The College’s theatre arts program provides students with a liberal arts-based theatre education. It the goal of the program that students will develop a life-long passion for this collaborative art form. The program encourages all students on campus to participate in theater production. By its very nature, theatre is multi-disciplinary.

The theatre arts program provides both majors and non-majors with experience as performers, technicians, and designers. When building performance skills, students explore the creative process using their imagination, movement, and voice. According to their interests, students may also explore directing or stage management. Studies in technical design may include scenery, lighting, costumes, or sound. Upon graduation, students will have worked in all major genres and be prepared for a future in theatre.

Theatre arts offers two areas of emphasis for the major (performance or technical) or a minor. Either emphasis encompasses intensive professional training while preparing students for graduate school or employment in the theatre.

Major in Theatre, Performance Emphasis

A minimum of 42 semester hours is required, including:
THR132 Acting I: Beginning Acting
THR232 Acting II: Characterization
THR240 Voice and Diction
THR242 Modern Dramatic Literature
THR250 Directing I
THR253 Classical Dramatic Literature
THR335 Acting III: Shakespearean
THR433 Theatre History I: Beginnings through Neo-Classicism
THR434 Theatre HIstory II: Romanticism to the Present
THR435 Acting IV: Period Acting Styles
THR483 Senior Project

Three Semester Hours Required:
THR291 Theatre Practicum

Choose two of the following:
THR135 Stage Makeup
THR203 Creative Drama
THR230 Movement for Theatre
THR347 Musical Theatre
THR432 Audition Preparation

Major in Theatre, Technical Emphasis

A minimum of 43 semester hours is required, including
THR101 Introduction to Theatre
THR131 Technical Production
THR235 Drafting for the Stage
THR242 Modern Dramatic Literature
THR250 Directing I
THR253 Classical Dramatic Literature
THR433 Theatre History I: Beginnings through Neo-Classicism
THR434 Theatre History II: Romanticism to the Present
THR483 Senior Project

Four semesters of one of the following:
THR291 Theatre Practicum
THR391 Advanced Theatre Practicum

Choose two of the following:
THR310 Lighting Design
THR315 Scene Design
THR320 Costuming for the Stage

Choose 6 credits from the following:
THR135 Stage Makeup
THR245 Scene Painting
THR336 Rendering for the Stage
THR391 Advanced Theatre Practicum

Minor in Theatre Arts

A minimum of 19 semester hours is required, including
THR101 Introduction to Theatre
THR131 Technical Production
THR132 Acting I: Beginning Acting
THR135 Stage Makeup
THR291 Theatre Practicum
THR433 Theatre History I: Beginnings Through Neo-Classicism
THR434 Theatre History II: Romanticism to the Present

THR101 - Introduction to Theatre

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course provides a survey of the unique world of live theatre. Students will examine theatre as an art, exploring its various components: the actor, the playwright, the designer, the director, the dramatic structure, and the history of theatre.

THR110 - Introduction to Cinema

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course is taught only in conjunction with the Rocky Freshman Experience. This course provides an introduction to the art of the cinema. Topics include history, genre, acting and directing styles, and the industry's response to cultural issues.

THR131 - Technical Production

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Students examine a practical approach to the fundamentals of technical theatre. The course includes becoming familiar with tools, equipment, and the technology used in stage construction. Construction projects are required.

THR132 - Acting I: Beginning Acting

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3
The student receives the fundamental skills and techniques for an in-depth exploration of the acting process. Through monologue and scene work, improvisations and exercises, students will learn to communicate effectively with others on and off stage. Areas of concentration include the development of self-awareness, vocal production, physical flexibility, and emotional exploration.

THR135 - Stage Makeup

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Students receive practical training in the design and application of theatrical makeup. Class projects will include standard, corrective, animal, fantasy, monster, and other makeups.

