College of Arts & Sciences Catalog
Theatre Arts
Incarnation is the heart of theatre, making the “word” become “flesh.” Effectively accomplished, theatre awakens the members of the audience to an awareness of their spiritual capability. A good story, powerfully conceived and well executed, forces the consideration of significant questions such as: Is this true? Could it be true? Am I like this? Could I be? Should I be?
The focus of the program is to provide artistic preparation and exploration for a broad range of individual interests—from those who desire to influence professional theatre to those who plan to use theatre in ministry or education. Within the liberal arts setting, the department also seeks to develop educated and artistically sensitive audience members capable of perceptively interacting with all manner of productions from a Christian worldview.
In order to accommodate specialized interests in theatre arts, the major is divided into three emphases: acting/directing, technical/design, and musical theatre. While integrating the Christian faith throughout each specialization, analysis and production of dramatic literature from ancient classics to modern experimental pieces enrich the study of theatre at Bethel University.
Courses
THA100NA • Creative Performance (fall, spring) 3 credits
Art of acting. Workshop experiences to develop personal creative talents through an exploration of performance techniques including movement, improvisation, and stage acting.
THA105 • Theatre Essentials (spring) 1 credit
Exploration, both practical and theoretical, of theatre arts and of theatre as art. Topics include artistic integrity, the role of an artist in theatre, integration of faith and theatre arts, and building a portfolio/resume.
THA120A • Projects in Performance (fall, spring, even # yrs) 1 credit
An individual project in backstage/technical work (set building, props, lights or costumes) or acting to be done in conjunction with the theatre productions being performed during current semester. Minimum of 30 hours. Class size depends on the needs for the individual performance. Prerequisite: Consent of department.
THA200, 201, 300, 400 • Topics in Theatre Arts (fall, spring) 2 credits/semester
A group-intensive laboratory designed to explore special topics in theatre including voice production, dialects, acting for camera, and other topics depending on student interest. Students interact with theatre professionals and develop individual performance skills while promoting theatre involvement and community at Bethel. Prerequisite: sophomore, junior, or senior standing.
THA202 • Producing and Performing a Musical (interim, odd # yrs) 3 credits
An intensive experience in the production and performance of a musical. Instruction and coaching in the unique art of musical theatre as well as direct involvement in all aspects of mounting a show according to a professional summer stock or repertory model. Prerequisite: Audition for and be cast in the show.
THA220, 320, 420 • Projects in Performance (fall, spring) 1 credit
An individual project in acting, stage-managing, or design to be done in conjunction with the theatre productions being performed during current semester. Maximum of 1 credit per area, per semester and 4 credits per four years. Prerequisite: Cast in a production or consent of the department.
THA240 • Stagecraft (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits
Techniques used to mount a theatre production through developing and adapting the skills and creative capabilities inherent in each student. Costuming, set construction, painting and dyeing, makeup, and lighting techniques. Prerequisite: GES125.
THA250 • Drama Ministry (fall, odd # yrs) 3 credits
Innovative theories, techniques, strategies, and their application to ministry situations. Experiences in creative dramatics, improvisation, story dramatization, original scripts, drama program development, and creative leadership to maximize the impact of the gospel, especially within the church setting. Prerequisite: THA100NA or the consent of the instructor.
THA260 • Drama Ministry Tour (occasionally interim) 3 credits
Production and performance of a play that tours to a variety of settings including multicultural locations.
THA270 • Performing Shakespeare (spring, odd # yrs) 3 credits
The art of performing and acting Shakespeare. Basic key skills such as scansion and anti-thesis, and performance techniques needed to analyze and interpret Shakespearean text for performance. Group lab experiences and work with Shakespearean scenes and monologues. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; THA100NA.
THA279 • Theatre and Culture: Classical to Modern (fall, odd # yrs) 4 credits
Dynamic interrelationship of theatre and culture, focusing on the correlations between a people’s worldview; their religious, philosophical, political, and aesthetic concerns; and their dramatic art as it was brought to life on the stages of their time. Theatrical activity of the classical, medieval, Renaissance, and neoclassical periods.
THA291L • Theatre in the Modern Age (spring, even # yrs) 3 credits
Theatre’s role as a reflector and instigator of cultural change during the modern period: religious, philosophical, political, social, and aesthetic. The theatrical “isms”: naturalism, realism, surrealism, symbolism, expressionism, and absurdism. Prerequisite: GES130 or GES145, 146.
THA302 • Producing and Performing a Musical (interim, odd # yrs) 3 credits
An intensive experience in the production and performance of a musical. Instruction and coaching in the unique art of musical theatre as well as direct involvement in all aspects of mounting a show according to a professional summer stock or repertory model. Prerequisites: Audition for and be cast in the show; THA202.
THA310 • Design for the Stage (spring, even # yrs) 4 credits
Principles of costume, scenery, and lighting design. Training in communicating design through figure drawing, drafting, rendering, and model making. Prerequisites: GES125; sophomore standing.
THA350 • Advanced Acting (fall, even # yrs) 3 credits
Advanced work in scene study, character analysis, and individual performance skills. Prerequisite: THA100NA.
THA360 • Musical Theatre (spring, even # yrs) 3 credits
The identification and development of a singer-actor’s skills through classroom exercises and assignments utilizing the literature of musical theatre; process and value of group interaction and coaching. Includes various performances. Prerequisites: THA100NA or audition; sophomore standing.
THA370 • Directing (fall, even # yrs) 4 credits
Directing fundamentals including: blocking, characterization, how to find and secure rights, playscript interpretation, character analysis, organization and preparing budgets, director/actor and director/designer relationships. Development of a directoral perspective and process through play analysis and workshop experience. Prerequisites: THA100NA or THA291L; junior or senior standing.
