School of Theatre
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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 380: Costume Production 4: Modern Tailoring
Prereq: CFA TH 379 or permission of instructor. Continuation of CFA TH 379, this class explores the evolution of men's tailoring of the 20th century. Lectures focus on the significance of changing silhouettes for each decade and the inner structure that creates the perfect shape for various body types. Time will be allotted in class to participate in detail sample making, pattern drafting of various 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 three-piece suit. 3.0 credits. Spring Semester of even academic years. -
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 384: Lighting Design 4
Prereq: CFA TH 383 or Permission of Instructor. A continuation of CFA TH 383. Introduction to the process of lighting design for the stage. Explores 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. Spring 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 387: Sound Design 3
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CFATH288) consent of instructor. - For the intermediate sound design student. Projects for both theoretical and realized productions. Practical projects to demonstrate sound design techniques. Readings and projects incorporate genres, ballet, dance, and opera. 3 cr -
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 397: Production
Prereq: CFA TH 298; Junior Design & Production BFA candidates; students register for appropriate section based on Production assignment. Meets late afternoons, evenings, and/or weekends. Specific design and shop work in the mounting of student or professional productions. Does not include off-crew design work. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 398: Production
Prereq: CFA TH 397; Junior Design & Production BFA candidates; students register for appropriate section based on Production assignment. Meets late afternoons, evenings, and/or weekends. Specific design and shop work in the mounting of student or professional productions. Does not include off-crew design work. 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 411: Voice & Speech 4: Thesis Development
Prereq: TH 311; Continuation in development of vocal instrument, workshops in special topics and individual coaching in support of actor's performance in productions. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 412: Voice & Speech 4: Thesis Application
Prereq: CFA TH411; Continuation in development vocal instrument, workshops in special topics and individual coaching in support of actor's performance in productions. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 419: Music Theatre Performance Lab
Prereq: CFA TH218 or CFA TH317 or consent of the instructor; This course will focus on singing as storytelling, as a powerful means of self-expression brought to the context of a professional audition. The first half of the course will be an exploration of repertoire, and musicality as well as material that the individual is drawn to and best suits their essence. The second half of the course, students will hone audition skills, as well as interpretative and musicianship skill sets. They will work more closely exploring specific points of view and perspective. Students will learn to choose appropriate audition material, preparing music for an accompanist, and mock auditions. Students will leave with a repertoire book of material that has been developed throughout their time in the program. 3.0 credits. Fall Semester -
CFA TH 421: Acting 4: Thesis Development
Prereq: CFA TH 321; Experience in the application of techniques to define and fulfill the actor's work in terms of form and content as required by the play and its performance. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 422: Acting 4: Professional Lifetime Skills
Prereq: CFA TH421; For Senior Acting Majors or by instructor's permission. Focus on synthesizing the actor's training into the practical and artistic tools necessary to work creatively and collaboratively in the profession. Includes deepening and integrating skills in auditions, readings, and rehearsal process, as well as panel discussions on the business of theatre. 3.0 credits. Spring semester. Effective Spring 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Creativity/Innovation.
