Download MAJOR:MINOR (short form) - Inside page.

Theatre Major/Minor, p. 1
THE PROPOSED THEATRE MAJOR
Program overview:
The Theatre Major at Warren Wilson College broadly introduces students to the intellectual and physical demands of all
aspects of making theatre. Theatre at Warren Wilson is studied in the context of the liberal arts: The emphases are
critical thinking, collaborative creativity, and fundamental principles of artistic development. The major includes the
creation of an ensemble-based production and completion of a significant research project. Also, a range of practical
experience is required through participation in the Departmentʼs production activities and work on Theatre Crew. Students
wishing to concentrate in a particular area (such as performance, directing, design, or research) may work toward and
complete the Senior Project.
The goals of the Theatre Program are:
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To help students develop the theoretical knowledge and perceptual abilities needed to identify and recognize the purposes and effects of
the students' own and others' artistic work;
To develop in students the fundamental skills in performance, management, design and technical work needed to implement a theatrical
vision effectively and to pursue post-graduate opportunities competitively;
To ensure that students inculcate a process of creative self-awareness developed through communication and collaboration with peers;
To give students knowledge of a wide variety of theatrical genres and working methods, as well as the ability to put new experiences into
broader historical and artistic contexts;
To provide opportunities for motivated students to develop in-depth a particular specialty or interest in acting, directing, design, or stage
management.
Grades: Completion of the Theatre Major requires grades of C or better in all courses counting toward the Major.
Total credit hours: a minimum of 50 credits of coursework, distributed among dramatic literature, several areas of theatre
crafts, and synthesizing production work.
Admission to the Theatre Major
Prior to declaring a Theatre Major, students must complete one Foundation Course and one course in Dramatic Literature
with grades of B- or better. NOTE: We are prepared to delay this requirement pending the outcome of discussions regarding the
advisability of such conditions for being accepted into a major.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THEATRE MAJOR
Foundation Courses - 8 credits
THR 113 Technical Theatre – 4 cr.
THR 1XX History of Theatre – 4 cr.
Dramatic Literature - 12 credits in dramatic literature courses from among the following:
ENG/THR 250 Introduction to Classical Theatre – 4 cr.
ENG/THR 251 Introduction to Modern Theatre – 4 cr.
THR 269 The Dramatic Experience – 4 cr.
ENG 341 Shakespeare – 4 cr.
Other pre-approved courses with a focus on dramatic literature
Theatre Crafts – 16 credits (see list of courses, p. 4)
Must include least 4 credits in each of the 3 Theatre Crafts Areas plus 4 credits from these or other courses
designated as Theatre Crafts. Students choose one course from three specified course options in each of these
Theatre Crafts areas: Acting/Directing/Stage Management; Design; Dance/Movement. They choose a fourth course
from one of these three areas or from a list of other Theatre Crafts courses not specifically designated.
Elective in Arts Literacy - 4 credits
Any course (or courses totaling four credits) in dramatic literature, singing, or music theory qualify, along with the
course 280 Opera As Drama; also, a pre-approved Independent Study or Special Topic course in Theatre may
qualify.
Other courses in music, film, community arts or fine arts may qualify following discussion with the studentʼs academic advisor, based on a
mutually agreed upon rationale. Theatre Crafts courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement.Students considering a Senior Project
should plan this elective to support the Senior Project (see below).
Synthesis - 10 credits
THR 3XX Production Studio I – 4 cr
THR 400 Ensemble II – 4 cr
Requires Junior or Senior status and at least twenty completed credits of major requirements with grades of C
or above, including at least two Theatre Crafts courses
THR 4XX Senior Seminar in Theatre – 2 cr
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Research project presented in formal writing and subject to pre-determined guidelines.
Theatre Major/Minor, p. 2
Theatre Crew Requirement
Theatre Majors must serve for two semesters on the Theatre Crew as part of the Triad Work Program.
Honors Options (Senior Project) - 4 credits (additional)
To achieve the Honors designation, a Senior must achieve a grade of B+ or better in Senior Project, and the Department must determine that the
studentʼs cumulative work in the major merits Honors
Honors Criteria (also pre-requisites for enrollment in Senior Project)
• B average or better in all courses related to the studentʼs Senior Project, as determined by the theatre faculty.
