School of Theatre
View courses in
-
CFA TH 257: Scenography 1
This course will explore the various ways all disciplines of theatre design – Scenic, Costumes, Lighting, Sound – collaboratively support storytelling in live performances. Emphasis will be placed on excavating and visualizing the text and how to be a knowledgeable and informed collaborative partner in the creation of theatrical work. Students will further develop their creative artistic voice and research skills that support the theatrical design process. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Research and Information Literacy. -
CFA TH 263: Scene Design 1
Prereq: None; 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, opera, television, and film. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 273: Graphic Rendering 1
Prerequisite: CFA TH 174 or permission of instructor. Studio work in advanced hand drafting techniques. Exercises include completion of a drafting package including orthographic projections, true size & shape, section drawings, properties drawings, mechanical perspective drawing, package layout and design. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 275: Costume Design 1
Prereq: Instructor Consent; This course focuses on student's collaborative and artistic abilities in theatre practice with an emphasis on costume design. Students participate in a range of visual, written, and verbal techniques of communication; script analysis, style, research techniques, and rendering skills, based on several theatrical pieces. Students work in small selected groups to establish broader conceptual ideas, and individually focus on costume elements of the designated theatrical piece. This provides each student to learn costume design methodology developing a creative voice in collaboration with others. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 279: Costume Production 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 applica-tion will ensure that students are capable to lead a costume build team and successfully pro-duce costumes for an assigned production. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning I. -
CFA TH 281: Intro to Textiles 1
Prereq: Advisor Recommendation or Instructor Consent; 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. Every other odd numbered AY. -
CFA TH 283: Lighting Design 1
Prereq: CFA TH 162 & CFA TH 186, or consent of instructor; Introduction to the art and craft of lighting design for the stage. Explores the lighting design process, how to develop lighting ideas, concepts, and visual images from a text, and how to support those ideas to the point of realization. Required Labs will supplement class work with hands-on activities. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 285: Lighting Crafts 1
Introduction to theatrical lighting and technology as a technical craft within the performing arts industry. Discussion of basic terminology, shop organization, job descriptions, maintenance procedures, and safety. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 287: Sound Design 1
Prereq: CFA TH 162 & CFA TH 190, or consent of instructor; An overview of theatrical sound design, focusing on the process of creating a design. The emphasis is on sound cue creation, establishing mood, emotion and environment with sound, and critical listening. Covers the basics of the tools and technology used to implement a professional sound design. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 291: Audio Fundamentals
Prerequisite: CFA TH 172. This course will provide an overview of the function and integration of analog audio components as applied to theatrical production. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 294: Stage Management 1
Introduction to the role of the stage manager and assistant stage manager in the collaborative facilitation of each phase of the pre-production, rehearsal, technical rehearsal, and performance processes for a theatrical production. Course work involves developing the paperwork necessary for the typical production of a play. 3.0 Credits. Fall Semester. -
CFA TH 299: Stage Management 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 294 or permission of instructor. Building on the foundational stage management skills introduced in CFA TH 294 Stage Management 1, this course continues an exploration into the role of the stage manager and the assistant stage manager in their facilitation of the design, rehearsal, and production process. Topics include production paperwork, creative problem solving, collaboration, communication, and team management for the stage manager, with a focus on stage management for musicals, opera, and dance. 3.0 credits. Spring Semester. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA TH 303: Playwriting 1
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing (WR 120 or equivalent) - Prereq: CFA TH 227, CFA TH 228 or consent of instructor; Run like an intensive development workshop, this class offers students an introduction to the practice of playwriting through the exploration of dramatic texts and writing exercises. Students will develop writing processes conducive to accessing an authentic voice, rendering interesting characters, and building character relationships. Students should also develop a refined awareness of their artistic power to shape and control a theatrical reality. Students interested in developing original plays for thesis productions are encouraged to register. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 305: Theatrical Welding 1
Prerequisite: CFA TH 172. An introduction to welding technology explaining and outlining welding safety and the best welding practices for theatre. Course covers cutting, drilling and assembling mild steel for theatrical scenic construction. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 307: History of Period Styles 1
This is the first course in a series of 4 seminar style classes where we explore periods throughout history primarily through studying Architecture and Decor along with exploring the political and social atmosphere of the times. Each student will have a weekly assignment to research and share with their classmates in a PowerPoint style presentation. History of Period Styles 1 covers the Dawn of Man through the Fall of Rome. 2.0 credits. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU HUB area: Historical Consciousness. -
CFA TH 311: Voice & Speech 3: Classical Voice
Prereq: CFA TH 212; An exploration of a variety of approaches to Shakespeare's text, with an attempt to unify form and content. Developing and strengthening the voice and exploring the anatomy of language. Vowels and consonants, words and images, phrasing, and the intelligent orchestration of these components into overall meaning. The figures of speech, iambic pentameter, rhythm, line endings, verse and prose. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 317: Music Theatre Performance Skills 3: Scene Study
The focus of this course is developing and strengthening the individual singer's connection to song, freedom and repertoire with a focus on the physical and external potential of the actor. The voice will learn to adapt to a variety of styles, while deepening the actor's connection to his/her inner life. Attention will also be paid to the composition style, intention and notation. We are looking to find meaningful interplay of content and form, and increase specificity of thought and authenticity of experience. Ensemble scene work will be explored, transitioning the individual singer-actor from text to song and a larger whole. Different eras and styles within the music theatre canon will be explored. 3.0 credits. Fall Semester -
CFA TH 321: Acting 3: Shakespeare
Acting 3: Shakespeare -
CFA TH 327: Theatre Ensemble 3: Acting/Directing Lab
Prereq: CFA TH 128 and either CFA TH 227 or CFA TH 228 or instructor permission; In this acting/directing workshop, a series of scene assignments and short plays provide students with multiple opportunities to exercise and enhance their rehearsal and performance skills. The course emphasizes diagnosing and addressing rehearsal challenges. The workshop culminates in 'The Director's Project,' an presentation of short plays acted and directed (and, when feasible, written) by students. Those wishing to direct must be concurrently registered in CFA TH 341. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 331: Movement 3: 360 Physical Storytelling
Prereq: CFA TH232 or consent of the instructor; Inspired by the genre of black and white silent film, where expressive movement was paramount, this course is an immersive amalgamation of movement practices, styles and ideas to develop an ecstatic, informed, imaginative and truthful actor as artist- transitioning the actor into an artistic movement instrument with the ability to transcend through physical storytelling. 2.0 credits TH Only, Junior Act, Permission Req for Junior TA; Fall Semester.
