Theatre
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
101 Plays in Performance
(3 s.h.) Introduction to theatre and drama through analyzing plays and viewing performances in professional, academic, and community theatres. No previous knowledge of theatre or drama is required. Course may be repeated for credit. Course fee is approximately $175.
105 Basic Theatre Production
(3 s.h.) Students learn how to manage a production from play selection to final performance. Brief introduction to all technical aspects of production. Extensive work in MBC productions is required. No previous knowledge is necessary.
111 Voice, Diction, and Oral Reading
(3 s.h.) Students set individual goals for development of the speaking voice, standard American diction, clear and expressive speech, and poise in public situations. The course is appropriate for students whose first language is English and for international students, who prepare readings to demonstrate progress toward their goals.
114 Introduction to Drama: Classical to Renaissance
(3 s.h.) Students learn a system of play script analysis and interpretation, apply it to significant plays of the period, and are introduced to Western theatre history.
115 Introduction to Drama: Restoration to the Present
(3 s.h.) Students learn a system of play script analysis and interpretation, apply it to significant plays of the period, and are introduced to Western theatre history.
119 Introduction to Video Production
(3 s.h.) For course description, see FILM 119 in the Film listing.
121 Acting I
(3 s.h.) The first college-level acting course. Through a series of exercises and scene work it takes actors through the beginning steps of developing mind, body, and voice as tools for character development. No previous acting experience is required. This course is a prerequisite for further acting courses.
151 Scene and Light Design
(3 s.h.) The responsibilities of scene and lighting designers and the steps involved in the design and communication of ideas through drafting, model building, lighting plots, and hands-on experience in MBC productions. Drafting supplies needed. Alternate years.
152 Stagecraft
(3 s.h.) Methods of construction, painting, and handling of the basic elements of scenery. Projects include a set of working drawings for one setting and laboratory work in the college’s scenery shop. Drafting supplies needed. No previous experience required. Alternate years.
153 Stage Management
(3 s.h.) Students develop and practice the duties and skills of the stage manager in facilitating and organizing a show from planning through auditions, rehearsals, performances, tours, and strikes. Special emphasis on the stage manager’s role in a group process, as a problem preventer and solver, and as a morale officer. Alternate years.
154 Stage Makeup
(2 s.h.) Design, planning, and execution of makeup for the stage, including period makeup and hairstyles, character makeup, and old-age makeup. Alternate years.
156 Stage Costume
(3 s.h.) Basic hand and machine stitches, garment construction, color and fabric, pattern drafting, period research, and costume rendering. Laboratory work in the costume shop and individually-designed construction projects. Alternate years.
208 London Theatre
(3 s.h.) Study-travel in London and to Stratford-upon-Avon. Course fee includes air transportation from Washington DC, hotel, theatre tickets, and all scheduled performances and activities. The course must be taken P/NC and may be repeated for credit. *Prerequisites: Application by November 1 and permission of instructor. Alternate years.
210 Problems in Production
(credit varies) Directed experience in acting, directing, or production in the Mary Baldwin College Theatre. In May Term, working conditions approximate those of the professional theatre, as enrolled students work full time. The course may be repeated for credit. *Prerequisites: Course work or experience at MBC in the area of specialization and permission of instructor; no permission required for May Term.
211 Theatre in the Community
(credit varies) Supervised experience in acting, designing, stage management, producing, or directing in the community. Students are encouraged to propose work in theatre communities beyond the Staunton- Augusta region and to propose additional work that meets the criteria for global citizenship experience. *Prerequisites: Course work or experience at MBC in area of specialization and permission of instructor.
216 Introduction to Shakespeare
(3 s.h.) For course description, see ENG 216 in the English listing.
217 Continental Renaissance Drama
(3 s.h.) Comparative study of great plays of the non-English Renaissance. *Prerequisite THEA 114.
218 Renaissance Drama in Context
(3 s.h.) Selected plays of Shakespeare’s European contemporaries as blueprints for performance. Focus on actors and troupes, playing places, material resources, and historical, economic, and theatrical conditions for which the plays were written. In groups, students analyze a play of their choice and research and present a historical reconstruction of a performance. *Prerequisite: THEA 114. Alternate years.
219 Women in Theatre and Drama
(3 s.h.) Students analyze a range of dramas by and about women and study women’s contributions to the theatre from earliest times. They examine changes in women’s life roles, reflected in plays from the Greeks to the present. Each student reviews new plays and makes recommendations for performance in MBC Theatre. Students master a systematic method of play analysis and develop skills in theatre history. Alternate years.
221 Acting II
(3 s.h.) Emphasis on scene work, monologues, and audition pieces. A field trip to a professional production (approximate cost $35) may be required. *Prerequisite: THEA 121.
229 Advanced Video Production
(3 s.h.) For course description, see FILM 229 in the Film listing.
250 Playwriting I
(3 s.h.) Through writing exercises, students learn the fundamentals of writing for the stage: character creation, dramatic structure, dialogue, theatrical perspective. The final exam is to formally submit a completed and properly formatted final draft of a short play demonstrating understanding of the principles discussed. Students will be expected to read their work in class and to participate in supportive and constructive criticism of each other’s work. Alternate years.
255 May Term in France
(3 s.h.) For course description, see FREN 255 in the French listing.
264 Screenwriting
(3 s.h.) For course description, see FILM 264 in the Film listing.
270 African-American Theatre
(3 s.h.) An overview of African-American theatre history. Students will read and discuss significant works while developing their original presentations reflecting their studies. Alternate years.
277 Colloquium
(3 s.h.) Focused, intensive study of a special topic, announced annually.
301, 302, 303, 304 Topics in Theatre
(1 s.h. each) A two year sequence covering topics valuable to theatre majors including play readings, workshops in audition, resumes, graduate school application, guest lectures etc. Three of the four required for majors. Open to other students with permission of department chair.
315 Tudor-Stuart Drama
(3 s.h.) For course description, see ENG 315 in the English listing.
321 Acting III
(3 s.h.) This course allows students accomplished in acting to concentrate on their own areas of difficulty or experience with specific emphasis on portfolio and audition. A field trip approximate cost, $35) to view a professional production may be required. This course may be repeated for credit. *Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Alternate years.
323 Directing Methods
(2 s.h.) The director’s responsibilities and practices in play selection and analysis, casting, planning and coordination of technical elements, and conducting rehearsals and performances. Focus on academic and community theatre. Previous MBC acting and technical experience is required. Students who enroll in this course are expected to take THEA 324. *Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Alternate years.
324 Directing Practicum
(3 s.h.) Supervised directing experience. Each student casts and rehearses a one-act play and forms a concerted whole of the play text, actors, and production elements. Public performance constitutes the final exam. The course may be repeated for credit. *Prerequisites: THEA 323 and permission of instructor. Alternate years.
333 Film Theory and Criticism
(3 s.h.) For course description, see FILM 333 in the Film listing.
400 Seminar
(3 s.h.) Final course for theatre majors. It provides a formal introduction to Western theatre history, proceeding weekly through dramatic periods from Classical Greek to early 20th century, through a series of paper projects. Required of the theatre major; open to other students by permission of the instructor. *Prerequisite: senior standing.
401 Senior Project
(3 s.h.) Students demonstrate their ability to apply their skills and knowledge to the work of the theatre, present and defend a written analysis of their work and experience, and evaluate their work against their contract goals and professional standards. *Prerequisites: senior status and permission of instructor.
Note: Directed inquiries, teaching assistantships, and internships in theatre can be arranged on an individual basis.
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