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In addition to the general theater requirements, students must enroll in and complete one of the following three
concentrations:
1. Acting Concentration Core Requirements
The
bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) acting program offers an integrated and challenging course of
study for serious students who aspire to careers as professional
actors. The program is dedicated to the proposition that acting is a
creative art, and true excellence in its practice may be obtained only
through mastery of technical craft. Acting, voice, speech, and movement
constitute the program's integrated core, and these disciplines are
interwoven each semester to form the foundation of the course of study.
The program is dedicated to developing the actor who will be equipped
to cope with the demands of the contemporary stage and the rigorous
demands of television and film.
Due to the rigor of the acting
program, the faculty recommends that any remedial mathematical
coursework, i.e., elementary algebra, be completed prior to enrollment at
Mason Gross School of the Arts. Math and basic writing requirements must be completed
prior to junior year.
The program has a Professional Acting
Program Fee that supports professional training and career transition.
Should a student leave or be dismissed from the program, all fees are
nonrefundable.
The first year is spent exploring and mastering
fundamental concepts, developing a background in theater, and
establishing the work ethic of the profession. In the first semester,
the actor begins the intensive training in the Meisner Technique and
develops a truthful and spontaneous instrument. The second semester
mixes the Meisner training with scene work. Beginning voice, speech,
movement, and a two-semester theater history class round out the
program. As is consistent with most conservatory training, students in
the first year do not perform.
In the second year, the actor is
immersed in advanced Meisner training, focusing on the textual
analysis, objectives, actions, and beginning character work. The guided
practice of voice, speech, and movement continues and is integrated
into the acting work. The actor also participates in performance
ensemble, a yearlong, process-oriented class in which the students,
utilizing research methods and improvisation, create their own original
theater piece. Students also take physical theater, dance, dramatic
structure, and script analysis for the actor. Students are granted at
least two performance opportunities in the second year.
The
entire third year is spent studying abroad at Rutgers Conservatory at
Shakespeare's Globe in London. Actors undertake a rigorous conservatory
training program consisting of acting, voice, movement (based on the
Alexander Technique), combat, speech, and period dance. There is a
continuation of textual analysis, objectives, actions, and character
work with particular attention given to classical texts and traditions.
Students additionally earn 12 liberal arts credits in Shakespeare's
plays and British art and culture.
During the rigorous senior
year, class time is spent integrating and refining all aspects of the
actor's craft, including actor/director workshops and Michael
Chekhov-based physical theater. Particular emphasis is placed upon the
"business of the business." Classes include audition techniques, acting
for the camera, and meeting with top agents and casting directors.
Performance opportunities for seniors include eligibility for all 15-18
departmental productions and the 8-10 production B.F.A. Theater Festival,
culminating in the B.F.A. Actor's Presentation in New York City for
invited members of the profession.
See departmental artistic advisers for specific courses of study in each discipline.
2. Design Concentration Core Requirements
The
theater department offers a B.F.A. program in design that offers
professional training in scenic design, costume design and technology,
and lighting design. Intensive studio work is coupled with practical
experience gained from designing and building the shows produced by the
department.
The first year is spent developing skills and
creativity in all areas of design and production. First-year students
participate in shows as crew members and "learn the ropes." Core
courses include Scenic Art, Introduction to Design, and Drawing for the
Designer, and specific technical and craft courses.
Sophomores
work in all four shops during the year, often serve as assistants on
major productions, and may design for the Jameson Project season.
Students complete the sequence of technical and craft courses begun the
first year, including drawing, lighting, rendering, drafting, costume
history and rendering, and architectural history and decor.
In the
junior year, students choose one of the three areas of design
specialty: sets, costumes, or lights, and choose their courses
individually. A unique conservatory design program is available at
Rutgers' Conservatory at Shakespeare's Globe in London. This fall
semester conservatory program in design is fully integrated with the
department's program. Students additionally earn 6 liberal arts credits
in Shakespeare's plays and British art and culture.
Seniors
continue to study in their area of specialty, and technicians tech
major shows. All design students must present a portfolio of their work
at the penultimate and final portfolio review sessions in their senior
year. This portfolio must include a current résumé. The portfolio must
be prepared with faculty guidance beginning in the second semester of
the junior year. Internships may be arranged for credit.
Seniors
who have the support of the faculty also attend a professional portfolio review in New York City at the end of their senior year.
Every student must complete at least one production or design project
each semester.
See departmental artistic advisers for specific courses of study in each discipline.
3. Production and Management Concentration Core Requirements
The
production and management specialties program provides professional
training for students pursuing careers in stage management and
technical direction. Intensive class work is coupled with practical
experience gained from working on the shows produced by the department
and professional internships that introduce students to the workplace.
Students
take introductory classes in stage design and technology, theater
practice, and acting during their first year. The year is preparatory,
introduces specific technical courses depending on the student's
specialty, and assigns production positions to assure well-rounded
technical experience and to help the students map out their career
paths. Students also take a two-semester theater history course.
Major
concentration begins in the sophomore year with courses in stage
management or drafting, as well as additional craft classes:
properties, sound technology, and introduction to lighting. Production
hours are rotated in each of the five shops to provide experience in
all technical and craft areas. Additional production positions in the
student's area of specialty are also assigned.
Juniors work
closely with faculty advisers in stage management and technical
direction. Students take advanced classes in their area of specialty
and receive intensive production assignments each semester on scenery
construction projects and as assistant stage managers. Students also
take dramatic structure and basic theater texts classes.
Students
continue advanced specialty coursework and earn major assignments as
assistant stage managers, stage managers, and technical directors.
Junior or senior stage managers may spend the first semester abroad at
the conservatory production program at Rutgers' Conservatory at
Shakespeare's Globe in London. Students who have not studied abroad at
the London program spend one semester of the senior year devoted to a
full-time internship in a professional setting that reflects the
student's career goals.
See departmental artistic advisers for
specific courses of study in each discipline. Please consult the Mason
Gross School of the Arts website for
further details on courses and credits.
*Only students who do not attend the Shakespeare's Globe program in London.
** Design and production majors only.
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