Courses

Courses

Spring 2006 Courses

Dance

102. Making Dances
Paul Sarvis M 9:30 - 11:25, W 9:30 - 11:25
Explores ways of choreographing dances and multimedia performance works, primarily solos, duets, trios. A strong video component introduces students - regardless of previous experience in dance - to a wide range of compositional methods that correspond to creative process in other arts: writing, drawing, composing. Includes some reading, writing, and discussion, as well as work with visiting professional dance companies and attendance at live performances.
111. Introductory Dance Technique
Gwyneth Jones T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
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
Gwyneth Jones T 4:00 - 5:25, TH 4:00 - 5:25
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.
140. Performance Art
Gretchen Berg M 11:30 - 1:25, W 11:30 - 1:25
Performance art is live art performed by artists. It includes, but is not limited by, elements of both theater and dance. Students study the history and theory of performance art through readings and the creation of original work. Students consider the social context of different movements in performance art, and the creation of performance art in contemporary culture. The class creates and performs pieces in both traditional and "found" spaces.
209. Training, Acting, and the Body: A Physical Approach to Training for the Stage
J. Araiza T 9:30 - 11:25, TH 9:30 - 11:25
Works to develop and bring the entire body to the act of being on stage through the symbiotic meeting of two highly rigorous disciplines (the Suzuki Method of Actor Training and Viewpoints). A full-body experience, working in both highly structured individual exercises and ensemble-oriented, improvisational physical impulses. Incorporates strong vocal techniques and strenuous lower body exercises.
211. Intermediate Dance Technique
Maria Tzianabos T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
A continuation of the processes introduced in Dance 111. One-half credit.
212. Intermediate Repertory and Performance
Maria Tzianabos T 4:00 - 5:25, TH 4:00 - 5:25
Intermediate repertory students are required to take Dance 211 concurrently. A continuation of the principles and requirement introduced in Dance 112. One-half credit.
220. Dance Genres: African American Cultures in Action
June Vail T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
Studio technique and theory, focusing on three African American dance genres: swing dance/Lindy hop, modern, and hip-hop. Students learn and practice these forms and some others, including step dance, and examine their meaning as art and cultural expression.
311. Advanced /Intermediate Dance Technique
Gwyneth Jones M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
A continuation of the processes introduced in Dance 211. One-half credit.
312. Advanced /Intermediate Repertory and Performance
Gwyneth Jones M 4:00 - 5:25, W 4:00 - 5:25
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.
321. Viewing and Re-viewing Theater and Dance: Critical Perspectives on the Performing Arts
June Vail T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
Investigates critical perspectives on the performing arts - drama, dance, and other theatrical media - and develops writing skills such as description, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation. Video, film, and live performances provide the basis for journalistic reviews and essays. Combines theory and practice in developing modes of reflexive critical response that acknowledge the participation of the observer in the creation of both event and commentary.

Theater

106. Introduction to Drama
William Watterson T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Beginning with a close reading of Aristotle's Poetics, introduces students to dramatic structure through the history of plot-making. Plays by Sophocles, Shakespeare, Moliere, Sheridan, Ibsen, Chekhov, O'Neill, Beckett, and Brecht are also examined in light of the evolution of traditional dramatic genres (tragedy and comedy), innovative modes (Photogenic Realism, Epic Theater, Theater of the Absurd, etc.), and the emergence of psychological approaches to character. In addition to writing critical papers about plays, students have the option to write dialogue and/or dramatic scenes and to present them as live theater in class.
120. Acting I
Sonja Moser M 1:30 - 3:25, W 1:30 - 3:25
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.
140. Performance Art
Gretchen Berg M 11:30 - 1:25, W 11:30 - 1:25
Performance art is live art performed by artists. It includes, but is not limited by, elements of both theater and dance. Students study the history and theory of performance art through readings and the creation of original work. Students consider the social context of different movements in performance art, and the creation of performance art in contemporary culture. The class creates and performs pieces in both traditional and "found" spaces.
209. Training, Acting, and the Body: A Physical Approach to Training for the Stage
J. Araiza T 9:30 - 11:25, TH 9:30 - 11:25
Works to develop and bring the entire body to the act of being on stage through the symbiotic meeting of two highly rigorous disciplines (the Suzuki Method of Actor Training and Viewpoints). A full-body experience, working in both highly structured individual exercises and ensemble-oriented, improvisational physical impulses. Incorporates strong vocal techniques and strenuous lower body exercises.
211. Shakespeare�s Tragedies and Roman Plays
William Watterson T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
Examines Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus in light of recent critical thought. Special attention is given to psychoanalysis, new historicism, and genre theory.
285. Drama in Education
Elizabeth Marcus M 10:00 - 11:25, W 10:00 - 11:25
Examines the uses of theater in elementary and secondary education. Includes hands-on experience in the creative drama techniques of children's theater pioneers Winifred Ward and Viola Spolin. The theories and practices of Brian Way, Geraldine Siks, and Dorothy Heathcote are considered. Students look at ways in which theater is taught from discipline-based, creative dramatic, and drama-in-education perspectives.
322. Collaborative Creation and the Ensemble: A Group Approach to Dramaturgy and Performance
J. Araiza T 1:30 - 3:25, TH 1:30 - 3:25
An opportunity for theater and dance students to work together on an original performance piece, including the script. From concept to research, development to tablework, students research and explore a theme together; including conceiving a production, compositional exercises, tablework, and script analysis. The final project is presented on campus for the public at the end of the semester.
325. Viewing and Re-viewing Theater and Dance: Critical Perspectives on the Performing Arts
June Vail T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
Investigates critical perspectives on the performing arts - drama, dance, and other theatrical media - and develops writing skills such as description, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation. Video, film, and live performances provide the basis for journalistic reviews and essays. Combines theory and practice in developing modes of reflexive critical response that acknowledge the participation of the observer in the creation of both event and commentary.