Theater & Dance Department

Programs of Study

Dance

Dance as an artistic language utilizes choreography as text, and offers unique opportunities to express and comment upon the human condition. The courses in dance are designed to give students an in-depth and embodied understanding of the art of dance and choreography, the field of dance scholarship, the science of mind/body integration, the craft of performance and the project management skills necessary to produce creative work. In addition to rigorous movement training, the dance major demands the critical thinking, creative imagination, interpersonal communication skills and organizational skills that are central to a liberal arts education.

Major in Dance
A major in Dance consists of 42-46 credits in technique, composition, production, and history/theory/criticism. Requirements:

• At least 2 semesters of DANC-001-008
• DANC-100 and TD-150
• TD-210 and DANC-310
• Two dance technique courses from among the following: DANC-200, 220, 230, 235 and 240
• DANC-300W and DANC-340
• 12 semester hours of dance courses in addition to the above listed requirements. Up to 4 semester hours of DANC-001-008 may be utilized toward this requirement; up to 8 semester hours of 200 level courses may be utilized toward this requirement; up to 8 semester hours may be fulfilled by courses outside the dance department, including: ESS-351, 352, 353; ART-100, 150, 160, 270; MCS-212; THEA-100, 200, 201, 270; TD-130.
• One Capstone course (TD-400, or DANC-491-492)

For fulfillment of ILE credit requirement, students are encouraged to study abroad in a dance program approved by the department, or an off campus internship, or coursework in an approved dance program or festival.

Minor in Dance
A minor concentration in dance consists of 20 credits. Requirements:

• At least 2 semesters of DANC-001-008
• DANC-100 and TD-150
• TD-210 and DANC-310
• One dance technique course from among the following: DANC-200, 220, 230, 235, and 240
• 4 semester hours of additional dance courses. Up to 2 hours of DANC-001-008 may be utilized toward this requirement; all 4 hours may be 200 level courses.

Theater

Theater is a powerful form of experiential learning that can prompt students to grow as individuals, critical thinkers, and artists. Interdisciplinary by nature, theater also compels students to learn about society and the role of theater artists therein. Theater classes and rehearsals are spaces of creative and critical thinking where students undertake deep exploration of the imagination through performance and design. Courses are also contexts for learning theater history concurrent with contemporary developments in theater and performance.

Major in Theater
A major in Theater consists of 42-46 semester hours of credit. Requirements:

• THEA-100

• TD-150

• THEA-200

• At least one design course: TD/ART-130 or THEA-240

• THEA-300W and THEA-301

• One capstone course (TD-400 or THEA-491-492)

• At least four credits of THEA-001-008 or TD-001-008

• At least three additional THEA or TD courses

For fulfillment of ILE credit requirement, student study abroad in a theater program approved by the department, an off-campus internship at a theater, or work in an approved theater program/production.

Up to four credits of THEA-001-008 or TD-001-008 beyond the required four credits may be substituted for one of the additional courses. Up to eight credits of relevant courses in disciplines such as dance, art, music, English and modern languages may be included in the major with approval by theater faculty.
 

Minor in Theater
A minor concentration in Theater consists of 20 semester hours of credit. Requirements:

• THEA-100

• TD-150

• At least two credits of THEA-001-008 or TD-001-008

• Three additional THEA or TD courses (at least one of which is at the 300 or 400 level).

TD-001-008. Theater/ Dance Practicum Faculty
A learning experience in which students assume responsibilities for the technical aspects of major campus theater or dance productions. Production positions vary, but may include stage manager, assistant to the director or choreographer, scenic crew, lighting and sound crew and operators. Graded S/U. Four hours per week. One semester hour. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

TD/ART-130. Introduction to Design Faculty
In this studio class, students will be introduced to principles of theatrical design and the artistry of imagination. They will explore how theater designers think about images and use elements such as line, shape, space, mass, texture, light and color to create visual expression and communicate dramatic intention in three dimensional space. Students will gain an understanding of the effect of lighting, scenic and costume design choices for theater and dance productions. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

