The Theater Arts program provides a foundation in the historical and practical aspects of theater, stressing onstage performance and comprehension of dramatic texts. This program is almost unique in the United States because the capstone course allows a student to prepare a one-person 45-50 minute show that can be dramatic, or dramatic and musical.

The Musical Theater major focuses on developing the singing, dancing and acting talents of students who may want to continue on to a professional performance career, but also those who may want to continue developing their performance skills but pursue a career outside of the theater. Double majors are encouraged and provisions are made for students transferring from community colleges.

Theater Arts Minor (20 credits)
THE 101 Acting Participation - 1 credit
THE 102 Technical Participation - 1 credit
Additional theater arts electives - 18 credits
No more than two credits of either THE 101 or THE 102 may be counted toward the minor.

Musical Theater Major (44 credits)
THE 160 Theater Movement I - Jazz - 1 credit
THE 165 Theater Movement II - Tap - 1 credit
THE 241 Musical Theater Performance I - 3 credits
THE 242 Musical Theater Performance II - 3 credits
THE 343 Musical Theater Performance III - 3 credits
THE 344 Musical Theater Performance IV - 3 credits
THE 229 Acting I - 3 credits
THE 329 Acting II - 3 credits
THE 245 American Musical Theater History - 3 credits
THE 325 Modern Drama - 3 credits
THE 479 Special Projects: Musical Theater Senior Recital - 2 credits (one credit each semester)
MUS 105L Aural Skills Lab I - 1 credit
MUS 106L Aural Skills Lab II - 1 credit
MUS 215L Aural Skills Lab III - 1 credit
MUS 216L Aural Skills Lab IV - 1 credit
MUS 304 History of Music II - 2 credits
MUS 187-487 Applied Piano (Piano Training) - 2 credits
MUS 191-491 Applied Voice (Voice Training) - 8 credits
MUS 495 Chorale - 0 credits
Students are required to take MUS 495 Chorale a minimum of 6 semesters but may take for 0-.5 credit. Students are required to take either THE 160 Theater Movement I - Jazz or THE 165 Theater Movement II - Tap every semester and must earn a minimum of 2 credits.

Theater Arts Courses
THE 101 Acting Participation - 1 credit
Participation as a cast member in Dana College theater productions. A minimum of fifty hours of satisfactory work in rehearsal and performance is required. Grading: Pass/Fail.

THE 102 Technical Participation - 1 credit
Participation as a technical crew member in Dana College theater productions. A minimum of fifty hours of satisfactory work on the production is required. Grading: Pass/Fail.

THE 160 Theater Movement I – Jazz - 1 credit
This is an introductory course in jazz dancing, including basic theater movement techniques. Students will become comfortable using their bodies in a variety of dance movements basic to musical theater performance.

THE 165 Theater Movement II – Tap - 1 credit
This is an introductory course in tap dance techniques emphasizing body placement, vocabulary, and styles in TAP. Students will develop a variety of basic combinations to enhance technical skill, memory, and performance qualities.

THE 223 Understanding Film - 3 credits
An introduction to the history and language of film making, including an analysis of script writing, directing and film editing. Films studied include classic, foreign and American. (Cross-listed as ENG 223)
Prerequisite: ENG 105 Strategies of Composition, equivalent, or permission of instructor. Offered as needed.

THE 227 Oral Interpretation - 3 credits
Designed to enhance appreciation of language and literature, students are acquainted with the general principles of oral reading and the art of oral interpretation of poetry, short stories, and drama. Concentrates on the development of analytical skills, in addition to vocal and physical presentation techniques. (Cross-listed as COM 227)

THE 229 Acting I - 3 credits
An introduction to actor training with a focus on developing an actor’s approach to creating dramatic roles. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of theories and principles.