THR203 - Creative Drama

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Creative drama is a student-centered, process-oriented form of drama in which the focus is on the personal development of the participant. Students do drama exercises, which help
them to develop skills in building character, relating to a setting, improvisation, story dramatization, social drama, and applications of this process for more formal theatre work. Students create five scenes with fellow students, performing roles in those scenes before class peers. This course fulfills the general education requirement for fine arts.

THR230 - Movement for Theatre

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
In this course, the focus is on the principles, practices, and exercises in body technique and stage movement. The student learns concentration, centering, balance, agility, and movement skills through various techniques.

THR232 - Acting II: Characterization

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course builds upon the principles developed in Acting I. It stretches the actor's range by exploring methods of creating a character. Scene analysis is examined to discover the essence of the character clarifying motivation and intention. Selected scenes from realistic texts by Chekhov, Ibsen, Strindberg, and Shaw will be incorporated.
Prerequisite: THR 132

THR235 - Drafting for the Stage

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
A study of the drafting skills and techniques required for technicians and designers. Time will be spent in the study of hand-drafting as well as computer-aided drafting.

THR240 - Voice and Diction

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Fundamental concepts of vocal production are examined. Students take an in-depth look at the vocal mechanism and its importance to the live stage performance. The course prepares the student to effectively produce audible, intelligible speech. Each student will become proficient utilizing "Standard Stage" speech.

THR242 - Modern Dramatic Literature

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Fall semester, alternate years. 3 semester hours. Focusing on script analysis, students consider diverse trends in play-writing and theatrical performances over the past hundred years as viewed through the works of the major playwrights of Europe and the United States. Trends studied include realism, expressionism, surrealism, cubism, and absurdism. This course encourages cross-cultural understanding. This course is cross listed with ENG 242.

THR245 - Scene Painting

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
An overview of various painting techniques used in a theatrical setting. These may include, but are not limited to: woodgraining, marble, brick, and stenciling. A fee for materials will be charged.

THR247 - Puppetry

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
The course examines the use of puppets in educational, recreational, therapeutic, and religious settings. Design, construction, and manipulation of various kinds of puppets will be covered. Students will be given opportunities to develop performance skills through theatrical processes. While the course will focus on fundamentals, students will be encouraged to pursue their special puppetry interests and needs.

THR250 - Directing I

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course provides an introductory study of the numerous functions of a stage director from play selection to the final performance, emphasizing the development of directorial skills. Students will direct a one-act play.

THR253 - Classical Dramatic Literature

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Fall semester, alternate years. 3 semester hours. Focusing on script analysis, this course provides a chronological study of the major theatrical periods of dramatic literature from the emergence of Greek tragedy in the fifth century BC to the development of European realism in the late nineteenth century. The course also encourages cross-cultural understanding. This course is cross listed with ENG 253.

THR291 - Theatre Practicum

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 1
Students participate in theatre productions under the supervision of the theatre faculty. Credit may be given for lighting, set construction, house management, costuming, publicity, and more. Grades are on a pass/no pass basis only.

THR310 - Lighting Design

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course provides a study of the principles, technology, and aesthetics of designing stage lighting. Practical application is emphasized.
Prerequisite: THR 131

THR315 - Scene Design

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course examines the principles and aesthetics of generating practical, working designs for the modern stage. Requirements include models and research presentations.
Prerequisite: THR 131

THR320 - Costuming for The Stage

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course will investigate the role of costumes in theatrical production. Topics include costume history, color theory, and light/fabric relationships. Practical designs and construction projects will be completed.
Prerequisite: THR 131

THR335 - Acting III: Shakespearean Techniques

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Students will explore and apply the techniques necessary for the preparation and performance of Shakespeare. The focus of the work is on thorough script and verse analysis, interpretation, voice, and movement. Acting monologues and several scenes are required.
Prerequisite: THR 232

THR336 - Rendering for The Stage

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
A study of the media and techniques used to present a theatrical design. Practical application in rendering a scenic, lighting, and costume design.
Prerequisite: ART 101

THR347 - Musical Theatre

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to musical theatre. Study includes such topics as musical conventions historical perspectives, act-ability of musical numbers and staging of numbers. The course will culminate in an evening performance of prepared audition numbers.

