Ohio University
Graduate Catalog
Theater
The School of Theater offers programs leading to the Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts degrees. To apply, you must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and be able to demonstrate motivation and talent for the program of your choice. In addition, you should present a background of training that correlates with your professional goals. For unconditional admission, you must have a satisfactory academic record with strong indications of success in your chosen area, and sufficient preparation to qualify for graduate courses to be included in the program. Any deficiencies must be made up by taking appropriate courses in addition to normal requirements.
Applicants for admission to one of the professional M.F.A. programs must demonstrate qualification by audition, submission of portfolio, interview, or other appropriate means before final approval is granted (see below). This requirement is in addition to the basic admission standards for entrance into the graduate program of the School of Theater.
It is expected that you will have a firm grounding in theater history and dramatic literature, as well as demonstrable proficiency in fundamental production techniques, or that coverage of these areas will be included in your graduate program.
Throughout the program, you will be closely observed and counseled by the faculty. You are expected to show consistent progress toward improvement of those skills that the faculty deems necessary for entry into the profession. At the end of every quarter in residence, and in some programs also at midterm of each quarter in the initial year, a thorough evaluation will be made. The faculty will discuss with you the particular areas of strength and weakness in your performance and how these areas could affect your professional potential.
If, in the judgment of the faculty, you fail to meet professional standards or to show improvement in necessary skills, you will be placed on program probation for the following quarter. Normally this action will occur at the end of a quarter, and the probation will be for the following quarter. You may be placed on program probation, however, at any time if the faculty deems it necessary. Written notice of this decision will be provided, along with an explanation of the academic or artistic reasons for the decision. You will be expected to make improvement immediately in the indicated areas.
At the end of the period of program probation, the area faculty,
in consultation with the Director of the School of Theater, will take
one of three actions:
- Remove you from program probation and recommend continuation in the program.
- Continue program probation for an additional quarter.
- Deny further enrollment.
If you are placed on program probation in the first five weeks of a quarter, the period of probation may extend until the end of that quarter. If you are placed on probation after the first five weeks of the quarter, the period of probation may extend until the end of the following quarter.
In no case will program probation continue for more than three consecutive quarters.
Students in the Professional Actor Training Program, the Professional Director Training Program, and the Production Design and Technology Program must begin their program of study in the fall quarter. Application materials for these programs must be received by April 1. Students in the other M.F.A. programs are encouraged to begin their program in the fall quarter and should observe the April 1 application deadline. An M.A. degree candidate may apply for admission for any quarter.
Applicants seeking financial aid in the form of graduate scholarships or graduate associateships for the following academic year should submit application materials to the School of Theater by March 1. If you wish to apply for financial aid in the form of work study and/or loans, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. (See the Financial Aid section of this catalog.)Graduate candidates are required to participate each quarter in the production activities of the school as a supplement to and as an extension of their academic work. In addition, all graduate candidates are required to enroll for Lunchbag Theater Seminar each quarter of residence.
The production program of the school is conducted in two adjoining buildings on the Athens campus. The first is the newly renovated Kantner Hall, housing a comfortable and well-equipped proscenium theater; four small studio-classroom theaters; scenery, props, and costume laboratories; and related facilities. A second mainstage theater, incorporating a thrust stage and capable of modification for use in various theatrical forms, is located in the Radio-Television Communication Building next door. Significant repertory production opportunities are available through the university's Monomoy Theater on Cape Cod (Chatham, Massachusetts).
Visiting artists from the professional theater are brought to the campus in all areas of the school to augment the teaching of the faculty. Full-term residencies, shorter-term (two or more weeks) residencies, master classes, and audition opportunities with theater professionals are supported by visiting artist funds. Recent visiting artists have included prominent actors, directors, designers, playwrights, administrators, and teachers from England and Europe, as well as the North American commercial and LORT theaters.
Faculty
Theater (THAR) Courses
090 Lunchbag Theater Seminar Series (0)
Seminar and discussion about trends in theater scholarship,
production, and performance techniques. May be repeated.
Staff; F, W, Sp.
500 Introduction to Graduate Study (2)
Prereq: grad theater major. Orientation to graduate theater study and
professional theater.
Staff; F; Y.
502 Theater Management (4)
Management in performing arts. 3 lec.
Fraze; W; Y.
505 Practicum in Theater Management (2-4)
Prereq: perm. Supervised lab practice in problems of theater
publicity, finance, ticket office, and house management.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
510A Acting Technique I (6)
Prereq: grad acting major. Intensive studio training emphasizing
actor's work and on text through exercises, monologues, and scene
work.
