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Courses

  • THEA 100: Performing Roles

    This course will explore the depiction of traditional societal roles in American film, theater and television since the 1920’s and examine the impact such fictional depictions have had and continue to have on shaping the performance of those roles in modern American life. 6; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009 -- D. Wiles
  • DANC 107: Ballet I

    1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- J. Bader
  • THEA 110: Beginning Acting

    Introduces students to fundamental acting skills, including preliminary physical and vocal training, improvisational techniques, and basic scene work. The course includes analysis of plays as bases for performance, with a strong emphasis on characterization. 6; Arts and Literature; not offered 2009-2010
  • THEA 115: Introduction to Design and Technical Theater

    An overview of the technical aspects of theater with an emphasis on the practical areas of the physical theater: drafting, materials, tools, lighting, costuming, scene painting, and properties 6; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009 -- W. Wojciechowski
  • DANC 115: Cultures of Dance

    The study of dance is the study of culture. We will look at dance as culturally-coded, embodied knowledge and investigate dance forms and contexts across the globe. We will examine, cross-culturally, the function of dance in the lives of individuals and societies through various lenses including feminist, africanist and ethnological perspectives. We will read, write, view videos and performances, discuss and move. This course in dance theory and practice will include a weekly movement lab. No previous dance experience necessary. 6; Arts and Literature, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2009 -- J. Howard
  • DANC 147: Moving Anatomy

    This course seeks to provide an underlying awareness of body structure and function. Using movement to expand knowledge of our anatomy will encourage participants to integrate information with experience. Heightened body awareness and class studies are designed to activate the general learning process. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Spring 2010 -- J. Shockley
  • DANC 148: Modern Dance I: Technique and Theory

    1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- J. Howard, J. Shockley
  • DANC 150: Contact Improvisation

    This is a course in techniques of spontaneous dancing shared by two or more people through a common point of physical contact. Basic skills such as support, counterbalance, rolling, falling and flying will be taught and developed in an environment of mutual creativity. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010 -- J. Shockley
  • THEA 175: Drama/Theatre/Text

    We will study a selection of 10­15 plays as literary texts and as the foundations of performance. These plays are selected both for their literary stature and for their association with specific art and/or critical movements. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Spring 2010 -- R. Weiner
  • THEA 185: The Speaking Voice

    This course seeks to provide a practical understanding of the human voice, its anatomy, functioning and the underlying support mechanisms of body and breath. Using techniques rooted in the work of Berry, Linklater and Rodenburg, the course will explore the development of physical balance and ease and the awareness of the connection between thinking and breathing that will lead to the effortless, powerful and healthy use of the voice in public presentations and in dramatic performance. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- D. Wiles
  • DANC 190: Fields of Performance

    This introductory course in choreography explores games, structures, systems and sports as sources and locations of movement composition and performance. Readings, viewings and discussion of postmodernist structures and choreographers as well as attendance and analysis of dance performances and sports events will be jumping off point for creative process and will pave the way for small individual compositions and one larger project. In an atmosphere of play, spontaneity and research participants will discover new ways of defining dance, pushing limits and bending the rules. Guest choreographers and coaches will be invited as part of the class. Open to all movers. No previous experience necessary. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Spring 2010 -- J. Howard
  • THEA 190: Carleton Players Production

    Each term students may participate in one Players production, a hands­on, faculty­supervised process of conceptualization, construction, rehearsal, and performance. Credit is awarded for a predetermined minimum of time on the production, to be arranged with faculty. Productions explore our theatre heritage from Greek drama to new works. Students may participate through audition or through volunteering for production work. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- R. Weiner, D. Wiles, Staff
  • DANC 200: Modern Dance II: Technique and Theory

    A continuation of Level I with more emphasis on the development of technique and expressive qualities. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- J. Howard, J. Shockley
  • DANC 204: Fall Dance

    Intensive rehearsal and performance of a work commissioned from a professional guest choreographer. Open to all levels. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; not offered 2009-2010
  • DANC 205: Winter Dance

    Intensive rehearsal and performance of a work commissioned from a professional guest choreographer. Open to all levels. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- J. Howard
  • DANC 206: Spring Dance

    Rehearsal and full concert performance of student dance works created during the year and completed in the spring term. Open to all levels. Prerequisites: One of the following: Dance 204, 205, 214, 215 or 350. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Spring 2010 -- J. Howard, J. Shockley
  • DANC 208: Ballet II

