BFA in Theatre with Theatre Education Emphasis Courses

• TDR 1120, Fundamentals of Production Design (3)

3 Hours 

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 2080, Acting I (3)

3 Hours 

Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance through the principles and techniques of Sanford Meisner. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework, and actor’s vocabulary, characterization, role development and the actor’s development of his/her personal approach to the craft of acting.  The course will culminate in the presentation of a monologue.

• TDR 2250, Directing I (3)

3 Hours 

Prerequisites: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience

Introduction to the study and practice of directing plays. This course will focus on the rehearsal process and the staging of scenes.

• TDR 2400, Scriptwriting I (3)

3 Hours 

Prerequisites: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience or TDR 2000 The Film Experience

Introduction to the process of script development through writing exercises. The course will concentrate on the standard script form for theatrical and film production and will also include an introduction to important dramatic form and theory.

• TDR 3510, Theatre and Drama History I (3)

3 Hours 

Prerequisites: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience

The study of theatre history and dramatic theory from Ancient Greece through Restoration drama.

• TDR 3520, Theatre and Drama History II (3)

3 Hours 

Prerequisites: TDR 3510 Theatre and Drama History I

A study of theatre history and dramatic theory from the eighteenth century through the present.

• TDR 3550, Dramatic Literature and Criticism (3)

3 Hours 

The study of significant dramatic theory and literature from Ancient Greece through the present.

• TDR 3560, Play Analysis (3)

3 Hours 

A study of the methods of analyzing dramatic scripts.

• EDU 2100, Foundations of Education (3)

3 Hours

This course provides an overview of the historical and sociological development of the American education systems and instructs candidates to use advocacy for children, families, and the profession to uncover unconscious bias and to critically analyze the myths that exist about American education. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)

• EDU 2110, Educational Psychology (3)

3 Hours

A study is made of the processes of education, including such topics as learning, motivation, human growth and development, individual differences, evaluation of achievement, personality, and techniques of studying education. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)

• EDU 3800, Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in the Classroom (3)

3 Hours

Overview of exceptionalities; introduction to pedagogical, curricular, and social considerations involved in educating diverse learners in the classroom. The course has a practicum component. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)

• EDU 2223, Human Development and Education (3)

3 Hours

This course examines development from various theoretical perspectives and at stages relevant to all levels of formal education. A major focus is the educational implications that flow from each developmental perspective. Students will also examine the research relevant to the issues in human development. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)

• TDR 3050, Creative Drama in the Classroom (3)

3 Hours

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 3180, Elementary Theatre Education Methods (3)

3 Hours

A course designed to acquaint the theatre specialist with the content, methodology, and materials of an elementary school theatre curriculum. Required of all Theatre Education majors. Lab required involving classroom observations and introduction to creative drama for the classroom including puppetry, Mime, mask work, and Improvisation.

• TDR 3190, Secondary Theatre Education Methods (3)

3 Hours

Prerequisites: TDR 3180 Elementary Theatre Education Methods

Provides instruction and field experiences, which enables art education pre-service teachers to organize and guide middle and high school students in developing appropriate conceptual understandings and production skills for Theatre. Other components of the course include middle school and adolescent student development, middle school and high school structure and culture, curriculum development and implementation, and classroom management strategies.

• TDR 4610, Student Teaching Seminar (0)

0 Hours

A seminar dealing with practical and philosophical issues in current theatre education. Content of this course grows out of the student-teaching experience, TDR 4620, which is taken concurrently.

• TDR 4620, Student Teaching (8)

8 Hours

Prerequisites: TDR 3180 Elementary Theatre Education Methods & TDR 3190 Secondary Theatre Education Methods
Corequisites: This course is taken concurrently with a seminar, which meets once a week for the entire semester.

A laboratory course giving student teacher experience in theatre education. This full-semester course allows for teaching experience on both elementary and secondary levels in theatre. (TDR 4610). $325.00 course fee.

• TDR 2200, Stage Movement I (3)

3 Hours 

A performance-based course that provides an examination on the developmental and practice of movement for the actor.  The work will center on physical awareness and exercises designed to provide the student with means to develop a sustained physical process, which supports and enhances acting impulse and character development.  The course will culminate in the presentation of the group movement project.

• TDR 2120, Audition/Portfolio I (1)

1 Hour

Prerequisites: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience

Focus on basic audition preparation, portfolio development, and resume techniques.

• TDR 3120, Audition/Portfolio II (1)

1 Hour

Prerequisites: TDR 2120 Audition/Portfolio I

Extensive individual coaching in style and presentation of audition material, design portfolios, directing books, and monologues. Students will develop audition technique, audition and portfolio material, and professional resumes in preparation for professional work.

• TDR 4430, Stage Management (3)

3 Hours

Prerequisites: TDR 1120 Fundamentals of Production Design

Concentrated training in the functions and the role of the Stage Manager in the production process.

• TDR 4440, Technical Theatre for Stage Directors (3)

3 Hours

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 3700, Business of Show Business (3)

3 Hours

Prerequisites: TDR 2250 Directing I, or TDR 2080 Acting I or TDR 2610 Set Design I, or TDR 2620 Lighting Design I, or TDR 2630 Costume Design I

Study of audition and interview techniques, contracts, taxes, unions, agencies, and other subjects the theatre professional. Course will also introduce concepts of theatre management, producing, production budgeting and fundraising.

• TDR 4520, Period Styles (3)

3 Hours

Prerequisites: TDR 3520 Theatre and Drama History II

Intensive study of major historical periods including major movements in acting, directing, design, period style and décor. This course involves interactive collaborative presentations and extensive research projects.

• TDR 4015, Senior Capstone in Theatre (1-3)

1-3 Hours

Prerequisites: Senior standing and approval of advisor

This course is the culminating experience in the major, and also addresses the goals for the Senior Capstone as defined in the BELL Core Curriculum, including reflection on the student’s academic experience and on the transition from the university setting to professional life. The senior may produce, direct, design or act in a project to be chosen by the student and the student’s advisor. Additionally, the senior will be responsible for all aspects of the production, including production management and budgeting. This project may be completed on or off campus, may be completed solely or with a partner, and must culminate in a major performance and presentation. This course is to be taken in the final year of residence before graduation. Repeatable up to a total of 3 credit hours.

• TDR 2310, Performance and Production Lab (1)

1 Hour

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 2320, Performance and Production Lab (1)

1 Hour

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.