Theater (THEA)
(Also see Communication Skills and English)
Note: Courses taught at a distance (Distance Learning [DL]) may have a higher lab fee than traditionally taught courses.

THEA 100 Introduction to the Theater (A, W, SP, SU,–DL)
The course is designed to help students bring critical thinking skills into their experience as theatergoers. Students will be introduced to the theater arts: acting, directing and design. Students will survey the history of Western theater, focusing on the art as a reflection of society’s changing social and cultural values. Plays representing several genres and historical periods will be read and discussed. Writing assignments include critical reviews of plays attended.
Lecture: 5 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or ENGL 111
Lab fee: $5.00; $15.00 for DL

THEA 180 Theater Practicum (A, W, SP, SU)

3 credits
Course offers supervised practical experience in two or more of the following areas: acting, lighting, set, sound, costuming, house management, stage managing or directing. Enrollment is limited to students who have been cast in a theater production on campus or who have been selected to work on technical areas of the production. With the advanced approval of the instructor, credit can be earned by working on off-campus theater productions. Course is repeatable to nine credits.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 9hours
Prerequisite: THEA 100 and permission of instructor
Lab fee: $7.00

THEA 205 Technical Production Practicum (A, W, SP, SU)

3 credits
Course provides experience in technical production activities for a theater production. Students fulfill their role as a crew member by exploring a play script and participating in one or more technical areas: lighting design; hanging, focusing, and light board operation; sound design decisions and implementation; stage managing; costume design; building and pulling costumes for production; basic stagecraft; prop management and publicity. Technical Production Practicum entails an understanding of budget and time constraints, time management, and an appreciation for theater as a collaborative art. Course is repeatable to 9 credits.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 4 hours
Prerequisite: THEA 100
Lab fee: $5.00


THEA 210 Technical Production Fundamentals: Stage Lighting (SP)

3 credits
Course presents an introduction to the basic principles and functions of stage lighting. Students receive experience in creating a lighting design, hanging and focusing lighting instruments and executing the design with a computer control board. Stage Lighting also gives a brief overview of the work of other members of the production staff with whom a lighting designer collaborates.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 4 hours
Prerequisite: THEA 100 or permission of instructor
Lab fee: $3.00

THEA 215 Fundamentals of Script Analysis (W)

3 credits
This course offers an intensive study of the play script as a basis for production. Students learn the basic principles and challenges of script analysis; techniques for assessing a script from the diverse perspectives of designers, directors and performers; various modes of interpretation, including traditional and contemporary forms; and ways to effectively communicate critical positions, both written and orally.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: THEA 100
Lab fee: $5.00

 

THEA 231 Literature for the Theater I (W)

3 credits
Course presents a survey of selected world drama from the classical Greek period to the 17th century. The focus is on the plays as potential theater.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or 111, THEA 100
Lab fee: $3.00

 

THEA 233 Literature for the Theater III (SU)

3 credits
Course surveys selected Western drama from the mid-19th century to the present. The focus is on the plays as potential theater.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or 111, THEA 100
Lab fee: $3.00

 

THEA 280 Fundamentals of Acting (A, W, SP, SU)

3 credits
Course introduces the basic principles of stage acting with a focus on practical experience. Areas of emphasis include stage movement, vocal delivery, body language, concentration techniques, and basic script analysis and scoring.
Lecture: 1 hours – Lab: 4 hours
Lab fee: $3.00

THEA Writing Plays (SP)

5 credits (see ENGL 283)

THEA 290 Capstone Experience in Theater (SU)

3 credits
Course fulfills the capstone requirement for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degree students at Columbus State. Students will carry out and present a major project in theater—in performance, technical theater or research. Students will complete a personal portfolio covering their studies in theater and related areas.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 6 hours
Lab fee: $90.00

THEA 297/298/299 Special Topics in Theater (On Demand)

3 credits
Special Topics in Theater is designed to meet specific needs.
Lecture: 1 hours – Lab: Hours vary
Prerequisite: Varies