THEATRE AND DRAMA ARTS STUDIES AT EUREKA

The course of study in theatre arts and drama is generalist in nature since the discipline itself demands a vast, well-rounded understanding of the history, literature, theory and practical applications of many art forms. The collaborative nature of theatre allows the student critical thinking skills, keen powers of observation and a true liberal arts preparation for advanced and graduate study in all areas of theatre as well as law, communications and ministerial work. The major also stresses overseas study and internships with major theatre groups, including our exclusive arrangement with Playwright's Kitchen Ensemble in Los Angeles and other major movie, television, and theatre produces.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN THEATRE ARTS AND DRAMA

38 hours with 12 at the 300 level, including the following:

All majors must complete 345, Senior Seminar in Theatre. Students majoring in Theatre Arts and Drama who plan to attend graduate school are strongly recommended to obtain the Bachelor of Arts degree.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN THEATRE ARTS AND DRAMA

A minor consists of 21 hours in Theatre Arts chosen in consultation with theatre faculty and approved by the Division Chairperson. A minimum of six hours must be at the 300 level.

SUGGESTED EMPHASIS - In addition to the required courses for the major, students who would like to specialize in a particular area of theatre arts and drama may select courses from the following groupings. Students electing to emphasize one of these areas may want to use the following list of courses to guide their selection of general education requirement courses.

THEATRE ARTS AND DRAMA COURSES

Some Theatre Arts and Drama courses are designed as Applied (A) or Theory (T) for purposes of general education requirements.

100 Theatre Production -- 1 hours (A)
Credit for participation in an EC Theatre production. Semester-long involvement is required. Course does not fulfill general education nor Fine and Performing Arts requirements. Graded pass/fail. Course may be repeated.

101 Theatre Workshop -- 1 hour(A)
Prerequisite: Consent of Eureka College Theatre faculty
College credit for participation in the Learning-on-Location Arts Scholar Program in New York City or London. This is a web-based course which requires work in addition to the week-long travel study program administered by Learning-On-Location. Course will consider the aesthetics of performance, performance and dramaturgical critique, and historical study of theatre in New York or London. Course does not fulfill general education or Fine and Performing Arts requirements at Eureka College; credit can be used only to fulfill total number of credits required for graduation. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

104 Introductory Dance -- 1-3 hours (A)
All introductory and level one dance classes offered by the Central Illinois School of Dance, a professional school of dance located in Peoria., currently including ballet, pointe, modern, tap, jazz, variations, repertory, choreography, Irish dance, and music for dance. Classes held at the studios in Peoria. Student is responsible for transportation, class supplies and clothing, and studio fee (paid at the Eureka College Business Office). Along with THA 304, 3 credit hours maximum may be counted toward theatre major and as an FPA general education requirement fulfillment (enrollment in consecutive semesters or in the same dance style is not necessary to fulfill general education requirements). A maximum of 6 hours of THA 104/304 may be counted toward graduation requirement.

110 Introduction to Theatre Arts and Drama -- 3 hours (T)
Analysis of the dramatic experience, introducing students to the history, literature, and arts of playwriting, acting, directing, and designing. Crew experience in a College production is required.

130 Acting I - Introduction to Acting -- 3 hours (A)
Introductory course where the basic principles of acting will be explored through reading, discussion, and class exercises. The performance element will focus on development of two contrasting monologues for an audition setting.

210 Auditioning, Theatrical Movement, and State Combat -- 3 hours
Introduction to the techniques and elements of auditioning along with basic theatrical movement, including elements of the Alexander Technique and principles of unarmed and armed stage combat.

230 Acting II - Period Styles and Movement -- 3 hours(A) (Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: THA 130 or consent of the instructor.
Focus on period styles and movement including "nonrealistic" drama and performance. More advanced principles of acting will be explored through reading, discussion, and class exercises. The performance element will focus on development of two contrasting classical monologues for an audition setting. Voice and movement work will be at the core of the class.

260 Theatre Stagecraft -- 3 hours (A) (Offered in alternating 3-course cycle with THA 261 and 262.)
Study of stage construction techniques, scene painting and production organization. Crew experience in College production is required.

261 Stage Design -- 3 hours(A) (Offered in alternating 2-course cycle with THA 262.)
Design and construction of stage settings. Crew experience in a College production is required.

