Courses

Courses

Fall 2005 Courses

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Dance

101. Cultural Choreographies: An Introduction to Dance
June Vail T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Memorial Hall-601 (Dance Studio)
Dancing is a fundamental human activity, a mode of communication, and a basic force in social life. Investigates dance and movement in the studio and classroom, as aesthetic and cultural phenomena. Explores how dance and movement activities reveal information about cultural norms and values and affect perspectives in our own and other societies. Using ethnographic methods, focuses on how dancing maintains and creates conceptions of one�s own body, gender relationships, and personal and community identities. Experiments with dance and movement forms from different cultures and epochs�for example, the hula, New England contradance, classical Indian dance, Balkan kolos, ballet, contact improvisation, and African American dance forms from swing to hiphop�through readings, performances, workshops in the studio, and field work.
104. Stagecraft
Michael Schiff-Verre T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Memorial-309 Stowe Seminar Room
Introduction to the language and practice of technical theater. Hands-on experience in lighting, sound, costuming, and scenic and property construction. Considers the demands and limits of different theatrical spaces, as well as job roles and management for theater and dance productions. Includes forty hours of laboratory work. May be taken as Credit/Fail only .
LAB
Deborah Puhl
Introduction to the language and practice of technical theater. Hands-on experience in lighting, sound, costuming, and scenic and property construction. Considers the demands and limits of different theatrical spaces, as well as job roles and management for theater and dance productions. Includes forty hours of laboratory work. May be taken as Credit/Fail only .
111. Introductory Dance Technique
Paul Sarvis T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Memorial Hall-601 (Dance Studio)
Classes in modern dance technique include basic exercises to develop dance skills such as balance and musicality. More challenging movement combinations and longer dance sequences build on these exercises. While focusing on the craft of dancing, students develop an appreciation of their own styles and an understanding of the role of craft in the creative process. During the semester, a historical overview of twentieth-century American dance on video is presented. Attendance at all classes is required. One-half credit.
112. Introductory Repertory and Performance
Paul Sarvis T 4:00 - 5:25, TH 4:00 - 5:25 Memorial Hall-601 (Dance Studio)
Repertory students are required to take Dance 111 concurrently. Repertory classes provide the chance to learn faculty-choreographed works or reconstructions of historical dances. Class meetings are conducted as rehearsals for performances at the end of the semester: the December Studio Show, the annual Spring Performance in Pickard Theater, or Museum Pieces at the Walker Art Building in May. Additional rehearsals are scheduled before performances. Attendance at all classes and rehearsals is required. One-half credit.
130. Principles of Design
Judy Gailen M 9:30 - 11:25, W 9:30 - 11:25 Memorial Hall-601 (Dance Studio)
Studio course that stimulates students to consider the world of a play, dance, or performance piece from a designer�s perpective. Through projects, readings, discussion, and critiques, students explore the fundamental principles of visual design, text analysis for the designer, and the process of collaboration. Strong emphasis on perceptual, analytical, and communication skills.
211. Intermediate Dance Technique
Gwyneth Jones T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 SARGENT-DANCE STUDIO
A continuation of the processes introduced in Dance 111. One-half credit.
212. Intermediate Repertory and Performance
Gwyneth Jones T 4:00 - 5:25, TH 4:00 - 5:25 SARGENT-DANCE STUDIO
Intermediate repertory students are required to take Dance 211 concurrently. A continuation of the principles and requirement introduced in Dance 112. One-half credit.
311. Advanced/Intermediate Dance Technique
Paul Sarvis M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 SARGENT-DANCE STUDIO
A continuation of the processes introduced in Dance 211. One-half credit.
312. Advanced/Intermediate Repertory and Performance
Paul Sarvis M 4:00 - 5:25, W 4:00 - 5:25 SARGENT-DANCE STUDIO
Intermediate/advanced repertory students are required to take Dance 311 concurrently. A continuation of the principles and requirement introduced in Dance 212. One-half credit.

