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 558: Theatrical Welding 2
  Graduate Prerequisite: CFA TH 557. - Advanced techniques in welding technology explaining and outlining welding safety and the best welding practices for theatre. Course covers cutting, drilling and assembling mild steel for theatrical scenic construction. 2.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 559: Scene Design Studio Lab
  Work centers around projects that directly relate to work being done in the Scene Design Courses.
• CFA TH 561: Scenic Automation for Theatre
  Prereq: CFA TH 612 - This course is designed to give students an introduction into theatrical automation. Why do we automate scenery, what equipment is used, and how is it done are all topics we will discuss during this course. There will be an emphasis on vocabulary and the practical aspects of automation and how it relates to the job of the technical director.
• CFA TH 563: Drawing for Designers 1
  Drawing with focus on rendering architecture and decorative elements along with exploring drawing styles 1.0 credit. Fall and Spring semesters.
• CFA TH 565: Painting Master Class
  Independent studies in advanced scenic painting techniques. Assignments based on individual skills and interest. 1.0 credit. Fall and Spring semesters.
• CFA TH 567: Scene Painting 1
  Studio class. Exposure to materials and tools used in theatrical scene painting. Exercises in general lay-in texture techniques and beginning work in nature studies. 2.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 569: Internship Reflection
  Students must register in the summer term (CFA TH568s) for a 0.0 credit unpaid off-campus internship with an established, professional arts organizations (or member of the Professional Theatre Initiative) or an approved on-campus internship experience with a member of the Boston University faculty or staff. Before applying for internship credit, the student should check with their Faculty Advisor to determine whether the proposed experience and/or host organization qualifies. Upon completion, students should then register for a 1.0 credit Internship Reflection experience (CFA TH569) in the fall, handing in all required materials (journal, final reflection paper, essential forms). Details are updated on the CFA website.
• CFA TH 570: INTERN REF D&P
  INTERN REF D&P
• CFA TH 577: Millinery 1
  Prereq: CFA TH 172 Millinery crafts are learned through various projects on different styles of design. Skills might include: straw, buckram, wire, paper and felt. Materials and tools list will be provided. Fall semester in odd numbered academic years.
• CFA TH 578: Millinery 2
  Prereq: CFA TH 577 Continuation of Millinery 1. Millinery crafts are learned through various projects on different styles of design. Skills might include: straw, buckram, wire, paper and felt. Spring semester in odd numbered academic years.
• CFA TH 581: Audio System Design 1
  Audio System Design 1 3 Independent N Fall Fall 2024 Undergrad Prereq: CFA TH 172 or permission of instructor. Audio systems, video systems and intercom systems will be examined from input to output in terms of signal flow and interconnection practices and how they are used. 3.0 credits. Fall semester in odd numbered academic years.
• CFA TH 582: Audio System Design 2
  Prereq: CFA TH 581 Continuation of Audio Systems Design 1. Audio systems, video systems and intercom systems will be examined from input to output in terms of signal flow and interconnection practices and how they are used. Spring semester in odd numbered academic years.
• CFA TH 583: Scene Painting 2
  Prereq: CFA TH 567 Studio class. Continuation of Scene Painting 1. Exposure to materials and tools used in theatrical scene painting. Exercises in general lay-in texture techniques and beginning work in nature studies. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 585: Vectorworks 1
  Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting program Vectorworks and its application to theatrical drafting. Basic terminology, plate organization and technical drafting for Lighting and Sound designers. 2.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 587: Vectorworks 2
  Prereq: CFA TH 585 Advanced work in Vectorworks CAD; permission rating on the use of Spotlight as it applies to drafting light plots and related lighting paperwork.
• 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.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • 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.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • The Individual in Community
  • Quantitative Reasoning II
• 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.