Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

Theatre (THEA)

Associate Professors: Innerarity, Stoytcheva-Horissian (Chair)
Assistant Professor: Ripa
Instructor: Barba

  • Major: Theatre
  • Concentrations: Acting, Design/Tech, Directing, Musical Theatre, Stage Management
  • Courses required for Acting, Design/Tech and Directing Concentrations: 10 (not including zero or 1 credit courses)
  • Courses required for Stage Management Concentration: 12 (not including zero or 1 credit courses)
  • Courses required for Musical Theatre Concentration: 13 (not including zero or 1 credit courses)
  • Production credits required for all Concentrations: 8
  • Non-credit Colloquium: THEA 246 and 247 (Theatre trips)
  • Capstone requirement: THEA 460, 461, 462 or 463
  • Minors: Design/Tech, Performance

Theatre is a combination of many art forms, and the theatre curriculum provides opportunities to explore all its aspects in regards to the entertainment industry: dramatic literature, theatre history, acting, directing, stage management, design, and technical theatre. The rigorous production program offers practical training to complement the comprehensive curriculum.

The Theatre Department produces a full season of faculty- and student-directed productions each year. The department’s production facilities include the Mary L. Welch Theatre, an intimate thrust stage, and the Dragon's Lair Theatre, a small black-box studio theatre in the Academic Center. The department also maintains support facilities, including a scene shop, costume shop, dressing rooms, makeup room, rehearsal areas, and a design studio.

Major Requirements

All students majoring in Theatre must complete the core courses and the requirements for at least one of the five concentrations listed below. Should a student elect to pursue two concentrations, the student is required to complete 6 credits of THEA  161, and/or 162 for each concentration, totaling 12 credits.

Core courses required of all majors:

THEA 145, 146, 210, 226, 227, 246, 247, and 332 or 333, as well as 8 hours of THEA 161 and/or 162..

Concentration Requirements:

  1. Acting:  THEA 237 or 345; 245, 249, and 460
  2. Design/Tech: THEA 229, 230, 316, and 462 
  3. Directing: THEA 245, 326, 426, and 461
  4. Musical Theatre: THEA 235 or 236; 237, 245, 460, and MUS 160 (1 credit); and MUS 161 and/or 168 (2 credits)
  5. Stage Management: THEA 245, 326, 463, MUS 160 (1 credit), and one course from THEA 135, 136, 137, or 138 (2 credits)

Capstone Requirement

All majors must successfully complete THEA 460, 461, 462, or 463.

Diversity and Writing Courses

The following course satisfies the Domestic Cultural Diversity Requirement: THEA 210. The following course satisfies the Global Cultural Diversity Requirement: THEA 332. The following course satisfies either the Domestic or Global Diversity Requirement: THEA 333. A list of courses that, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the Writing Requirement, can be found on the Registrar’s website and in the GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS section of the catalog.

Minor Requirements

Two minors are available in the Theatre Department. 

  • A minor in Design/Tech consists of THEA 145, 146 or other 4-credit theatre class in consultation with the department, 226, 246; one from 210, 332, or 333; one from 229, 230, or 316; and 4 credits of THEA 161 and/or 162..

  • A minor in Performance consists of THEA 145, 146 or other 4-credit theatre class in consultation with the department, 226, 245, 246; one of 210, 332, or 333; and 4 credits of THEA 161 and/or 162.

100
UNDERSTANDING THEATRE
A comprehensive introduction to the theatre as a distinctive art form. Explores the creative process of the various artists involved in developing a theatrical production—actors, directors, designers, technicians, etc.—and examines the unique characteristics of dramatic literature. 

135
INTRODUCTION TO DANCE I
An introduction to the techniques of beginner conditioning and basic movement in ballet, jazz, and tap. 2 credits.

136
INTRODUCTION TO DANCE II
Continuing exploration of beginner conditioning techniques and basic movement in ballet, jazz, and tap. Prerequisite: THEA 135 or consent of instructor. 2 credits.

137
HISTORY OF THE DANCE I
A survey of tribal, ethnic, and folk dance from the earliest recorded dance to the 1900s. 2 credits.

138
HISTORY OF THE DANCE II
A survey of the forms of dance as they have reflected the history of civilization from the 1900s through the present. 2 credits.

