Theater and Dance

The Theater and Dance Major —Students are required to complete 13 course credits for the major. Students who choose the two-credit thesis option will complete 14 course credits for the major.

Required core courses:

• THDN 1 07 . Introduction to Performance

• THDN 110 . Foundations of Theatrical Performance

• THDN 497 . Senior Thesis (one credit) orTHDN 498. Senior Thesis Part 1 and THDN 499.Senior Thesis Part 2 (two credits). These courses meet the Writing Intensive Part II requirement.

In addition to completing the three required courses, students will choose one of four tracks listed as follows:

Performance Track

In this track, students examine a wide array of approaches to performance techniques and disciplines that are fundamental to contemporary performance practice. Students in this track will be expected to author their own performance work as well as participate regularly in departmental productions.

• THDN 103. Basic Acting

• THDN 207. Improvisation

• THDN 235. Voice

• THDN 294. Basic Directing or THDN 215. Making Dances

• THDN 305. Intermediate Acting or one full credit of dance technique at the 200- or 300-level

• One design course, in either lighting, scene, or costume design

• Three departmental electives, one of which must be a history or theory course and two of which must be at the 300-level

• Performance in four departmental productions, one of which must be THDN 309. Stage Production.

History and Critical Theory Track

In this track, students will undertake an in-depth study of critical theory and practice and the history of theater and dance in both Western and global contexts. Students will be expected to focus their research on a specific culture, time period, or theoretical issue.

• THDN 206. Eye of the Beholder

• THDN 236. Contemporary Dance History: Global Perspectives

• THDN 238. 20th-Century European Theater

• THDN 239. Theater of the Americas

• THDN 294. Basic Directing or THDN 215. Making Dances

• THDN 363. Performance Theory

• Three electives, two of which must be theater history or film studies classes. Electives may include non-departmental film/theater history courses, though courses outside the Theater and Dance Department must be approved by the department.

• A one-credit internship or a total of one full credit of THDN 309. Stage Production (two faculty-directed performances)

Arts in the Community Track

In this track, students investigate the ways that theater, dance, and performance are integrated into the social and educational institutions in our culture. Students will look at how the arts impact community in terms of education, health, racial and gender equality, as well as other issues of social justice.

• THDN 207. Improvisation

• PBPL 263. Art and the Public Good

• THDN 270. Arts in Action: Moving into the Community

• THDN 294. Basic Directing or THDN 215. Making Dances

• THDN 332. Education Through Movement or THDN 373. Human Rights Through Performance

• Two credits in education or psychology. Courses outside the Theater and Dance Department must be approved by the department.

• One credit in dance/movement techniques or acting technique

• One departmental elective at the 300-level

• A one-credit internship or a total of one full credit of THDN 309. Stage Production (two faculty-directed performances)

Writing and Directing for Performance Track

In this track, students will be expected to write and/or direct their own productions. These two areas of inquiry overlap in many ways and students will be exposed to a variety of opportunities to work together to realize their productions.

• THDN 103. Basic Acting

• THDN 238. 20th-C entury European Theater

• THDN 239. Theater of the Americas

• THDN 293. Playwrights' Workshop I

• THDN 363. Performance Theory

• THDN 383. Playwrights ' Workshop II OR THDN 384. Advanced Directing

• One design course, in either lighting, scene, or costume design

• Two electives, one of which may be a course in creative writing. Courses outside the Theater and Dance Department must be approved by the department.

• A one-credit internship or a total of one full credit of THDN 309. Stage Production (two faculty-directed performances)

Students participating in departmental productions receive .25 credit per production for THDN 109. Performance and THDN 109. Production and .50 credit per production for THDN 309. Stage Production, and must obtain their adviser's permission to count a production towards the major.

In addition, all majors are required to complete 90 hours of design/production work in the Department of Theater and Dance. Upon declaring the major, the student will develop a plan with the performing arts technical director. It is recommended that students complete their production hours in 30-hour segments over the course of three semesters.

A grade of C- or higher must be obtained in all courses for the major. The last term of the senior year must be in residence. No more than three full credits in techniques and applications of theater and dance courses (THDN 109, THDN 209, and THDN 309) may be counted toward fulfillment of the general credit requirement for the bachelor's degree.

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled either by the one-credit THDN 497. Senior Thesis or by the two-credit THDN 498./THDN 499. Senior Thesis.

HONORS—Typically, departmental honors are awarded to students who have at least an A- average in courses required for the major and earn at least an A- in a two-credit thesis. Students who complete an exceptional one-credit thesis and have an A- average in courses required for the major may also be considered for honors.

Trinity/La MaMa Urban Arts Semester in New York City—Sponsored by the Department of Theater and Dance, this semester program utilizes the landscape and history of New York City as a catalyst for an intensive study in the arts. Based at the historic and critically acclaimed La MaMa Experimental Theater Club (E.T.C.), the program offers students an immersion experience in the unique and vibrant New York arts scene. Occurring in the fall semester, the program is designed for both major and nonmajor arts students. The program includes a comprehensive academic seminar, an internship at a nonprofit arts organization, practice classes, attendance at multiple performances each week, field research investigating the nature of artistic process and the realities of pursuing a professional career in the arts, and culminates with a performance project presented at La MaMa E.T.C. In order to foster dynamic academic and artistic growth, the interdisciplinary learning approach includes both group and individualized study and research. In addition to students with a focus in theater, dance, and performance, the semester can accommodate those interested in other genres including visual arts, creative writing, and music. Further information is available from Professor Michael Burke, program director, by telephone at 212-598-3058 or by email: Michael.Burke@trincoll.edu; or from Professor Judy Dworin of the Department of Theater and Dance, at Judy.Dworin@trincoll.edu. Students earn five course credits for the program, not more than three of which may be counted toward the theater and dance major. See course descriptions for THDN 401. Performance Workshop, THDN 405. The Nonprofit Arts Organization, and THDN 411. Performance Analysis.