Theater
Chair: Dan J. Kotlowitz
Professors T.P. Hackett, D.J. Kotlowitz, L. Edmondson; Associate Professors L. Churba, M.J. Ganio; J.M. Horton, M.W. Ndounou, M.B. Sabinson, A. Santana (affiliated); Visiting Professor W.P. Chin; Senior Lecturers C. Dunne, J.G. Rice; Lecturers K. Coughlin, K. Cunneen, M. Evans, J. Havard, J. Heginbotham, C. Kohn, S.Lazar, L. Padilla, B. Parry, J. Merwin, R. Stenn.
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The Major
The Theater major at Dartmouth College seeks to facilitate and integrate the creative, critical, and historical study of theater as a performing art. To that end, the major includes a range of interdisciplinary courses in theater studies (the history, criticism, and theory of theater and performance) as well as theater practice (acting, directing, design, dance, stage management, technical production, and playwriting). Majors may concentrate their studies in one area, such as acting, or pursue a multifaceted course of study in consultation with their major advisor. In addition to coursework, majors are expected to be involved in department productions as described below, under "production requirements."
Requirements
Ten major courses, as enumerated within the following categories:
1. Five courses in Theater Studies:
a. The following three courses in the Theater History Sequence are required:
THEA 15: Theater and Society I: Classical and Medieval Performance
THEA 16: Theater and Society II: Early Modern Performance
THEA 17: Theater and Society III: 19th and 20th Century Performance
b. Any two of the following Theater Studies courses:
THEA 1: Introduction to Theater*
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 12/CLST 2: The Tragedy and Comedy of Greece and Rome
THEA 18/RUSS 18: Russian Theater
THEA 19/COLT 34: Human Rights and Performance
THEA 21/WGSS 59: Race, Gender, and Performance
THEA 22/AAAS 31: Black Theater, U.S.A.
THEA 23/AAAS 54: Postcolonial African Drama
THEA 24/ASCL 70.07: Asian Performance Traditions
THEA 25: Solo Performance**
THEA 62: Plays in Performance: Perception and Analysis (FSP)
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
*THEA 1 satisfies the Theater Studies course fulfillment only if it is completed before THEA 15, 16, and 17.
**THEA 25: Solo Performance may be used to fulfill either a Theater Studies or Theater Practice requirement, but not both.
With prior approval of the Chair, up to one course in Theater Studies from another department may be used to fulfill this category, such as:
ENGL 15: Shakespeare I
ENGL 34: American Drama
ENGL 39: Modern British Drama
2. Four courses in Theater Practice:
a. The following course is required:
THEA 40: Technical Production
b. Any one of the following courses in Theater Performance:
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 25: Solo Performance**
THEA 26: Movement Fundamentals I
THEA 27: Movement Fundamentals II
THEA 28: Dance Composition
THEA 29: Dance Theater Performance
THEA 30: Acting I
THEA 31: Acting II
THEA 35: Acting for Musical Theater
THEA 36: The Speaking Voice for the Stage
THEA 50: Playwriting I
THEA 51: Playwriting II
THEA 54: Directing
THEA 60: Classical Performance I (FSP)
THEA 61: Classical Performance II (FSP)
THEA 65: Summer Theater Lab
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
**THEA 25: Solo Performance may be used to fulfill either a Theater Studies or Theater Practice requirement, but not both.
c. Any one of the following courses in Theater Design or Management:
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 41: Stage Management
THEA 42: Scene Design
THEA 44: Lighting Design
THEA 48: Costume Design
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
d. One additional Theater Practice course, either in Performance, Design, or Management.
3. The Culminating Experience:
In their final year, all majors must complete the following course to satisfy their Culminating Experience in Theater:
THEA 90: Contemporary Theater Practice
4. Production Requirements:
Every Theater major is expected to complete five production credits to demonstrate an active and sustained participation in theater production. Production credits require faculty supervision and may be completed on either Department of Theater productions or productions sponsored by the Department. Production credits must reflect a variety of theater activity and each credit must represent a meaningful practical experience. No more than two production credits may be in a single area of production.
- One production credit must be fulfilled by THEA 40: Technical Production.
- One production credit must be fulfilled by serving as a stage manager or assistant stage manager for a MainStage production. Alternatively, the student may complete THEA 41: Stage Management to fulfill this requirement. With prior approval of the Director of Theater, stage management on a student production may fulfill this requirement.
- One production credit must be fulfilled by serving on a production crew.
- Two production credits may be fulfilled with any category of theater production. This includes:
- certain courses with a production component, such as THEA 44 or THEA 65
- acting in productions
- participation in a production crew
- stage management
- directing
- designing
- playwriting, when the script is produced under the sponsorship of the Department
- dramaturgy
The Modified Major
A student who wishes to combine the study of theater with a related field may apply to the Department for a modified major. Such a program shall contain eight courses from the Theater major and four courses beyond prerequisites in a single field (only) outside of the Department of Theater. Theater modified majors must receive approval from the secondary department or program. Students are required to submit a detailed rationale that explains how the twelve (or more) courses across the two departments cohere into a unified plan of study. In rare instances, the department will consider a theater major that is modified with more than one field; proposals for such modified majors must be approved by the department faculty.
In addition to coursework, modified majors are expected to be involved in department productions as described below under "production requirements."
Requirements
Eight major courses, including those enumerated within the following categories:
1. Three courses in Theater Studies:
a. Two courses from the Theater History Sequence:
THEA 15: Theater and Society I: Classical and Medieval Performance
THEA 16: Theater and Society II: Early Modern Performance
THEA 17: Theater and Society III: 19th and 20th Century Performance
b. One course from the following:
THEA 1: Introduction to Theater*
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 12/CLST 2: The Tragedy and Comedy of Greece and Rome
THEA 18/RUSS 18 Russian Theater
THEA 19/COLT 34: Human Rights and Performance
THEA 21/WGSS 59: Race, Gender, and Performance
THEA 22/AAAS 31: Black Theater, U.S.A.
THEA 23/AAAS 54: Postcolonial African Drama
THEA 24/ASCL 70.07: Asian Performance Traditions
THEA 25: Solo Performance**
THEA 62: Plays in Performance: Perception, and Analysis (FSP)
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
*THEA 1 satisfies the Theater Studies course fulfillment only if it is completed before THEA 15, 16, and 17.
**THEA 25: Solo Performance may be used to fulfill either a Theater Studies or Theater Practice requirement, but not both.
With prior approval of the Chair, up to one course in Theater Studies from another department may be used to fulfill this category, such as:
ENGL 15: Shakespeare I
ENGL 34: American Drama
ENGL 39: Modern British Drama
2. Three courses in Theater Practice:
a. The following course is required:
b. Any one of the following courses in Theater Performance:
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 25: Solo Performance**
THEA 26: Movement Fundamentals I
THEA 27: Movement Fundamentals II
THEA 28: Dance Composition
THEA 29: Dance Theater Performance
THEA 30: Acting I
THEA 31: Acting II
THEA 35: Acting for Musical Theater
THEA 36: The Speaking Voice for the Stage
THEA 50: Playwriting I
THEA 51: Playwriting II
THEA 54: Directing
THEA 60: Classical Performance I (FSP)
THEA 61: Classical Performance II (FSP)
THEA 65: Summer Theater Lab
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
**THEA 25: Solo Performance may be used to fulfill either a Theater Studies or Theater Practice requirement, but not both.
c. Any one of the following courses in Theater Design or Management:
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 41: Stage Management
THEA 42: Scene Design
THEA 44: Lighting Design
THEA 48: Costume Design
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
3. The Culminating Experience:
In their final year, all modified majors must complete the following course to satisfy their Culminating Experience in Theater:
THEA 90: Contemporary Theater Practice
4. One additional theater course, in any category, with approval of the Chair
5. Production Requirements:
Every modified Theater major is expected to complete four production credits to demonstrate an active and sustained participation in theater production. Production credits may be completed on either Department of Theater productions or productions sponsored by the Department, and require faculty supervision. Production credits must reflect a variety of theater activity and each credit must represent a meaningful practical experience.
- One production credit must be fulfilled by THEA 40: Technical Production.
- One production credit must be fulfilled by serving as a stage manager or assistant stage manager for a MainStage production. Alternatively, the student may complete THEA 41: Stage Management to fulfill this requirement. With prior approval of the Director of Theater, stage management on a student production may fulfill this requirement.
- One production credit must be fulfilled by serving on a production crew.
- One production credit may be fulfilled with any category of theater production. This includes:
- certain courses with a production component, such as THEA 44 or THEA 65
- acting in productions
- participation in a production crew
- stage management
- directing
- designing
- playwriting, when the script is produced under the sponsorship of the Department
- dramaturgy
Modifying another Major with Theater
Students wishing to modify another major with Theater must take four courses:
- one Theater Studies course (THEA 1, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 62)
- one Theater Performance course (THEA 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35, 36, 50, 51, 54, 60, 61, 65)
- one Theater Production, Design, or Management course (THEA 40, 41, 42, 44, 48)
- one elective from any of these categories
THEA 10, THEA 80, THEA 25, and additional courses are eligible for the fulfillment of these requirements upon approval of the chair. Students must file a detailed rationale for the modified major that justifies each of the four theater courses.
Production Requirements:
Students who are modifying with theater are also required to fulfill one production credit in consultation with the Chair or the Director of Theater.
The Minor
In addition to coursework, minors are expected to be involved in department productions as described below under "production requirements."
Requirements
Six minor courses, as enumerated within the following categories:
1. One course from the Theater History Sequence:
THEA 15: Theater and Society I: Classical and Medieval Performance
THEA 16: Theater and Society II: Early Modern Performance
THEA 17: Theater and Society III: 19th and 20th Century Performance
2. The following course in Theater Production:
THEA 40: Technical Production
3. Four additional Theater courses:
The other four courses of the minor shall include no more than one
THEA 80: Independent Study and no more than one course outside of the Department that would normally be accepted for the major.
4. Production Requirements:
Every Theater minor is expected to complete three production credits to demonstrate an active and sustained participation in theater production. Production credits may be completed on either Department of Theater productions or productions sponsored by the Department, and require faculty supervision. Production credits must reflect a variety of theater activity, and each credit must represent a meaningful practical experience.
- One production credit must be fulfilled by THEA 40: Technical Production.
- Two production credits may be fulfilled with any two categories of theater production. This includes:
- certain courses with a production component, such as THEA 44 or THEA 65
- acting in productions
- participation in a production crew
- stage management*
- directing
- designing
- playwriting, when the script is produced under the sponsorship of the Department
- dramaturgy
*Production credits may be fulfilled by serving as a stage manager or assistant stage manager for a MainStage production. Alternatively, the student may complete THEA 41: Stage Management to fulfill a stage management production credit. With prior approval of the Director of Theater, stage management on a student production may fulfill this kind of production credit.
The Culminating Experience
All Theater majors and modified Theater majors must complete the course THEA 90: Contemporary Theater Practice to satisfy their Culminating Experience in Theater during their final year of study. Theater minors and other majors modifying with Theater will complete their Culminating Experience in their primary departments. Double majors must complete Culminating Experiences in both majors.
Transfer Credit
Every course taken for transfer credit in Theater must be approved prior to enrollment by the Chair of the Department, upon review of a detailed course description and syllabus. Three courses taken at other institutions may be substituted in fulfillment of the major or minor requirements, provided that the courses are equivalent to Department courses and the program as a whole is consistent with the intent of the major or minor. Of the three transferred courses, no more than two may be in dramatic literature, history, and criticism (#1 above under "Requirements for the Major"); no more than two courses may be in theater practice (#2 above under "Requirements for the Major").