145
ACTING I
An introductory study of the actor’s preparation with emphasis on developing the actor’s creative imagination through improvisation, character analysis, and scene study.

146
FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION DESIGN
A methods course exploration into the world of theatrical design including the historical aspects of theatrical design, the fundamentals of digital rendering, CAD drafting, color theory, and the use of various color media for design renderings and scale models.

148
PLAY PRODUCTION
Stagecraft and the various aspects of production are introduced. Through material presented and laboratory work on the Mary L. Welch Theatre productions, students acquire experience with design, scenery, properties, costumes, and lighting.

161
THEATRE PERFORMANCE PRACTICUM
Faculty-supervised participation in the creation of productions in the Mary L. Welch Theatre, which includes but is not limited to actors and all running crews involved in each production. Students do not register for Theatre Practicum; the department chair registers all students for Practicum after productions have been cast and all duties have been assigned each semester. Prerequisite: Instructor Approval. 0.5 (1/2) credit. May be repeated for credit. Practicum credit is limited to 8 credits over 4 years.

162
THEATRE LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM
Faculty-supervised participation in the production process through positions of leadership, which includes but is not limited to actors in major roles (eligible roles determined prior to casting), crew heads, stage management, assistant directors, assistant designers, and assistant technical directors. Students may not register for Theatre Practicum; the department chair registers all students for Practicum after productions have been cast and all duties have been assigned each semester. Prerequisite: Instructor Approval. 1 credit. May be repeated for credit. Practicum credit is limited to 8 credits over 4 years.

210
MODERN DRAMA
The study and application of various analytical methodologies using plays selected from the canon of modern drama, 1875 to the present. Prerequisites: ENGL 106, 107, or consent of instructor. Alternate years. Fulfills Domestic Cultural Diversity Requirement.

215
SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
Study of selected theatrical subjects, such as plays, writers, movements, or technical projects. Recent topics include stage management, sound design, stagecraft, and professional development. Prerequisite: THEA 145 and 146. May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor when topics are different.

226
DIRECTING I
An introductory study of the functions of the director, with emphasis on script analysis, the rehearsal process, and communicating with collaborators. Practical scene work directing student actors is a major component of the course. Prerequisites: THEA 145 and 146. Majors may take concurrently with THEA 146. Alternate years.

227
PRINCIPLES OF STAGE MANAGEMENT
A practical exploration and application of the standard practices of stage management, including the areas of the design process, the rehearsal process, and performance. Prerequisite: THEA 145 and 146. Alternate years.

229
LIGHTING DESIGN & SOUND DESIGN
A course in the design of entertainment industry lighting and sound, with a special emphasis on theatre and the practical application of those designs, including laboratory work on the stage. Prerequisites: THEA 146 or consent of instructor. Alternate years. 

230
COSTUME DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
A detailed introduction to costuming for theatre and the entertainment industry. Includes elements of design, script analysis, planning, and production of all costume elements for the stage, film, dance, and private productions. Prerequisites: THEA 146 or consent of instructor.  Alternate years.

235
INTERMEDIATE DANCE
Intermediate ballet, jazz, tap, and choreography. Prerequisite: THEA 136 or consent of instructor. 2 credits.

236
ADVANCED DANCE
Advanced ballet, jazz, tap, and choreography. Prerequisite: THEA 235 or consent of instructor. 2 credits.

237
MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE
Exploration of the unique performing challenges of the genre through work with individual songs, scenes, and ensemble pieces; analysis and characterization; and choreography. Addresses audition process, musical theatre history, and repertoire. Alternate years.

245
ACTING II
Exploration of contemporary realism through intensive character analysis, monologue work, and scene study. Prerequisite: THEA 145.

246
FALL THEATRE COLLOQUIUM
A non-credit seminar in which faculty and students travel to Canada to such venues as the Shaw Festival or the Stratford Theatre Festival to view and discuss required plays, expanding their cultural and theatrical experiences. Enrollment in one Fall Theatre Colloquium over the 4-year course of study is required for all students majoring or minoring in Theatre. Pass/Fail. Non-credit seminar. This course may be repeated.

247
SPRING THEATRE COLLOQUIUM
A non-credit seminar in which faculty and students travel either to Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival to participate in various professional activities or to New York City to view and discuss required plays, expanding their cultural and theatrical experiences. Enrollment in one Spring Theatre Colloquium over the 4-year course of study is required for all students majoring in Theatre. Pass/Fail. Non-credit seminar. This course may be repeated.

