Theatre Curriculum

Whether your interest is in learning about the various arts that blend together to create live theatre or in getting "hands-on" involvement in the technical elements of production, we have your future in mind with our theatre courses offered through the Department of Communication Skills.

Check out Theatre Columbus State.

For further information about the theatre curriculum, contact Nancy Kephart, or D. Michael Ehret.

- Courses -

COMM 115 Oral Interpretation
(A,W,SP,SU-DL)
3 credits
Students will read literature orally and listen critically.  They will then practice techniques for presenting literature dramatically.  The cultural and social functions of oral literature will be discussed.  Emphasis will be placed on analyzing literary works, recognizing their emotional and dramatic values, and projecting those qualities through oral presentations.  Writing assignments include response journals and short critical papers.  This course is recommended as a substitute for COMM 105 for all Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Students.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or 111
Concurrent: ENGL 101 or 111
Lab fee: $3.00

THEA 100 Introduction to the Theater
(A,SP)
5 credits
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

THEA 180 Theater Practicum
( A,W,SP,SU)
3 credits
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. Repeatable to nine credits.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 9 hours
Prerequisite: THEA 100 (COMM 130) and permission of instructor
Lab fee: $5.00

THEA 210 Technical Production Fundamentals: Stage
Lighting
(SP)
3 credits
An introduction to the basic principles and functions of stage lighting. Experience in creating a lighting design, hanging and focusing sighting instruments, and executing the design with the Status 24/48 control board. Brief overview of the work of other members of the production staff with whom a lighting designer collaborates.
Lecture: 1 hours – Lab: 4 hours
Prerequisite: THEA 100 (COMM130) or permission of instructor
Lab fee: $ 3.00

THEA 231 Literature for the Theater I
(W)
3 credits
A survey of selected world drama from the classical Greek period through the seventeenth century. The focus is on the plays as potential theater.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite or concurrent: ENGL 101 or 111
Lab fee: $3.00

THEA 232 Literature for the Theater II
(SP)
3 credits
A survey of selected western drama from the eighteenth century through the mid-nineteenth century. The focus is on the plays as potential theater.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite or concurrent: ENGL 101 or 111
Lab fee: $ 3.00

THEA 233 Literature for the Theater III
(SU)
3 credits
A survey of selected western drama from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. The focus is on the plays as potential theater.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite or concurrent: ENGL 101 or ENGL 111, THEA 100 or COMM 130
Lab fee: $3.00

THEA 280 Fundamentals of Acting
(W)
3 credits
Introduction to 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
Prerequisite: THEA 100 (COMM 130) or permission of instructor.
Lab fee: $3.00
THEA Writing Plays (SP) 5 credits
(See ENGL 283)

THEA 290 Capstone Experience in Theater
(SU)
3 credits
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
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: 75 credits toward the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, including at least 12 credits in THEA beyond THEA 100 (COMM 130)
Lab fee: $10.00

THEA 297- 298-299 Special Topics in Theater
(On Demand)
1–5 credits
Special Topics in Theater is designed to meet specific needs.
Prerequisites:
Lecture: 1 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: vary, see instructor

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