Honors Program
An honors thesis in the Department of Theater provides an opportunity to deepen skills and knowledge in an area in which the student has already demonstrated the ability to produce distinguished work. Students who have completed at least five major courses and who have an average in the major of 3.4 or higher (and a College average of 3.0 or higher) are eligible to apply for the Honors Program. Students with modified as well as standard majors may apply. An Honors project normally extends through two terms and receives two major credits. Possible honors projects include:
- A written academic thesis
- An original full-length play with a supporting paper
- A realized production (full produced, workshop, or Studio Lab) with a supporting paper
- A design project with a supporting paper
Honors theses that are primarily creative in scope will include an academic component, which will typically consist of a reflective and analytical essay, approximately 15-18 pages in length. All thesis students will also produce a bound document for the Rauner library that includes the essay as well as additional documentation of the honors thesis project, as determined in consultation with the thesis advisor.
Students must submit a preliminary proposal to an advisor and the Chair of the Department by mid-May of their junior year; the due date for a final proposal will be determined at that time. Final proposals must be approved by the Department. Proposals will be evaluated based on originality and depth of the project, the quality of the proposal, and the student’s prior record of accomplishment. The student's educational goals will also be balanced with available department resources. Students who prepare for an Honors project by pursuing approved courses of advanced independent study may, with approval of the Department, be allowed to complete the project (thesis) in one term. Students in the Honors Program must complete the full curriculum required of a major or modified major; the honors credits are in addition to the ten-course major. Students may complete the ten-course major simultaneously with the Honors thesis: the ten-course major does not necessarily have to be completed before the honors work has begun. For additional information, students should consult with the Chair of the Department of Theater.
Foreign Study Program
England: London. Summer term.
The Theater Foreign Study Program offers students the opportunity to combine Theater Studies and professional practice in theater at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, one of the world’s great conservatories. The program is a unique chance for students to develop their craft while taking advantage of London’s incomparable theatrical tradition and vibrant cultural scene.
Prior to participating in the Theater Foreign Study Program, the following prerequisites must be completed:
1. One course from the Theater History Sequence:
THEA 15: Theater and Society I: Classical and Medieval Performance
THEA 16: Theater and Society II: Early Modern Performance
THEA 17: Theater and Society III: 19th and 20th Century Performance
2. One course in Theater Practice in either performance, design, or management from among the following courses:
Performance
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 25: Solo Performance
THEA 26: Movement Fundamentals I
THEA 27: Movement Fundamentals II
THEA 28: Dance Composition
THEA 29: Dance Theater Performance
THEA 30: Acting I
THEA 31: Acting II
THEA 35: Acting for Musical Theater
THEA 36: The Speaking Voice for the Stage
THEA 50: Playwriting I
THEA 51: Playwriting II
THEA 54: Directing
THEA 65: Summer Theater Lab
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
Design or Management
THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair
THEA 40: Technical Production
THEA 41: Stage Management
THEA 42: Scene Design
THEA 44: Lighting Design
THEA 48: Costume Design
THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair
The typical British conservatory experience is designed for students interested in acting, directing, playwriting, design, stage management, dramaturgy, or criticism.
All FSP students will be enrolled in three courses:
THEA 60 : Classical Performance I
THEA 61 : Classical Performance II
THEA 62 : Plays in Performance: Perception and Analysis
THEA 60 and THEA 61 will be taught by instructors from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. THEA 62: Plays in Performance: Perception and Analysis will be taught by the Dartmouth instructor and involves attending an average of two to three productions per week and participating in a weekly seminar. In addition to the many London theaters, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, students will have full access to London’s cultural resources in music, dance, film, and museums. When practical, field trips to historical sites of theatrical interest and backstage tours of theater facilities will be scheduled.
For additional information regarding enrollment and prerequisites, please consult the Off-Campus Academic Programs booklet.