TD-150. Stagecraft Faculty
An introduction to and participation in all aspects relating to the physical side of creating works for the stage.  Students will be introduced to scenic building technique, scenic painting, lighting and sound design and the roles relating to the running of a show (stage manager, running crew, etc). This class will provide students with an understanding of these endeavors through instructor tutorial, visiting lectures and hands-on experience.  Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

TD-210. Dance Improvisation Prof. Aiken
This course explores dance improvisation both as a choreographic tool and as a performing art. Students will learn how to develop new movement skills, how to sensitize themselves to what is happening around them, how to improvise with music, and how to make choreographic choices while performing. Students are required to keep a journal of their classroom activities. This class is open to all levels of dancers. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

TD-250. Special Topics in Theater and Dance Faculty
This course will focus on a specific topic of theater and dance not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

TD-350. Advanced Special Topics in Theater and Dance Faculty
This course will focus on a specific topic at an advanced theoretical or critical level within theater and dance not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

TD-381. Internship Faculty
An off-campus work experience under the supervision of a faculty adviser and an on-site supervisor. Includes periodic meetings with the faculty adviser and completion of an approved research or production project. Prerequisite: major or minor in theater or dance and three courses in the department, junior standing, and approval of a faculty internship adviser. Must complete a minimum of 120 hours. Graded S/U. Three semester hours. (I.)

TD-382. Internship Faculty
An off-campus work experience under the supervision of a faculty adviser and an on-site supervisor. Includes periodic meetings with the faculty adviser and completion of an approved research or production project. Prerequisite: major or minor in theater or dance and three courses in the department, Junior standing, and approval of a faculty internship adviser. Must complete a minimum of 160 hours. Graded S/U. Four semester hours. (I.)

TD-400. Seminar in Performance Faculty
This course integrates theoretical and practical course work as the foundation for the student’s performance experience. During the course of the semester’s work, each student will prepare a significant research document and prepare several works for concert production. The resultant document/performance will be presented publicly. In addition, each student will be responsible for an oral presentation of his or her work. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

Dance courses

DANC-001-008. Dance Production: Performance Faculty
Students participating in the Ursinus College Dance Company will have opportunities for both informal and produced performances throughout the semester, will be encouraged to create and present their own work, and to perform in works choreographed by faculty and guest artists. The company will work in a wide range of dance forms and styles including jazz dance, modern dance, social dance, improvisation, partnering, etc. It is highly recommended that students participating in the dance company also take a dance technique course. Graded S/U. Four hours per week. One semester hour. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC-100. Introduction to Dance Faculty
This course is designed to broaden students’ understanding and appreciation of contemporary dance in the United States. Students will examine a wide variety of styles and forms, including ballet, modern, postmodern, hip-hop and social/vernacular dance. Through the study of some of the major choreographers and dance trends in the U.S., the class will address the diverse creativity of individual and cultural expression through the art of dance. This course involves both critical analyses of performance and theory as well as practical dance experience. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