• Successful completion with grades of B- or better of Ensemble II: Project and Senior Seminar in Theatre
• Approved Senior Project Proposal, completed in the spring of Junior Year.
Not all Senior Project proposals in Theatre Crafts may be approved for production. In cases where a realized production is not possible,
students may complete Option 3 (below).
Honors Options
Students electing to do senior honors projects must demonstrate sufficient achievement in relevant coursework by the spring of the junior year to
demonstrate the ability to complete independent work in their chosen field. Students considering a Senior Project should plan electives carefully to
ensure adequate preparation in a desired area. In addition, work undertaken in the Senior Seminar should be planned in concert with the Senior
Project. All options below require registering in THR 489 Senior Project - 4 credits
Option 1: Senior Project in Theatre Crafts
a significant production project in acting, directing, stage management, playwriting, dance performance, choreography, or design as part of the
Theatre Departmentʼs public production season. The Theatre Department works with students to encourage collaborative senior projects
whenever possible.
Option 2: Senior Project in Theatre Studies
a written research thesis in dramatic literature or performance studies, subject to pre-determined guidelines.
Option 3: Senior Project in Theatre Crafts Research
a significant research, script, production plan or portfolio project, related to a hypothetical theatrical production, subject to pre-determined
guidelines.
SUMMARY OF FEATURES OF THE NEW MAJOR
The proposed Theatre Major is based on the following goals:
1." broad-based study in the literature and various crafts of theatre;
2." an emphasis on ensemble collaboration and the nature of group creativity;
3." significant production opportunities in creating theatre within the major;
4." an emphasis on critical and synthetic thinking and writing; and
5." course sequences designed to lead to significant senior projects for exceptional students.
The proposed theatre major comprises a minimum of 50 credits of coursework, including 8 credits in foundation courses in
technical theatre and theatre history, 12 credits of dramatic literature, 16 credits distributed among three theatre craft
areas, 4 credits of an elective in arts literacy, 8 credits of a synthesizing ensemble experience and 2 credits of a senior
seminar devoted to a significant writing project. Participation in four productions, and two semesters serving on Theatre
Crew, are also required.
COMPARED TO THE CURRENT THEATRE/ENGLISH MAJOR, THE NEW MAJOR:
• provides opportunities within the major for additional study in a theatre craft;
• in so doing, better prepares students for synthesizing experiences and senior projects;
• encourages a wider variety of students to choose the major;
• preserves our current close and valued relationship with the English Department, requiring a minimum of eight
credits of ENG courses plus the opportunity for more literature study within the major through electives;
• is structured to encourage completion of a minor in English or Creative Writing;
• solves scheduling problems our current Theatre/English majors frequently encounter related to bi-annual course
offerings in both Theatre and English;
• retains curricular and co-curricular opportunities for non-majors;
• better integrates production work and academic coursework in the context of the major;
• requires few new courses;
• adds an Honors component in a particular theatre crafts or research area for qualified students.
Theatre Major/Minor, p. 3
REVISED THEATRE MINOR
The Theatre Minor at Warren Wilson College introduces students to the intellectual and physical demands of making
theatre while allowing study in another major discipline. The minor is designed to complement a major in English or
Creative Writing, or to lead to a Theatre Major for students whose interest in theatre deepens. Theatre at Warren Wilson
is studied in the context of the liberal arts: the emphases are critical thinking, collaborative creativity, and fundamental
principles of artistic development. A range of practical experience is required through participation in the Departmentʼs
production activities. For exceptional students, the minor includes the option to participate in the creation of an ensemblebased production and completion a significant research project.
Total Credit Hours: Admission to the Theatre Minor
Grades: Completion of the Theatre Major requires grades of C or better in all courses counting toward the Minor.
Total credit hours: a minimum of 24 credits of coursework, distributed among dramatic literature, several areas of theatre
crafts, and synthesizing production work.
Admission to the Theatre Minor: A grade of B- or better in one foundation course and one dramatic literature course
is required to declare a Theatre Minor (courses listed below).
NOTE: We are prepared to delay this requirement pending the outcome of discussions regarding the advisability of such conditions
for being accepted into a major.
