Theatre Arts

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Theatre Arts Courses

Primarily for Undergraduates

049:001 Art of the Theatre	3 s.h.
Fundamentals of acting, playwriting, directing. GE: fine arts or humanities.

049:002 Theatre and Society: Ancients and Moderns	3 s.h.
Representative plays as performed in social contexts of ancient Egypt; classical Greece, Rome, India, and Japan; and medieval and early modern Europe. GE: fine arts or historical perspectives.

049:003 Theatre and Society: Romantics and Rebels	3 s.h.
Representative plays as performed in social contexts of revolutionary and modern Europe and postwar United States. GE: fine arts or historical perspectives.

049:020 Basic Acting	3 s.h.
Concentration, relaxation, imagination, observation, communication, sensory awareness; development of theatrical creativity through objectives, obstacles, action, conflict, spontaneity; development of a scene from scripts. GE: fine arts or humanities. Prerequisite: closed to theatre arts majors.

049:021 Basic Acting II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 049:020; emphasis on development of scenes.

049:029 First-Year Seminar	1-2 s.h.
Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Prerequisite: first- or second-semester standing.

049:042 Clothing as Nonverbal Communication	3 s.h.
How clothing communicates culture, gender, self-concept, age, occupation, values, status, tastes, sexuality; clothing for international business, children, the elderly; fashion theory. Prerequisite: g.p.a. of at least 2.50. Same as 036:020.

049:043 Elements of Design	3 s.h.
Development of visual literacy; manipulation of line, shape, color, value, texture, form; development of designs for theatre through techniques explored in class.

049:044 Theatre Crafts	3 s.h.
Backstage operations; wardrobe, scenery, properties, lighting, sound. Prerequisite: theatre arts major or consent of instructor.

049:045 Production: Run Crew	1-2 s.h.
Experience as run crew member in scenery, props, or costumes; or light board, sound board, or follow-spot operator; for mainstage production. Prerequisite: 049:044 or 137:050. Same as 137:051.

049:046 Production: Crew Chief	2 s.h.
Experience as master electrician, stage manager, assistant stage manager, wardrobe master, production carpenter, or properties assistant for single production. Prerequisites: 049:044 and 049:045.

049:047 Production: Construction	1-2 s.h.
Production work in scenery, costume, or electrics shop. Prerequisites: 049:044, 049:045, and consent of instructor.

049:060 Playscript Analysis	3 s.h.
Basic skills in critical reading and close analysis of dramatic texts, with focus on dramatic structure, challenges of putting texts into production.

049:062 Playwriting I	3 s.h.
Elements of playwriting; emphasis on analysis and discussion of original student writing. GE: fine arts or humanities.

049:063 Playwriting II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 049:062; original student writing, one-act play form. Prerequisite: 049:062.

049:072 Shakespeare	3 s.h.
Same as 008:147.

For Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Acting and Directing

049:025 Acting I	3 s.h.
Development of creativity, imagination, and openness through exercises to engage mind, body, and voice in theatrical play and scene work. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:101 Drama in the Classroom	3 s.h.
Techniques and strategies for integrating drama into curriculum or educational setting; theatre games, story dramas, theme dramas, improvisation scenarios; accessible classrooms for students with disabilities. Same as 07E:180.

049:102 Acting for Singers	2 s.h.
Same as 025:175.

049:103 Voice/Speech/Text--Speaking in Public	3 s.h.
How to be an effective and confident communicator; exercises designed to develop and improve vocal sound, vocal strength, clarity of speech; appropriate interpretation of text.

049:105 Movement for Performers	2-3 s.h.
Same as 025:167, 137:160.

049:106 Singing for Actors	2 s.h.
Skill development for healthy, effective singing in the musical theatre style; techniques of vocal production through breath management, resonance, articulation, flexibility; song interpretation and repertoire. Same as 025:169.

049:107 Drama Therapy	3 s.h.
Basic principles and practices of drama therapy; exercise, theory, and technique; how to use dramatic processes to encourage psychological growth and change.

049:108 Dance Kinesiology	3 s.h.
Movement analysis. Same as 137:147.

049:109 Introduction to Arts Management	3 s.h.
Nonprofit performing arts management and administrative principles; practical applications, trends in the field; focus on arts organizations and their key administrative positions. Same as 145:109.

