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.
- Prerequisites: TH 136, or instructor approval.
This class is a 200 level voice for the stage class designed for students in the Acting programs. The class will focus on student actors' vocal awareness and speech dexterity. Students will be exposed to vocal exercises designed to strengthen their speaking/breathing instrument, gaining flexibility, thereby allowing them freedom of physical expression into character exploration.
This class is a 200 level performance class designed for students in the Acting programs. The class will focus on teaching beginning 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: On demand
- Prerequisites: TH 141.
An introduction to the skills and techniques required for lighting design in theatre and the entertainment industry.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Fall, odd years
- Prerequisites: TH 141 or TH 233.
An introduction to the skills, software and techniques of a scenic designer for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are introduced to the ability to take a script and create and design the world of a theatrical production. Students will develop skills in conceptualizing, drawing and model building.
- Offered: Fall, odd years
- Prerequisites: TH 141 or TH 142.
An introduction to the skills, software and techniques of a sound and media designer for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are introduced to sound reproduction and recreation as well as media content creation.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Fall, even years
- Prerequisites: TH 141 or TH 143.
An introduction to the skills and techniques of a costume designer for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are introduced to the skills and techniques needed for creating theatrical costumes and conceptualizing characters of a theatrical production.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Winter semester of odd-numbered years
- Prerequisites: TH 132 or TH 134.
Development of vocal, verbal and physical communication skills required of the expressive actor.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: TH 141.
Advanced study in a particular area or areas of design for theatre and entertainment production. Topics may include but are not limited to sets, lighting, costumes, sound and makeup. Topics chosen for a given semester will be based on student interest and production schedules. Students must take the course twice to fulfill major core requirements.
- Offered: Fall Winter Summer
- Prerequisites: Theatre or Dance Majors/Minors or instructor permission.
Advanced course in theoretical and applied aspects of performance. Applied onstage exercises include solo and ensemble acting assignments. Topic varies including voice and diction, musical theatre, acting Shakespeare, etc.
Notes: May be repeated if topic differs. For theatre and entertainment arts majors/minors this course must be taken at least twice with different content.- Offered: Fall odd years
Introduces students to the basic principles and practices of stage management. Students learn how to efficiently communicate with members of a production team, convey important information, and effectively run a production from concept to closing. Topics discussed include: communicating with the director, generating reports, running rehearsals, recording blocking, document design, and calling a show.
Notes: This is an eight week course.- Offered: Winter
A study of plays from the beginnings of theatre to the present. The plays will be studied as works intended for production as well as literary works. Study will include the social context of the theatre in each play's time and place, social constraints on theatre, and each period's conventions of playwriting and production.
- 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.