Spring 2024 Courses
THEA 10100 - Introduction to Theatre
Instructor: Claudia Orenstein
Lectures: MoTh11:30AM - 12:20PM + Discussion Session
(This class consists of a lecture session and a discussion session.
Students must sign up for the discussion section as well. To view discussion section schedules click on Sign Up to be directed to class search on CUNYFirst)
Prerequisites: none
Description:
We will explore and study elements of Theatre Arts – dramatic literature, performance traditions, acting, directing, playwriting, production, and design -- from the standpoints of both viewer and participant. This course introduces you to the various elements that comprise the art of the theatre. We will look at the different jobs, forms of collaboration,and creative skills that go into creating theatrical performances. We will also consider how to read and analyze dramatic texts for production, and we will explore the different models and forms of theatre that exist around the world, the many ways they communicate with their audiences, the variety of subject they can address, and the various roles theatre plays in different historical and cultural contexts. Offering a broad overview of the art, from both theartist’s and the audience’s perspective, with opportunities for you to try your own hand at creative work,the course intends to make you a more knowledgeable and appreciative theatre-goer and perhaps inspire you to pursue your own creative path.
THEA 21100 - World Theatre 1
Instructor: Alexandra Rego
MoTh 10:00AM - 11:15AM
Prerequisites: ENGL 12000 and THEA 10100
Satisfies:
Flexible Core - Creative Expression
Pluralism and Diversity - Group D
Writing Intensive - Writing Intensive
Description:
This course introduces and examines a selection of theatres that originated and developed from antiquity until the early seventeenth century in Egypt, Europe, Asia, and America. Instead of focusing exclusively on what happened, we will concern ourselves primarily with how: How have theatre and performance scholars set about understanding historical theatre events? How do we relate ancient theatrical events to our present situations? How does one conduct historical research? In short, how do we do theatre history? This last question is perhaps the most important since, in this class, we will not so much learn about theatre history, but perform the role of theatre historians, historiographers, and theoreticians.
THEA 21300 - World Theatre 3
Instructor: Jonathan Kalb
MoTh 1:00PM - 2:15PM
Prerequisites: ENGL 12000 and THEA 10100
Satisfies:
Flexible Core - Creative Expression
Pluralism and Diversity - Group D
Writing Intensive - Writing Intensive
Description:
This course introduces and examines a selection of plays and performance styles from various parts of the world during the period between 1850 and present day. Through a study of dramatic works, critical texts, and historical contexts, we will explore the intersection between the performing arts and the changing world around them. The course will illustrate how global developments inspired theatremakers to respond to the periods of modernism and beyond.
THEA 25100 - Theatre Production
Satisfies: Low Textbook Cost-Low Textbook Cost
Instructor: Lateefah Holder
TuFr 12:30PM - 2:20PM
Prerequisites: THEA 10100
Description:
This course will introduce you to the practical aspects of theatre production through a combination of readings, discussions, guests, and hands-on experience. Class meetings will include lectures and discussions, and visits from Department of Theatre faculty and staff. Another important aspect of this class is that we are responsible for making sure that the departmental productions are of the highest artistic quality, are ready on time, and run smoothly.
THEA 25356- Musical Theatre Workshop 2
Instructor: Micah Eljiah Caldwell
MoTh 4:00PM - 5:50PM
Prerequisites: none
Description:
Telling stories through song! To obtain a sense of ease with the voice across a multitude of styles of music. An exemplary application of material across styles/genres. A training to be a professional artist.
THEA 26300 - Basic Voice and Movement For Performers
Low Textbook Cost-Low Textbook Cost
Instructor: Benjamin Moore
TuFr 10:00AM - 11:15AM
Prerequisites: none
Description:
This course helps the performer develop authority, range, and freedom in their artistic work. Using the Linklater approach, students learn how to release physical tensions and integrate their body, voice and creativity through exercises. Through text work students will develop their creative imagination and sharpen their articulation. By the end of this course students will have gained more artistic confidence and connection, and leave with a physical and vocal foundation for their rehearsal and performance work.
