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 610: Directing Studio 2
  Building on the foundation of 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 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 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 618: History of Period Styles 4
  CFA TH 617 or permission of instructor. 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. 2.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 619: Scene Painting 3
  Graduate Prerequisites: CFA TH 583 or permission of instructor - Studio class. Painting specific architectural detail; projects include stain glass, perspective and trompe l'oeil techniques; special finishes for furniture and constructed projects. 2.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 620: Scene Painting 4
  Graduate Prerequisites: CFA TH 619 or permission of instructor. - 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. 2.0 credits. Spring 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 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. 4.0 units. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: The Individual in Community.
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  • The Individual in Community
  • Writing-Intensive Course
• 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 630: Sound Design Studio 2
  Graduate Prerequisite: CFA TH 629 or permission of instructor. A continuation of Sound Design Studio 1. An in-depth discussion of theatrical sound design focusing on professional practice and creating a design for a theatrical script. The emphasis is on soundscape creation, establishing mood, emotion and environment with sound. Covers the basics of the tools and technology used to implement a professional sound design. 3.0 units. Spring 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 636: Scene Design Studio 2
  Graduate Prerequisite: CFA TH 635 or permission of instructor. - A continuation of Scene Design Studio 1. or permission of instructor. A continuation of Sound Design Studio 1. An in-depth discussion of theatrical sound design focusing on professional practice and creating a design for a theatrical script. The emphasis is on soundscape creation, establishing mood, emotion and environment with sound. Covers the basics of the tools and technology used to implement a professional sound design. 3.0 units. Spring 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 638: Costume Design Studio 2
  Graduate Prerequisite: CFA TH 637 or permission of instructor. - A continuation of 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 theater genres. 3.0 units. Spring 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.