Theater Arts

Associate in Science Degree

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This program locates itself between the general Liberal Arts & Sciences program and a specialized theater program. It provides students the first two years of preparation for a transfer to a drama (literature) or theater (acting or technical theater) program while maintaining a liberal arts base. It uses the College state of-the-art, 450-seat theater, which serves as a classroom, lecture hall, technical laboratory, and a venue for student, faculty, and community theater work. Students experience the ensemble nature of the theater production process, and are introduced to the components: actor, director, designer, etc. They examine dramatic texts as literature and scripts for performance, develop an understanding of the theory and practice of acting, develop an awareness of the basics of technical theater, and participate in activities as part of student, faculty, and community theater projects. 

Goal 1 To provide students the opportunity to develop interpersonal & public communication skills appropriate to the field of theater

  • Students will be able to communicate effectively using a) written, b) oral, and c) physical modes of expression in the liberal arts and theater traditions.
  • Students will respond to the work of others
  • Students will use non-verbal communication to communicate ideas

Goal 2 To provide students the opportunity to interact with and analyze theatrical texts

  • Students will be able to interpret theatrical texts in a practical (production based) and critical (literary based) fashion

Goal 3 To prepare students to transfer

  • Students indicate satisfaction with preparation
  • Students are accepted at a four-year school

Goal 4 To provide students the opportunity to assess the practical needs of theatrical production Students will be able to formulate practical approaches to theatrical production in

  • Students will be able to formulate practical approaches to theatrical production in a) acting, b) directing or c) technical applications

Goal 5 To provide students the opportunity to understand the nature of diversity and its relationship to the liberal arts

  • The student will demonstrate an understanding of the historical and current contributions of the culturally diverse theatrical tradition
  • The student will draw upon knowledge and experience of others to function as an ensemble

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information

Total Credit Hours: 64

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of visual communication and creativity with an emphasis on understanding historically significant art styles. Students explore various types of visual expression and apply creative problem-solving principles to both two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects in a variety of media. Emphasis is placed on formulating basic design and layout principles, with particular stress on application. Students are introduced to the masters, practices, and careers of painting, sculpture, graphic design, animation, film, digital media, illustration, and photography.

This course introduces the principles of acting for the stage. Topics include relaxation, energizing, stage sense, and improvisation. Physical, emotional, and imaginative exercises help to prepare the beginning actor for the performance situation.

This course introduces the foundations of theater art. Emphasis is placed on the theatrical production process. Topics include theater spaces, directing, acting, scene design, and professional work opportunities. Theater experiences from the Greek festival theater to the present are discussed.

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Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages.

This course is an introduction to public speaking. It emphasizes the fundamentals of preparing, organizing, supporting, and delivering the speech based on factual material. It includes topic selection, audience analysis, fact vs. opinion, outlining, supporting material, and visual support. Informative, demonstrative, and persuasive speeches are presented. Elements of interpersonal communication, logic, and persuasion are discussed. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages.

(b) Students can also choose: AN102, SO101, BM100, or BM101

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

This course emphasizes the development of character within specific textual situations. Roles from written texts are analyzed, rehearsed, and performed. Emphasis is placed on the actors’ physical and emotional work. Collaborative projects are required. Prerequisite: TH191 Acting 1: Principles of Acting.

This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of stage craft. Topics include construction, costumes, scene painting, and the mounting and rigging of scenery. Other learning opportunities are incorporated depending on individual production requirements.

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Third Semester

This course introduces the history of art from prehistoric times through the Sixteenth Century. Topics include Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, and non-Western examples of painting, sculpture, and architecture. Art is studied within its cultural context with a focus on the interrelationship among the Arts. A field trip to an art exhibit is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of writing for performance while stressing the role of the text in theatrical and cinematic production. Prerequisite: EN 102 English 2: Ideas and Values in Literature or permission of the instructor.

This course emphasizes and examines the elements of theater to include the origin and development of theater, production techniques, acting styles, stagecraft, architecture, and significant plays from the ancient Greeks through the Renaissance. The course also addresses the contributions of notable actors, directors, designers, architects, and dramatists to theater and beyond.

This course introduces the theory and practice of script analysis. Emphasis is placed on close readings and research of historically relevant dramatic texts, performances, and the evolution of theatre. Topics include setting, character motivation, and a variety of historical, socioeconomic, and political contexts with respect to playwriting.

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Fourth Semester

This course covers the classic period of drama from the ancient Greek theater of 400 B.C.E. to the neo-classic French theater of the Eighteenth Century. Major plays and playwrights from world theaters are discussed. Prerequisite: EN102 English 2: Ideas & Values in Literature.

This course introduces the history of art from the Seventeenth Century to the present. Topics include Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicisms, Romanticism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Twentieth-Century, and non-Western examples of painting, sculpture, and architecture. Art is studied within its cultural context with a focus on the interrelationship among the Arts. A field trip to an art exhibit is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages.

This course requires hands-on participation in a variety of theater activities, including set construction, stage management, running crew work, performance, and others. Placement is made by the program advisor and technical director. Prerequisites: Instructional faculty approval, TH191 Acting 1: Principles of Acting or TH192 Acting 2: Characterization and Scene Study.

This course introduces the theory and practice of theater production design. Emphasis is placed on lighting, set and sound design.

(c) Choose one of the following: BI 105, GL100, PH 106, PH 112, PH 141, WE 101

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(a) World languages consists of a six-hour sequence within the same language. Students who have completed four years of the same language in high school, have completed three years of the same language in high school with a grade of A or over 90%, or those with other appropriate language experience are exempt from this requirement. For those who are not exempt from the requirement, placement in language and level is determined at the beginning of the academic year. Those who are exempt must replace language credits with six credits of MVCC General Education electives.

(b) Students can also choose: AN 102, SO101, BM100, or BM101.

(c) Choose one of the following: BI 105, GL100, PH 106, PH 112, PH 141, WE 101.

(d) Choose one of the following: EN 275, EN 282, TH 197, TH 283.

(e) Choose one of the following: HU 186, HU 187, HU 188, HU 204, HU 205, HU 227.

(f) Students can also choose: AN 101, BM 101, GE 101, PS 101.