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New Brunswick Undergraduate Catalog 2022-2024 Mason Gross School of the Arts Course Listing Theater Arts 966  

Theater Arts 966
07:966:103-104 Theater Homeroom (P0,P0) Theater Homeroom is a multidisciplinary weekly event that includes: sharing of ideas, information, and inspirations; professional and academic panels and workshops; guest artists; discussions and performances. Attendance is mandatory and the course is taken for pass/fail credit. Open to B.F.A. students only. Course repeated.    
07:966:105 Drawing Practice: Theater Design (2) This course is an exploration into illustration/drawing techniques for both costume and scenic design. Costume students will receive in-depth, solid instruction in figure drawing and rendering, that allow students to develop their individual style for creating costume sketches. Scenic, Lighting, and Production students will learn to "see" better, by the use of simple exercises that employ the conditions of visual reality transferred to the flat surface by flat planes and straight lines. Model Fee associated with course.
Prerequisite: Open only to B.F.A. design majors or by permission of instructor. Course repeated for credit.
07:966:123 Theater Practice (2) Crew assignments each semester in set, prop, and costume construction or running crew in sets/props, sound, lights, costumes, and costume maintenance. A minimum of 90 crew hours is required to pass the course, but some production running assignments may require up to 150 hours. The course is repeated. Students who do not attend the first meeting of the class are not guaranteed an assignment and may have to drop the class. Two semesters are required for all B.F.A. production majors and B.A. theater majors.
07:966:124 Theater Practice for Designers and Actors (1) This course allows the students to experience different areas of the Production experience including the production shops, backstage crew, or understudying on one show. This is a lab course that must be taken twice consecutively covering one full academic year. For B.F.A. Design & Production majors, over the course of the year, they will be assigned 1 run crew assignment and spend 7 weeks in each of the 3 production shops: Scene Shop, Costume Shop, & Light Shop. For the B.F.A. Actors, over the course of the year, they will be assigned to work crew on one show and understudy on one show.
Two semesters are required for all B.F.A. designers and one majors.
07:966:215 Introduction to Design (3) Introductory course in basic theatrical design and production, as well as an exploration of both the elements and the principles of design and promotion of conceptual and divergent thinking. Lectures cover a wide range of topics relating to the technical and aesthetic aspects of designing scenery, costumes, and lighting for the stage; lab periods will be utilized to learn technical skills and to put the information covered in the lectures into practice. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:216 Introduction to Design (3) The second semester of Introduction to Design focuses on research and the realized set, costume, and lighting design process for one complete design project. Prerequisites: 07:966:215. Only open to B.F.A. production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:219-220 Stagecraft (2,2) Students will be taught techniques and terminology that will prepare them for working in a scene shop; constructions of scenic elements will be covered. Working with power tools and learning the basics of theatrical scenery construction while working safely and in a timely fashion.
Only open to B.F.A. students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:225-226 Voice & Speech I (2,2) Introducing the practices of developing one's vocal mechanism and speech skills to apply to acting and performance.
Open to B.F.A. acting students only.
07:966:230-231 Movement I (2,2) Basic development of the body for the stage. Open only to B.F.A. acting students.
07:966:232-233 History of Costume Décor I-II (3,3) This introductory research course explores the major cultural ideas, events, and styles from antiquity through the 21st century--how ideas travel through history being adopted, adapted, then accessed and acknowledged by theatrical artists is the foundation of our work in this course. We engage in multidimensional exploration of both material and nonmaterial culture, as well as an appreciation of aesthetics from both around the globe and throughout history will be introduced. Lectures and lab work will utilize a range of research methods. Student researchers will begin to develop not only a foundational knowledge of global architecture, dress, and objects, they will learn to thoughtfully, question and synthesize the ideas and concepts used to create identity, narrative, and culture while applying these findings within their own theatrical disciplines. Open to B.F.A. design and production students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:242 Introduction to Stage Lighting (2) A seminar/lab course discussing and applying stage lighting practices. The course is focused on the technologies used in entertainment lighting design. Topics include: theatrical lighting fixtures, optics, photometrics, color theory, programming computer light boards, practical lighting skills, script analysis, research, and theoretical design.
Open only to B.F.A. theater majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:243-244 Elements of Design I (3,3) An introduction to the art of exploring the page with the intention of bringing it to the stage. Space, character, genre, structure, and more are examined as tools for the designer to use in preparation and process.
Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors.
07:966:245-246 History of Architecture and Decorative Arts (3,3) Weekly lectures and field trips to the Cloisters, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frick Collection, and other museums where students do sketch assignments covering appropriate historical periods. Students are responsible for all public transportation and entrance fees.