Staff; F; Y.
510B Acting Technique II (6)
Prereq: 510A. Continuation of 510A. See 510A for description.
Staff; W; Y.
510C Acting Technique III (6)
Prereq: 510B. Continuation of 510A-B. See 510A for description.
Sp; Y.
515 Practicum in Acting (2-4)
Prereq: perm. Supervised lab practice in rehearsal and
performance.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
516A Basic Movement for the Actor (3)
Prereq: grad acting major. A combination of mind-body-voice work
methods addressing movement demands for the actor. Methods used are
Todd/Sweigard, Feldenkrais, Selver, Linklater, Corporeal, and Laban
Dance. Once there is an understanding of the instrument, the work
focuses on clarity of expression, presence, and the energy of
acting.
Gabriel; F; Y; 1986.
516B Neutral Mask Mime (J. Lecoq Technique) (3)
Prereq: 516A. Use of the Neutral/Universal Full mask. The actor is
given various tasks to accomplish with focus on eliminating the
intrusion of actor tension and on simplifying the physical
communication through clear and distinct images.
Gabriel; W; Y; 1987.
516C Physical Acting I (3)
Prereq: 516B. Work that allows for the transition between pure
movement classes and the specific responsibilities of the actor.
Actors are involved in task-oriented exercises offering an
opportunity for movement to be observed for clarity and simplicity.
Observation addresses personal physicality; rhythms and energy
identify intrusive personal idiosyncrasies. Through repetition, the
actor achieves a more complete metamorphosis and understanding of
characterization; monologue work used extensively.
Gabriel; Sp; Y; 1986.
517A Voice and Speech for the Actor (3)
Prereq: grad acting major. Intensive training to develop actor's
basic voice and speech skills. Introduction to and proficiency in
perception of physical sensations pertaining to voice and speech.
Parrotti; F; Y.
517B Voice and Speech for the Actor (3)
Prereq: 517A. Continuation of 517A. See 517A for description.
Parrotti; W; Y.
517C Voice and Speech for the Actor (3)
Prereq: 517B. Continuation of 517A-B. See 517A for description.
Parrotti; Sp; Y.
520A First Principles of Directing (4)
Prereq: grad directing major. First inquiry into nonactor-related
prerehearsal considerations, text selection, analysis, space, and
environment in relation to concept and design.
Sherman; F; Y.
520B Director/Actor Rehearsal Process (2-6)
Prereq: 520A. Scene work with actors using concept and project
explored during previous quarter.
Staff; W; Y.
520C Directing Project I (6)
Prereq: 520B. Basic rehearsal techniques and procedures.
Staff; Sp; Y.
525 Practicum in Directing (2-4)
Prereq: perm. Practical experience as directorial staff member for
production in public performance or as director for lab theater
experience.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
526 Stage Management (3)
Theoretical course in techniques and methods of professional stage
management.
Staff; F; Y.
530 Technical Direction (4)
Role and responsibilities of technical director.
St. Lawrence; W; Y.
531A Lighting Design (4)
Light as element of design.
St. Lawrence; F; Y.
531B Electrics I (4)
Covers elements of technical production practice related to lighting:
electrical practice for the stage, the physics/optics of contemporary
theatrical equipment, and principles related to color and light as an
element of production.
St. Lawrence; W; Y.
532 Advanced Costume Design (4)
Prereq: 538. Advanced problems and projects in theatrical
costume.
Cole; W; Y.
534 Scene Design (4)
Scene design styles of premodern drama theory and practices.
Repeatable to 12 credits.
Staff; F; Y.
535 Practicum in Design and/or Technical Production
(2-6)
Prereq: perm. Practical application of design and technical
theory.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
537 Studies in Makeup (3)
Advanced problems in theatrical makeup design and execution.
Cole; F, W; Y.
538A Historical Bases of Design--Part I (4) Prereq: major. Research techniques and resources in history, the arts, and period "style" from Antiquity to the early Renaissance in Western Civilizations for theatrical production.
538B Historical Bases of Design--Part II (4) Prereq: major. A continuation of 538A, covering the period from the high Renaissance to the present.
545 OVST Practicum (1-6)
Prereq: perm. Supervised practice and experimentation in the company
operation of a community theater performance project. May be repeated
for credit.
Staff; Su.
550 Playwrights Workshop (3, max 9)
Prereq: perm, prior approval, acceptance of scripts. Practical
workshop study and production of plays written by students.
Staff; W, Sp; Y.