049:110 Theatre for Social Outreach	arr.
Use of improvisation, storytelling, readers' theatre to explore complex social issues; participation in Darwin Turner Action Theatre; experience creating works that examine social issues, especially those related to cultural diversity; performances in Iowa schools and communities. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:111 New Ventures in the Arts	3 s.h.
Arts administration principles and trends as applied to creation of an arts-related enterprise; case studies; students create business plan for a new arts organization. Prerequisites: 06A:001 and 06T:113 or an approved college-level accounting course; or graduate standing and consent of instructor. Same as 06T:125, 145:111.

049:120 Acting II	3 s.h.
Extension of work begun in 049:025; scene study, with focus on contemporary realism and development of collaborative dynamic. Prerequisites: 049:025, audition, and consent of instructor.

049:121 Advanced Scene Study	3 s.h.
Development of characterization and creative process through performance of complex, challenging scenes. Prerequisites: 049:120, 049:125 or 049:127, audition, and interview.

049:122 Acting with Verse	3 s.h.
Approaches to poetic material; emphasis on Shakespeare; contemporary scenes written in poetic or abstract styles. Prerequisites: 049:120, 049:125, and consent of instructor.

049:123 Alternative Approaches to Acting	3 s.h.
Methods of acting expression that differ from standard realist/cognitive approach; acting on impulse, internal/external "mask," story theatre, working within and against type, use of psycho-physical techniques. Prerequisites: 049:120, 049:127, and consent of instructor.

049:124 Acting: Special Topics	3 s.h.
Specialized study in a specific aspect or theory of acting. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:125 Voice for the Actor	1-3 s.h.
Progressive development of voice and speech for theatre; physical awareness, relaxation, breathing, freeing the sound channel, resonance, articulation; application of voice work through prose, poetry, text. Prerequisite: 049:025.

049:126 Voice, Text, and the Actor	3 s.h.
Vocal study of prose, poetry, and dramatic text to achieve connection to language--emotion, images, and sensuality connected to a fully released voice; emphasis on Shakespearean verse. Prerequisite: 049:125.

049:127 Theatre Movement	3 s.h.
The body as a tool for dramatic expression; basic principles and practices of stage movement; approaches to physical technique, mime/movement studies, ensemble performance projects. Prerequisite: theatre arts major.

049:128 Movement Styles	3 s.h.
Intensive study of a selected movement style, such as mask, clowning, melodrama, mime, commedia dell'arte, stage combat; presentation of student projects. Prerequisite: 049:127 or consent of instructor.

049:129 Stage Combat	3 s.h.
Principles, safety, techniques of nonviolent stage combat for actor, director, choreographer.

049:130 Directing I	3 s.h.
Basic elements of stage direction; exercises in composition, emphasis, movement, rhythm, directorial analysis; director's role in production process; short scenes, projects, papers. Prerequisites: 049:025, 049:043, 049:060, and consent of instructor.

049:131 Directing II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 049:130; practical work in stage direction culminating in a larger directing project. Prerequisite: 049:130.

049:132 Stage Management	3 s.h.
Duties and procedures of stage management; focus on development of production from preparatory work through performance; examine role of stage manager in collaboration. Prerequisite: 049:044 or consent of instructor.

049:195 Arts Leadership Seminar	3 s.h.
Performing arts management and administrative principles, practical applications, trends in arts leadership and advocacy. Same as 145:195.

049:200 Stage Management: Special Topics	3 s.h.
Topics in stage management, arts production, and their professional practice. Repeatable. Prerequisites: 049:133 and consent of instructor.

049:201 Voice for Performers	2 s.h.
Same as 003:204, 025:216.

049:220 Advanced Acting	3 s.h.
Preprofessional training; may include psychophysical training in impulse, openness and the "mask," individual and group dynamics, improvisation, repetition, characterization and scenework, Shakespeare and style, on-camera, development of professional work habits and skills, audition and interview. Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:225 Vocal Technique	3 s.h.
Skills training; voice and speech for the actor, phonetics, dialects, sound exploration, contemporary and classical text analysis. Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:227 Movement Technique	3 s.h.
Fundamental principles and practices required for physical acting technique; basic stage movement, stage combat, mime technique, Lecoq-based improvisation; a new works project. Repeatable. Prerequisite: graduate acting major.

