Theatre and Performing Arts

www.theatre.iastate.edu

Bachelor of Arts - Performing Arts Major (Perf)

(Administered by the Department of Music)

Performing Arts graduates will understand and demonstrate: 1) Knowledge of the cultural heritage and history of the Performing Arts 2) A theoretical and experiential background in the areas of performance, theatrical design, music, and dance 3) Knowledge of creative problem solving and artistic collaboration 4) Skills necessary to perform in or design for a variety of periods, styles, and genres in theatre and dance 5) Awareness of the diverstiy of expression in the Performing Arts throughout the world’s cultures 6) A practical understanding of the rigors of the field.

Assessment measures include the semester exhibit of design work or audition pieces, graduating senior seminar and exit interviews, public performances or designs, course grades, exhibited convention work, and internship evaluations.

Undergraduate Study

Students interested in theatre as a major area of concentration declare a major in Performing Arts

and select an emphasis in Theatrical Design or Acting/Directing. Students implement the theories and principles explored in the classroom by participating in production work. During the academic year, Iowa State University Theatre presents up to ten mainstage and second stage productions in Fisher Theater, and works in close collaboration with ISU Music and Dance.

The major in Performing Arts offers the undergraduate student a cross-disciplinary concentration in Music, Dance and Theatre. The core curriculum consists of 24 credit hours in the three areas. Students elect a 24 credit hour emphasis in either Dance, Theatrical Design or Acting/Directing. In addition to coursework, Performing Arts majors and minors participate in concert (Orchesis, Footfalls), workshop (Opera Studio, Minority Theatre Workshop) and production (Barchje, Stars Over Veishea, ISU Theatre/Music Theatre/Second Stage and Studio) experiences.

Performing Arts graduates, in addition to a solid theoretical and experiential background in the areas of performance, theatrical design, dance and music, are prepared to meet the challenges of the work force or graduate school with their strengths in collaboration, creative problem solving, meeting deadlines and processing diverse input to yield cohesive output. Two required professional internships prior to graduation are vital to the student’s appreciation and practical understanding of the rigors of the field.

The theatre area offers a wide variety of courses. Students may select from courses in acting, design (costume, scenic, lighting/sound), make-up, stage direction, playwriting, stage management, and theatre history. Independent study and special topics courses supplement formal course offerings to provide opportunities to intensify study in a particular aspect of theatre.

Auditions for ISU Theatre productions are open to all students irrespective of academic major. Similarly, participation in areas of production other than acting is open to both majors and nonmajors. Qualified students also present experimental, laboratory, and Minority Theatre Workshop productions. Student actors, directors, designers, and technical crew heads are required to maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 to participate in productions.

Theatre scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis to students who make significant contributions to Iowa State University Theatre.

Bachelor of Arts - Performing Arts Major (Perf)

The Core for the Performing Arts Major (24 cr) (for individual Dance and Music course descriptions, see Index for individual department listing.)

Music 102, 105

Dance 130–Ballet I, 220–Modern Dance Composition

Dance 270–Dance Appreciation

Thtre 255, 263, 365

Perf 105–(six semesters), Perf 310 (2), Perf 401

Emphasis in Theatrical Design (24 cr)

Thtre 250 (2 cr), 360, 366, 455, 461, 465, 466, Music 133

Emphasis in Dance (24 cr)

Art 292, Music 133, Ex Sp 355

Dance 222, 224 (2 cr), 232, 360, 370

Select 2 credits from: Dance 140, 150, 160, 170, 211 (instead of 160, 170)

Select 2 credits from: Dance 223, 233, 242, 243, 262

Select 3 credits from: Dance 320, 384, 385, 386

All students enrolled in the Dance Emphasis must register for one dance technique course every semester of residence up to a total of 8 credits and must complete one computer course (Com S 103, 107, 207, C I 201).

Emphasis in Acting/Directing (24 cr)

Thtre 151, 250 (2 cr), 251, 351, 451, 455, 465, 466

Music 133

Minor in Performing Arts (21 cr)

Perf 105 (three semesters)

Music 101, 102

Dance 120 or 130, 270

Thtre 255, 263 or 251 plus six credits 300+ in Dance, Thtre or Perf

English proficiency requirement: Select one course from Engl 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, 314, 315, 316, 366, 370.

Graduate Study

The department offers graduate courses as supporting work in other fields.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: Thtre 316, 465, 466; Perf 401.