THEA 29796 - Theatre & Stage Managment
Instructor:
TuFr 2:30PM - 3:45PM
Prerequisites: none
Description:
The course aims to develop a set of conceptual and analytical tools for the close reading and interpretation of plays as “blueprints” or “scores” for theatrical performance. The course provides an analytical vocabulary useful both to students with a general interest in theater and to aspiring theater artists. Drawing on a variety of analytical frameworks, the course focuses not only on what a play represents and means but also, more importantly, how it does so: how a dissection of a play’s structure can illuminate the play’s dramatic dynamics and theatrical potential. The course introduces students to a wide range of dramatic genres and forms, their formal principles, and to the embodiment of those principles in particular texts. While providing essential historical context for interpreting those genres and forms, the course provides an “inside-out” approach to the reading of plays.
THEA 33500 - Asian American Theatre
Instructor: Dongshin Chang
TuFr 10:00AM - 11:15AM
Prerequisites: ENGL 12000; THEA 21100 or THEA 21200 or THEA 21300 or THEA 21400 or THEA 21500
Satisfies:
Pluralism and Diversity - Group B
Writing Intensive - Writing Intensive
Description:
This course examines the histories and developments of Asian American theatre in relation to the sociopolitical and cultural contexts of the U.S. that have affected the ways in which Asian immigrants and Asian Americans are treated in the country. We will read and examine a selection of exemplary theatre works that not only respond to the historical contexts but also raise questions about the meaning and significance of being Asian Americans when confronted with the issues of race, culture, gender, and sexuality.
THEA 39724 - Special Topics: Producing
Instructor: Gregory Mosher
We 10:00AM - 12:45PM
Prerequisites: none
Description:
All anyone needs to produce a play is 1. a story you want to tell 2. people to tell it 3. a space in which to tell it and 4. people to experience it. You usually need some money to pull these things together, but almost any play can be done on a budget of $50 or $5 million. And the latter won't necessarily be better. This course will cover the working relationships producers have with artists, staff, and funders (whether donors or investors). We'll also cover venues, financial structures, leadership structures, budgeting, scheduling, press, and marketing.
THEA 16100 - Acting I : Basic Acting Techniques
Instructors:
Schedule Options:
MoTh 11:30AM -12:45PM MoTh 10:00AM -11:15AM
MoTh 1:00PM - 2:15PM TuFr 11:30AM -12:45PM
MoTh 2:30PM - 3:45PM TuFr 10:00AM -11:15AM
Prerequisites: none
Description:
This will be an introductory course that explores the fundamental elements of acting. The mission of this course is to awaken the emotional, imaginative, and transformative powers in each of us. We will explore what it means to really be a storyteller through plays, recommended texts, improvisation, scene work, and monologues. Each student will explore harnessing their own personal experiences (sense memory), to help inform their acting. Finally, this course will enhance the actor's ability to channel "self" (body, mind, and experience), through one’s acting in a TRUTHFUL and believable way; pushing each student’s willingness, readiness, and resilience to transform the "self" beyond its pre-established boundaries.
THEA 21200 - World Theatre 2
Instructor: Hui Peng
TuFr 11:30AM - 12:45PM
Prerequisites: ENGL 12000 and THEA 10100
Satisfies:
Flexible Core - Creative Expression
Pluralism and Diversity - Group D
Writing Intensive - Writing Intensive
Description:
This course introduces and examines a selection of theatres around the globe that originated and developed between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. We will read writings that will enable us to explore the histories and textual and performing characteristics of the examined theatres and their relations to the immediate cultural, social, political, and economic contexts. The goals are to acquire better understanding of the theatres and establish models of study that may be applied to examining other examples.
THEA 26100- Acting II : American Realism
Section 1
Instructor: Mira Felner
MoTh 11:30AM - 1:20PM
Section 2
Instructor: Barbara Bosch
MoTh 1:30PM - 3:20PM
Prerequisites: THEA 16100
Description:
Continuation of scene study focusing on text analysis, personalization, objective and action using the world realistic repertory, such as the plays of Chekhov, Ibsen and Strindberg. It is recommended that this course be taken with THEA 26300.
