VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS:
THEATER DEPARTMENT
VPA Department Head: Brad Behrmann
Theater Instructor: Anna DeMerit

The Visual and Performing Arts Department is comprised of the Art, Drama, and Music Disciplines. Students are required to complete 1 credit in the arts by taking any single course with 1 credit or any combination of courses from the three disciplines adding up to 1 credit. Additional electives from all three departments are open to students with time and interest for them, providing prerequisites within the department are met.

Drama Essentials is a required course.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Required

DRAMA ESSENTIALS
.5 credit
This course is a prerequisite for future class work in speech. This course explores the basics of communication--verbal and non-verbal codes, responsibility in speaking, how listening is essential to communication, how to advocate for oneself, talking to adults. Students will become comfortable presenting information individually or in groups. For all ability levels, especially Freshmen.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Freshman through Senior

Electives

THEATRE
.5 credit
Students will incorporate the history of theatre (emphasizing types of drama) with performance in the areas of audience participation and directing/producing. Technical aspects of theatre, staging, lighting, and sound will be explored. Students will apply evaluation and critiquing skills to live performances and model appropriate behavior and etiquette as an audience member.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Freshman through Senior

FILM ARTS
.5 credit
Film Arts is a survey course in film history and appreciation. It deals with the history of film from its invention and development in the early 20th century to the present. This class explores new and improved techniques in film-making, the society and lifestyle created by the studio system and its successes and tragedies. Students view a random sampling of films that are products of the industry and explore the public’s fascination with the “movies”. Students must view and critique films of different genres using a learned process of evaluation with appropriate vocabulary.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Freshman through Senior

THEATRE-ON-THE-GO
.5 credit
This course is designed for students who are interested in experiencing theatre arts by attending live theatrical productions. The course exposes the student to a variety of theatrical genres at the educational, community, and professional level and allows maximum flexibility for the student's personal interest and schedule.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

ADVANCED DRAMA ESSENTIALS
.5 credit
This course will continue to develop skills once a student demonstrates mastery of the introductory level skills that were presented in the prerequisite class. Students will continue to perform memorized and improvisational pieces in front of an audience. Evaluation of performances will be both written and verbal critiques.
PREREQUISITE: Drama Essentials
CLASS STATUS: Freshman through Senior

INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
.5 credit
This course introduces students to the acting elements of the theatre. Emphasis is on exercises for warm ups, continued improvisation, motivation, emotional and sense memory, objectives and mastering voice for the stage. The class will lead to and culminate with an audition exhibition.
PREREQUISITE: Theatre Arts, Theatre or Drama Essentials
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

ADVANCED ACTING
.5 credit
This course continues to develop the talent of the acting student who has mastered introductory level training. Script/character analysis, memorization, creativity, performance, master gesture and advanced critiquing skills are emphasized. This class will lead to and culminate with an audition exhibition.
PREREQUISITES: Introduction to Acting
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

DIRECTING
.5 credit
This course introduces the student to the role and function of the theatrical director/producer. It explores the responsibilities of the director/producer in production staff hierarchy, pre-rehearsal preparations, the audition and casting, the rehearsal schedule, and the development of artistic interpersonal and managerial skills as it applies to the theatre. (No less than 4 students – no more than 7)
PREREQUISITES: Theatre Arts, Theatre, Drama Essentials or Introduction to Acting, and involvement in the Fall and Spring Plays Freshman/Sophomore year.
CLASS STATUS: Junior or Senior

# MUSICAL THEATRE
.5 credit
This course is team taught through the Drama and Music Departments for interdisciplinary credit. It will give students an insight into what goes into the making of a Broadway musical. A comparison between a stage production of a musical and a movie version allows for differences in presentation. Students will use readings, recordings, and other media in learning the research process for written and oral presentations. Famous designers, directors, composers, and writers will also be investigated. The performance component of this class will be well suited for those students wishing to hone their music theatre skills or for those students wanting to develop basic skills. We will explore what a student should consider when auditioning for a particular production and what to expect in real audition situations.
PREREQUISITE: A keen interest in Broadway, musicals, theatre, and/or participation in theatre at Notre Dame or in the community
CLASS STATUS: Freshman through Senior

# Interdisciplinary Courses