School of Theatre
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CFA TH 353: AutoCAD 1: 2D Theatrical Drafting
Prereq: CFA TH 173 or permission of instructor. Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting program AutoCAD and its application to theatrical drafting. Basic terminology, plate organization and technical drafting for Technical Production majors. Drafting elective requirement variable for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 354: AutoCAD 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 353 or permission of instructor. A continuation of AutoCAD 1 as a more advanced, in-depth study of AutoCad. A heavier focus on 3D Modeling and an introduction to CAM for theatrical shops. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 357: Costume Production 5: Historic Tailoring
This class emphasizes the historical evolution of tailoring in menswear dating from 1690 to 1800. Lectures focus on the historical significance of silhouettes for each time period facilitating information on changing seam lines and infrastructure of the garment. Time will be allotted in class to participate in detail sample making, pattern drafting from different systems, cutting and assembling garments. Fittings will also be used to teach different methods of construction through class participation. The final product will be a finished tailored garment in preparation for modern tailoring. Fall semester of odd academic years. -
CFA TH 358: Costume Production 6: Ladies' Tailoring
This tailoring class emphasizes the historical development of the female suit in the 20th century. Lectures focus on the development and use of inner structures of the suit and the evolution of this throughout the decades. Students will choose a suit from their research and reproduce it following the appropriate tailoring methods. Class time is allotted for drafting, fittings and also demonstrations of tailoring techniques used during the 20th century. The final product of this class will be a finished tailored women's suit. 3.0 credits. Spring semester of odd academic years. -
CFA TH 363: Scene Design 3
Prereq: CFA TH 264 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 368: Scene Design 4
Prereq: CFA TH363 or consent of instructor; Continuation of CFA TH 363 Scene Design 3. Intermediate design solutions with an emphasis on conceptual approaches based on a deep script analysis and understanding of the text. Work in a variety of the unique theatre spaces that students will encounter while at Boston University. Students work on research, developing a design through preliminary sketches, storyboarding, intermediate models and and final rendered models. Readings and projects incorporate many theatre genres including opera, musical theatre and new plays, depending on the needs of the students in the class. 3.0 units. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 375: Costume Design 3
Prereq: CFA TH 276; 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 incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera depending on individuals in the class. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 377: Rendering for Costume Design 1
The Rendering for Costume Design course serves to elevate conceptual design ideas with an emphasis on visual and verbal presentation. Drawings are treated as informational tools which are used when facilitating discussions with fellow designers and directors. With practice of the skills learned in class, students find that they will achieve greater individual expression in addition to the research used in the costume design process. The use of various drawing and watercolor techniques are employed to help create dynamic, expressive renderings with an emphasis on composition and style. 1.0 credits. Fall Semester. -
CFA TH 378: Rendering for Costume Design 2
The Rendering for Costume Design course serves to elevate conceptual design ideas with an emphasis on visual and verbal presentation. Drawings are treated as informational tools which are used when facilitating discussions with fellow designers and directors. With practice of the skills learned in class, students find that they will achieve greater individual expression in addition to the research used in the costume design process. The use of various drawing and watercolor techniques are employed to help create dynamic, expressive renderings with an emphasis on composition and style. 1.0 credits. Spring Semester. -
CFA TH 383: Lighting Design 3
Prereq: CFA TH 284 or Permission of Instructor. Introduction to lighting design for the stage as a medium for communicating artistic ideas to an audience. Explores the language of light, both verbal and abstract, with a strong emphasis on dramaturgical analysis and how these textual ideas can be interpreted using light. Required Labs will supplement class work with hands-on activities. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 385: Photography 1
Prereq: Instructor Consent; A general survey of the art and practices of photography. Focus is especially strong in aspects of: history of artists and images, history of technology, photographic processes and basics of the camera and technology. 1.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 388: Sound Design 4
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CFATH387) consent of instructor. - Continuation of sound design 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. 3 cr -
CFA TH 391: Vectorworks 1
Prereq: CFA TH 173 or permission of instructor. Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting program Vectorworks and its application to theatrical drafting. Basic terminology, plate organization and technical drafting for Lighting and Sound designers. Drafting elective requirement variable for BFA Design, Production & Management Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 392: Vectorworks 2
Prerequisite: CFA TH 391 or permission of instructor. Advanced work in Vectorworks CAD; permission rating on the use of Spotlight as it applies to drafting light plots and related lighting paperwork. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 394: Lighting Design 4
Prerequisite: CFA TH 383 or Permission of Instructor. A continuation of CFA TH 383. Introduction to lighting design for the stage as a medium for communicating artistic ideas to an audience. Explores the language of light, both verbal and abstract, with a strong emphasis on dramaturgical analysis and how these textual ideas can be interpreted using light. Required Labs will supplement class work with hands-on activities. -
CFA TH 396: Costume Design 4
Prerequisite: CFA TH375; Continuation of CFA TH 375. 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 incorporate all theatre genres, ballet, dance and opera depending on individuals in the class. 3.0 units. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 399: Stage Management 3: Types & Styles
Prereq: CFA TH 299 or Permission of Instructor. Stage Management 3: Types & Styles examines approaches to leadership, management, communication, critical thinking, and ethics for the stage manager. Through the lens of the artful application of these skills to the different types of live performance the stage manager may encounter, such as new works, musicals, opera, dance, and event work, students will strengthen and hone their personal stage management style. This course requires additional work outside of class time for engagement in practice-based exercises and rehearsal/performance observations. Fall Semester. 3.0 credits. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. -
CFA TH 403: Advanced Playwriting
Prereq: CFA TH 303 or consent of instructor; Students will learn the art of developing an early stage first draft into a production ready final rehearsal draft. Run like an intensive development workshop, this is where the most intensive, and arguably, most satisfying work will begin. Students learn the nuts and bolts of massaging a play: fleshing out characters, streamlining action, refining dialogue and finessing structure. Playwrights will also learn about the expectations and strategies for productive collaborative in-process relationships with actors, directors and dramaturges. This class is required for writers intending to produce original works for BFA Thesis. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 405: Classical Theatre Through a Contemporary Lens
Undergraduate prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120). - 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 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: Writing-Intensive, Research and Information Literacy. -
CFA TH 406: Contemporary Theatre
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g WR120) and at least one of the following: CFA TH 101, CFA TH 104, CFA TH 205, CFA TH 206 or permission of instructor. -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 B.U. and in Boston-at-large is required. 4.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: The Individual in Community.