Prerequisites: 07:966:215-216. Open only to B.F.A. design majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:249-250 Iintroduction to Stage Management (3,3) This course is designed to introduce students to core stage management concepts.
Open to B.F.A.  and BA Theater majors as availability allows. Priority given to Stage Management majors.
07:966:251-252 Fundamentals of Drafting (3,3) Fundamental skills in technical drawing and stagecraft techniques. Prerequisites: 07:966:215-216. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:271-272 Acting I (3,3) Theory and practice in the art of acting. Open only to B.F.A. acting students.
07:966:274 Costume Construction (2) This is an introductory course where you will learn fundamental sewing skills that are used in constructing costumes for theater. The course begins with learning both hand sewing and machine sewing techniques.
Open to B.F.A. design and production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:277 Production Properties (2) This course is an introduction to the world of stage properties. The class will cover responsibilities, paperwork, research, programs, and additional duties typically performed by a prop master, as well as focusing on creating props by using different materials commonly found in prop shops.
Course fee to cover materials. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:305 Advanced Stage Lighting Technology (2) Technical and mechanical aspects of stage lighting including electrical theory, practical wiring, equipment maintenance, and safety practice. Applications to stage, film, and touring situations. Prerequisites: 07:966:242 and permission of instructor.
07:966:309-310 Costume Design I (3, 3) Costume Design I is the first step in developing an understanding and appreciation for the art of costume design. Through a series of weekly projects, exercises, and discussions, students begin to understand and employ the concepts and vocabulary of the basic design elements and principles and how it applies to character driven theatrical design. Studying groundbreaking theatrical costume designers, both historical and contemporary, students will begin to understand their place in the costume continuum while embarking on a journey toward developing their own unique and individual style of creating costume sketches and renderings. Student work will be presented each week for constructive feedback from the professor and fellow classmates.
Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:311 Draping I (3) In this course, students will obtain a basic knowledge of pattern drafting based on draping to an individual, starting with the dress form and fitting it to a specific body. The text we will be using focuses on feminine-presenting bodies. We will use draping techniques to learn pattern manipulation for garments post-1920s.
Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:312 Draping II (3) The objective of this course is to focus on the fit of clothing and costumes to individuals. You will learn how to identify fit issues in a fitting setting and how to correct the pattern. Bias construction, flat-patterning, working with stretch, and giving direction will be explored.
Prerequisites: 07:966:310. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:313-314 Set Design I (3,3) Advanced work in scene design with an emphasis on individual style development. Prerequisites: 07:966:243-244. Open only to B.F.A. design majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:315 Principles of Stage Management (3) The course is designed to build on the foundation of stage management essentials through a process of elaboration and expansion, continuing to explore the evergreen question: how do stage management building blocks function in practice in the field at each stage of production?
Prerequisites: 07:966:249-250. Open only to B.F.A. stage management students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:319-320 Speech II (2,2) Advanced speech and diction for the theater and performance. Prerequisites: 07:966:225-226. Open to B.F.A. actors only.
07:966:323 Theater Practice (BA) This is a B.F.A. lab course that expands the students' experience in their concentration as a vital part of the construction crew in either the Scene, Costume, or Electrics Shops.
Prerequisite: 07:966:124. Not open to first-year students. The course is repeated.
07:966:325-326 Acting II: Technique (2,2) Scene study and the basis of characterization. To discover and explore: the various styles and approaches as it applies to performance. Reinforcing the training from the first year in the program. Consistent habits for breaking down and studying a script. To become conversant about the profession.
Prerequisites: 07:966:271-272.    Open only to B.F.A. II actors.
07:966:327-328 Voice II (2,2) The goal of this semester is for the actor to explore their own instrument. All levels of voice production are covered through daily warmups and rehearsals for a new play. The student will learn to lead the warmup for the company. We will work with monologues and scenes where the actor will explore their body, sound, and effect in the space. We will also explore physical risk in order to expand vocal and physical range and its relationship to emotional vulnerability. The vocal and physical vigor of the course will stretch limitations and deepen our connection with our body, voice, and presence in the space. The semester draws from other techniques such as Fitzmaurice, Lecog, Lessac, Clown, Linklater, Bartenieff, and Skinner.
Prerequisites: 07:966:225-226. Open only to B.F.A. II actors.
07:966:333-334 Movement II (2,2) Emphasis on stage challenges such as period movement; use of objects; awareness of space, energy, and time. Use of the body to develop characterization. Prerequisites: 07:966:230-231. Open only to B.F.A. II actors.
07:966:335-336 Costume Design I (3,3) Advanced costume design course in which experienced students undertake a series of design projects to be presented for critique. Prerequisites: 07:966:247-248. Open only to B.F.A. design majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:339-340 Technical Direction I & II (3,3) Principles and practice of Technical Direction and the role of the Technical Director within the context of a collaborative process.