THR391 - Advanced Theatre Practicum

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 2-3
Students participate in theatre productions under the supervision of the theatre faculty. Credit may be given for lighting, set construction, house management, costuming, and publicity. Each project will be given a letter grade.
Prerequisite: Permission of professor

THR420 - Methods and Materials: Teaching Theatre Arts in the Secondary School

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course requires focused study and consultation with a public school theatre teacher or other acceptable professional. Hours will be arranged in consultation with the content area professor, the secondary education professor, the student, and the professional mentor. This course provides a study of curriculum development and theatre production in the secondary school. Students study production possibilities within various educational settings. Students also explore methods for creating instructional and motivational curricula.
Prerequisites: Admission to the teacher education program; senior standing

THR432 - Audition Preparation

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
Cold readings, prepared auditions, and the interview will be scrutinized. Upon completion of this course, students will be equipped to present diversified auditions. Effective resumes and photographs will be examined.
Prerequisite: THR 132

THR433 - Theatre History I: Beginnings to Neoclassicism

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Spring semester, alternate years. 3 semester hours. This course provides a chronological study of the history of theatre from its origins to the 1850s. Critical theories, representative plays, and the physical conditions that contributed to the mainstream of theatrical history will be covered.

THR434 - Theatre History II: Neoclassicism to The Present

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course provides a chronological study of the history of theatre from Darwinism through modern drama. Critical theories, representative plays, physical conditions, theatrical conventions, and cultural and social movements, which affect the mainstream of theatrical history, will be covered.

THR435 - Acting IV: Period Acting Styles

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Students examine and perform fundamental styles of movement and expression dictated by specific historical periods.
Prerequisite: THR 335

THR440 - Performance/Design

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-3
Performance Emphasis: Students prepare and perform a major role in a Rocky Mountain College production. Each role must be approved and supervised by faculty. A daily rehearsal and performance journal and a major character analysis paper are required. The paper will address the role being undertaken and how it fits into the thematic structure of the piece, as well as how the actor applies the arc of the character in performance. Credit is dependent on role. This course is repeatable to a maximum of three credits. Design Emphasis: Students will prepare a design for a major element in a Rocky Mountain College production. A daily journal during the building process and technical rehearsals is needed. A critical paper is required, addressing struggles and successes within the process. Credit is dependent on development and creation of the design.

THR450 - Internship

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-12
This course is a guided work experience in an already established place of business. The student must arrange the internship in agreement with the instructor and the office of career services. The internship should relate to the student's major or minor area of study. Contract is required.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

THR471 - Shakespeare

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Students are provided with an advanced examination of rep- resentative Shakespearean plays. Emphasis is placed equally on script analysis and the acting process.

THR483 - Senior Project

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
A course designed for the senior as a culmination of study in his/her area of concentration. Theatre faculty must approve the project by the end of the student’s junior year. Each project will be closely supervised by faculty. Requirements for this course can be met in one of four ways:

• Acting: A student will act a major role in a full-length play.
  Journals and analysis required;
• Directing: A student will direct a full-length play during
  Rocky Mountain College's main season. Journals and
  analysis required;
• Play writing: A student will write a play and arrange for a
  public reading of that play. Journals and analysis required;
• Technical: A student must complete a design for lights, costumes, and/or sets for a Rocky Mountain College or Billings Studio Theatre production. A technical student may also stage manage a major production. Journals and analysis required.

Students will meet individually on a regular basis with their faculty supervisor throughout the duration of the project. Performance students will be required to turn in character analysis, play analysis, and/or research paperwork. Technical students will be required to turn in all design (or management) paperwork. Deadlines for the appropriate paperwork will be determined at the beginning of the semester during which the senior project will be competed. Following completion of the senior project, students will meet with all theatre faculty to discuss the production, journal, analysis work, and upcoming goals.

THR490 - Seminar

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-3
Selected topics in theatre are explored.

THR499 - Independent Study

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-3
This course allows a superior student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing