This is an archived copy of the 2014-2015 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://coursecatalog.bucknell.edu.

Theatre and Dance (THEA) (DANC)

Students discover their own creativity and awaken their imagination gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their world through the study and practice of theatre. They develop an awareness of multiple perspectives by interpreting a variety of theatrical forms and by exploring the unique visions of theatre artists. Students gain expertise in creative problem solving, visual and kinetic literacy, oral communication, and collaboration.

Major Requirements

The major in theatre offers opportunities in all phases of theatre arts and consists of a minimum of eight and one-half course credits.

History and Theory
THEA 256Rituals, Festivals, Institutions1
THEA 260Theatre and Revolution1
Performance
Select one of the following:1
Acting I
Acting II (Acting Methods)
Acting Styles
Directing the Play
Mask and Makeup Design
Design
Select one of the following:1
Entertainment Technology
Scene Design
Theatrical Lighting Design
Mask and Makeup Design
Costume and Fashion
Costume Design
Sound Design
Computer-Aided Design for the Stage
The Art of Costume Craft
Dramatic Literature and Criticism
Select one of the following:1
Modernism in Performance
Inner Journey: Sam Shepard and American Theatre
Greek Tragedy
Ancient Laughter
Studies in Dramatic Literature
Shakespeare
300-level Seminars and Projects
Select two of the following (one must be taken in the senior year):2
Seminar in Contemporary Scenography
Individual Projects
Devising Performance
Visual Style
Applied and Interactive Theatre
Seminar in Avant-Garde Performance
Seminar in Special Topics
Additional Requirements
One additional THEA or DANC course in performance, design, or dramatic literature and criticism1
THEA 101
  & 101
Technical Theatre Practicum
   and Technical Theatre Practicum (two sections for two quarter credits)
.5
or THEA 101
  & THEA 102
Technical Theatre Practicum
   and Theatrical Rehearsal and Performance
Total Credits8.5

Students pursuing an emphasis in acting, directing, design, or dramaturgy/playwriting will be advised to select additional courses in related areas (dance, art, music, philosophy, etc.) as electives in addition to the advanced performance, design, or theory courses. A suggested guideline for each emphasis is available from your adviser. Faculty advisers will carefully develop a course of study with students to meet their individual needs and educational goals. Students majoring in theatre are expected to participate in the work of the department of theatre and dance production program. Students may register for one quarter credit in THEA 101 Technical Theatre Practicum and/or THEA 102 Theatrical Rehearsal and Performance for active participation in designated areas of design and technology and/or performance. A maximum of one-half credit is permitted per semester and there is a limit of two full course credits in all. Faculty will supervise student participation, provide instruction, and approve the awarding of credit.

Writing Within the Major

The goals of the theatre major include demonstration of knowledge of Western dramatic literature and artistic media and performance styles from both Western and non-Western traditions. Students majoring in theatre will learn to formulate critical/analytical responses to theatre through written and oral communication.

Formal Presentation Experience

In the practice of theatre, successful collaboration and communication is key to successful work. Students majoring in theatre will gain extensive experience in formal presentation through presentation of topics in history and dramatic literature, acting projects, scene studies, design project presentations, and presentation of applied projects in performance, directing, and design.

Information Literacy

Information and visual literacy play a significant role in the study, understanding, and practice of theatre. Students in theatre will learn to conduct research using a variety of sources including primary and secondary materials; field specific and multidisciplinary databases; and a variety of media including print, film/video, and digital. Students will learn to effectively evaluate and analyze these sources through in-class discussion and synthesis. Students will study and become familiar with legal and ethical considerations in the use of sources. Theatre students will become proficient in the use of technology in the presentation of applied theatre projects.

Senior Year Culminating Experience

Theatre students will take two 300-level courses, one of which will be in the senior year, which will serve as the Culminating Experience for the major. The Culminating Experience will provide for students studying theatre the opportunity to further refine their ability to formulate creative interpretations from conceptual discussions to the completed stage presentation, deepen their understanding of the performance process, and practice the collaborative process.

Honors in Theatre

A program leading to a major with honors in theatre may be proposed by the student by their junior year in consultation with the department chair and under the guidance of a faculty member. The student generally undertakes a specifically designed sequence of courses, independent research, and creative projects culminating in the stage direction or design of a mainstage production, a performance project, or a research paper in the area of theatre history, criticism, or dramatic literature. Students writing theses should enroll in THEA 319 Individual Projects during the semester in which they plan to complete the thesis. Guidelines for Creative Honors Theses are available from the department chair.

The Minors in Theatre

The minor in theatre is for liberal arts students who wish to broaden their experience with the theatre arts.

Three minors are offered by the department:

Acting and Directing Minor

The Acting and Directing minor requires a minimum of five and one-half credits including:

THEA 256Rituals, Festivals, Institutions1
or THEA 260 Theatre and Revolution
Three electives in performance (one of which may be THEA 240 or THEA 249)3
One 300-level theatre course1
THEA 101Technical Theatre Practicum (one section).25
THEA 101Technical Theatre Practicum (one section of either ).25
or THEA 102 Theatrical Rehearsal and Performance
Total Credits5.5

Design and Technology Minor

The Design and Technology minor requires a minimum of five and one-half credits including:

THEA 256Rituals, Festivals, Institutions1
or THEA 260 Theatre and Revolution
Three electives in design and technology (one of which may be THEA 250)3
One 300-level theatre course1
THEA 101
  & 101
Technical Theatre Practicum
   and Technical Theatre Practicum (two sections)
.5

General Theatre Minor

The General Theatre minor requires a minimum of five and one-half credits including:

THEA 256Rituals, Festivals, Institutions1
or THEA 260 Theatre and Revolution
One performance course1
One design or technology course1
One 200-level elective1
One 300-level theatre course1
THEA 101Technical Theatre Practicum (one section).25
THEA 101Technical Theatre Practicum (one section of either).25
or THEA 102 Theatrical Rehearsal and Performance
Total Credits5.5

Minor in Dance

The six-credit curriculum for a minor in dance is designed to provide a broad perspective and solid foundation in the technical, theoretical, and practical experience necessary for the development of intelligent dance artists. The minor is intended to enable liberal arts students who are pursuing other challenging academic disciplines the opportunity to explore high quality dance, performance, and research throughout their college career. The curriculum acknowledges studio training as paramount to the field of study, offering classes in a variety of dance styles, with an emphasis on proficiency in both ballet and modern techniques. Many technique and performance courses are repeatable for credit in recognition of the importance of consistent and ongoing training at the appropriate level. Dance history and composition form the core of the theoretical requirements and are enhanced by cross-disciplinary course work in costume, lighting, scenic, sound design, or another complimentary discipline.

Students minoring in dance are expected to participate in dance productions throughout their Bucknell career. Performance and choreographic opportunities include mainstage and showcase concerts in the Harvey M. Powers Theatre, Weis Center for the Performing Arts, Tustin Studio Theatre, and alternative spaces. Weekly, semester-long rehearsals and guest artist residencies for dancers of every level provide opportunities to learn original choreographies, classic reconstructions, and cultural forms.

Students interested in a minor in dance should contact the Director of Dance for guidance on the curriculum.

The minor in dance is structured as follows:

Theory Requirements

Three course credits.

DANC 250History of Dance1
DANC 262Dance Composition1
An additional course focusing on a related element of dance including:1
Scene Design
Theatrical Lighting Design
Costume Design
Additional classes are subject to approval.
Total Credits3

Technique Requirements

Three course credits total.

Students are required to complete the following advanced technique courses:
DANC 220Modern Dance Technique II.5
DANC 240Ballet Technique II.5
Additionally, students must complete two of the following advanced technique courses:1
Jazz Dance Technique II
Modern Dance Technique II
Ballet Technique II
Modern Dance Technique III
Ballet Technique III
Students may also choose up to two alternative dance techniques including:1
Jazz Dance Technique I
Modern Dance Technique I
Ballet Technique I
Art of Chinese Watersleeve
Jazz Dance Technique II
Modern Dance Technique II
Ballet Technique II
World Dance and Culture
Dance of Eastern Europe
American Social Dance
Modern Dance Technique III
Advanced Training and Technique
Ballet Technique III
Pointe and Variations
Total Credits3

Dance Courses

DANC 105. Jazz Dance Technique I. .5 Credits.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Beginning level course on jazz as an American vernacular dance form emphasizing its roots in African and Latin cultural rhythms, as well as contemporary technique.

DANC 120. Modern Dance Technique I. .5 Credits.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Beginning level technique emphasizing the basic principles of different modern dance styles, dynamics and alignment through floorwork, locomotor patterns, improvisation and movement combinations.

DANC 140. Ballet Technique I. .5 Credits.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Beginning level ballet course emphasizing fundamental classical ballet technique and vocabulary necessary for performance.

DANC 200. Art of Chinese Watersleeve. .5 Credits.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:2; Repeatable
Studio training in the classical and folk dance forms of China, including Chinese traditional dance and specialized props, such as watersleeves, fans, ribbons, etc. Dance experience required.

DANC 205. Jazz Dance Technique II. .5 Credits.

Offered Alternate Fall and Spring,Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Intermediate/advanced jazz dance course emphasizing complex combinations in technique and rhythm of American vernacular, Broadway, and contemporary jazz.

DANC 207. Musical Theatre. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:1.5,Other:1.5
An experiential study of musical theatre as an art form with unique conventions and aesthetics, focusing on the performance and production elements of the Broadway stage. Some experience suggested. Crosslisted as THEA 207. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

DANC 215. Special Topics in Dance. .5-1 Credits.

Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:1.5,Other:1.5; Repeatable
Lecture/laboratory course emphasizing the discovery and exploration of basic movement principles, which could include historical, cultural, or social approaches to kinesthetic experiences. Topics vary.

DANC 220. Modern Dance Technique II. .5 Credits.

Offered Both Fall and Spring,Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Intermediate level technique exploring the basic principles of different modern dance styles, alignment, dynamics, and musicality through floorwork, locomotor patterns and movement combinations. Prerequisite: DANC 120.

DANC 240. Ballet Technique II. .5 Credits.

Offered Both Fall and Spring,Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Intermediate level ballet course emphasizing the development of technique and performance aesthetics.

DANC 250. History of Dance. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Survey of Western and non-Western dance forms both as reflective of cultural history and as an art form from ancient times to the present.

DANC 262. Dance Composition. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:2
Introduction to the fundamental elements and underlying principles of the craft and art of dance composition emphasizing practical experience in structuring solo and group choreography.

DANC 263. World Dance and Culture. .5 Credits.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Study of specific dance technique, performance theory, repertory section, and/or methodology emphasizing an experiential understanding of the specific genre.

DANC 265. Dance of Eastern Europe. .5 Credits.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:2
Studio-based course to introduce dances of Eastern Europe that reflect the diversity of the region.

DANC 273. American Social Dance. .5 Credits.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
No experience required. A kinesthetic American history course, this class will focus on the various popular dance forms of the 20th century common to American dance halls, television and movies, stage, and streets.

DANC 275. Dance Conditioning. .5 Credits.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Introduction to principles of conditioning emphasizing strengthening, alignment, flexibility, and injury prevention through such integrative techniques as Pilates, Yoga, Floor Barre, and other body/mind systems.

DANC 319. Individual Projects. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Individual, special projects supervised by instructor. Prerequisites: junior or senior status and permission of the instructor.

DANC 320. Modern Dance Technique III. .5 Credits.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Advanced level technique refining principles of different modern dance techniques, alignment, dynamics, and artistry through complex floorwork, locomotor patterns and movement combinations. Prerequisite: DANC 220.

DANC 335. Advanced Training and Technique. .5 Credits.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:2; Repeatable
This course is designed to supplement rigorous physical training for advanced dancers with ballet, jazz, and/or modern backgrounds. Prerequisites: DANC 205, DANC 220, or DANC 240 and permission of the instructor.

DANC 340. Ballet Technique III. .5 Credits.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Advanced level ballet course emphasizing technical precision and expressive qualities in complex contemporary and classical ballet combinations.

DANC 355. Pointe and Variations. .5 Credits.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:2; Repeatable
Applied pointe technique emphasizing individual artistic development using classical or contemporary variations appropriate for each student's skill level and interest. Previous pointe experience required.

DANC 360. Rehearsal and Performance. .25 Credits.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Quarter-course credit for substantial participation in dance production.

Theatre Courses

THEA 101. Technical Theatre Practicum. .25 Credits.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:2.5; Repeatable
Quarter-course credit for supervised participation in any one of several aspects of theatrical production of the Department of Theatre and Dance's major productions. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 102. Theatrical Rehearsal and Performance. .25 Credits.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:4; Repeatable
Quarter-course credit for substantial participation in a major theatrical production; for example, as actor, stage manager, vocal coach, choreographer. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 103. Audition Technique. .25 Credits.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Working on monologues as a form for the auditioning actor. This study culminates in actual presentations for graduate school and/or conservatory auditions. Prerequisites: seniors only and permission of instructor.

THEA 110. Acting I. 1 Credit.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:4
Introduction to acting: a critical approach to drama and personal expression, including physical, vocal, and interpretive aspects of performance. Prerequisite: seniors by permission only.

THEA 149. Live! On Stage. 1 Credit.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Introductory study of theatre (playwriting, directing, acting, movement, design, criticism); stresses the elements of drama, their interaction, and thier realization in theatrical production.

THEA 207. Musical Theatre. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:1.5,Other:1.5
An experiential study of musical theatre as an art form with unique conventions and aesthetics, focusing on the performance and production elements of the Broadway stage. Some experience suggested. Crosslisted as DANC 207. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 215. Introduction to Movement. 1 Credit.

Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:1.5,Other:1.5
This lecture/laboratory class encourages the discovery and exploration of basic movement principles, qualities, body alignment and cultural awareness. Suitable for students wanting to increase body consciousness.

THEA 220. Acting II. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Application of technique and improvisation to the performance of scenes, with emphasis on characterization and textual analysis. Prerequisites: THEA 110 and permission of the instructor.

THEA 230. Acting Styles. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:4
Exploring styles of acting in plays from different periods, including Greek and Shakespearean tragedy and Comedy of Manners. Prerequisite: THEA 110 or THEA 220 or permission of the instructor.

THEA 240. Directing the Play. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The critical and creative responsibilities of the director; the principles of directing and their application. Prerequisite: THEA 110 or THEA 220 or permission of the instructor.

THEA 245. Entertainment Technology. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:1,Other:2
From sawdust to soundboards this course focuses on today's technical stage environment including scenery construction, lighting, sound systems and rigging for theatre, dance, and music concerts. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 246. Scene Design. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Create an environment for the action. Through selected projects students explore how to convey mood, character, indicate time and place, and how to reinforce theme through the visual environment. Emphasis in this introductory class is on learning effective play analysis, period research, and how to express important themes and characterization visually. Students develop drawing, drafting and model building skills.

THEA 248. Theatrical Lighting Design. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:1,Other:2
An introduction to and practice in theatrical stage lighting. Primary emphasis in aesthetics and function of light in design. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 249. Mask and Makeup Design. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:3
The study of stage makeup (including corrective and character) progresses to the design of makeup as mask and then to the design of three-dimensional masks for performance. Our study emphasizes the ways that the performance, ritual, and festival traditions of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania have influenced present performance styles in theatre and dance.

THEA 250. Costume and Fashion. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An overview of the history of costume from the Egyptian period to the present; stresses fashion as the mirror of the attitudes of each age.

THEA 251. Costume Design. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:1,Other:2
Introduction to design of clothing for the stage; emphasis on character analysis and design for plays in different styles and periods.

THEA 252. Sound Design. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:2
This course is directed at students with limited experience in sound design. The course will explore both theoretical and practical aspects of audio mixing and reinforcement.

THEA 253. World Dress. 1 Credit.

Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
This course explores dress and clothing as an expression of culture. Topics include: agency, practice, identity, performance, cultural preservation, aesthetics, the body, gender, ethnicity, globalization.

THEA 254. Computer-Aided Design for the Stage. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
An introduction to CAD for use in theatre and other entertainment venues. Includes basic CAD training in technical drafting, scenic modeling and lighting design.

THEA 255. The Art of Costume Craft. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:2,Other:3
Use creativity and imagination in the studio to explore the sculptural and expressive nature of costume design as art.

THEA 256. Rituals, Festivals, Institutions. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Investigates various theories concerning the origins of Western theatre in ritual performance and explores the development of theatrical institutions from the Greeks to Shakespeare in the context of social, philosophical, and religious values.

THEA 258. Modernism in Performance. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
Addresses the diversity of dramatic styles and thematic interests of modernist playwrights: Buchner, Ibsen, Brecht, Beckett, and Handke; emphasizes historical context and analysis of production values.

THEA 260. Theatre and Revolution. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:3
Focuses on the relationship between ideology and media, specifically how theatre promotes, resists or escapes from the conflict between the status quo and revolutionary change.

THEA 261. Inner Journey: Sam Shepard and American Theatre. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Sam Shepard has his finger on the pulse of post-modern America. This study of his plays and films charts the transformation of his dramatic style, from absurdism through jazz and rock'n'roll to realism, and explores the profound changes in Shepard's vision of the theatre and American culture.

THEA 264. Theatre in London. 1 Credit.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Theatrical productions on the contemporary London stage studied through attendance at performances, script analysis and discussions with actors, directors, designers, and production personnel. Crosslisted as ENGL 289.

THEA 265. Special Studies in Theatre. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
In appropriate years, special topics such as stage combat, mime, or theatrical criticism will be studied.

THEA 2NT. Theatre Non-traditional Study. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Non-traditional study in theatre. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 314. Seminar in Contemporary Scenography. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
Study of the visual art, theatre and dance movements that exert a pervasive influence on contemporary stage design. Emphasis is placed on relating contemporary performance styles to their antecedents such as the Ballets Russes, the New Stagecraft Movement, the Theatre of the Bauhaus, and experiments in actor/audience relationships.

THEA 319. Individual Projects. 1 Credit.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Individual, special projects supervised by the instructor, honors thesis. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 342. Devising Performance. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:3
An exploration into the process of creating collaborative theatre. This class examines new ways of authoring performance with multiple artists (designers, writers, performers, etc.) working together to manifest a shared vision. Prerequisites: THEA 240 and/or DANC 262.

THEA 347. Visual Style. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
In this advanced seminar on design for the stage, scene, costume, and lighting designers collaborate on plays and projects. Emphasis on exploring actor/audience relationships, and looking to influential visual arts movements for inspiration. Prerequisite: THEA 246, THEA 248, or THEA 251 or permission of the instructor.

THEA 357. Performance Opus. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:6
The Performance Opus is an advanced theatre course that showcases the culmination of the Bucknell actor training experience. In addition, the class is a course in career preparation for performance. Prerequisite: permission of the instrucctor.

THEA 365. Independent Studies in Theatre. 1 Credit.

Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Independent special studies in theatre or dance performance, history, design, or technology.

THEA 390. Applied and Interactive Theatre. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:2
Explores theatrical performance as a vehicle for social transformation. Uses techniques from Theatre of the Oppressed, Playback Theatre and improvisation to develop community-oriented service learning projects. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 393. Seminar in Avant-Garde Performance. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
This study of experimental aesthetics traces the development of a new paradigm for 20th-century and 21st-century "multi-media" art forms and the aesthetics of "total theatre." The course explores thematic topics such as The Theatre of Social Change, The Self as Content, Theatre and Therapy, The Poor Theatre, Environmental and Formalist Experiments, Happenings and Performance Art. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 397. Seminar in Special Topics. 1 Credit.

Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Particular theatre topics selected by the instructor. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

THEA 3NT. Theatre Non-traditional Study. .5-4 Credits.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies
Non-traditional study in theatre. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

Faculty

Professors: Gary M. Grant, Er-dong Hu, F. Elaine Williams

Associate Professors: Paula D. Davis, Anjalee Deshpande Hutchinson (Chair), Kelly Knox (Director, Dance), Dustyn Martincich

Visiting Assistant Professor: Biliana Stoytcheva-Horissian

Lecturers: Heath J. Hansum (Co-Director, Theatre), Karen Schatten-Lock

Professional Staff: Mark Hutchinson (Co-Director, Theatre), Pam Miller