049:230 Director's Seminar	1-3 s.h.
Preprofessional training in stage direction; the art and craft of directing; research, practical experience; development of new pieces; approaches to a variety of theatrical materials through concept, type, style. Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:233 Stage Management Seminar	1 s.h.
Practice and techniques of stage management. Repeatable. Prerequisite: graduate stage management major.

Design

049:133 Theatre Design I	3 s.h.
The process of theatre design; how to research, conceptualize, and visualize ideas; experience using a script and working in scenery, costumes. Prerequisites: 049:043 and consent of instructor.

049:134 Scene Design I	3 s.h.
The development of theatre scenery; how to research, conceptualize, and express ideas in sketches, models, simple drafting. Prerequisite: 049:043. Same as 01P:134.

049:135 Costume Design I	3 s.h.
The development of theatre costumes; how to research, conceptualize, and express ideas through rendering and swatching; historical orientation. Prerequisite: 049:043.

049:136 Lighting Design I	3 s.h.
How to research, conceptualize, and express ideas through light plots, other design paperwork, and theatre lighting design projects. Prerequisite: 049:043.

049:137 Scene Design II	3 s.h.
Design and execution of increasingly complex projects in a variety of formats, including refined perspective sketching, color models, property drawing, more detailed drafting. Prerequisites: 049:060, 049:134, and consent of instructor.

049:138 Costume Design II	3 s.h.
Research, conceptual and character analysis skills, color, material, and volume as expressions of different styles. Prerequisites: 049:060, 049:135, and consent of instructor.

049:139 Lighting Design II	3 s.h.
Production styles and venues; skills developed through increasingly complex light plots, more precise paperwork. Prerequisites: 049:060, 049:136, and consent of instructor.

049:140 Sound Design for the Theatre	3 s.h.
Methods of sound recording, editing, reinforcement; how to conceptualize and express ideas for theatre production. Prerequisites: 049:060 and consent of instructor.

049:141 Period Styles for Theatre Designers	3 s.h.
Aesthetics of selected periods as they apply to theatrical presentation; principles of architecture, furniture, fashion.

049:142 Textile Science	3 s.h.
Textile properties, fiber science, yarn and fabric construction, textile testing and standards, dyeing, finishing. Same as 097:107.

049:143 Sound Design II	3 s.h.
Sound designs for theatre using digital and analog equipment; concept development, design execution; focus on computer-aided design skills, design presentation, advanced editing techniques. Prerequisite: 049:140.

049:144 Drafting for Designers I	3 s.h.
Tools and techniques of drafting for theatre; development of plans, sections, elevations, detail drawings for scenery; manual and analytical skills. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:145 Drafting for Designers II	3 s.h.
Computer drafting with AutoCAD, principles of theatre drafting, basic functions and commands, one-word editing skills. Prerequisite: 049:144.

049:146 Drawing and Rendering for the Theatre	3 s.h.
Development of artistic skills and documentation techniques through studio work in drawing, painting, model craft projects for theatre. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Pre- or corequisite: 049:043 or admission to M.F.A. program.

049:147 Technical Production I	3 s.h.
Scene construction techniques, including stage carpentry, softgoods, theatrical rigging, drafting, management procedures. Prerequisite: 049:044 or consent of instructor.

049:148 Technical Production: Special Topics	3 s.h.
Skill development and construction techniques, including work in plastics, metals, mechanics, electrics. Prerequisite: 049:044 or consent of instructor.

049:151 Scenic Art for Designers	3 s.h.
Techniques in scenic art for the theatre; classical trompe l'oeil scene painting, sculpting with nontraditional materials, finishing. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:152 Costume Crafts I	3 s.h.
Stage makeup design and application, paper mache and plaster gauze mask-making techniques.

049:153 Costume Crafts II	3 s.h.
Pattern drafting, draping, basic costume construction techniques.

049:156 Stage Makeup	3 s.h.
Techniques in design and application of stage makeup; development of analytical, research, manual skills through projects in corrective makeup, aging, likeness makeup, simple prosthetics, and so forth.

