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 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. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning II. -
CFA TH 589: Automated Lighting Design
Prereq: CFA TH 588. 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. -
CFA TH 590: Theatre Management
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the managerial, administrative, and leadership aspects of both for-profit and non-profit theater. This class will consist of lectures on the fundamentals of arts management, case studies, project work, and a series of in-depth conversations with leaders in the field of theater and/or performing arts management. Emphasis will be placed on: marketing, PR, budgeting, audience development, producing, fundraising, education, and community relations. Producing work today, the challenges and opportunities, will be a theme throughout the semester. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Individual in Community, Quantitative Reasoning 2. -
CFA TH 591: Graduate Internship: Design, Production & Management
Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Design, Production & Management students may arrange units for off-campus, unpaid internships with established, professional arts organizations. Before applying for internship units 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 units; a minimum of 40 hours of work is expected per unit, and units capped at 4.0 units per internship. May be repeated for units. -
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 units. May be repeated for units. -
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 608: Collaboration Forum 2
Prereq: CFA TH607 - Building on the collaborative relationships and creative processes developed in Collaboration Forum 1, this laboratory class continues the student's exploration of 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. -
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 610: Directing Studio 2
Building on the foundation of CFATH 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 material that is diametrically opposed to Realism/Naturalism and will explore how to approach alternative styles of dramatic texts in an effort to tell 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. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 611: Technical Production Studio 3
This course is designed to give Technical Directors a basic engineering knowledge to design safe and efficient scenery and learn the math behind the scenery they are building. 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 and study the vocabulary used by structural engineers to ensure they have the capacity to communicate questions and issues that may arise during their career. Effective Fall 2026, this course fulfills a single requirement in the following BU HUB area: Quantitative Reasoning 1. -
CFA TH 612: Technical Production Studio 4
Prereq: CFA TH 611 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. Effective Spring 2027, this course fulfills a single requirement in the following BU HUB area: Quantitative Reasoning 2. -
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
Prereq: CFA TH 614 - 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. -
CFA TH 617: History of Period Styles 3
Prereq: CFA TH 518 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 618: History of Period Styles 4
Prereq: CFA TH 617 Continuation of History of Period Styles 3. 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 619: Scene Painting 3
Prereq: CFA TH 583 - 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 620: Scene Painting 4
Prereq: CFA TH 619 - 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 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 626: Contemporary Theatre
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 BU and in Boston-at-large is required.
