Theater Courses
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- Fall 2023
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Fall 2023▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
Introduction to Theater
THTR 100 - Mish, Robert W.
An introduction to drama and the theater arts, including a brief historical survey, selected examples of dramatic literature, and a sequence on theater disciplines such as acting, designing, and directing.
University Theater
THTR 109 - Mish, Robert W.
Participation in a university theater production for a minimum of 40 hours. A journal recording the production process is required.
Script Analysis for Stage and Screen
THTR 121 - Sandberg, Stephanie L.
Same as FILM 121. The study of selected plays and screenplays from the standpoint of the theatre and screen artists. Emphasis on thorough examination of the scripts preparatory to production. This course is focused on developing script analysis skills directly applicable to work in production. Students work collaboratively in various creative capacities to transform texts into productions.
Speak/Persuade/Influence
THTR 125 - Levy, Jemma A.
From courtrooms to comedy clubs, novels to movie theatres, stages to TV screens to corporate boardrooms, the use of direct address (acknowledging the actual presence of an audience by speaking directly and specifically and in response to them) has been part of performative human communication as long as we've been communicating. This course will study direct address in many of its forms in preparation for practicing it in our own public performance. Students will learn to read an audience, use persuasive rhetoric, choose body language and make vocal adjustments to present the "character" that will best persuade or influence their audience, and gain confidence in speaking in front of others.
Introduction to Entertainment Technology
THTR 131 - Collins, Owen
Course introduces students to the backstage technology used to create productions in Theater, Dance, and Film. Through hands-on exercises students will be introduced to the tools, materials, and techniques for creating the scenery, costumes, props, painting, lighting, sound, and video for productions. Students participate as run crew 40-50 hours for one of the department productions during the term as well as complete the co-requisite lab course THTR 132.
Laboratory for Introduction to Entertainment Technology
THTR 132 - Collins, Owen
An introduction to modern technical practice involving three hours of laboratory work per week. A practical course, emphasizing skills for creating scenery, costumes, props, painting, lighting, sound, and video elements for Theater, Dance, and Film productions. The student applies the methods and theories discussed in class to work on actual productions. Laboratory co-requisite course for THTR 131.
Stage Acting 1
THTR 141 - Levy, Jemma A.
An introduction to acting for the stage. In this hands-on class, students learn and develop physical and vocal techniques for text-based and improvisational performance, focusing on relationships, objectives, and actions. Work includes in-class scene presentations from modern scripts.
Production and Stage Management
THTR 209 - / Davies, Jenefer M.
Production and stage management are essential leadership roles for all performance organizations. Students will begin to develop a personal management style necessary to manage and run theater, dance, and film productions. Students will explore methods and skills required to manage productions through hand-on exercises. The course offers students greater understanding of the artistic and organizational best practices for running creative performance organizations, while focusing on the collaborative communication essential to an inventive and safe environment.
Introduction to Performance Design
THTR 251 - Collins, Owen
An introduction to the history, fundamentals and aesthetics of design for theater and dance with an emphasis on the collaborative nature of the design disciplines. Design projects are required.
Lighting Design
THTR 336 - / Davies, Jenefer M.
A study of the practice of stage lighting, focusing on styles of production, historical methods and artistic theory. Culminates in a light design for a public theatrical production.
Spring 2023▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
Study Abroad in Swedish Theater
THTR 204 - Evans, Shawn Paul
This course provides a broad impact on student's cross-cultural skills and global understanding, enhancing their worldview. Students have the opportunity to acquire critical intercultural knowledge, appreciation of cultural and social differentness, and exposure to perspectives critical for global leadership. The course focuses on examining cultural differences between Sweden and United States through the exploration of the arts; however, because of the size of the class students are encouraged to examine Swedish culture from their own disciplinary interest.
Winter 2023▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
University Theater
THTR 109 - Davies, Jenefer M.
Participation in a university theater production for a minimum of 40 hours. A journal recording the production process is required.
Introduction to Entertainment Technology
THTR 131 - Collins, Owen
Course introduces students to the backstage technology used to create productions in Theater, Dance, and Film. Through hands-on exercises students will be introduced to the tools, materials, and techniques for creating the scenery, costumes, props, painting, lighting, sound, and video for productions. Students participate as run crew 40-50 hours for one of the department productions during the term as well as complete the co-requisite lab course THTR 132.
Laboratory for Introduction to Entertainment Technology
THTR 132 - Collins, Owen
An introduction to modern technical practice involving three hours of laboratory work per week. A practical course, emphasizing skills for creating scenery, costumes, props, painting, lighting, sound, and video elements for Theater, Dance, and Film productions. The student applies the methods and theories discussed in class to work on actual productions. Laboratory co-requisite course for THTR 131.
