School of Theatre

• 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.
• CFA TH 640: Lighting Design Studio 2
  Graduate Prerequisite: CFA TH 639; A continuation of Lighting Design Studio 1. Advanced exploration in the development of lighting design for the stage. Explores how to develop lighting ideas, concepts, and visual images from a text, music, or movement and how to support those ideas to the point of realization. Required Labs will supplement class work with hands-on activities. 3.0 units. Spring 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 644: Costume Production Studio 2
  Graduate Prerequisites: CFA TH 643 or permission of instructor. - Continuation of Costume Production Studio 2, this class covers historical information dating from early Renaissance to the Regency Period of women's dress. Clothing of various stages in the evolution of this broad period are discussed in lectures and explored by students using a method of radial projection draping or flat patterning. Draping assignments and in class exercises supplement the historical information and provide the student with draping/ flat patterning knowledge of more elaborate garment elements. Students will produce a corset and underpinnings for a chosen period, petticoat and bodice. Upon completion of the class students will have the knowledge to Drape, Flat Pattern and Radial Project period specific garments. 3.0 units. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 649: Costume Production Studio 7: Advanced Draping - 19th Century
  The study of flat patterning and draping through individual projects. Silhouette, line, and proportion become essential elements in the development of complete muslin reproductions. The study of the form and function of period underpinnings is stressed.
• CFA TH 650: Costume Production Studio 8
  Prerequisite: CFA TH 649; Continues the study of flat patterning and draping through individual projects. Silhouette, line, and proportion become essential elements in the development of complete muslin reproductions. The study of the form and function of period underpinnings is stressed.