School of Theatre

• 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 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 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 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 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.
• CFA TH 643: Costume Production Studio 1
  This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of flat patterning and draping methods based on historical research. Course work, readings, lectures and practical application will ensure that students are capable to lead a costume build team and successfully produce costumes for an assigned production. 3.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 659: Social Change Through Theatre of the Oppressed
  An active, experiential learning course for theatre and non-theatre students that explores Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed and Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed. This course engages and challenges students' minds, bodies and creativity as we read, discuss and apply the political, social and educational theories and ethics through Boal's physical theatre gamesercises, image techniques, and Forum Theatre. These techniques serve to "democratize theatre" by transforming the "monologue" of traditional performance into a dialogue for social change between audience and stage. 4.0 units. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Creativity/Innovation.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Creativity/Innovation
  • Ethical Reasoning
• CFA TH 681: Intro to Textiles 1
  Prereq: Advisor recommendation or consent of instructor; Meets with CFA TH 281. The course will cover identification and use of a variety of different fabrics including theatrical goods. 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. Scheduled trips to the Textile Museum in Lowell and the Museum of Fine Arts will support and enhance the student's experience with the subject. 1.0 credit. Fall semester. Offered every other odd numbered AY.
• CFA TH 695: Production Management
  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. 3.0 units. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Digital/Multimedia Expression.
• CFA TH 701: Graduate Salon
  This course is a weekly roundtable gathering of contemporary artists, scholars and students. The School of Theatre’s graduate students in Directing, Design, Production and Production Management will come together with guest artists to explore and discuss innovative theatre practices and progressive methods of storytelling. Students will learn what forms of material may provoke and create powerful theatre in the world today. This class is intended to revitalize and invoke students to look at challenging ways to design and produce contemporary theatre. 2.0 units. Fall and Spring semesters.
• 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 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 763: Scene Design Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 664 or consent of instructor; 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. 3.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 764: Scene Design Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 763 or consent of instructor; Continuation of 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 765: Scene Painting 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 666 or consent 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 766: Scene Painting 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 765 or consent 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 767: Scene Painting Studio 1
  Prereq: Instructor Consent; Studio class. Soft goods and problem solving with advanced scene painting techniques. 1.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 768: Scene Painting Studio 2
  Prereq: Instructor Consent; Studio class. Soft goods and problem solving with advanced scene painting techniques. 1.0 credits. Spring semester.