to "democratize theatre" by transforming the "monologue" of traditional performance into a dialogue for social change between audience and stage. 4.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 460: History of Period Styles 4
Prereq: CFA TH 455 A continuation of CFA TH 455. A survey covering the history of social, political and cultural movements and the expressions of those movements through architecture, interior decoration, furniture and dress in major civilizations. Work involves research projects and presentations. -
CFA TH 463: Scene Design 5
Prereq: CFA TH 364; Advanced design projects developed in conjunction with other designers and directors; emphasis on complex mechanical solutions. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 475: Costume Design 5
Prereq: CFA TH 376; Advanced theoretical and practical design training; project work weighted toward individual student's needs and realistic preparation for a career in costume design. Readings and projects incorporate multiple theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera depending on individuals in the class. -
CFA TH 479: Costume Production 7: Advanced Draping - 19th Century
Prereq: CFA TH 292 The study of flat patterning and draping through individual projects. Silhouette, line, and proportion become essential elements in the development of complete muslin reproductions. The study of the form and function of period underpinnings is stressed. Meets with CFA TH 649. -
CFA TH 483: Lighting Design 5
Prereq: CFA TH 292 The study of flat patterning and draping through individual projects. Silhouette, line, and proportion become essential elements in the development of complete muslin reproductions. The study of the form and function of period underpinnings is stressed. 3.0 units. Fall semester. Meets with CFA TH 649. -
CFA TH 484: Lighting Design 6
Prerequisite: CFATH 483. - An in-depth look at the functions and qualities of light and how to apply them in complex ways within the lighting design for stage. Focus will be placed on your continuing development as a theatre artist and on expanding your knowledge of lighting design. -
CFA TH 492: Stage Management 4
Prerequisite: CFATH 399. Advanced exploration into the role of the Stage Manager within the design, production, and rehearsal process. Discussions will include freelancing, negotiation, networking, how to support a professional career, and contemporary issues in American Stage Management. This course requires additional work outside of class time for engagement in practice-based exercises and rehearsal/performance observations. Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning 2. -
CFA TH 493: Production Management 1
Study of the role of the Production Manager in the design, production, and rehearsal process, specifically concentrating on the roles and responsibilities of theatrical Production Managing on a professional level, including scheduling, staffing, budgeting, team building, time management and communication. Students will get hands-on experience in each of these through class-discussions, workshops, and the creation of a theoretical production process where they will produce digital media to effectively communicate their ideas and apply quantitative reasoning skills to make informed decisions. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Quantitative Reasoning 1. -
CFA TH 496: Production Management 2
Prereq: CFA TH 493 Building on the concepts introduced in Production Management 1, this course will further study the role of the Production Manager within the design, production, and rehearsal process, specifically concentrating on the roles and responsibilities of Production Managing on a professional level, including personnel, disability & access, safety rules & regulations, and working with vendors. Students will get hands-on experience in each of these through in-class discussions of case studies and the creation of theoretical production paperwork. -
CFA TH 503E: BU IN LA: WRTNG
BU IN LA: WRTNG -
CFA TH 509: Choreography and Design: Experiments in Light and Movement
A course intended for lighting designers, actors, directors and dancers to develop theatrical work integrating light and movement. The goal of the course is to provide a workshop environment that fosters the development of new forms of theatrical expression involving light and movement. Weekly assignments involve light sources, movement and light, conventions involving space, time, flow and hue; improvisations; and experimentation with theatrical ideas, character development and storytelling involving light and movement. Rehearsal times on Sundays and Monday evenings expected outside of regular class times. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 513: Scenic Production Artist
This laboratory course encompasses the practical application of the skills that the student develops through their collective coursework within their program of study. It covers the design and production work as a Scenic Charge Artist 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. 1.0 credit. Fall & Spring semesters. -
CFA TH 517: 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. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU HUB area: Historical Consciousness. -
CFA TH 518: History of Period Styles 2
Graduate Prerequisite: CFA TH 517 or permission of instructor. - Survey covering the history of and significant cultural expression through interior decoration and furniture in major civilizations. Work involves research projects with emphasis on historic fabrics and construction. 2.0 credits. Spring semester.
