CATALOG • 2010-2011

Theatre – Major/Minor

For information, contact Roxanne Amico.

The theatre program is heavily grounded in production work and practical experience. An intensely interdisciplinary focus is cultivated with particular emphasis placed on elevating the role of women through play selection and meaningful theatrical material which can be shared with a wide audience on and off campus. Fully equipped scene and costume shops support four major productions annually as well as numerous senior productions. Major productions are staged in the 250 seat Abram Samuels Theatre with smaller shows mounted in the 75 seat Little Theatre. Students majoring in theatre are expected to participate in all productions each term in some capacity either on stage crew, cast, box office, scene shop, and costume construction crews or stage management. Campus work-study jobs nicely complement the work in the department as students can receive hands-on training in theatre as part of their work-study requirements. Auditions or applications are required for all production responsibilities. All theatre majors are obliged to abide by the written Performing Arts Departmental Policies. A grade of C or better is required in all courses taken for application toward all major requirements in the performing arts.

Competencies and Assessment in the Performing Arts

1. An initial assessment of each student's prior skills and experience is done upon declaring the major in theatre. A written assessment is placed in their file.

2. Attendance at the First Friday Performing Arts Noon Series is required each term for declared majors.

Presentations are required once each year. All presentations are expected to be works in progress and can be drawn from class work or independent work.

3. All majors are given appropriate literature or reading lists to guide them in rounding out their studies. Students are expected to be familiar by graduation with the major authors, styles or periods on the lists appropriate to their discipline.

4.Mid-year reviews are conducted for all theatre majors. Reviews take place during FNA 100. All majors are

expected to meet with the departmental faculty to review their progress from class work to performance. Failure to comply will require the student to submit a five page analysis of her work to date. Mid-year reviews are required for certification.

5. By spring of the junior year, students submit project proposals for approval. All majors are expected to make an oral presentation on a designated First Friday briefly presenting the progress and plans for their project in spring of the junior year.

Senior Project: All majors must produce a major creative project in order to graduate. Students present a project proposal for departmental approval and seek an advisor for the project by April 1.No projects will proceed without departmental approval. This project is included in Fine Arts 353.

All Performing Arts Majors are required to participate in a minimum of two faculty supervised Musical Ensembles, Dance Productions, Theatre Productions and/or Performing Arts Practicums.

6.Graduating seniors participate in exit interviews with departmental faculty.

7. 15 credits of course work in the major must be taken at Cedar Crest College.

Requirements for the Theatre Major: (47 credits)

THS 120 Introduction to Theatre 3 credits

THS 150 Stagecraft 3 credits

THS 201 Beginning Acting 3 credits

THS 231 History of Theatre I 3 credits

THS 232 History of Theatre II 3 credits

THS 240 Design for the Stage 3 credits

THS 250 and/or THS 251 (3 x 1) 3 credits

THS 310 Directing 3 credits

THS Electives in area of interest: (3 x 3) 9 credits

Performance and/or Design/ Technology

FNA 100 First Friday (4 x .5) 2 credits

FNA 252 Sophomore Seminar 3 credits

FNA 255 Portfolio 1 credit

FNA 353 Senior Project 5 credits

THS 105 Public Speaking 3 credits

Technology, Oral Presentation and Information Literacy requirements (for majors) are fulfilled through the following course:

FNA 100 First Friday

FNA 252 Sophomore Seminar

FNA 255 Portfolio Preparation

FNA 353 Senior Seminar

Requirements for the Theatre Minor: (18 credits)