    For the student with previous ballet experience. This course emphasizes articulation of technique and development of ballet vocabulary. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- J. Bader
  • THEA 211: Intermediate Acting

    Continuation of Theater Arts 110. Focus is on specific problems encountered by all actors in performance, especially in stage movements, vocal range and flexibility, and details of characterization. Prerequisite: Theater Arts 110 or consent of the instructor. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009 -- R. Weiner
  • DANC 214: Fall Dance, Student Choreography

    For students enrolled in Dance 204, supervised student choreography with two public showings. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; not offered 2009-2010
  • DANC 215: Winter Dance, Student Choreography

    For students enrolled in Dance 205, supervised student choreography with two public showings. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- J. Howard
  • THEA 221: Rhetoric: Persuasion and Debate

    This course combines techniques developed for the training of actors with classical rhetorical theories to guide students in developing the ability to create and deliver persuasive arguments and engage in public debate. Classic examples of public address and debate including political speeches and legal arguments will be employed as teaching tools. 3; S/CR/NC; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010
  • THEA 225: Performing Shakespeare

    This course will explore a variety of methods for taking Shakespeare’s text from the page to the stage. Using approaches developed in theaters in the United States and the United Kingdom, students will explore the use of poetry, argument and persuasive rhetoric in verse and prose. The course will focus on the ethical, political and social concerns addressed in Shakespeare’s plays and through the use of video and audio recordings, students will critically examine various approaches to performing Shakespeare in the United States and abroad over the last century. Prerequisite: Theater Arts 110 or 185 or English 310 or by consent of the instructor 6; Arts and Literature; offered Spring 2010 -- D. Wiles
  • THEA 236: Scenic and Lighting Design for the Theater

    Scenic and lighting design, seen from both the aesthetic and practical viewpoints, will be explored. Particular emphasis will be placed on presentational techniques, from the study of perspective to the finished rendering, the creation of the light plot to the instrument schedule. Prerequisite: Theater Arts 115. 6; Arts and Literature; not offered 2009-2010
  • THEA 237: Topics in Theater Design

    A series of specialized courses in design and technical theater. Two topics are offered in tandem and will be determined according to the opportunities offered by the production of that term and the needs of the students with consideration to the rotation of the topics. Topics offered may include: Costume Construction, Armour and Weapons, Costume Patterning, Stage Management, Millinery, Multi-Media Production, Mask Making, Props and Casting Techniques, Textile Manipulation or Scene Painting. Prerequisite: Theater 115 or consent of instructor. 3; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- W. Wojciechowski
  • THEA 239: Topics in Theater: Costume Design

    A series of specialized courses in costume design and technical theater. The topic of this course is determined according to the opportunities offered by the departmental production of the term and the needs of the students, with consideration to the rotation of the topics. Topics offered may include: Costume Construction, Costume Patterning, Millinery, Mask Making, Textile Manipulation and Fabric Art. 3; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- M. Kelling
    Extended departmental description for THEA 239

    THEA 239 - Topics in Theater: Costume Design
    The first half of this course focuses on costumes for Carleton Player’s production, Angel’s In America, Part One: Millennium Approaches. There will be a brief study of the play, its time and style, and an in-depth exploration of flat patterning techniques. These techniques will then be used to transform the costume design drawings into the actual costumes. All students in this course will have an active role in helping create the costumes for this theatrical production. The second half of the course will further explore patterning techniques and each student will pattern and create a garment of their own design.

  • THEA 240: Directing I

    The aim of Directing I is to help build a conceptual base for directing. The purpose of all assigned work is to nurture your conceptual and imaginative response to theater texts, to help develop the technical skills you will need to implement your vision of a given test, and to lay a groundwork for collaboration with other theater artists. There will be some opportunity for production work. 3; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010
  • THEA 241: Directing II

    Directing II is a practical directing workshop. Each member of the class will plan a full production. Each of you will also direct a short play or a full scene. 3; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010
  • THEA 242: Twentieth Century American Drama

    A study of a selection of important American plays from Eugene O'Neill's Hairy Ape (1920) to Tony Kushner's Angels in America (1992) in the context of larger American themes and cultural preoccupations. The premise of this course is that these plays define the American theatre for most of this century. By studying them we will gain understanding of our own culture and the links that connect this culture to the transformative events of the century. English Group IV. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Spring 2010 -- D. Wiles
  • THEA 246: Playwriting

