Courses
Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.
- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: Acceptance into the BFA in Musical Theatre Program or instructor permission.
This is the first level studio course in the BFA Musical Theatre performance track. The course will focus on improving audition skills in both straight acting and singing auditions through in-class performance exercises. Students will work on compiling a portfolio of strong audition pieces in order to be cast in roles while in the FRT program. The portfolio will also be designed to take them well into their first professional auditions once they have graduated.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: Theatre or Dance Majors/Minors or instructor permission.
This is the second level studio course in the BFA Musical Theatre performance track. Students will work on solo song technique exercises, in order to hone their skills in solo performance for musical theatre productions.
Notes: This is an eight week course.A study of theatrical literature of the modern era (late 1890’s to present). Emphasis will also be placed on sharpening student dramaturgical skills such as; play script analysis, historical context, page-to-stage transition, and dialogue translation.
- Offered: Infrequently
Investigation of a significant topic or theme.
Notes: May be repeated if topic differs.- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: Acceptance into the BFA Musical Theatre program.
This class will be both a physical and academic study of vocal singing technique. It will also introduce students to musical literature. The class will consist of (14) individual 30-minute sessions each week.
Notes: May be repeated for up to 8 credits.- Offered: Every other winter
- Prerequisites: TH 132 or TH 134.
An advanced performance-centered course, emphasizing period and experimental acting styles used by actors and directors in contemporary theater production. This course instructs students on the preparation of historical and non-realistic dramatic literature.
- Offered: Every Other Winter Semester
- Prerequisites: TH 131.
Expands on TH 131 and covers advanced topics in set construction, stage rigging, applied forces and safety as they relate to the art of stagecraft.
- Offered: Fall even years
- Prerequisites: TH 241.
An introduction to the skills, software and techniques of a scenic painter for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are introduced to the ability to take a scenic design and painters’ elevations and create physical painted scenery for the world of a theatrical production. Students will develop skills in texturing, painting and faux finishes.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Winter even years
- Prerequisites: TH 243.
An introduction to the advanced skills of makeup artisan or designer for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are given the ability to take a makeup design and create it for the world of a theatrical production.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Prerequisites: TH 235, or instructor approval.
This class is a 300 level movement class designed for cohorts in the Acting programs. The class will focus on using movement techniques learned in previous classes, and integrating those lessons into performance. Specifically, students will focus on movement techniques in classical or period styles.
- Prerequisites: TH 236, or instructor approval.
This class is a 300 level voice for the stage class designed for students in the Acting programs. The class will focus on student actor dialect work. Students will be exposed to exercises designed to strengthen their skills in using dialects and accents for character development in production.
- Prerequisites: TH 237, or instructor approval.
This class is a 300 level performance class designed for students in the Acting programs. The class will focus on perfecting performance skills in stage combat/fighting. Students will be exposed to exercises designed to teach proper combat skills (hand to hand and weapons), with specific emphasis on safety protocols.
- Offered: Winter even years
- Prerequisites: TH 240.
A study in advanced techniques and skills of a lighting programmer for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students will create designs for extensive theatrical productions as well as designing for other industries to a professional standard.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Every Sixth Semester
- Prerequisites: TH 131.
Design and construction of properties for theatrical productions. Construction, painting and finishing techniques. Experience in creating properties.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Fall even years
- Prerequisites: TH 242.
Advanced skills, software and techniques of a sound and media designer for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are diving deeply into sound and media design for theatre and other relevant industries.
- Offered: Winter odd years
- Prerequisites: TH 243.
An advanced study of the skills and techniques of a specialized stitcher or costume craftsperson for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students will study advanced sewing, garment construction, garment maintenance, as well as techniques in fabrication.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: TH 132.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: TH 352 and theatre faculty permission.
- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better or HON 101 and HON 111 and sophomore standing.
Study of major historic periods from theatre's beginnings until 1700. Topics include the evolution and social context of theatre in the various periods; playwrights, plays and dramatic conventions of each period; and production styles and methods.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: TH 360 with grade of “C” or better.
Study of theatre history from 1700 to the present. Topics include the evolution and social context of theatre in the various periods; playwrights, plays and dramatic conventions of each period; and production styles and methods.
- Offered: Infrequently
- Prerequisites: EN 211 and sophomore standing.
Advanced course in theoretical and textual analysis of the performance traditions of a particular region. Cultural and historical ideologies will be examined as they relate to the creation of the work. Students will produce scholarly research and writing. Topic varies including Theatre of the Middle East, Theatre of the African Diaspora, and Theatre of Asia.
Notes: May be repeated when topic varies.- Offered: Every other Winter
- Prerequisites: TH 263 or instructor permission.
This is the third level studio course in the BFA Musical Theatre performance track. Students will work on musical theatre scene/song technique exercises in order to polish their skills for performance in production.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: TH 364 or instructor permission.
This is the fourth level studio course in the BFA Musical Theatre performance track. This course is designed to help students structurally create, rehearse, and perform a group senior showcase to be presented as capstone performance project in their final semester in the program.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Infrequently
- Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better and sophomore standing.
An interdisciplinary, interactive approach to four or five plays that will be performed at the Stratford, Ontario, Theatre Festival. Students simultaneously enroll in TH 493 Field Studies, will also be able to view these same plays in performance at Stratford.
Notes: Cross listed with EN 385.- Offered: Infrequently
- Prerequisites: TH 130 and junior standing.