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

Department of Theatre and Dance
R. Paul Gatrell, (Chair), Sally Ahner*, Debbie Belue, Steve Cardomone, Matt Chiorini, Daniel Easterly*, Lynn Eastes, Carrie Gerow, Laura Green*, Andrew R. Heller*, Franne Lee, and E. Leigh Roberts*.
*Part-time

Vision:

The Department of Theatre and Dance 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 Dance 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 1110. 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 1120. 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 1310-1320, 2310-2320, 3310-3320, 4310-4320. 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 1500. 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 1950-4950. 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 1990-4990. Special Studies (1-3).

TDR 2000. 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 2010. Basic Acting for Non-Majors (3). Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework, and actor's vocabulary leading towards characterization and role development. Designed specifically for non-majors who are interested in performance studies.

TDR 2030. Play Analysis (3). A study of the methods of analyzing dramatic scripts.

TDR 2050. Basic Acting for Musical Theater (2). Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework, and actor's vocabulary leading towards characterization and role development in the context of musical theatre performance.

TDR 2080. Acting I (3). Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework, and actor's vocabulary leading towards characterization and role development.

TDR 2100. 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 2110-4110. 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 2250. 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 2500. 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 3020. 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 3030. 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 3050. 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 3080. Acting II (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2050, 2080 or consent of instructor. This course is devoted to the process and performance of scene work. Emphasis is placed on script and scene analysis, characterization and role development.

TDR 3500. 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 3510. Theatre and Drama History I (3). A study of theatre history and dramatic theory from Ancient through Restoration drama.

TDR 3520. Theatre and Drama History II (3). A study of theatre history and dramatic theory from the eighteenth century through the present.

TDR 3530. 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 3940, 4940. Directed Studies (3). Student development of a project or student special interest. Consent of the instructor is required.

TDR 4080. Advanced Acting (3). Prerequisite: TDR 3080 or consent of instructor. This course is devoted to the study and application of specific contemporary acting systems, including those developed by Stanislavsky, Meisner, Adler, and Hagen. Emphasis is placed on intensive idividual and group scene work.

TDR 4200. 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 4430. Stage Management (3). Prerequisite: TDR 1120. Concentrated training in the functions and role of the Stage Manager in the production process.

TDR 4440. 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 4450. Advanced Stage Directing (3). Prerequisites: TDR 1120, TDR 2030. 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 4500. 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 4910. 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.

Dance Courses (DAN)

DAN 1010. Dance Performance (1). Audition required. Participation in audition, rehearsal, and performance of dance pieces for dance production focusing on ensemble work. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2000. The Dance Experience (3). Exploration of dance as an expressive art form and its importance in world cultures. This course surveys dance in various cultures of the world focusing on the evolution of dance forms and their derivative styles throughout history.

DAN 2410. Theatre Dance Styles (1). A study of dance styles of various time periods as
developed by major choreographers of the 20th century. This is a dance class, but
does not count toward minor.

DAN 3020. Dance Composition (2). Exploration of rhythmic, spatial, and dynamic elements in designing dance movement through use of improvisation. Student will develop a solo during this class.

DAN 3030. Kinesiology for Dance (3). The study of the science of movement in the human body as it relates to dance Topics include: the musculoskeletal system, the mechanism of muscular contraction and developmental anatomy.

DAN 1301. Modern I (1). Introduction to the study of modern dance technique. Foundational studies of human movement as an art form, with focus on developing strength, flexibility and coordination. Does not count toward minor. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 1401. Tap I (1). Introduction to the study of basic tap dance techniques. This course is
designed to provide basic technique in tap. Does not count toward minor. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2102. Ballet II (2). Prerequisite: Ballet I or by audition. Intermediate level of ballet which continues the study of classical ballet techniques. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2103. Ballet III (2). Prerequisite: Ballet II or by audition. Advanced level of ballet. May be repeated for credit.


DAN 2202. Jazz II (2). Prerequisite: Jazz I or by audition. Intermediate level of jazz technique focusing on stylistic diversity, including contemporary, lyric and classical jazz. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2203. Jazz III (2). Prerequisite: Jazz II or by audition. Advanced level of jazz technique. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2302. Modern II (2). Prerequisite: Modern I or by audition. Intermediate level of modern dance technique. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2303. Modern III (2). Prerequisite: Modern II or by audition. Advanced level of modern dance technique. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2402. Tap II (2). Prerequisite: Tap I or by audition. Intermediate level of tap dance. May be repeated for credit.

DAN 2403. Tap III (2). Prerequisite: Tap II or by audition. Advanced level of tap dance technique. May be repeated for credit.