049:157 Concepts in Drawing	3 s.h.
Same as 01F:105.

049:158 Environmental Design I	3 s.h.
Same as 01D:137.

049:237 Scene Design III	3 s.h.
Complex assignments in theatre, dance, opera; documentation skills, scenery design preparation. Prerequisite: 049:137.

049:238 Costume Design III	3 s.h.
Advanced projects in costume design; psychological effect of design elements; preparation of costume designs for production. Prerequisite: 049:138.

049:239 Lighting Design III	3 s.h.
Advanced projects in venues such as dance, opera, industrials; preparation of lighting designs for production. Prerequisite: 049:139.

049:240 Scene Design IV	3 s.h.
Advanced projects; production problems and techniques; development of clarity and speed in conceptualizing and documenting designs. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:241 Costume Design IV	3 s.h.
Analytical and studio skills for advanced projects in widening venues, including music, dance, opera. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:242 Lighting Design IV	3 s.h.
Advanced projects in a variety of venues; development of clarity in concepts and design documentation. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:243 Scene Design V	3 s.h.
Portfolio development; collaborative. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:244 Costume Design V	3 s.h.
Portfolio development; collaborative. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:245 Lighting Design V	3 s.h.
Portfolio development; collaborative. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:249 Production Management	3 s.h.
Organization and supervision of theatre productions; resources, procedures for successfully mounting a theatre production or season; personnel, equipment, facility and budget management, scheduling, communication. Prerequisite: stage management M.F.A. enrollment.

049:251 Internship in Design	1-6 s.h.
Experience as designer or assistant designer with a professional theatre, dance, or opera company or with a professional design studio. Prerequisites: theatre design M.F.A. enrollment and consent of instructor.

Playwriting

049:165 Advanced Playwriting	3 s.h.
Continuation of 049:063; original student writing, extensive rewriting; may focus on specific style, genre, or approach. Prerequisite: 049:063 or consent of instructor.

049:169 Undergraduate Playwriting Workshop	1-3 s.h.
Workshop discussion of original full-length plays, collaborative creation of new plays, work with guest artists. Prerequisites: 049:062, 049:063, submission of writing sample, and consent of instructor.

049:173 Guest Seminar	arr.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:182 Writing the Performance of Identity	3 s.h.
Creative writing lab; reading and writing poetry, narratives, and short plays, culminating in performance; focus on inspiring and cultivating original writing and performance. Same as 129:182.

049:269 Playwrights Workshop	3 s.h.
Development of works by Iowa Playwrights Workshop members. Repeatable. Prerequisite: playwriting or dramaturgy M.F.A. enrollment or consent of instructor.

049:270 Special Topics in Playwriting	3 s.h.
Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:271 Orientation to Graduate Studies	2 s.h.
Repeatable. Prerequisite: theatre arts M.F.A. enrollment.

049:272 The Collaborative Process	3 s.h.
Development of new plays, collaboratively created works. Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

History, Literature, Dramaturgy

049:112 History of Theatre and Drama I	3 s.h.
Major developments in Anglo-European, Indian, Asian, African theatre and drama 3000 B.C.E. to C.E. 1700; sociopolitical, economic, cultural circumstances of original productions. Offered fall semesters. GE: fine arts or historical perspectives. Prerequisite: 049:060.

049:113 History of Theatre and Drama II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 049:112 (1700 to 1960); revolutionary and modern European theatre, culturally diverse postwar U.S. theatre. Offered spring semesters. GE: fine arts or historical perspectives. Prerequisite: 049:060.

049:115 Performing America Queerly	3 s.h.
Same as 045:155, 154:135.

049:116 Dramatic Theory	3 s.h.
Theoretical questions of interest to dramatists and philosophers in western and nonwestern traditions; metaphysics of play; theories of character, psyche, self; narrative and nonnarrative dramatic forms. Prerequisites: 049:060, 049:112, and 049:113.

049:117 American Drama Since 1945	3 s.h.
Same as 008:197.

049:118 American Women Playwrights: 1776-Present	3 s.h.
How women in the United States have expressed themselves in theatre since 1900; diversity of voices in works by African American, Asian American, Latina, Native American, European American, lesbian playwrights; female-authored drama and production in relation to concurrent male-authored traditions and socioeconomic, political, cultural phenomena. Same as 045:118.

