Department of Art | School of Music | Department of Performance Studies in Music | Department of Academic Studies in Music | Department of Theatre and Drama

Department of Theatre and Drama
Lynn Eastes (interim chair), Sally Anner*, Paul Gatrell, Laura Skaug Green*, Andrew R. Heller*, Anne Willingham*.
*Part-time

Vision:

The Department of Theatre and Drama is centered in the belief that the artist serves a vital purpose in society and is dedicated to preparing students who desire careers in professional, educational or community theatre settings.

Purpose:

To provide thorough instruction and guidance for students who are in the process of developing their artistic skills and sensibilities.

Goals:

The Department of Theatre and Drama is committed to a liberal arts foundation as an effective means of preparing students who want to pursue theatre as a life’s work. This commitment is reflected in the system of training that stresses the collaborative and inter-disciplinary nature of the theatrical performance and production process. Based upon a Bachelor of Arts model, the program of study requires that students be exposed to the cultural, socio-political, and historical knowledge that serves as the core of the theatrical tradition and current professional standards.

Theatre and Drama Courses (TDR)

TDR 100P. Proficiency Review I (0). During the second semester of enrollment, theatre and drama majors must demonstrate comprehension of the following: the chronological progression of the heritage of theatre, the basic components of the theatrical performance and production process. Students must also present a memorized, 3-minute monologue performed for an audience of faculty and student peers.

TDR 101-102L- 401-402L. Performance and Production Lab (3). Open to all students of the university and sponsored by the Belmont Little Theatre, this lab produces a season of shows open to the campus and Nashville community while serving as the performance-production studio for theatre majors and minors. Theatre majors must enroll in the lab 8 semesters. Minors must enroll a minimum of 3 semesters.

TDR 111. Introduction to the Theatre Arts (3). Designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the process of theatrical production from conception to execution to evaluation.

TDR 112. Fundamentals of Production Design (3). Designed to introduce students to the basic elements of technical production and design. Emphasis upon the areas of scenery, lighting, costume, and make-up.

TDR 195-495. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

TDR 199-499. Special Studies (1-3).

TDR 200. The Theatre and Film Experience (3). An introduction to experiencing and understanding the heritage of the theatre arts. Primary emphasis is placed upon the parallel mediums of stage and screen. Upon successful completion of the course, students will possess a conceptual framework and vocabulary that enhances their ability to evaluate a stage or screen production. The course objective is met through an exploration of the symbiotic nature of theatre and film, with key attention given to the essential components of the performance mediums: writers, directors, actors, composers, scenic designers, stage and screen critics.

TDR 200P. Proficiency Review II (0). During the fourth semester of enrollment, theatre and drama majors must demonstrate comprehension of the following: basic stage terminology used by actors and directors, the process of analyzing a script for character and role development. Students must also prepare an informative presentation to be delivered to an audience of faculty and peers. Presentation topics will be assigned in advance by the theatre faculty.

TDR 201. Basic Acting (3). Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance. Emphasis upon realism, role development and characterization.

TDR 203. Play Analysis (3). A study of the methods of analyzing dramatic scripts.

TDR 210. Voice and Diction (3). Provides instruction in vocal and speech technique expected of stage and screen actors. Emphasis is placed upon developing the physical properties of the voice along with the articulatory skills required for speaking Standard American English.

TDR 211-411. Theatre Workshop (2) (Pass/Fail) A series of performance and production workshops designed to enhance students' stage expertise. Workshop topics include, but are not limited to, training in the following: audition techniques; stage dialects; period styles; on-camera performance; theatrical design; arts management. (May be repeated with change of topic.)

TDR 225. Basic Directing (3). An introduction to the study and practice of directing plays, this course focuses upon the rehearsal process and staging of scenes.

TDR 300P. Proficiency Review III (0). During the sixth semester of enrollment, theatre and drama majors must demonstrate comprehension of the following: basic terminology used by theatrical designers, the functions of each area of theatrical design. Students must also prepare a presentation that addresses their own directorial concept for staging of a specific play. The presentations will be delivered to an audience of faculty and peers. Plays will be assigned in advance by the theatre faculty.

TDR 302. Basic Playwriting (3). This course introduces the student to the process of script development through writing exercises and concentration on the one-act play form. Requirements include completion of a one-act play.

TDR 303. Stage Movement (3). This course is devoted to studying the various forms of movement for the stage performer. Includes exercises in mime, mask work, clowning, stage combat, movement in relationship to musical composition and to the demands posed by stage and scene properties.

TDR 305. Creative Drama in the Classroom (3). This course is devoted to studying the traditional modes of creative dramatics and the use of drama as a supplemental teaching tool. A required class for students who plan to teach in the elementary/secondary school system.

TDR 308. Intermediate Acting (3). Prerequisite: TDR 201 or consent of instructor. Three units of concentrated scenework. The first unit focuses upon performance in realistic scripts. The second details approach to performance in non-realistic scripts. The third introduces the student actor to period styles performance.

TDR 351. Theatre and Drama History I (3). A study of theatre history and dramatic theory from Ancient through Restoration drama.

TDR 352. Theatre and Drama History II (3). A study of theatre history and dramatic theory from the eighteenth century through the present.

TDR 353. Shakespeare: Representative Plays (3). Traces the development of Shakespeare's career through the study of representative tragedies, histories, comedies, and romances. Taught through the Department of Literature and Language.

TDR 394, 494. Directed Studies (3). Student development of a project or student special interest. Consent of the instructor is required.

TDR 400P. Proficiency Review IV (0). During the eighth semester of enrollment, theatre and drama majors must demonstrate comprehension of the following: the major and minor movements in theatrical history and dramatic literature, the dominant styles associated with each theatrical time period, the artists who influenced each style. Students must also prepare a written Manifesto that details their vision of what the theatre arts ought to offer to society. These Manifestoes will be read to an audience of faculty and student peers.

TDR 420. Advanced Performance Studies (3). Intensive studio work in areas of acting, directing, script-writing, or production design. Participating students must be interviewed and approved by the instructor at least one semester prior to enrollment in the course. (May be repeated once with change of focus.)

TDR 443. Stage Management (3). Prerequisite: TDR 112. Concentrated training in the functions and role of the Stage Manager in the production process.

TDR 444. Technical Theatre for Stage Directors (3). Studies in the technical aspects of production from the director's viewpoint. Emphasis is placed on implementing the directorial concept through the visual media of scenic design, lighting, costuming, and make-up.

TDR 445. Advanced Stage Directing (3). Prerequisites: TDR 112, TDR 203. This course offers intensive study in the process of stage directing and culminates in a student-directed play to be viewed by an audience.

TDR 491. Theatre Internship (3). Sponsored for qualifying students in one of the following areas: (I) Technical Internship; (2) Performance Internship; (3) Production Internship. A student is accepted as a theatre intern upon approval of the application by the Belmont Little Theatre director in conjunction with the participating Intern Theatres.