    A laboratory to explore the craft of playwriting, concentrating on structure, action and character. The class uses games, exercises, scenes, with the goal of producing a short play by the end of the term. 6; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- B. Field
  • THEA 247: Application of CAD to Design Process

    This class is a hands on exploration of the impact of CAD and Rendering Software has made on the theatrical design process. We will investigate how they affect the designer's creativity. What are the benefits and pitfalls of using these programs? Are these programs really timesavers? Prerequisite: Theater Arts 115 or permission of the instructor. 6; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010
  • THEA 252: African-American Theater

    Cross-listed with THEA 352. This course will focus on developments in African-American Theater at particular points in its history during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The course will examine the development of theaters, theatrical movements, the contributions of relevant artists, and the relationship of theater to the struggle for African-American social and political equality. Students may take the course at the 200 or 300-level. Those taking it at the 300-level will be expected to complete a major research project. English Group IV. 6; Arts and Literature, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2009-2010
  • DANC 253: Movement for the Performer

    This course investigates the structure and function of the body through movement. Applying a variety of somatic techniques (feldenkrais, yoga, improvisation, body-mind centering). The emphasis will be to discover effortless movement, balance in the body and an integration of self in moving. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009 -- J. Shockley
  • DANC 266: Reading The Dancing Body: Topics in Dance History

    Dance is an art of the body in time and space and culture. This course will look at dance as a symbolic system of meanings based on bodily display. The investigation of the body as a "text" will be anchored by, but not limited to, feminist perspectives. Through reading, writing, discussing, moving, viewing videos and performances the class will "read" the gender, race, and politics of the dancing body in a historical context from Romanticism through Post-modernism. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- J. Howard
  • THEA 275: Topics in Theater History

    This course will be offered biennially with the subject matter changing each time it is offered. In 2005, the course will focus on theater as a form of ethical reflection across cultures and across time. Topics will include theater as a site for the modeling of ethical behavior, for the setting and questioning of societal norms and for values driven debates in the context of particular historical moments in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. 6; Arts and Literature; not offered 2009-2010
  • DANC 300: Modern Dance III: Technique and Theory

    Intensive work on technical, theoretical, and expressive problems for the experienced dancer. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- J. Howard, J. Shockley
  • DANC 301: Contemporary Styles and Techniques: African Dance

    A physical exploration of the technical, theoretical and stylistic bases of different approaches to modern dance movement chosen yearly from such techniques as: Body Mind Centering; Limon; Cunningham; Graham; African-Caribbean. Prerequisite: some previous dance experience. 2; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009 -- Staff
  • DANC 309: Ballet III

    1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Spring 2010 -- J. Bader
  • THEA 312: Problems in Acting

    Problems in Acting will focus on text analysis and questions of method, style and (acting) theory in the performance of scenes selected from plays of different periods and genres. Students will collaborate in the presentation of scenes and monologues taken from a broad variety of works. Prerequisite: Theater 110 or 211. 6; Arts and Literature; offered Winter 2010 -- R. Weiner
  • DANC 350: Semaphore Repertory Dance Company

    Provides advanced dance students with an intensive opportunity to develop as performers in professional level dances. Skills to be honed are: the dancer as "tool" and contributor to the process of art­making; defining individual technical and expressive gifts; working in a variety of new technical and philosophical dance frameworks. In addition to regular training during the academic terms, participation in a "preseason" rehearsal period before fall term is required. A few pieces of student choreography will be accepted for repertory. The group produces an annual concert, performs in the Twin Cities and makes dance exchanges with other college groups. Audition required. 1; S/CR/NC; Arts and Literature; offered Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- J. Howard, J. Shockley
  • THEA 351: Women Playwrights/Women's Roles

    A study of images of women in plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Strindberg, Tennessee Williams, and a number of women playwrights from Hellman and Clare Booth Luce to Caryl Churchill to Ntozaue Shange. 6; Arts and Literature; not offered 2009-2010
  • THEA 352: African-American Theater

    Cross-listed with THEA 252. This course will focus on developments in African-American Theater at particular points in its history during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The course will examine the development of theaters, theatrical movements, the contributions of relevant artists, and the relationship of theater to the struggle for African-American social and political equality. Students may take the course at the 200 or 300-level. Those taking it at the 300-level will be expected to complete a major research project. English Group IV. 6; Arts and Literature, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2009-2010