THA410 • Theatrical Styles (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits
Advanced study of various theatrical styles (Greek, Neoclassic, Elizabethan, Commedia, Antirealism, Experimental) from an acting/directing/design perspective. Analysis of acting, directing, and design theories and workshop exercises. Prerequisites: THA310; THA350 or THA360; THA370.
THA481 • Internship in Theatre (fall, interim, spring) 1-4 credits
Application of skills and knowledge to off-campus theatre situations. Internships may include church, community, professional, or summer stock theatre companies. Prerequisite: Major in theatre arts.
THA490 • Theatre Practicum (fall, interim, spring) 4 credits
A culminating theatre project intended to challenge the creativity and professional talents of the senior theatre arts major. Projects may include designing for a major production, performing an acting recital, directing a play, writing a script, or developing an experimental project. Prerequisites: Major in theatre arts; consent of department.
Programs
In this section, semester credit hours will be shown after the course number and description.
Major in Theatre Arts (Acting/Directing Emphasis) (B.A.)
| THA100NA* | Creative Performance | 3 |
| THA105 | Theatre Essentials | 1 |
| THA200/201/300/400 | Topics in Theatre Arts | 8 |
| THA240 | Stagecraft | 4 |
| THA270 | Performing Shakespeare | 3 |
| THA279 | Theatre and Culture: Classical to Modern | 4 |
| THA291L* | Theatre in the Modern Age | 3 |
| THA310 | Design for the Stage | 4 |
| THA350 | Advanced Acting | 3 |
| THA370 | Directing | 4 |
| THA410 | Theatrical Styles | 4 |
| THA481/490 | Internship in Theatre/Theatre Practicum | 4 |
| Choose from: | 3 | |
| THA250 | Drama Ministry | |
| THA360 | Musical Theatre | |
| Choose from: | 1 | |
| PEA114QA* | Jazz Dance | |
| PEA115QA* | Ballet | |
| Total | 49 | |
| General Education | 51-52 | |
| Electives | 21-22 | |
| TOTAL | 122 |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
Additional Requirement:
Students must participate in a minimum of six Bethel theatre productions. One of these experiences must include stage managing/assistant directing for at least one theatre production.
Major in Theatre Arts (Technical/Design Emphasis) (B.A.)
| THA100NA* | Creative Performance | 3 |
| THA105 | Theatre Essentials | 1 |
| THA200/201 | Topics in Theatre Arts | 4 |
| THA240 | Stagecraft | 4 |
| THA279 | Theatre and Culture: Classical to Modern | 4 |
| THA291L* | Theatre in the Modern Age | 3 |
| THA310 | Design for the Stage | 4 |
| THA410 | Theatrical Styles | 4 |
| THA481/490 | Internship in Theatre/Theatre Practicum | 4 |
| ART100A* | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART101A* | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART103A* | Drawing | 3 |
| ART210 | Painting | 4 |
| Choose from: | 3 | |
| ARH220 | Art History—Ancient Through Medieval | |
| ARH320 | Art History—Renaissance Through Rococo | |
| ARH345 | Art History—Contemporary Art | |
| Choose from: | 4 | |
| ART203 | Drawing II | |
| ART206 | Sculpture | |
| ART310 | Painting II | |
| Total | 51 | |
| General Education | 51-52 | |
| Electives | 19-20 | |
| TOTAL | 122 |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
Additional Requirement:
Students must participate in a minimum of six Bethel theatre productions. One of these experiences must include stage managing/assistant directing for at least one theatre production.
Major in Theatre Arts (Musical Theatre Emphasis) (B.A.)
| THA100NA* | Creative Performance | 3 |
| THA105 | Theatre Essentials | 1 |
| THA200/201 | Topics in Theatre Arts | 4 |
| THA202 | Producing and Performing a Musical | 3 |
| THA240 | Stagecraft | 4 |
| THA279 | Theatre and Culture: Classical to Modern | 4 |
| THA291L* | Theatre in the Modern Age | 3 |
| THA350 | Advanced Acting | 3 |
| THA360 | Musical Theatre | 3 |
| THA370 | Directing | 4 |
| THA410 | Theatrical Styles | 4 |
| THA481/490 | Internship in Theatre/Theatre Practicum | 4 |
| MUL141A* | Beginning Voice | 1 |
| MUL143A* | Introduction to Keyboard Theory | 1 |
|
MUL241/341/441 |
Intermediate Voice Class | 1 |
| MUS102 | Introduction to Music | 3 |
| MUS104 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| PEA114QA* | Jazz Dance | 1 |
| PEA115QA* | Ballet | 1 |
| Total | 51 | |
| General Education | 51-52 | |
| Electives | 19-20 | |
| TOTAL | 122 |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
Additional Requirement:
Students must participate in a minimum of six Bethel theatre productions. One of these experiences must include stage managing/assistant directing for at least one theatre production.
Minor in Theatre Arts
| THA100NA* | Creative Performance | 3 |
| THA105 | Theatre Essentials | 1 |
| THA200/201 | Topics in Theatre Arts | 4 |
| Choose from: | 4 | |
| THA240 | Stagecraft | |
| THA310 | Design for the Stage | |
| Choose from: | 3-4 | |
| THA279 | Theatre and Culture: Classical to Modern | |
|
THA291L* |
Theatre in the Modern Age | |
|
Electives from |
theatre arts courses | 4 |
| TOTAL | 19-20 |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.