249
STAGE MOVEMENT
An introductory course that covers a wide range of activities designed to help theatre students become more active, physically expressive, convincing, and dimensional performers. It offers an overview of physical approaches to acting, movement theories and training, including Alexander, Laban, Chekhov, neutral mask, and commedia dell’arte among others and their application to successful stage performances. Prerequisite: THEA 145. Alternate years.

315
SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
Study of selected theatrical subjects, such as plays, writers, movements, or technical projects. Recent topics include stage management, sound design, stagecraft, and professional development. Prerequisite: 3 THEA courses. May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor when topics are different.

316
PROPS ARTISTRY
A methods course based on the practical application of properties design and construction in relation to the department’s production season. Fundamental crafting techniques include carving techniques, special effects, 3D printing, mold making, and casting. Prerequisite: THEA 146. Alternate years.

326
DIRECTING II
Continued exploration of the director’s role in the production process with emphasis on the director’s work in rehearsal. Practical application includes the direction of a one-act play with student actors in the Dragon's Lair Theatre. Prerequisite: THEA 226. Alternate years.

332
THEATRE HISTORY I
An investigation of Western theatre as the evolution of a multidisciplinary artistic, cultural, social, economic, religious, and political phenomenon. Dramatic texts representing specific eras are studied as historical evidence of theatre practice. Focuses on the origins of the theatre through 1700. Prerequisites: ENGL 106, 107, or consent of instructor. Fulfills Global Cultural Diversity Requirement. Alternate years.

333
THEATRE HISTORY II
An investigation of Western theatre as the evolution of a multidisciplinary artistic, cultural, social, economic, religious, and political phenomenon. Dramatic texts representing specific eras are studied as historical evidence of theatre practice. Focuses on the early 18th century through the theatre today. Prerequisite: ENGL 106, 107, or consent of instructor. Alternate years. Fulfills either Domestic or Global Cultural Diversity Requirement.

345
ACTING III
Exploration of historical acting styles, including Greek, commedia dell’arte, Elizabethan, comedy of manners, melodrama, and expressionism. Practical application includes character analysis, monologue work, and scene study. Prerequisite: THEA 145.

415
SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
Study of selected theatrical subjects, such as plays, writers, movements, or technical projects. Recent topics include stage management, sound design, stagecraft, and professional development. Prerequisites: THEA 332, 333, or consent of instructor.  May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor when topics are different.

426
DIRECTING III
Practical application of script analysis and directing a production in the Dragon’s Lair Theatre or the Mary L. Welch Theatre. Prerequisites: THEA 326 and consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

460
SENIOR PROJECT IN ACTING
The application of script analysis and practical performance skills in a self-proposed performance project. Students are required to submit a formal written proposal by March 1 of their junior year that must be approved by all full-time Theatre Department faculty. This course is open to senior theatre majors only.

461
SENIOR PROJECT IN DIRECTING
The application of script analysis and practical skills in a self-proposed project that allows students to demonstrate expertise in directing. Students are required to submit a formal written proposal by March 1 of their junior year that must be approved by all full-time Theatre Department faculty. This course is open to senior theatre majors only.

462
SENIOR PROJECT IN DESIGN/TECH
The application of analytical and practical skills in a self-proposed design or technical project. Students have the option of demonstrating expertise in costume design, scene design, lighting design, or technical production. Students are required to submit a formal written proposal by March 1 of their junior year that must be approved by all full-time Theatre Department faculty. This course is open to senior theatre majors only.

463
SENIOR PROJECT IN STAGE MANAGEMENT
The application of script analysis and practical skills in a self-proposed project that allows students to demonstrate expertise in stage management. Students are required to submit a formal written proposal by March 1 of their junior year that must be approved by all full-time Theatre Department faculty. This course is open to senior theatre majors only.

470 – 479
INTERNSHIP  
Students work off campus in professional theatres such as the George Street Theatre in New Jersey and the Walnut Street Theatre and Inter Arts Theatre in Philadelphia.

N80/N89
INDEPENDENT STUDIES 
Subjects for Independent Studies are chosen in conjunction with faculty members.

490-491
INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS 
Students who qualify for Departmental Honors produce a major independent project in research and/or theatre production.