Foundation Courses - 8 credits
THR 1XX History of Theatre (course approved but number not yet assigned)
THR 113 Technical Theatre, or alternatively, THR 109 Introduction to Acting & Directing
Dramatic Literature - 8 credits
Two courses (8 credits) from among the following:
ENG/THR 250 Introduction to Classical Theatre
THR 251 Introduction to Modern Theatre
THR 269 The Dramatic Experience
ENG 341 Shakespeare
Theatre Crafts and Electives - 8 credits
Eight credits from a regularly offered course in Theatre Crafts (see Theatre Major requirements)
Note: no more than four credits from Theatre Practicum I-IV or Production Studio I may count toward the minor.
Synthesis Option - additional 6 credits (optional)
THR 400 Ensemble II: Project (4 credits)
Collaboration in ensemble production, or leadership role in a department production
Junior or Senior status and superior completion (B or better in each) of at least 16 credits of minor requirements,
including one of the following: Ensemble I: Rehearsal Dynamics, Set Design, Lighting and Sound Design, Historic
Costume Design, Modern Dance Technique, or Butoh: Dance of Darkness
THR 4XX Senior Seminar in Theatre (2 credits)
includes a final research project with 15-page writing component.
FEATURES OF THE REVISED THEATRE MINOR
The proposed theatre minor is based on the following goals:
• low number of minimum credits to encourage participation by a variety of majors;
• relative flexibility in course choices;
• close coordination with the major, so that minor and major students may share educational experiences;
• significant practical production experience.
The proposed theatre minor comprises a minimum of twenty-four credits of coursework, including four credits in
foundation courses in technical theatre, or acting and directing, eight credits of dramatic literature, and eight credits of
electives, including four credits in a theatre craft area. Minors would also have the option of participating, like majors, in
four credits of a synthesizing ensemble experience and two credits of Senior Seminar devoted to a significant writing
project. Overall, participation in three productions is required, but experience working on Theatre Crew is optional.
In addition, the Theatre Minor is:
• based on the proposed Theatre Major with participation in same courses and productions alongside majors;
• designed to lead to, or convert to the Theatre Major if desired;
• designed to complement a major in English or Creative Writing.
Theatre Major/Minor, p. 4
Courses applying to the new Theatre Major and revised Theatre Minor
FOUNDATION COURSES
THR 113 Technical Theatre – 4 cr.
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THR 1XX History of Theatre – 4 cr. (recently approved)
DRAMATIC LITERATURE
ENG/THR 250 Introduction to Classical Theatre – 4 cr.
ENG/THR 251 Introduction to Modern Theatre – 4 cr.
THR 269 The Dramatic Experience – 4 cr.
ENG 341 Shakespeare – 4 cr.
Other pre-approved courses with a focus on dramatic literature
THEATRE CRAFTS
Acting/Directing/Stage Management courses:
THR 109 Introduction to Acting and Directing – 4 cr.
THR 209 Stage Management – 4 cr.
THR 358 Ensemble I: Rehearsal Dynamics –– 4 cr.
Design courses:
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THR 311 Stage Lighting and Sound Design – 4 cr.
THR 314 Scene Design – 4 cr.
THR 315 Historic Costume Design for the Theatre – 4 cr.
Dance/Movement courses:
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THR 189-190 Modern Dance Technique – 4 cr.
THR 221 Butoh, Dance of Darkness – 4 cr.
THR 256 Modern Dance Improvisation and Composition – 4 cr
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Other Theatre Crafts courses:
THR 203 Voice & Speech for the Actor – 4 cr.
THR 244 Improvisation for the Actor – 2 cr.
" THR 268 History & Practice of Performance Art – 4 cr.
" THR 399 Independent Study in Design – 2-4 cr.
" WRI 210 Creative Writing: Playwriting – 4 cr.
" THR 213 Design & Interpretation for the Theatre – 4 cr.
" THR 341Acting Shakespeare – 4 cr.
* THR 4XX Production Studio II – 4 cr.
" THR 301,401 Theatre Practicum III, IV – 2 cr.
SYNTHESIS COURSES
* THR 3XX Production Studio I – 4 cr.
THR 400 Ensemble II – 4 cr.
* THR 4XX Senior Seminar in Theatre – 2 cr.
HONORS COURSE
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THR 489 Senior Project – 4 cr.
( * asterisk indicates a course yet to be proposed)