THEA 28100 - Visual Elements of Theatre
Instructor: Deepsikha Chatterjee
MoTh 11:30AM - 12:45PM
Description:
Explore the visual storytelling methods, techniques, and tools available to support the playwright’s narrative and the director’s concept for a theatrical production. We will examine the evolution and styles of the stage picture, theatre architecture, music halls and motion picture palaces. We will also address the advent of new visual media, such as digital projection, animation, and its impact on the contemporary audience experience. The class will also attend Broadway Theatre performances.
32100 - Play Analysis
Instructor: Stephen Foglia
MoTh 2:30PM - 3:45PM
Prerequisites: THEA 21100 or THEA 21200 or THEA 21300
Satisfies:
Pluralism and Diversity - Group D
Writing Intensive - Writing Intensive
Description:
The course aims to develop a set of conceptual and analytical tools for the close reading and interpretation of plays as “blueprints” or “scores” for theatrical performance. The course provides an analytical vocabulary useful both to students with a general interest in theater and to aspiring theater artists. Drawing on a variety of analytical frameworks, the course focuses not only on what a play represents and means but also, more importantly, how it does so: how a dissection of a play’s structure can illuminate the play’s dramatic dynamics and theatrical potential. The course introduces students to a wide range of dramatic genres and forms, their formal principles, and to the embodiment of those principles in particular texts. While providing essential historical context for interpreting those genres and forms, the course provides an “inside-out” approach to the reading of plays.
THEA 37700- Playwriting 2
Instructor: Philip Christian Smith
TuFr 1:00PM - 2:15PM
Prerequisites: THEA 37600
Please contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Prof. Deepsikha Chatterjee, at dchatter@hunter.cuny.edu to discuss waiving prerequisite requirements.
Description:
Students will learn the fundamental tools that a playwright employs, culminating in a final one-act play. We will be reading & discussing plays and completing writing exercises to help open students to the world of exploration and experimentation that playwriting should be. We will be focusing on elements such as patterns, rhythm, environment, internal structure/ rules, and more – and then playing around with them.
THEA 39711 - Sound Design
Instructor: Daniela Hart
Fr 10:00AM - 12:45PM
Prerequisites: THEA 28100
Description:
This course will examine the practical, theoretical and aesthetic bases of theatrical sound design. It is an introductory course meant for all students of theatre, but will require the participants to gain a basic competence in the technologies of sound design in the pursuit of their creative lab work. The goal of
the course is to give the participants the critical, auditory and technical tools necessary to create their own soundscapes and conceptual designs. Although the focus will be on sound for plays, sound for musicals will also be integrated into the discussions and work.
Tpcs Contemp Theatre of Japan
Instructor: Frederick Rogals
TuFr 4:00PM - 5:15PM
Description:
All anyone needs to produce a play is 1. a story you want to tell 2. people to tell it 3. a space in which to tell it and 4. people to experience it. You usually need some money to pull these things together, but almost any play can be done on a budget of $50 or $5 million. And the latter won't necessarily be better. This course will cover the working relationships producers have with artists, staff, and funders (whether donors or investors). We'll also cover venues, financial structures, leadership structures, budgeting, scheduling, press, and marketing.
THEA 39767 - Puppetry: Perf. Objects
Instructor: Claudia Orenstein
Th 5:30PM-7:30PM
Prerequisites: THEA 10100
Description:
This course teaches students to think like puppeteers, in other words, to understand and value how materiality can be expressive and create inspiring performance. Students will learn about important puppet traditions around the world, explore the many ways artists across cultures are using performing objects today, and consider critical approaches to the art. Students will practice making and manipulating different kinds of performing objects and begin creating their own work. The class will introduce you to a multifaceted, global artform that includes, but also goes way beyond the familiar Muppets and hand puppets of childhood, and is an increasingly vibrant presence in today’s theatre.