575 Dramatic Criticism I (4)
Principles of dramatic criticism from Aristotle to modern theater. 3
lec.
Staff; F; Y.
576 Dramatic Criticism II (4)
Prereq: 575. Modern dramatic criticism from time of Ibsen to present.
3 lec.
Staff; W; Y.
605 Practicum in Theater Management (2-4)
Prereq: perm. Supervised lab practice in problems of theater
publicity, finance, ticket office, and house management.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
606 Individual Projects in Performance Management (6)
Working with performance management projects selected prior to
course. Orientation may be production or research.
Fraze; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
610A Advanced Problems in Acting and Performance (6)
Prereq: 510C. Continued intensive studio training centering on
audition material, characterization, and special problems such as
period plays and experimentation.
Staff; F; Y.
610B Advanced Problems in Acting and Performance (6)
Prereq: 610A. Continuation of 610A. See 610A for description.
Staff; W; Y.
610C Advanced Problems in Acting and Performance (6)
Prereq: 610B. Continuation of 610A-B. See 610A for description.
Fraze; Sp; Y.
615 Practicum in Acting (2-4)
Prereq: perm. Supervised lab practice in rehearsal and public
performance of roles.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
616A Advanced Movement for Actors (3)
Prereq: 516C. Continuation of 516B; focus on classical comedy.
Gabriel; F; Y; 1986.
616B Advanced Movement for Actors (3)
Prereq: 616A. Use of extremely expressive masks to extend the actor
into characterization. The work demands believable support externally
and internally for grotesque persona. Clarifies strong sense of
flexibility, imagination, line, and strength.
Gabriel; W; Y; 1987.
616C Advanced Movement for Actors (3)
Prereq: 616B. Historical information leading to the development and
decline of the commedia del arte characters, basic scenarios, and
improvisation. An expansion of the character masks both physically
and vocally leading to characterization appropriate to the spirit of
commedia del arte.
Gabriel; Sp; Y; 1986.
617A Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor (3)
Prereq: 517C. In-depth extension of work started in 517ABC. Advanced
techniques to refine further and develop use of voice and speech as
instrument for characterization.
Parrotti; F; Y.
617B Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor (3)
Prereq: 617A. Continuation of 617A. See 617A for description.
Parrotti; W; Y.
617C Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor (3)
Prereq: 617B. Continuation of 617A-B. See 617A for description.
Parrotti; Sp; Y.
620A Individual Projects in Directing (6)
Prereq: 520C. Working with full-length text in class or lab
theater/playwright's workshop presentation. Emphasis on scripted
materials in forms and modes previously unfamiliar to student.
Staff; F; Y.
620B Improvisational Techniques in Directing (2-4)
Prereq: 2nd yr grad director. Working with nonscripted material under
leadership of master teacher.
Staff; W; Y.
620C Advanced Individual Projects (6)
Prereq: 620A. Working with full-length text in class or lab
theater/playwright's workshop presentation. Emphasis on new areas of
examination.
Staff; Sp; Y.
621 Directors on Directing (2)
Prereq: 520A,B,C. Theoretical and historical readings and
discussion.
Staff; W; Y.
625 Practicum in Directing (2-4)
Prereq: perm. Practical experiences in directing actors in special
projects outside of class, i.e., lab theater, playwright's workshop,
or other approved assignments.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
626 Practicum in Stage Management (2-4)
Prereq: 526. Practical experience in production stage management.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
630 Advanced Technical Direction (4)
Prereq: 530.
Staff; Sp; Y.
631 Advanced Lighting Techniques (4)
Prereq: 531.
Staff; W; Y.
632 Advanced Costume Design (4)
Prereq: 532.
Cole; Sp; Y.
633 Touring: Production Design (12)
Prereq: grad production design major. Practical course to familiarize
advanced design and technical production students with solution of
problems inherent in touring theatrical productions.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
634 Advanced Scene Techniques (4)
Prereq: 534.
Staff; W; Y.
635 Practicum in Design and/or Technical Production
(2-6)
Prereq: perm. Practical application of design or technical theory in
planning and execution of university production in second year of
training.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
636A Model Construction for the Scene Designer (4)
Prereq: perm. An introduction to the materials and techniques of
model construction for the stage. Repeatable to eight credits.
Belden; W; Y.
636B Drafting for the Stage (4)
Fundamental and advanced problems of drafting for the stage. The
course is geared to the set designer, the lighting designer, and the
technical director. Repeatable to eight credits.
Belden; Sp; Y.
636C Costume Crafts Construction (4)
An introduction to materials and techniques used in theatrical crafts
construction. Casting materials, mask making, and soft sculpture
techniques will be emphasized.