Prerequisites: 07:966:220. Open only to B.F.A. production and design majors.
07:966:343-344 Fundamentals of Lighting Design (3,3) Basic theory and practice of lighting design including script analysis, physics of light and color, and light plots. Prerequisites: 07:966:242. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors or the permission of instructor.
07:966:350 Fabric Dyeing (2) Covers the basics of fabric dyeing including color matching; ombre; shibori; resist-dyeing; fabric painting; and distressing using union dyes, fiber specific dyes, and fabric paint. Safety issues and concerns will also be addressed. Open only to B.F.A. design majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:351 Costume Crafts (2) This course will introduce the student to each of the areas of costume crafts, which include but are not limited to a variety of materials. Millinery basic techniques may also be explored. Open only to B.F.A. design majors or by permission of instructor.
07:966:358 Portfolio Preparation (1) This course prepares the B.F.A. design student to present themselves and their design work in the professional portfolio formats required by the industry. Team-taught by members of the design faculty, the student is guided in resume preparation, cover letter writing, business cards, and digital portfolio creation. In this course, students will either start a new portfolio or update a current portfolio. This will include completing an online website portfolio and a digital portfolio.
Open only to B.F.A. design majors.
07:966:359-360 Directed Study (BA,BA) Special advanced projects undertaken with a faculty member who agrees to supervise the students' work. Open only to B.F.A. majors with permission of instructor and theater arts adviser.
07:966:361-362 Sound Technology for the Theater (2,2) Basic theory and practice for use of sound in the theater. Fees: cost of media. Prerequisites: 07:966:215-216 or permission of instructor.
07:966:371 Script Analysis for Actors (2) The ability to read and analyze a script is essential to the theatre-maker. In this class, we explore and apply the fundamental dramaturgical tools needed to move from the page to the stage. The goal of the course includes--distinguishing the architecture of diverse dramatic works; identifying the types and uses of stage directions; recognizing and activating punctuation, silences and pauses; learning to tell the difference between atmosphere and mood; understanding how to discern and express character through textual clues; and determining the most effective research methods required by a variety of texts.
Open only to B.F.A. students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:372 Advanced Text: Dramatic Structure (2) Course builds on concepts and skills learned in Script Analysis for Actors and applies them to close reads of two dramatic works and an intensive reading of two others, enabling the actor to get the most out of the first readings of a play. How do different works demand different or similar approaches? What is the nature and function of research in the artistic process? Open only to B.F.A. students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:390 Advanced Costume Construction (BA,BA) This hands-on course is a continuation of Costume Construction and teaches the basic skills and terminology that are used in costumes. Throughout the semester students will learn advanced hand- and machine-sewing techniques used to stitch historical and modern costumes. Prerequisite: 07:966:274. Open only to B.F.A. design majors or permission of instructor.
07:966:407 Scene Painting II (2) Advanced techniques in scene painting. Prerequisite: 07:966:316. Open only to B.F.A. students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:410 Stage Combat (1) Course geared for directors and stage managers on the physical aspects of stage violence from unarmed fighting to the use of weapons. Emphasis on safety.
Open to B.F.A. stage managers only.
07:966:411 Production Techniques (1) This is a required lab course that expands the student's experience in their concentration as a vital part of the construction crew in either the Scenic, Costume, or Electrics Shops.
Prerequisite: 07:966:323. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors. Course repeated.
07:966:417-418 British Art and Culture (3,3) British history, art, and architecture studied on site as part of Rutgers' Conservatory at in London to provide historical, social, and religious contexts for Shakespeare's plays.
Open only to B.F.A. students studying in London.
07:966:419-420 Topics in Technical Direction (BA,BA) Special study in advanced construction techniques such as: vaccuform, air casters, and other specialized theatrical machinery. Prerequisites: 07:966:219-220. Open only to B.F.A. students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:422 Production and Design Projects (BA) Realizing production design in the areas of costumes, sets, sound, and lights, as assigned by the faculty. Course may be repeated for credit. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors.
07:966:423 Stage Management (3) Continued development of the role of the stage manager. Prerequisite: 07:966:315. Open only to B.F.A. stage management majors.
07:966:424 Stage Management Projects (BA) Credit for fulfilling stage management and assisting assignments on Rutgers Theater Company mainstage and Jameson Project productions as well as workshops, presentations, and opera at Rutgers. Prerequisite: 07:966:315. Open only to B.F.A. stage management majors.
07:966:425 Acting IV (2) Advanced acting technique and preparation for the profession. Open only to B.F.A. acting students.
07:966:427-428 Shakespeare's Plays in Context (3,3) Intensive study at Rutgers' Conservatory of Shakespeare's Globe in London of 20 classical Shakespearean plays over the course of a year. Open to B.F.A. students studying in London.