Stage Acting 1
THTR 141 - Monroe, Nafeesa
An introduction to acting for the stage. In this hands-on class, students learn and develop physical and vocal techniques for text-based and improvisational performance, focusing on relationships, objectives, and actions. Work includes in-class scene presentations from modern scripts.
Preparation for Study Abroad: Swedish Theater
THTR 203 - Evans, Shawn Paul
During the weekly class meetings, students examine the historical, social, political, and artistic qualities that make Sweden unique, arming them with knowledge for their time in Sweden. Studying abroad, which promotes encountering cultural difference and, hopefully, crossing cultural boundaries, can be expected to be uncomfortable and even incomprehensible some of the time. As a result of this course, students will be open to exploring and enjoying those cultural differences.
Production and Stage Management
THTR 209 - Evans, Shawn Paul
Production and stage management are essential leadership roles for all performance organizations. Students will begin to develop a personal management style necessary to manage and run theater, dance, and film productions. Students will explore methods and skills required to manage productions through hand-on exercises. The course offers students greater understanding of the artistic and organizational best practices for running creative performance organizations, while focusing on the collaborative communication essential to an inventive and safe environment.
3D Printing & Desktop Manufacturing for the Theater
THTR 238 - Collins, Owen
Desktop manufacturing has revolutionized the design and prototyping of objects. This course is an introduction to the use of desktop manufacturing technologies. Students learn how to create digital designs, publish them electronically and create physical versions of those digital ideas. The course concentrates on how these technologies can be used in theater design and technology.
Digital Production
THTR 253 - Evans, Shawn Paul
Digital technologies and multimedia interaction are increasingly utilized to produce, enhance, and innovate theatrical production. Students examine and experiment with various digital technologies as they relate to theater and dance performance. Students create digital audio, video, design rendering, and animation projects for theatrical performances.
Topics in Performing Arts: Stage Combat
THTR 290A - Monroe, Nafeesa
This course explores theatrical storytelling through the lens of violence as written and performed. We will explore what staged violence entails: how performers, directors, and fight directors design, create, and perform said violence on stage for an audience. Students will examine different types of violence on stage and its effects on the story being told. Students will learn how to perform staged violence with stage swords, stage knives, and unarmed fighting. We will engage in a deeper discussion about the role of violence in society at large and how violence in theatrical storytelling, mirrors, or differs from, that in real life. How do we tell a violent story while taking care of those performing the violence?
Special Topics in Theater History: The Musical on Stage and Screen: From Broadway to Tinseltown and Back Again
THTR 297B - Sandberg, Stephanie L.
This course explores the history of the American musical and the fascinating interplay between the media of the Broadway stage and the Hollywood screen. We will begin by examining the art of adaptation in the musicals of the 1920s with the work of Busby Berkeley on 42nd Street and move through the history toward the development of the Disney conglomerate and the big business of multi-media storytelling, including the advent of streaming services. As a counter-cultural historical force, we will examine the history of important multi-media adaptations such as Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights and Spike Lee’s School Daze. Students will have the opportunity to research and examine the history of one adaptation of their choice, focusing on how the story shifts with different audiences and different mediums.
Directed Individual Project: Advanced Studies in Stage Management
THTR 423A - Evans, Shawn Paul
This course permits the student to follow a program of specialized applied research in order to widen the scope of experience and to build upon concepts covered in other courses.
Directed Individual Project: Study in Assistant Directing
THTR 423B - Davies, Jenefer M.
This course permits the student to follow a program of specialized applied research in order to widen the scope of experience and to build upon concepts covered in other courses.
Internship
THTR 453 - Sandberg, Stephanie L.
After consultation with a theater faculty member and a representative of a departmentally approved theater or dance company, students submit a written description of a proposed summer internship with the company. Specific conditions of the internship and of required on-campus, follow-up projects must be approved by the department. Credit is awarded after completion of the required on-campus, follow-up projects.
University Theater IV: Capstone
THTR 471 - Collins, Owen
Participation in a university theater production for a minimum of 50 hours. A journal recording the production process and a portfolio documenting the student's productions at Washington and Lee University are required.
Honors Thesis
THTR 493 - Sandberg, Stephanie L.
An advanced theater course that serves as a capstone to the major. Theater majors selected by the department conduct advanced theater research and individual artistic preparation, contribute artistically to the department's performance season, and produce a significant written thesis under the guidance of a thesis adviser.
Honors Thesis
THTR 493 - Evans, Shawn Paul
An advanced theater course that serves as a capstone to the major. Theater majors selected by the department conduct advanced theater research and individual artistic preparation, contribute artistically to the department's performance season, and produce a significant written thesis under the guidance of a thesis adviser.