Cole; F; Y.
636D Costume Period Patterning (4)
Prereq: 535. An introduction to period patterning techniques.
Cole; W; Y.
636E Scene Painting (1-4)
An introduction to painting techniques, materials, and color problems
for the stage.
Staff; W; A-even.
637A Sound Design I (4)
Prereq: 637B. An introduction to sound design for the stage.
Resources and principles for the theatrical sound designer.
St. Lawrence; Sp; A-odd.
637B Sound Production (4)
An introduction to sound production, techniques, and principles for
the stage.
St. Lawrence; Sp; A-even.
639 Independent Studies in Design and/or Technical Theater (1-6) Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
670 Seminar in Theater History (4)
May be repeated as topic changes.
Quinn; Sp; A.
675 Seminar in Dramatic Criticism (4)
May be repeated as topic changes.
Quinn; Sp; A.
690 Directed Instruction (1-3, max 9)
Supervised practice in instructing.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
695 Thesis (1-12) Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
702 Theater Administration (4)
Organization and administration of educational, community, and
resident theater.
Fraze; W; Y.
705 Practicum in Theater Management (24)
Prereq: 505 or 605, 702. Specialized lab projects relating to
management of Ohio University Theater.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
708 Internship in Performing Arts Management (12-18)
Student is assigned to management area of a professional performing
arts organization and performs duties and responsibilities under the
tutelage of a trained working professional. Combines student's
theoretical study with practical application of concepts of theater
management and administration.
Dorfman; D.
709 Independent Studies in Theater Management (1-6) Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
713 Internship in Acting (6-15)
Prereq: 510A,B,C; 610A,B,C. Residence with professional theatrical
company.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
715 Practicum in Acting (4-6)
Prereq: 510A,B,C; 610A,B,C. Performance of leading roles in major
productions.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
718 Thesis Performance in Acting (12)
Prereq: 3rd-yr grad. Preparation, rehearsal, and performance of a
role for public performance.
Staff; D.
719 Independent Studies in Acting (1-6)
Prereq: acting major.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
723 Internship in Directing (6-15)
Prereq: 520A,B,C; 620A,B,C. Residence with professional theatrical
company.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
726 Advanced Practicum in Stage Management (4-8)
Prereq: perm. Supervised production experience involving major
mainstage responsibility.
Staff; D.
728 Thesis Production for Directors (12)
Prereq: 520A,B,C; 620A,B,C. Preparation, rehearsal, and presentation
of fully mounted play for public performance.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
729 Independent Studies in Directing (1-6) Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
730 Advanced Technical Studies (4, max 8) Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
731 Advanced Lighting Studies (4)
Prereq: 631. Theory and practice.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
732 Studies in Costume Design (4, max 12)
Prereq: 632.
Cole; F, W, Sp; Y.
733 Internship in Design or Technical Production (6-15)
Prereq: 2nd or 3rd yr grad production design major. Residence with
professional theatrical company.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
734 Studies in Scene Design (4, max 12)
Prereq: perm.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
735 Practicum in Design and/or Technical Production
(2-8)
Prereq: 3rd yr production design major. Practical application of
design or technical theory in planning and execution of university
production in third year of training.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
738 Seminar in Production Design (4-12) Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.
750 Seminar in Dramatic Writing (4-8, max 16) Quinn; F, W, Sp; Y.
759 Independent Studies in Playwriting (1-6) Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
763 Internship for Stage Managers (6-15)
Supervised work and observation experience at a professional theater
company or in association with a professional production of theater,
opera, or dance.
Staff; D.
770 Greek Theater and Drama (4)
First in series of eight seminars covering in-depth theater and drama
of Western world from prehistoric times to contemporary. 3 lec.
Staff; F; Y.
771 Roman and Medieval Theater (4) Staff; W; Y.
772 Renaissance Theater and Drama (4) Staff; Sp; Y.
773 Restoration and 18th Century Theater (4) Quinn; D.
774 Baroque European Theater (4) Quinn; F; Y.
775 19th Century European Theater (4) Quinn; W; Y.
776 Modern Theater (4) Quinn; Sp; Y.
777 American Theater and Drama (4)
Study of significant movements and major playwrights of the American
theater, with an emphasis on the 20th century.
Staff; F.
779 Independent Studies in History and Criticism (1-6) Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.
Return to 1995-1997 Graduate Catalog Table of Contents
University Publications and the Computer Services Center revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/95-97/areas/theater.html
) April 13, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.cats.ohiou.edu ."