School of Theatre

• CFA TH 607: Collaboration Forum 1
  A laboratory type class which creates the opportunities to explore individual and collaborative ideas and problem solving in the creation of theatre. Emphasis is placed on the student's personal discovery of their own unique approach to their work and their involvement in the larger community of theatre artists. 2.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 608: Collaboration Forum 2
  Prereq: CFA TH607 - Building on the collaborative relationships and creative processes developed in Collaboration Forum 1, this laboratory class continues the student's exploration of individual and collaborative ideas and problem solving in the creation of theatre. Emphasis is placed on the student's personal discovery of their own unique approach to their work and their involvement in the larger community of theatre artists.
• CFA TH 609: Directing Studio 1
  This course will focus on laboratory scene work with actors in an effort to further cement basic fundamental skills in storytelling and actor collaboration. Students will primarily work on Realistic/Naturalistic material with the intent to develop the directors' skills of moving from moment to moment emotionally and telling a clear story. Directors will also use their critical eye to help give feedback to their peers. This course requires additional work outside of class time for engagement in practice-based exercises and rehearsals. 3.0 units. Fall semester. 
• CFA TH 610: Directing Studio 2
  Building on the foundation of CFATH 609 Directing Studio 1, this course will focus on laboratory scene work with actors in an effort to further cement basic fundamental skills in storytelling and actor collaboration. Students will primarily work on material that is diametrically opposed to Realism/Naturalism and will explore how to approach alternative styles of dramatic texts in an effort to tell a clear story. Directors will also use their critical eye to help give feedback to their peers. This course requires additional work outside of class time for engagement in practice-based exercises and rehearsals. 3.0 units. Spring semester.
• CFA TH 611: Technical Production Studio 3
  This course is designed to give Technical Directors a basic engineering knowledge to design safe and efficient scenery and learn the math behind the scenery they are building. Students will discuss concepts typical to engineering, study the variables and formulas used to determine material strengths, typical and atypical loading conditions, and how to engineer scenery used in normal theatrical applications and study the vocabulary used by structural engineers to ensure they have the capacity to communicate questions and issues that may arise during their career. Effective Fall 2026, this course fulfills a single requirement in the following BU HUB area: Quantitative Reasoning 1.
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  • Quantitative Reasoning I
• CFA TH 612: Technical Production Studio 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 611 This course is designed to give Technical Directors an in-depth look into engineering safe and efficient scenery. Through real conditions and a text, students will learn how to engineer wood and steel elements used in theatre. The primary focus of study will be beam and column design. Effective Spring 2027, this course fulfills a single requirement in the following BU HUB area: Quantitative Reasoning 2.
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  • Quantitative Reasoning II
• CFA TH 613: Scene Painting Studio 1
  Studio class exploring soft goods and problem solving with scene painting techniques. 1.0 units. Fall semester.
• CFA TH 614: Scene Painting Studio 2
  Prereq: CFA TH 614 - Building on the techniques and skills developed in Scene Painting Studio 1, this studio class continues the student's exploration of soft goods and problem solving with scene painting techniques.
• CFA TH 617: History of Period Styles 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 518 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.
• CFA TH 618: History of Period Styles 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 617 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.
• CFA TH 619: Scene Painting 3
  Prereq: CFA TH 583 - Studio class. Painting specific architectural detail; projects include stain glass, perspective and trompe l'oeil techniques; special finishes for furniture and constructed projects.
• CFA TH 620: Scene Painting 4
  Prereq: CFA TH 619 - 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.
• 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.
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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
  Prereq: CFATH 629 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.
• 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
  Prereq: CFATH 635. - 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.
• 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
  Prereq: CFA TH 637 - 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.