THE 241 Musical Theater Performance I - 3 credits
This course introduces students to the art and craft of performing in musical theater, focusing in particular on building the student’s repertoire through the preparation of the seven basic audition pieces: ballad, up-beat tune, comedy song, “Contemporary Broadway” song, patter song, torch song, and rock-n-roll/ country song. The course will also concentrate on the effective preparation of a musical piece from the initial interpretation to its final performance.
Prerequisite: The ability to read vocal music.

THE 242 Musical Theater Performance II - 3 credits
This course continues Musical Theater Performance I, focusing in particular on the works of Rogers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Weber. Students will learn how to prepare a musical number from the initial stage to its final performance. Special attention will be given to the development of performance skills, the “selling” of a song.
Prerequisite: THE 241 Musical Theater Performance I or permission of instructor.

THE 245 American Musical Theater History - 3 credits
This course traces the emergence and development of the modern American musical from its birth in 1914 to the present. Attention will be given to musical forms, dance styles, books and lyrics as well as the theaters in which musicals were preformed and the changing nature of musical theater production. Students will study select shows by the masters of the form as well as contemporary favorites.
Prerequisite: Strategies of Composition or equivalent.

THE 306 Shakespeare - 3 credits
A study of comedies, chronicles, and tragedies, as well as of the life and times of Shakespeare, the development of English drama and Shakespearean criticism. (Cross-listed as ENG 306)
Prerequisite: ENG 203 English Literature I or ENG 204 English Literature II or equivalent.

THE 323 History of Dramatic Literature - 3 credits
A study of theater literature, movements, and history from primitive beginnings through the English Renaissance. The emphasis is on the evolution of Western drama as a reflection of society. (Cross-listed as ENG 323)

THE 325 Modern Drama - 3 credits
A study of theater literature, movements, and history from 1850 to the present. The emphasis is on the evolution of Western drama as a reflection of society. (Cross-listed as ENG 325)

THE 329 Acting II - 3 credits
A continuation of beginning stage acting, emphasizing characterization and focusing on an in-depth study of various methods of creating character, both external and internal. Each student will present a thorough character study and a monologue.
Prerequisite: THE 229 Acting I or equivalent.

THE 343 Musical Theater Performance III - 3 credits
This course builds on Musical Theater Performance I and II, focusing in particular on the challenging works of Stephen Sondheim and the writing team of Kander and Ebb. Special attention will be paid to the problems involved in maintaining vocal health and developing vocal strength. In addition, this course will refocus student observations from Musical Theater Performance I and II, studying the process of writing an effective monologue utilizing their research. Work will continue on how to prepare a musical number from the initial stages to its final performance.
Prerequisite: THE 242 Musical Theater Performance II or permission of instructor.

THE 344 Musical Theater Performance IV - 3 credits
This course focuses on the preparation necessary for a professional audition. Attention will be given to the intricacies of resume writing and the creation of a great headshot. Finally, attention will be given to the performance of pieces from lesser-known composers of musical theatre. The course culminates with a public performance drawing together all of the skills developed in the four courses of the Musical Theater Performance sequence.
Prerequisite: THE 343 Musical Theater Performance III or permission of instructor.

THE 399 Special Topics - 1-3 credits
A selected area of study in theater arts. The topic is announced in the appropriate semester’s course schedule.
Prerequisite: Generally, sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Offered as needed.

THE 426 Directing - 3 credits
A study of the methods and practices in producing and directing plays. Requires producing and directing a short play for public presentation.
Prerequisites: THE 101 Acting I, THE 102 Technical Participation, and THE 224 Play Production.

THE 429 Advanced Acting Workshop - 3 credits
A focus on and development of the ability to develop and portray a variety of characters and a variety of theatrical styles. Each student will develop a 45-minute dramatic monologue featuring a minimum of five different characters and three different acting styles for public presentation.
Prerequisite: THE 329 Acting II or equivalent. Offered as needed.

THE 479 Special Projects - 1-4 credits
Independent study through research or a special project.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, 18 credits of theater arts and permission of instructor.