262 Stage Lighting -- 3 hours (A) (Offered in alternating 2-course cycle with THA 261.)
Study of lighting of stage settings. Crew experience in a College production is required.

282W Dramatic Literature I -- 3 hours (T) (Offered in alternate years.)
Analysis and evaluation of the forms and styles of theatrical texts from the Ancient Greeks to the 18th century (exclusive of Shakespeare). This course fulfills the general education literature requirement.

283W Dramatic Literature II -- 3 hours (T) (Offered in alternate years.)
Analysis and evaluation of the forms and styles of theatrical texts from the 18th century to the present day. This course fulfills the general education literature requirement.

290W Playwriting -- 3 hours (A)
The study of dramaturgy and script writing, including the study of the well-made play and other general techniques in creative writing for the stage.

301W Arts Administration -- 3 hours
Prerequisite: Fulfillment of FPA General Education Requirements.
An interdisciplinary and introductory course to focus on the business administration of the fields of art, music, and theatre, especially noting the areas of audience and financial development. It is strongly recommended that a student pursuing a career and/or graduate school in arts administration minor in one or more of the particular arts fields or double major in an arts field and become involved in the arts as co-curricular activity. For additional information, see ARTS ADMINISTRATION EMPHASIS within the BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MAJOR.

304 Advanced Dance -- 1-3 hours
All intermediate and advanced dance classes offered by the Central Illinois School of Dance, a professional school of dance located in Peoria., currently including ballet, pointe, modern, tap, jazz, variations, repertory, choreography, Irish dance, and music for dance. Classes held at the studios in Peoria. Student is responsible for transportation, class supplies and clothing, and studio fee (paid at the Eureka College Business Office). Along with THA 104, 3 credit hours maximum may be counted toward theatre major and as an FPA general education requirement fulfillment (enrollment in consecutive semesters or in the same dance style is not necessary to fulfill general education requirements). A maximum of 6 hours of THA 104/304 may be counted toward graduation requirement.

326 Problem Solving in Theatre Design -- 3 hours (A) (Offered by special arrangement.)
Prerequisite: THA 261 and 262 or consent of the instructor.
Advanced design course exploring the demands of design in a variety of physical stages including thrust, in-the-round, and other nontraditional forms. Creation of models, renderings and floor plans for several productions is required.

330W Direction -- 3 hours
Prerequisite: THA 260, 261 or 262 or consent of the instructor.
History, theory and techniques of directing, culminating in a student directed production.

331W Acting III -- Characterization -- 3 hours (A) (Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: THA 130 or consent of the instructor.
Advanced acting theory and performance class. Students will study and present several acting theories to the class while developing a series of monologues which will culminate in a one-person performance for the public.

341W World Theatre History and Theory I -- 3 hours (T) (Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: ENG 102W.
Exploration of artistic movements in world theatre history, theory, and criticism from the Greeks through the mid-17th century. The class will focus on the history of the physical theatre and all of the theatre arts placed in their cultural context along with a special emphasis on theory and criticism of the age and the writing of theatre history.

342W World Theatre History and Theory II -- 3 hours (T) (Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: ENG 102W.
Exploration of artistic movements in world theatre history, theory, and criticism from the mid-17th century to the present day. The class will focus on the history of the physical theatre and all of the theatre arts placed in their cultural context, along with a special emphasis on theory and criticism of the age and the writing of theatre history.

343W American Theatre History -- 3 hours (T) (Offered by special arrangement.)
Prerequisite: ENG 102W.
Exploration of artistic movements in American theatre history and criticism from the "frontier" theatre of the 1500's to theatre of the present. The class will focus on all of the theatre arts placed in their cultural context.

345 Senior Seminar in Theatre -- 1-3 hours
This course is required of all majors. Each student will publicly present a significant paper/performance/original work normally during the senior year. This presentation should represent a culmination of the student's work in this field.

360W Theatre Pedagogy -- 3 hours (T)
A central methods course in the pedagogy of theatre arts. Valuable to theatre education at elementary, middle school and secondary levels and for the student considering graduate work in theatre which may involve and lead to teaching. While developing professional skills in classroom management and teaching strategies-including appropriate technological skills-students will compare and contrast perspectives of dominant and subordinate cultures and will represent different perspectives and experiences.