School of Theatre

• CFA TH 657: History of Dress 1
  This course is an intensive survey covering the history of significant cultural expression in dress from 3000 B.C.E. through the 18th century. Students will examine the evolution of fashion by studying various types of art and literature as well as socio-economic, political, and religious influences. Students will familiarize themselves with the vocabulary, theory, production, silhouettes, and trends in Western dress through effective researching, experiential learning, discussion-based learning, and interactive lectures. Class work involves research projects with emphasis on color, materials, manufacture, theory, and application. 2.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 658: History of Dress 2
  Intensive survey course covering the history of significant cultural expression in dress from the end of the 18th century to the present. Students examine the evolution of fashion by studying various types of art & literature as well as socio-economic, political, and religious influences. Students will familiarize themselves with the vocabulary, theory, production, silhouettes, and trends in Western dress through effective researching, experiential learning, discussion-based learning, and interactive lectures. Research projects emphasize color, materials, manufacture, theory, and application. 2.0 units. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 673: Introduction to Textiles 1
  This course will cover identification and use of a variety of different fabrics utilized in theatrical production. 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. 2.0 credits. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 691: Sound Design Studio 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 630. For the intermediate sound design student. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate sound design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance, and opera.
• CFA TH 692: Sound Design Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 691. - Continuation of Sound Design Studio 3. Exploration for the intermediate sound design student. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate sound design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance, and opera.
• CFA TH 695: Production Management 1
  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. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Quantitative Reasoning I.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • Quantitative Reasoning I
• CFA TH 699: Production Management Studio 2
  Prereq: CFA TH 695. - Building on the concepts introduced in Production Management Studio 1, this course will further study the role of the Production Manager within the design, production, and rehearsal process, specifically concentrating on the roles and responsibilities of Production Managing on a professional level, including season scheduling, budget & finances, personnel management and facilities management. Students will get hands-on experience in each of these through the creation of theoretical production paperwork, in-class discussions and workshops.
• 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 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.