Academics

Theater Arts Courses

151 - Introduction to Theater - 3 credits

Involvement in the Basic components of the discipline: experiencing and performing drama, playwriting, criticism, directing, and acting. Includes attendance of plays on and off campus.

201 - Acting I - 2 credits

An introduction to the Art of Acting. Students will concentrate on voice, diction and movement. Students will also learn basic character analysis and performance techniques. This is a good class for the non-major who wishes to explore their more creative side. This class is a pre-requisite for all other acting classes offered in the Theater program.

202 - Stage Combat - 3 credits

Fighting for the stage and film. This class covers hand to hand combat as well as fighting with weaponry from different eras.

210 - History of Theater I - 3 credits

The study of World Drama from the beginning of Mankind through the Renaissance concentrating on the drama, theaters, staging conventions and philosophies of each era.

211 - History of Theater II - 3 credits

This course continues the survey of the development of western drama and theatre (Renaissance to the present) to increase our understanding of how drama, theatrical performance, and society combine to form unique and diverse expressions of cultures. Students will read representative dramatic literature and discuss its related performance conditions and conventions, apply relevant theory, styles, and information in Response Essays, and solidify our understanding through examinations and quizzes.

301 - Acting II - 2 credits

Advanced study of acting concentrating on modern and contemporary styles. Students will explore various theories of realistic acting, particularly Uta Hagen, Stanislawsky, and Boleslavski, and apply those theories to actual performances.

302 - Acting III - 2 credits

Advanced study of acting concentrating on Shakespearean, classical and period styles

303 - Acting IV - 2 credits

Advanced study of acting concentrating on monologues, improvisation and auditions.

305 - Directing I - 3 credits

An advanced course dealing with the principles and techniques of directing that takes the student through the process of directing a play. The class will offer step-by-step instruction that deciphers the major technical and visual issues of stage directing including script analysis, communication and style.

310 - Technical Theater - 3 credits

Duquesne’s Theater Arts program teams up with International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). IATSE local 3 is the theater union whose jurisdiction is the downtown cultural district and concert venues throughout the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding area. This is a one of a kind class in technical theater. The class will study Set, Costume and Lighting design. Both in class lectures and practical demonstrations will be used. On successfully completing this class, students have the option of signing up with the union for summer employment.

405 - Directing II - 3 credits

Advanced studies in Directing for the stage. Concentration on the Director’s Notebook, communication with actors and designers, staging, and interpretation. Over the course of the semester students will be required to present several scenes from a play culminating in a final presentation of a major scene or act from that play. Prerequisite: THTR 401 Directing I.

481 - Dramatic Criticism - 3 credits

A study of writing about Theater; from Critical Analysis to Theater Review writing. Students will be required to attend theatrical productions around the city throughout the semester.

499 - Directed Studies - 1-3 credits

Internships with local, regional and national professional companies or independent study for students with a particular interest that is not covered in regular course offerings.