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 707: Scenography Studio 1
  Scenography Studio 1 will explore the Value, Meaning and Purpose of Theatrical Productions and how all elements and principals of theatre design need to support the text and performer. Design and Directing students, will learn the tools needed to expand their artistry by exploring and creating purposeful storytelling. This course will focus on collaboratively developing vocabulary that encompasses elements of space, design, direction, performance and how this may be significant/important to an audience. This is supported by learning how to excavate a text; to understand its structure, value and purpose along with exploring what it means visually represented as a live performance. Participants of this course are encouraged to not only become proficient in their craft, but to apply a new perspective and unconventional thinking regarding theatrical design, implementing that though storytelling committed to challenging and exploring new ways of looking at contemporary theatre. 3.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 708: Scenography Studio 2
  Prerequisite: CFA TH 707 or permission of instructor. - Scenography Studio 2 will continue to build on the knowledge and collaborative processes explored in CFA TH 707 Scenography Studio1. Design and Directing students will further explore the necessary tools needed to visually represent a text that cohesively uses elements and principals of design learned in Scenography Studio 1. This course will continue to expand vocabulary that encompasses elements of space, design, direction, performance and how this may be significant to an audience. This will be supported by learning how to excavate a text; to understand its structure, value and purpose. Participants of this course emerge as knowledgeable in their craft, and are encouraged to apply a new perspective and unconventional thinking regarding theatrical design through implementation of storytelling committed to challenging ways of looking at contemporary theatre. 3.0 units. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 709: Directing Studio 3
  This course provides an advanced exploration into the director's creative process and will focus on how best to prepare for overall production work by working in close collaboration with CFATH 745 Directing Colloquium. Work in this course will be taken from current production work, allowing the director to have more space for practice and the ability to experiment on material. The course will also focus on how best to present concepts and ideas derived from the text to all of their collaborators. It is an expanded version of the first two semesters of this course meant to work in tandem with the director's production work with the hope they have more space to experiment and discover. This course requires additional work outside of class time for engagement in practice-based exercises and rehearsals. 3.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 710: Directing Studio 4
  As the culminating experience in the Directing Studio 1-4 course progression, students will direct material that each director feels great passion for in collaboration with actors and will bring another collaborator into the process (i.e. a designer or playwright) to further refine overall storytelling skills. Emphasis will be on collaboration beyond just the actor and will extend outward to include how directors discuss text with other members of the creative team. This course requires additional work outside of class time for engagement in practice-based exercises and rehearsals. 3.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 712: Technical Production Studio 5
  This course will discuss the inner workings of the professional world. The class will consist of field trips and projects aimed at preparing students for the world of theatre beyond graduation. At the end of the class the goal is for each student to have a solid understanding of the hierarchy, job opportunities, and layout of the professional theatre world. 3.0 Credits. Spring Semester. 
• CFA TH 713: Scene Painting Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 614. Studio class exploring soft goods and problem solving with advanced scene painting techniques.
• CFA TH 714: Scene Painting Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 713. - Building on the techniques and skills developed in Scene Painting Studio 3, this studio class continues the student's exploration of soft goods and problem solving with advanced scene painting techniques.
• CFA TH 735: Scene Design Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 636. Intermediate design solutions with an emphasis on conceptual approach; work in a variety of theatre spaces. Students work in collaboration with costume and lighting designers and directors. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance, opera, television, and film.
• CFA TH 736: Scene Design Studio 4
  Graduate Prerequisite: CFA TH 735 or permission of instructor. - Continuation of Scene Design Studio 3. intermediate design solutions with an emphasis on conceptual approach; work in a variety of theatre spaces. Students work in collaboration with costume and lighting designers and directors. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera. 3.0 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 737: Costume Design Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 638. - For the intermediate design student. Geared toward practical application of design theory. Continued development of script analysis, style, research techniques and rendering skills. Exercises examine the principles of design as applied to historical costume. Readings and projects explore different theatre genres depending on individuals in the class.
• CFA TH 738: Costume Design Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 737. - Continuation of Costume Design Studio 3. For the intermediate design student. Geared toward practical application of design theory. Continued development of script analysis, style, research techniques and rendering skills. Exercises examine the principles of design as applied to historical costume. Readings and projects explore different theatre genres depending on individuals in the class.
• CFA TH 739: Lighting Design Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 640. - Investigation of lighting design problems and procedures. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate lighting design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres.
• CFA TH 740: Lighting Design Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 739. - A continuation of Lighting Design Studio 3. Investigation of lighting design problems and procedures. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate lighting design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres
• CFA TH 745: Directing Colloquium
  Directing Colloquium is designed to support and enhance your work as a director in both the development process as well as the production process. We will balance the course by speaking about the plays you are working on as well as discussions surrounding larger issues in the directing process. The aim is to develop the necessary skills, strategies and techniques for directing both new and established works. Anchored by your own work in rehearsals at our core, we will integrate topics relevant to various parts of the play production and development process in informative sessions/conversations. We will also not ignore the moment we sit in historically as theater artists and how we can best learn and grow during this unprecedented time for our art form. In addition, we will spend some sessions focused on issues central to artistic leadership and professional development specific to launching a professional career. 2.0 units. Fall and Spring semesters.
• CFA TH 793: Production Management Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 699. - Advanced study into the role of the Production Manager within the design, production, and rehearsal process. Students will explore the complexities of balancing schedule, resource, and personnel management with artful management through discussions and exercises in communication styles, negotiation and conflict resolution, fostering collaboration, and facilitating an inclusive creative environment.. 
• CFA TH 794: Production Management Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 793. - Building on the concepts of Production Management Studios 1-3, this course will continue the advanced study into the role of the Production Manager within the design, production, and rehearsal process. Students will engage in a semester-long project that explores possibilities for innovating the design and production process with a specific focus depending on individuals in the classes
• CFA TH 807: Scenography Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 708. - Building on the foundation of Scenography Studio 1 & 2, with additional Investigations in this class into the history and practitioners of Scenography worldwide, this course offers an advanced exploration of how all disciplines of design used in theatre and live performance can support unique and new ways of storytelling. Students will continue to hone and curate their innovative Design process through a series of projects. Individually and collaboratively each student will demonstrate and further explore how to make work that holistically encompasses all the elements of Space, Theatrical Design, Direction, Performance and Audience to tell important stories to a new generation of audience and create inclusive and accessible forms of theatrical expression and work.
• CFA TH 808: Scenography Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 807. - This class will build upon the work begun in Scenography Studio 3. Students will continue to hone and curate their innovative Design process through a series of projects. Individually and collaboratively each student will demonstrate and further explore how to make work that holistically encompasses all the elements of Space, Theatrical Design, Direction, Performance and Audience to tell important stories to a new generation of audience and create inclusive and accessible forms of theatrical expression and work. Students will emerge from this class with their own innovative and collaborative Design process for making work that holistically encompasses all the elements of Space, Theatrical Design, Direction, Performance and Audience to tell important stories to today's audiences and create inclusive and accessible forms of theatrical expression for the next generation.
• CFA TH 950: Graduate MFA Thesis
  Prereq: Graduate standing and approval of program advisor and reading committee. 3rd year graduate students who have completed the course work for their MFA must execute a culminating thesis project that requires one year to plan, revise and execute. All projects must have a 3 person reading committee and initial proposal must be approved by faculty prior to registering for Thesis. Variable credit. Fall & Spring semesters.