Theater

101. Making Theater
Elizabeth Marcus M 9:30 - 11:25, W 9:30 - 11:25 Memorial-108
An introductory exploration of the nature of theater: how to think about it, how to look at it, how to make it. Focuses on active studio work. Students examine theories of twentieth- century theater makers, see and reflect on live performances, and experience different approaches to making original work. Students work together to develop and perform three small pieces and a final group performance project.
104. Stagecraft
Michael Schiff-Verre T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Memorial-309 Stowe Seminar Room
Introduction to the language and practice of technical theater. Hands-on experience in lighting, sound, costuming, and scenic and property construction. Considers the demands and limits of different theatrical spaces, as well as job roles and management for theater and dance productions. Includes forty hours of laboratory work. May be taken as Credit/Fail only .
LAB
Deborah Puhl
Introduction to the language and practice of technical theater. Hands-on experience in lighting, sound, costuming, and scenic and property construction. Considers the demands and limits of different theatrical spaces, as well as job roles and management for theater and dance productions. Includes forty hours of laboratory work. May be taken as Credit/Fail only .
120. Acting I
Sonja Moser T 9:30 - 11:25, TH 9:30 - 11:25 Memorial-108
Introduces students to the physical, emotional, and intellectual challenge of the acting process. Voice and movement work, analysis of dramatic texts from an actor�s point of view, and improvisational exercises are used to provide students with a variety of methods for acting truthfully on stage.
130. Principles of Design
Judy Gailen M 9:30 - 11:25, W 9:30 - 11:25 Memorial Hall-601 (Dance Studio)
Studio course that stimulates students to consider the world of a play, dance, or performance piece from a designer�s perpective. Through projects, readings, discussion, and critiques, students explore the fundamental principles of visual design, text analysis for the designer, and the process of collaboration. Strong emphasis on perceptual, analytical, and communication skills.
203. Women in Performance
Gretchen Berg M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Memorial Hall-601 (Dance Studio)
An exploration of women on stage � as characters, performers, playwrights, directors, designers, and technicians. Reflecting their studies and personal experiences, students engage in historical research and in-class studio work that culminates in performance projects at the end of the semester.
210. Shakespeare�s Comedies and Romances
William Watterson T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55 Mass-Faculty Room
Examines A Midsummer Night�s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, The Winter�s Tale, and The Tempest in light of Renaissance genre theory.
262. Drama and Performance in the Twentieth Century and Beyond
Marilyn Reizbaum M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 Chase Barn-Chamber
Examines dramatic trends of the century, ranging from the social realism of Ibsen to the performance art of Laurie Anderson. Traverses national and literary traditions and demonstrates that work in translation like that of Ibsen or Brecht has a place in the body of dramatic literature in English. Discusses such topics as dramatic translation (Liz Lochhead�s translation of Moli�re�s Tartuffe); epic theater and its millennial counterpart (Bertold Brecht, Tony Kushner, Caryl Churchill); political drama (Frank McGuinness, Athol Fugard): the �nihilism� of absurdist drama (Samuel Beckett); the �low � form of the musical (as presented, for example, by Woody Allen); and the relationship of dance to theater (Henrik Ibsen, Ntozake Shange, Stomp. Enda Walsh) with an eye to the cultural and sexual politics attending all of these categories.
270. Directing
Sonja Moser T 1:30 - 3:25, TH 1:30 - 3:25 Memorial-108
Introduces students to the major principles of play direction, including conceiving a production, script analysis, staging, casting, and rehearsing with actors. Attention is also paid to collaborating with designers. Students study directing theories and techniques, and complete the course by conceiving, casting, rehearsing, and presenting short plays of their choosing. A final research and rehearsal portfolio is required.
305. Studio 305
Davis Robinson M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25 Memorial-108
A senior theater seminar focusing on independent work. Advanced students creating capstone projects in playwriting, directing, acting, and design will meet weekly as a group to critique, discuss, and present their work. Final performances are given at the end of the semester.

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