College of Arts and Humanities

Theatre Department Homepage

Theatre (DRM)
The Dakota Wesleyan University theatre program is a comprehensive program offering intensive and individualized instruction, with opportunities within the liberal arts curriculum for a broader general education. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in theatre allows students to learn and achieve practical experiences in a variety of theatrical disciplines. The program is tailored to students interested in pursuing careers in areas such as acting, directing, stage management, theatre education, design (scenic, lighting, sound, makeup) and stage combat. When B.F.A. students major in theatre, they take a wide range of core theatre courses as well as choosing elective courses which focus on a student’s specific area of interest.

NOTE - Students who do not declare a B.F.A. theatre major in the fall as a first-year student may find that it will take more than four years to accommodate the requirements for the B.F.A. degree based upon the requirements outlined above and the needed electives.

Dramatic Productions
Auditions for all productions presented by the DWU theatre department are not just reserved for theatre students, but are open to all full-time and part-time students at Dakota Wesleyan, as well as DWU staff, faculty and area residents. Casting decisions rest solely with the director of that play.  The merit of each individual will be considered in relationship to the part or parts for which the individual has auditioned, as well as availability for rehearsals and performances.  Merit might include a combination of any of the following: previous experience, vocal ability, acting ability, physical stature and/or other characteristics germane to the particular part. Upon accepting a part, the actor is responsible for being at all specified rehearsals and productions.

Major

Minor  

Course Descriptions
NOTE: The B.F.A. curriculum is based on a four-year rotating schedule. Most courses will only be available once every four years. Please contact the director of theatre for specific schedule information.

111/211/311/411 Theatre Activity (one credit each semester for three semesters) 1 hour F,S
Students will complete an individual project in acting, directing, makeup design, stagecraft, lighting, playwriting, props, sound, costumes or publicity for a theatre production. Students may repeat this course up to three times.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

121 Technical Theatre 3 hours S14
This is a hands-on course which will introduce students to the terminology, equipment, materials and techniques used in theatre for the purpose of the construction and painting of theatrical sets and scenery.

131 Introduction to Theatre 3 hours F
Students will be introduced to the study and art of theatre. In the course, students explore the communicative, collaborative and performance elements of the theatrical process. Through the study of artists, productions and dramatic texts, students learn about theatre’s historical and critical influence as a social force, as well as the value of active participation in the arts.
General Education: Effective Expression – Artistic Appreciation

132 Auditioning 3 hours F13
This class will investigate the theory and practice of quality actor auditioning for all forms of theatrical productions, professional and amateur, as well as auditions for local television markets.

161 History of Theatre and Drama: Greek to Renaissance 3 hours TBA
Students are exposed to the rich history of theatre through the examination of Western drama and theatre production through the Renaissance. Emphasis on Hellenic and Hellenistic periods, the Roman Republic, medieval England and Europe, Renaissance Italy, Spain and England. Students will study selected plays from Aeschylus to Shakespeare.

188 Stage Management and Production Team Communication 3 hours S14
This course offers the theatre student the vital study of the principles and systems of stage management and production team communication needed for theatre today, with particular emphasis placed upon developing effective organizational tools and communication techniques. Practical application of stage management and production team communication skills will be demonstrated in DWU theatre productions.

203 Acting I 3 hours F11
This course explores the basic techniques of acting, using exercises in observation, concentration, sense recall, emotional recall and imagination as the basis of character development. Students learn how voice and body are tools for creating a role. These explorations culminate in interpretation and performance of scenes from contemporary plays.
General Education: Effective Expression – Artistic Appreciation

213 Scene Design 3 hours TBA
Through this course students explore the scenic design process. Students study techniques specific to the area of theatrical scenic design. The designer’s analysis, concept, initial drawings, rendering and model making are all investigated, as well as software design and applications using Vectorworks and AutoCad 2007.

232 Acting II 3 hours F12
Students will be introduced to various sophisticated styles of improvisation, script analysis, scene study, techniques and practice. Extensive work on releasing tension, developing concentration, and training the actor's sensory and emotional instrument for integration into scene work will also be explored.

261 History of Theatre and Drama: Restoration to the “isms” 3 hours S14
The theatre student is given the opportunity to investigate a theatre period in history by exploring drama and theatre from the Restoration period through the “isms.” Emphasis will be placed on the Jacobean period, and early Realistic forms through realism and the theatre of the absurd. Emphasis will be placed on realism, naturalism, symbolism, expressionism, epic theatre, theatre of cruelty, existentialist drama and theatre of the absurd.

299 Selected Topics – Basic 3 hours S13

301 Costume and Makeup 3 hours S12
Students investigate the varied principles of costume design, including the fundamentals of play analysis, historical research, and rendering techniques. Students will then participate in costuming an actual performance.

305 Acting for the Camera 3 hours S12
Though many people might believe live theatrical acting is the same as movie and television acting, they would be wrong. In this class, students discover the huge differences in acting styles for television and movies. Students will learn television audition and commercial techniques as well as what is really needed to be a fine movie actor.

335 Directing 3 hours TBA
This course introduces the student to the art and craft of theatre directing. Students will delve into scripts, research and analyze them, and develop working concepts based on their analysis, research and imagination. Then through composition, movement and tempo-rhythm study, students should be able to take what they have discovered and apply these creative, communicative and performance skills, required of today’s theatre director, and direct a one-act play or a DWU theatrical production.

361 History of Theatre and Drama: Contemporary Theatre 3 hours S13
This course is a survey of post-theatre of the absurd drama. Emphasis is put on major standard and experimental dramatists since 1960, as well as the study of theatrical presentations of today.

369 World Culture in Film 3 hours F11
This course explores the art of filmmaking from other countries and how those films can help a student discover the cultural differences within our ever-changing and shrinking world. The student explores films from such countries as Russia, Spain, Mexico, France, England, Japan and India and then compares them to American society to ascertain the differences.
General Education: Cultural and Global Awareness

388 Stage Combat: Unarmed 3 hours TBA
The DWU theatre student trains in unarmed and quarterstaff combat for the stage. This training includes fisticuffs, falls and rolls, work with quarterstaff, and the basic techniques of fight choreography.

409 Acting Period Styles 3 hours S13
The course is designed to acquaint students with acting styles of important eras in theatre history and the special considerations inherent in performing these dramas. The course emphasizes cultural distinctions in manners, movement and vocal practice as they relate to the analysis and performance of period drama. Students learn techniques of performing Greek tragedy, Elizabethan drama, Restoration comedy, epic theatre and modern “isms” such as symbolism, expressionism, surrealism and absurdism.

436 Directing II 3 hours F12
An advanced directing class that will look at complex problems in stage directing, emphasizing text analysis, communication, period styles, viewpointing and other advanced techniques as applied to the production of a one-act play or a DWU theatrical production.

450 Practicum or Internship in Theatre 3 hours TBA
Students may develop a practicum or participate in an internship in an area such as radio and television broadcasting, or community, educational and professional theatre. Internships are available in directing, management, production or performance.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

460 Independent Study 3 hours TBA
Advanced students may design flexible programs to meet their interests in such areas as research, education, senior production or performance.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

488 Stage Combat: Armed 3 hours S12
The DWU theatre student trains in armed combat for the stage. This training includes light sword, broadsword, rapier and dagger, as well as modern stage firearms.

495 Field Study in Professional Theatre 3 hours SU12
This class will travel and attend professional theatre productions either in New York, the United Kingdom or another theatre-rich, history-rich region of the world. Along with these productions students will investigate the rich history of theatre and participate in workshops hosted by professional theatre companies or individuals.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.