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 588: Automated Lighting Technology
  This course will be an introduction to light board programming with automated light sources. The emphasis of the semester will be on understanding the concepts inherent to working with automated equipment and developing a show file environment that allows for efficiency in working with that equipment. The goal is to provide insight as to the mechanics and logistics of moving light programming in preparation for the second semester of this course, which focuses on the artistic applications of moving lights. 2.0 credits. Spring Semester.
• CFA TH 589: Automated Lighting Design
  Prereq: CFA TH 588 or permission of instructor. This course will be a continuation of the automated lighting technology course. We will explore the use of automated equipment as a tool for artistic expression. The emphasis of the semester will be on maximizing the use of the full capabilities of automated lights in the pursuit of visual storytelling for the stage. 2.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 591: Graduate Internship: Design, Production & Management
  Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Design, Production & Management students may arrange credit for off-campus, unpaid internships with established, professional arts organizations. Before applying for internship credit the student should check with their MFA Program Head to determine whether the proposed host organization and internship position qualifies. The accepting organization must provide a letter of agreement prior to approval. An evaluation letter following the conclusion of the internship is required. Variable credit; a minimum of 40 hours of work is expected per unit of credit, and credit is ordinarily capped at 4.0 credits per internship. May be repeated for credit. Fall & Spring semesters.
• CFA TH 592: D&P Internship
  Prereq: Approval of advisor and SOT Director; Meets as arranged. Work as an intern in a professional setting. Positions may be sought by the individual or suggested by advisor. Internship Proposal Form required prior to approval. The accepting organization must provide a letter of agreement prior to approval. An evaluation letter following conclusion of the internship is required. Personal journal or statement is also required. Variable credit. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 595: Directed Study: Design, Production & Management
  Provides opportunity for individual students to study in a specific field or gain practical experience under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty member in the area of Design, Production & Management. Approval of the full-time faculty member supervising the directed study and an established focus of study are required prior to registration. Students must submit a "Directed Study Application" to the CFA Registrar and receive approval to register for the course. Variable credit; maximum 4.0 credits. May be repeated for credit. Fall and Spring semesters.
• CFA TH 599: Matinee
  Each semester that a graduate student is in residence in the School of Theatre they are required to enroll in the appropriate section of Matinee for their major. This is a non-credit course that encompasses a variety of components such as guest artist visits, alumni visits, master classes, and other special events. Additionally, students are required to complete a paper at the end of each semester, reflecting on and responding to an experience the student had attending a School of Music and a School of Visual Arts event during that semester. 0.0 credits. Fall & Spring
• CFA TH 607: Collaboration Forum 1
  A laboratory type class which creates the opportunities to explore individual and collaborative ideas and problem solving in the creation of theatre. Emphasis is placed on the student's personal discovery of their own unique approach to their work and their involvement in the larger community of theatre artists. 2.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 609: Directing Studio 1
  This course will focus on laboratory scene work with actors in an effort to further cement basic fundamental skills in storytelling and actor collaboration.  Students will primarily work on Realistic/Naturalistic material with the intent to develop the directors' skills of moving from moment to moment emotionally and telling a clear story. Directors will also use their critical eye to help give feedback to their peers. This course requires additional work outside of class time for engagement in practice-based exercises and rehearsals. 3.0 units. Fall semester. 
• CFA TH 611: Technical Production Studio 3
  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 units. Fall Semester.
• CFA TH 612: Technical Production Studio 4
  Prerequisite: CFA TH 611 or permission of instructor. 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 units. Spring Semester.
• CFA TH 613: Scene Painting Studio 1
  Studio class exploring soft goods and problem solving with scene painting techniques. 1.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 614: Scene Painting Studio 2
  Prerequisite: CFA TH 614 or permission of instructor. - Building on the techniques and skills developed in Scene Painting Studio 1, this studio class continues the student’s exploration of soft goods and problem solving with scene painting techniques. 1.0 units. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 617: History of Period Styles 3
  Graduate Prerequisites: CFA TH 518 or permission of instructor. 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 623: Directed Study: Scene Study
  Prereq: Instructor Consent; Collaboration between MFA Directing and BFA Performance students. Exploration of compact projects for in-class presentation (scenes or condensed interpretations of full plays) with feedback from faculty. At times MFA Design students are introduced to the process. Rehearsal hours outside of the presentation meeting time required for participation. Variable credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 624: Directed Study: Scene Study
  Prereq: Instructor Consent; Collaboration between MFA Directing and BFA Performance students. Exploration of compact projects for in-class presentation (scenes or condensed interpretations of full plays) with feedback from faculty. At times MFA Design students are introduced to the process. Rehearsal hours outside of the presentation meeting time required for participation. Variable credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 625: Classical Theatre through a Contemporary Lens
  Explores and applies contemporary theories, ideas, and research to canonical works of theatre. Considers how race, gender, identity, nationality, structure, and politics consort in the making, production, distribution, reception, and legacy of classic works. Students learn to approach theatre as a dramaturg/scholar would: by reading texts and generating writing and projects with a theatrical sensibility, asking rigorous questions of all. 4.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 629: Sound Design Studio 1
  An overview of theatrical sound design, focusing on the process of creating sonic responses to a theatrical script. The emphasis is on critical listening and establishing mood, emotion and environment with sound. Covers basic techniques and technology used in creating a sound design. 3.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 635: Scene Design Studio 1
  Fundamentals of set design theory. Basic mechanical and conceptual solutions for the proscenium theatre: development of presentational and research skills. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera. 3.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 637: Costume Design Studio 1
  Fundamentals of costume design. Exercises focus on analysis-designing from the inside out. Covers a range of visual, written, and verbal techniques of communication; script analysis, style, research techniques, and rendering skills. Readings and projects may explore different theatre genres. 3.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 639: Lighting Design Studio 1
  Advanced lighting design for the stage as a medium for illuminating theatrical texts, music, and movement to communicate artistic ideas to an audience. Explores the language of light, both verbal and abstract, with a strong emphasis on dramaturgical analysis and how textual ideas can be interpreted using light. Required Labs will supplement class work with hands-on activities. 3.0 units. Fall semester.