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 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 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 466: Scene Design 6
Prereq: CFA TH 463 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. -
CFA TH 467: Scene Painting 3
Prereq: CFA TH 350 Studio class. Painting specific architectural detail; projects include stain glass, perspective and trompe l'oeil techniques; special finishes for furniture and constructed projects. -
CFA TH 468: Scene Painting 4
Prereq: CFA TH 467 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. -
CFA TH 471: Technical Production 3
Prereq: CFA TH 352 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. Meets with CFA TH 611. Effective Fall 2026, this course fulfills a single requirement in the following BU HUB area: Quantitative Reasoning 1. -
CFA TH 472: Technical Production 4
Prereq: CFA TH 471. Building off of the content and concepts learned from Technical Production 3, students will study complex loading conditions and understand how to design columns and beams made from wood and steel to support various scenic elements. 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. Complex structural situations will be analyzed as well as complex failures to ensure each student understands why structures succeed and fail. Students will also study the vocabulary used by structural engineers to ensure they have the capacity to communicate questions and issues that may arise during their career. Through Active Learning, each student will be able to solve structural problems and apply the math to theatrical concepts. Case Based Study will ensure that each student understands how the vocabulary and formulas used in this course can be used effectively in the field. Class Discussion will give the student an opportunity to clearly understand the concepts and engage with the professor on relevant topics. Meets with CFA TH 612. Effective Spring 2027, this course fulfills a single requirement in the following BU HUB area: Quantitative Reasoning 2. -
CFA TH 473: Introduction to Textiles 1
This course will cover identification and use of a variety of different fabrics utilized in theatrical production. It will include a brief history of textiles in conjunction with a focused overview of patterns, colors and fibers that developed and were used over a period of time as a result of growth within the industry. Meets with CFA TH 673. -
CFA TH 474: Introduction to Textiles 2
Prereq: CFA TH 473 A continuation of Intro to Textiles 1. This course will cover an advanced exploration into the identification and use of a variety of different fabrics including those utilized in theatrical production. It will include a brief history of textiles in conjunction with a focused overview of patterns, colors and fibers that developed and were used over a period of time as a result of growth within the industry. Meets with CFA TH 674. -
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 486: Lighting Design 6
Prereq: CFATH 483 This course will explore lighting design for various performance genres and how to apply the concepts of theatrical lighting design to those performance styles. -
CFA TH 487: Sound Design 3
Prereq: CFA TH 258 For the intermediate sound design student. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate sound design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate theatre genres. -
CFA TH 488: Sound Design 4
Prereq: CFA TH 487 Continuation of Sound Design Studio 3. Exploration of composition for the intermediate sound design student. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate compositional techniques for sound design. Readings and projects incorporate theatre and music genres. Meets with CFA TH 692. -
CFA TH 490: Costume Production 8: Advanced Draping - 20th Century
Prereq: CFA TH 479; Continues 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. -
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.