DANC/ESS-200. Fundamental Dance Technique Prof. Young
An introduction to dance and movement techniques. The class will focus on the basic principles of dance movement, including alignment, coordination, musicality, and locomotion through space. Students will develop increased body awareness, flexibility, strength, and ease within a broad movement vocabulary. This class is designed for students with no previous experience in dance technique. Students may take this course twice for credit. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC-220. Contemporary Ballet Prof. Young
Designed to develop in the student a deep and sophisticated body awareness, this course interweaves contemporary ballet and modern dance techniques. The warm-up opens, extends and integrates the body by focusing on alignment, breath and movement efficiency. Students will build strength, flexibility and coordination by beginning each class with floor work, moving next to the barre, and culminating with danced combinations in the center that combine the line and shape of ballet with the momentum, falling and flying of contemporary modern dance. Prerequisite: DANC/ESS-200 or permission of the instructor. Students may take this course up to six times for credit. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC- 230. Jazz Dance Prof. Young
This course celebrates jazz dance as a passionate, expressive and continuously evolving form. Based on the premise that jazz dance is fundamentally inspired by vernacular dance and music, the class explores movement sourced from a wide range of music including swing, blues, jazz, ragtime, rhythm and blues, soul and funk. The class will consist of a warm-up designed to develop strength, ease of movement, flexibility and musicality, and move into across-the-floor progressions culminating in longer danced combinations. Students will increase their technical skills as well as deepen their stylistic sophistication. Prerequisite: One of the following: DANC-100, DANC/ESS-200 or TD-210, or permission of the instructor. Students may take this course up to six times for credit. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC-235. Contemporary Modern Dance Prof. Aiken
This course introduces students to methods and practices in contemporary modern dance. Prerequisite: One of the following: DANC-100, DANC/ESS-200 or TD-210, or permission of the instructor based on previous training. Students may take this course up to six times for credit. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC-240. Repertory Faculty
In this course students will have an intensive rehearsal process with the goal of mastery of a choreographic work which will be performed at Ursinus. This course is open to dance minors and majors or by instructor’s permission. Students may take this course up to six times for credit. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC-245. Contact Improvisation/Partnering Faculty
This class explores partnering techniques based in momentum, energy flow and use of weight, both within a context of improvised movement as well as within choreographic phrases. Students will learn skills of supporting, lofting, rolling and flying in connection with another body. Prerequisite: One of the following: DANC/ESS-200, 210 or 220 or permission of the instructor. Students may take this course up to six times for credit. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC-250. Special Topics in Dance Visiting Faculty
A focused exploration of special subject areas within the field of dance, including hip hop, African Dance, Advanced Classical Ballet/Pointe, Tap, and Ballroom Dance. Four hours per week. Two semester hours. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

DANC-300W. Dance History Faculty
A historical survey of the origin, growth and development of 20th century Western Theatrical Dance. The course will focus on the forces, processes and personalities that influenced dance during this time. Students will develop a critical understanding of the major trends in the development of dance in the twentieth century, as well as examining these trends in relation to their socio-political context. Prerequisite: DANC100. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A, D.)

DANC- 310. Dance Composition Faculty
An immersion into the creative act of choreography. Students will examine the compositional process both from a theoretical and historical perspective as well as by creating their own work. Through both short, in class assignments as well as extensive work outside of class, students will investigate the ideas of form and content in choreography, “classical” rules and how and whether to break them, the development of a personal and expressive movement vocabulary, and various methodologies for creating both solo and group work. Prerequisites: DANC-100, TD-210; suggested–DANC-300. Students may take this course up to three times for credit. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

DANC-340. The Thinking Body: Somatic Theory and Practice Prof. Aiken
Utilizing lectures, discussion and guided movement explorations, students will study the relationships between the form and function of the mind/body. Through a study of anatomy, physiology and the mind, students will develop a deeper understanding of the influence of the mind on movement, posture and experience. All students are required to keep weekly journals, present classroom materials in a formal assignment, and conduct a major research project to illustrate their command of kinesiological principles and somatic theory. Prerequisites: DANC-100, at least one 200 level DANC-course. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

DANC-350. Special Topics in Dance Faculty
This course will focus on a specific topic at an advanced theoretical or critical level within theater not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. Topics might include: History of Jazz Dance, Perception, Imagination and Creativity, Feminist Choreographies, Aesthetics and Education, World Dance, Dance Pedagogy. (A.)

DANC-450. Directed Studies in Dance Prof. Aiken, Prof. Young
Advanced individual work on a project related to the study of dance. Prerequisites: eight credits of 300-400 level coursework in dance, demonstrated competence in the specific area of study, a written proposal, and permission of a department faculty member who will serve as project adviser. Four semester hours. (I.)

DANC-491. Research/Independent Work Faculty
This work is open to candidates for departmental honors and to other students with the permission of the departmental chair. Four semester hours. (I.)

DANC-492W. Research/Independent Work Faculty
A continuation of course 491, culminating in a written and oral presentation of a major research project. Prerequisite: DANC-491. Four semester hours. (I.)

Theater courses

THEA 001-008. Theater Laboratory Prof. Scudera, Prof. Redman
A learning experience in which students perform in major campus productions under the direction of theater faculty. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Graded S/U. One semester hour. (A; may be used to partially fill requirement.)