049:119 Drama of the Spirit	3 s.h.
Western and nonwestern dramatic texts that enact or describe journeys of the human spirit; textual analysis, investigation of the notion of spirit and its relation to dramatic form. Prerequisites: 049:060, 049:112, and 049:113.

049:181 Medieval Drama	3 s.h.
Same as 008:144.

049:183 Black Feminist Tradition and Culture	3 s.h.
Survey of selected theoretical texts that chronicle shifting perspectives on feminism; comparative interdisciplinary survey of artistic works that reflect these ideas. Same as 129:183.

049:184 English Renaissance Drama	3 s.h.
Same as 008:145.

049:185 Culture, Diversity, and Identity	3 s.h.
Nature of personal and cultural identity within a pluralistic society; race, ethnicity, national identity, class, sexuality, and gender as categories of cultural difference.

049:186 African American Drama	3 s.h.
Same as 008:186, 129:186.

049:189 Twentieth-Century French Drama	3-4 s.h.
Same as 009:188.

049:190 African American Theatre I	3 s.h.
Works by African American playwrights and relevant historical documents, Africa through Black Renaissance; themes, history, sociopolitical context; artists forging theatrical paths under oppressive conditions; exploration through discussion, performance; literature-based course, workshop approach. Same as 129:175.

049:191 African American Theatre II	3 s.h.
Works by African American playwrights and relevant historical documents, Black Renaissance to present; themes, history, sociopolitical context; artists forging theatrical paths under oppressive conditions; exploration through discussion, performance; literature-based course, workshop approach. Same as 129:191.

049:192 Topics: Culturally Diverse Theatre	3 s.h.

049:193 Studies in Drama	3 s.h.
Exploration of a specific period of dramatic literature, or the work of specific authors, or dramatic principles central to playwrighting.

049:194 Dramaturgy	3 s.h.
Theory, practice: history in Europe and the United States; relationship to dramatic criticism; practical experience in critical writing, play analysis, dramaturgical research, conceptualization of productions; evaluation, advocacy, and development of new plays; audience relations and education. Prerequisites: 049:060 and consent of instructor.

049:213 Shakespeare	3 s.h.
Same as 008:253.

049:215 Theatrical Analysis: Classical to Romantic	3 s.h.
Representative plays from the Classical to the Romantic periods--in historical context of their original productions, contemporary production potential. Prerequisite: theatre arts M.F.A. enrollment.

049:216 Theatrical Analysis: Modern	3 s.h.
Questions of dramatic form and content examined in-depth through close readings of modern plays.

049:217 Theatrical Analysis: Postmodern	3 s.h.
Diverse postmodern traditions; emphasis on questions of relation of text.

049:262 History of Criticism 1700-Present	3 s.h.
Same as 008:262, 048:262.

049:294 Dramaturgy Seminar	3 s.h.
Dramatic history, literature, and dramaturgy topics of interest to M.F.A. candidates. Repeatable. Prerequisite: dramaturgy M.F.A. enrollment or consent of instructor.

Workshops, Performances, Special Studies

049:172 Senior Seminar	3 s.h.
Contemporary theatre as professional artistic expression and process. Prerequisites: senior standing and theatre arts major.

049:175 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I	3 s.h.
Same as 06J:147, 024:147, 025:176, 032:127, 042:157, 096:168.

049:176 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness II	3 s.h.
Same as 06J:148, 024:148, 025:177, 032:128, 042:158, 096:169.

049:177 London Performance Study	3 s.h.
Same as 008:128.

049:178 New York Performance Study	3 s.h.
Theatrical style, acting, direction, design, as well as business aspects; examination of nine performances.

049:196 Projects in Theatre	arr.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

049:197 Honors Theatre Arts	arr.
Development and production of a new work for film or television by writers, directors, actors.

049:199 Independent Study	arr.

049:234 Internship in Stage Management	1-6 s.h.
Experience as stage manager or assistant stage manager with a professional theatre, dance, or opera company. Repeatable. Prerequisites: stage management M.F.A. enrollment and consent of instructor.

049:298 M.F.A. Thesis	0-3 s.h.
Work related to M.F.A. thesis projects in theatre arts. Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

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