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New Brunswick Undergraduate Catalog 2011–2013 Mason Gross School of the Arts Programs of Study Theater 966 Concentration Requirements  

Concentration Requirements


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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