University of Redlands
Both majors require a set of foundation courses, and engagement with the application of theatre practices achieved through required Production Credit experiences. Theatre Arts Majors choose a minimum number of course units from a set of Theatre Arts Electives, while Theatre Business students also have core foundation requirements in the Business Department.
Students who are interested in theatre, in any of its disciplines, begin enrolling in foundational courses during their first year. All students are encouraged to investigate each season’s offerings for Production Credit, where we offer a wide range of opportunities for individualized and project based learning, application of theory to practice, experiential learning, community building and collaboration.
The University’s Center for the Arts includes three fully equipped theatre spaces—the Glenn Wallichs Theatre, a 326-seat, low-fly proscenium stage; the Loewe Theatre, a flexible Black Box space with seating for up to 140; and Rabbit Hole, a 50-seat student performance space equipped with lighting and sound systems. In addition, the Theatre Department boasts specialized classroom spaces for performance and design, suitable for the wide range of course offerings and instruction in a theatre curriculum that integrates theory and practice at all levels, from classroom exercises to fully mounted productions. Theatre operates fully equipped costume and scenic shops, staffed by professionals and students.
The department produces an average of four theatrical works annually, in a range of styles that includes classic plays, contemporary plays, musicals, and original student work. These productions are directed and designed by faculty and/or professional guest artists. Students are involved in all aspects of these productions. In addition, the Theatre Department hosts annual dance concerts, jazz concerts and special events. The Theatre Odyssey Program provides hands-on, in-depth encounters with artists and organizations that reflect the (1) cultural diversity, (2) theatrical innovation, and (3) professional expertise unique to Southern California and that contribute to the students’ engagement with best practices in the field. Activities include play attendance, seminars, guest artists/lecturers, and workshops.
In addition to participating in theatre productions and courses, many students choose to take advantage of internships with professional theatres available through the department. Recent internships have occurred with the Cornerstone Theater Company, and Florida Studio Theatre.
105 Production Credit
Fall (1–4), Spring (1–4), May Term (1–3).
Introductory level participation in faculty supervised department productions. Possible assignments include all aspects of performance, design, technical theatre, and management as determined by departmental audition or interview. Instructor permission is required. May be repeated for credit. Theatre majors: a total of four Production Credit experiences required.
125 Stage Design Fundamentals
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Overview of the function and responsibilities of scenic, lighting, and costume designers. Primary information about the tools and basic techniques used to bring the designer’s concept to the stage is explored, as well as methods of creative problem solving and conceptual thinking specific to the theatrical design practice.
130 Introduction to Theatre Technology
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Students learn techniques of stagecraft, production management, and production support. Elements of technical design and production involving scenic, lighting, and costume techniques are explored as tools for interpreting and supporting production designs. Includes lab component.
140 Acting Fundamentals
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Intensive training of the student’s unique expressive abilities. Focus on training the actor’s instrument: the body, voice, and creative imagination. Through structured ensemble and solo work, students develop the basic tools of performance: concentration, relaxation, intention, physicalization, and moment-to-moment play. May be repeated for degree credit with department chair approval.
200 Voice and Movement for Performers
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Workshop format designed to liberate, expand, and integrate the student’s vocal and physical expressive capacities. Through structured vocal and physical exercises, students deepen their technical and intuitive understanding of the voice, body, and mind relationship. May be repeated for degree credit with department chair approval.
Offered as needed.
205 Intermediate Production Credit
Fall (1–4), Spring (1–4), May Term (1–3)
Intermediate-level participation in faculty supervised department productions. Possible assignments include all aspects of performance, design, technical theatre, and management as determined by departmental audition or interview. Instructor permission is required. May be repeated for credit. Theatre majors: a total of four Production Credit experiences required.
210 Playwriting
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Through reading, writing, analysis of existing texts and dramaturgical structures, and participation in playwrights’ workshops, students will explore the components of the playwright’s craft (character, plot, action, dialogue, structure, theme, theatricality) culminating in the completion of a short original play. May be repeated for degree credit with department chair approval.
220 Musical Theatre Dance
Fall (2).
Studio dance class. Musical Theatre Dance explored through physical expression, readings, viewings, discussion, and lecture. Includes dance conditioning, dance technique, dance vocabulary, choreography, and the study of styles of musical theatre dance 20th-21st century. Influences: ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance styles. Can be taken multiple times for degree credit.
Recommended: DNCE 122 Ballet level recommended, but open to all.
Offered in alternate years.
225 Set Design Techniques
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Studio class focused on tools and strategies used to design scenery for the stage. Design techniques presented include approaches to text analysis, design research methods, creating a conceptual point of view, and visual communication skills of drawing, painting, and scale model making. Emphasis on collaborative aspects of theatre set design. May be repeated for degree credit with department chair approval.
Prerequisites: THA 125 or by permission of the instructor.
Offered as needed.
226 Costume Design Techniques
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Studio class in the art and practice of costume design for the stage. Design techniques presented include approaches to text analysis, development of a conceptual point of view, design research methods, and visual communication skills of drawing and painting. Emphasis placed on the collaborative aspects of theatre costume design. May be repeated once for degree credit with department chair approval.
Prerequisites: THA 125 or ART 131, or by permission of the instructor.
Offered as needed.
227 Lighting Design Techniques
Fall (4), Spring (4)
Studio class focused on tools and strategies used to design lighting for the entertainment industry. Design techniques presented include approaches to text analysis, design research methods, use of technical tools required to accomplish a lighting design, visual communication skills of sketching light, drafting, and using a light lab. Emphasis on collaborative aspects of design. May be repeated for degree credit with department chair approval.
Prerequisites: THA 125 or by permission of the instructor.
Offered as needed.
228 Scenography
Spring (4)
Studio class focused on tools and strategies used to design for the stage. Design techniques presented include approaches to text analysis, design research methods, creating a conceptual point of view, and visual communication skills of drawing, painting, scale model making, and computer aided design. Emphasis on collaborative aspects of theatre set design. May be repeated for degree credit with department chair approval.
Prerequisites: THA 124 and THA 130.
Additional fees for the course.
May be repeated for degree credit.
Numeric and Evaluation grade only.
230 Stage Management
Spring (4)
Practical introduction to the theories and applications of state management techniques for the theatre and other live performances. Hands on experience in all stages of auditions and rehearsals; the design, creation, and use of the prompt book; methods and practices of calling and maintaining performances.
Prerequisite: THA 130.
240 Acting Techniques
Spring (4)
Techniques for building a character. Specific focus on the actor’s approach to the text through work on auditions, monologues, and scenes. Students learn the necessary skills to analyze a scene, physicalize character intention, and play the character’s essential action. May be repeated for degree credit with department chair approval.
Prerequisite: THA 140 or by permission.