THEA-100. Introduction to Theater Prof. Scudera
A study of the art of theater through an examination of varieties of theater spaces, literary genres, the work of actors, playwrights, directors, and designers, and the nature of the audience. Three hours of class plus one hour arranged production work per week. Four semester hours. (A.)
Note: Students who have received credit for CST- 111 may not receive credit for THEA-100.

THEA-200. Acting I Prof. Scudera
An introduction to the fundamental acting techniques of the Stanislavski system. Students participate in acting exercises, improvisation, monologue and scene study. Prerequisites: THEA-100, or permission of the instructor. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)
Note: Students who have received credit for CST- 225 may not receive credit for THEA-200.

THEA-201. Acting II Prof. Scudera
Advanced acting theory and physical training are applied to the development of technique. Building a role is explored through in-depth character analysis and performance, movement exercises, improvisation and advanced monologue and scene study. Prerequisites: THEA-200. Four hours per week. Four semester hours.
Note: Students who have received credit for CST- 226 may not receive credit for THEA-201. (A.)

THEA-240. Special Topics in Theater Production or Design Faculty
This course will focus on a specific topic of theater production, technical theater or design not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. Topics might include: Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Stage Management. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

THEA-250. Special Topics in Performance Faculty
This course will focus on a specific topic of theatrical performance not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. Topics might include: Performance Composition, Physical Comedy and Improvisation, Voice and Diction, Solo Performance, Mask and Movement, Puppet Theater Production. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

THEA-270. Dramaturgy Faculty
Fundamentals of dramaturgy and its application through production dramaturgy, from Lessing’s Hamburg dramaturgy, Piscator and Brecht’s dramaturgy, to contemporary European and American dramaturgical practices. Will include methodologies for script preparation and analysis, research of production histories and applicability to new productions. Prerequisite: THEA-100 Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

THEA-300W. History of Theater and Drama I: Classical Stages Prof. Redman
A historical exploration of the development of dramatic literature, theater performance, theatrical spaces and production styles as vital expressions and reflections of social, political, and cultural attitudes and movements from Ancient Greece and Classical Japanese theater through Molière and French Neoclassicism. Prerequisite: THEA-100 or permission of instructor. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

THEA-301. History of Theater and Drama II: Raising Revolutions and the
Modern/Postmodern Stage Prof. Redman
This course delves into the revolutionary, ever-shifting conceptions of the role of theater, the human condition and truth in society and how practitioners—playwrights, directors and designers—have manifested their theoretical ideas about theater and the world in their work from 1900 to the present. Readings in theater
history, plays, manifestos, plus dramatic and performance theory will provide the link between revolutionary cries for change in theater, aesthetic developments and the various visions of theater. Prerequisite: THEA-100 or permission of instructor. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

THEA-350. Advanced Special Topics in Theater Faculty
This course will focus on a specific topic at an advanced theoretical or critical level within theater not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. Topics might include: Feminist 186 Ursinus College catalogue Theater, Theater for Living, Performance Theory and Practice, Collective Theater Companies and Democratic Practice, Theater as Expression of Cultural Identities. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

THEA-370. Directing I Prof. Scudera
An exploration into the role of the director in the theatrical process. Research in the history, theory and application of directing is combined with actual directing assignments that include short scenes and one-act plays. Pre-requisites: THEA-100, THEA-200, THEA-270. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)

THEA-450. Directed Studies in Theater Faculty
Advanced individual work on a project related to the study of theater. Prerequisites: eight credits of 300400 level coursework in theater, demonstrated competence in the specific area of study, a written proposal, and permission of a department faculty member who will serve as project adviser. Offered in fall semester. Four semester hours. (I.)

THEA-491. Research/Independent Work Faculty
This work is open to candidates for departmental honors and to other students with the permission of the departmental chair. Four semester hours. (I.)

THEA-492. Research/Independent Work Faculty
A continuation of course 491, culminating in a written and oral presentation of a major research project. Prerequisite: 491. Four semester hours. (I.)