07:966:430 Performance (BA) Student-generated performance projects consisting of a variety of public and workshop performances. Open to B.F.A. acting majors only.
07:966:443-444 Advanced Stage Management (3,3) This class explores the stage manager's process with a focus on the science, art, and skills of stage management. Activities in and outside of the classroom will be utilized in fine-tuning a stage manager's ability to intuit the varying needs of a project, organize themselves accordingly, create effective and efficient schedules, run tech, and support the artistic process.
Prerequisite: 07:966:423. Open only to B.F.A. stage managers.
07:966:447 Draping III (3) In this course, students learn how to replicate period gowns prior to the 1920s by draping and flat-patterning techniques. This will include the construction of one complete finished set of period undergarments and period gowns in muslin.
Prerequisites: 07:966:312 or permission of instructor.
07:966:451 Tailoring (3) Students will obtain a basic knowledge of tailoring techniques by constructing men's suits. This will include patterning, fitting to an individual, and constructing a suit jacket. Prerequisites: 07:966:312 or permission of instructor.
07:966:455 Costume History Seminar (3) In-depth study of western period clothing with emphasis on primary research sources. This course explores how costume designers interpret historical research. We will synthesize world events, cultural history, and relationships between dress, identity, economics, social history, and technology. We will use the visual, applied, and performing arts in order to gain insight into the design process and how historical garments have been represented in different periods in history.
Prerequisites: 07:966:247-248. Open only to B.F.A. design students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:456 Costume History Seminar (3) In this Seminar on Costume History, we will explore dress and costumes from around the world. Included in this course, one will learn basic terminology, visual recognition of costume, a variety of research tools, and share this through student presentations.
Prerequisites: 07:966:247-248. Open only to B.F.A. design students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:460 Scene Design II (3) This is an advanced course in Set Design, in which students will be asked to complete a semester-long project designing a large scale (multi-scene) opera. The course will culminate in the presentation of a finished 1/4" scale model along with a drafted master floor plan, scene-by-scene floor plans, and CL section drawings.
Prerequisites: 07:966:313-314. Open only to B.F.A. design majors.
07:966:462 Costume Design II (3) This advanced course will engage advanced costume students in the process of creating relevant, evocative, and imaginative designs in theatrical costume. Working solely on one text, students will explore how to further develop ideas and images that tell the story of the theatrical text. Becoming more empathetic to our world and history so that we are able to better communicate storytelling is possible when we understand and appreciate relevancy and cultural competency in the context of design. How can we increase our communication skills, both verbal and visual? We will use history, fine art, current events, cultural studies and literature to inspire our classwork, and explore non-traditional ways of presenting design for the theatre.
Prerequisites: 07:966:335-336. Permission required for advanced costume students.
07:966:464-465 Lighting Design I (3,3) Students undertake lighting design projects and prepare instrumentation and light plots for critique. Prerequisites: 07:966:343-344. Open only to B.F.A. design majors.
07:966:467 Advanced Stage Management Project (BA) Production work assigned by semester in a stage management role. Production work may be on a theater department production or outside the theater department (with the dance or music departments, as common but not exclusive examples). Production work assigned by the Head of Stage Management is the only production work that will count toward course credit.
Prerequisites: Open only to advanced stage management students or by permission of instructor.
07:966:468-469 Computer Drafting I (2,2) Object-based computer drafting. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors.
07:966:470 Computer Illustration I (2) Computer illustration programs. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors.
07:966:471 Computer Illustration II (2) Computer illustration programs. Open only to B.F.A. design and production majors.
07:966:473-474 Production Practicum (BA,BA) Senior project or internship arranged with specialty adviser and production student adviser. Open only to B.F.A. production students.
07:966:476 Video/Auditioning (1) On-camera acting and auditioning techniques. Open to B.F.A. IV acting majors only.
07:966:480 Auditioning/Career Transition (1) Preparation for graduating actors in the business of business. Open only to B.F.A. acting students.
07:966:488-489 Computer Drafting II (2,2) Line-based computer drafting. Prerequisites: 07:966:251-252 and permission of instructor.
07:966:490-491 Acting in London (12,12) Classical acting and voice training, British culture, and literature in residence at Rutgers' Conservatory at Shakespeare's Globe in London program. Open only to B.F.A. acting students studying in London.
07:966:492 Theater Design in London (12) Classical design training for the theater, British culture, and literature in residence at Rutgers' Conservatory in London program. Open only to B.F.A. design students studying in London.
07:966:496 Professional Development Seminar (3) Students are provided with a comprehensive integration of career development approaches, entrepreneurial strategies, and explorations of regional, national, and global markets, movements, and players. Open only to B.F.A. theater students.
 
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