Introduction
The Theatre and Dance Department offers courses and co-curricular activities in dance and theatre. Our introduction and history courses are traditionally academic, while others, such as acting, directing, stagecraft, design, dance technique and choreography classes, emphasize projects in the practice of theatre or dance along with reading, writing, and discussion. Students at all levels of experience are welcomed; some become professional artists and/or work in the non-profit sector or other creative fields. Other students are enriched by enrollment in a single course or involvement in a single play or dance concert. Participation at any level in our theatre and dance program will certainly enrich your life and equip you with a deeper understanding of the performing arts. The Theatre Arts major offers students a choice of a number of options within the basic major. Students may elect an emphasis in Acting/Directing, Dance, or Design and Technology. It is expected that majors will be active in the Mermaid Players and/or the Dance Theater Group.
The Inter-arts major in Dance & Music provides interdisciplinary study that combines work in both the Theatre and Dance departments and the Music departments.
Courses appropriate for prospective majors
THDA 101: Theatre as Social Exploration (or approved course in dramatic literature, taught in alternate years)
THDA 121-221: one course credit of Movement Studio (or other dance courses approved by the director of dance)
THDA 131: Scenic Construction and Painting Techniques
THDA 132: Costume and Soft-goods construction
THDA 133: Craft Construction for stage
THDA 201: Theatre History (taught in alternate years) THDA 203: Acting I: Basic Technique and Modern Drama THDA 205: Directing
THDA 231: Scenic Design
THDA 232: Sound and Projection Design
THDA 233: Lighting Design
THDA 234: Magic Garments: the history of costume design for performing arts and media
THDA 235: Object Lessons: design and creation of performance objects for stage and screen
THDA 236: Costume Design as Artistic Practice
THDA 319: Dramaturgy (Writing in the Discipline—Taught 2 of every 3 years)
Theatre Arts Major
11 credits
CORE (8 credits)
101, 201, 203, 205, and 319
Two from 121-221 Movement Studio (.5 credit each)
One from each of the following:
· 131-133(.5 credit)
· 231-236
· 190 or 220 (.5 credit)
PRE-APPROVED CLUSTERS:
For Acting and Directing (Choose 3):
THDA 300: Acting II: Movement/Voice Technique and Devised Theater THDA 303: Acting II: Advanced Technique and Classical Drama THDA 305: Advanced Directing
THDA 495: Senior Project (.5 course each semester, fall and spring)
For Design and Technology:
One additional course from each of the following:
· 131-133(.5 credit)
· 231-236
· 190(.5 credit)
One additional full credit from:
· 131-133 and 190(.5 credit each)
· 231-236
· 495(.5 credit each), 500, 550, 560
· ARTH 101, 102, 122, 123
The best way to become involved in theatre or dance at Dickinson is to participate in the Mermaid Players or Dance Theatre Group.
For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the
Courses that fulfill distribution requirements
Arts (Division IC):
THDA 101, Theatre as Social Exploration (or approved course in dramatic literature, taught in alternate years)
THDA 121-221, one course credit of Modern Dance (or other dance courses approved by the Director of dance)
THDA 201, Theatre History (taught in alternate years) THDA 203, Acting I: Basic Technique and Modern Drama THDA 205, Directing
THDA 131-133 (2 .5 courses required)
THDA 190 (2 .5 courses required)
THDA 220 (2 .5 courses required)
THDA 231-236
THDA 319, Dramaturgy
Writing in the Discipline (WID):
THDA 201, Theatre History
Suggested curricular flow through the major
Theatre – Acting/directing and Design Tech
First Year
Theatre as Social Exploration (THDA 101) Acting I (THDA 203)
Movement Studio (THDA 121-221)
For Design/Tech emphasis: At least 2 technology credits (.5 credit each), THDA 131, 132, or 133
Sophomore Year
Design course (THDA 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236) Directing (THDA 205)
Possibly Theater History Seminar (THDA 201) if not offered in senior year For Design/Tech- (THDA 231-236)
Junior Year
If not going abroad: Advanced Directing (THDA 305) or Advanced Acting (THDA 300 - 303), Design (THDA 231-236)
For Design/Tech: (THDA 131-133)
Senior Year
Advanced Directing (THDA 305)
Topics in Design (THDA 231-236)
Theater History (THDA 201)
Advanced Acting (THDA 300 - 303) Senior Project (THDA 495)
For Design Tech: independent study or ARTH classes or additional design courses
THDA 495: Senior Project (.5 course each semester, fall and spring)
THDA 222: Movement Studio or another dance class (International Dance, Jazz or Ballet)
Dance
Dance First Year
THDA 102: Introduction to Global Dance Studies
THDA 121 Movement Studio
THDA 131, 132, 133 Costume Construction, Scenic Construction (.5 credit each, take 2)
Change THDA 220 Dance Repertory to THDA 220 Dance Production and Performance (can be taken every semester, take at least two semesters for majors)
Dance Sophomore Year
THDA 204: Fundamentals of Choreography
THDA 215: The Thinking Body: Human Anatomy and Movement (taught alternate years)
THDA 221: Movement Studio I
THDA 125 International Dance
Junior Year
THDA 230: Design Principles and Practices for the Stage (taught only in Spring semester)
NOTE: If not going abroad: THDA 304: Applied Choreograph or
THDA 300: Acting II - Movement/Voice Technique and Devised Theatre
THDA 316: Dance History Seminar
THDA 321: *Movement Lab III or another dance class (International Dance 125, West African or Jazz or Ballet)
*THDA 321/322 Movement Lab
Senior Year
THDA 495: Senior Project (.5 course each semester, fall and spring)
Senior Portfolio Review. A preliminary review takes place in the fall, and the final review at the end of the second semester senior year.
Dance emphasis students are expected to take technique classes every semester and all majors should be active in the co-curriculum THDA 220 Dance Production and Performance
Dance Major (11 credits)
102, 204, 215, 300, and 316
131-133 (.5 credit) (take 2)
One of the following: 231-236
Four semesters of dance technique, at least two from 121-322 Movement Studio/Lab (.5 credit each) (At least one 125 International dance)
Two 220 courses (.5 credit each)
One of the following: 203, 214, 304, or 495 (full credit, fall and spring)
Honors
Major GPA of 3.5.
The Honors projects may consist of:
- A research based thesis in literature, aesthetics, dramaturgical analyses or history of any of the theatre arts; or
- A creative project in acting, dance, design, direction, or choreography. Performance projects should be supplemented by production materials as requested by the department as well by a research paper relating the project to its specific theatrical context.
All honors students will take an oral examination at the end of their final semester in the general field of the honors project/paper.
Co-curricular activities/programs
Dance Theatre Group and the Mermaid Players are Dickinson’s co-curricular student theatre and dance organizations. Together with the department, they produce high quality, well-attended productions and concerts which are supervised by faculty and professional artists. They are open to all students regardless of class year or major field. The department also produces smaller-scale productions which are often supervised by experienced and committed students; these include the “Senior Projects,” “Lab Shows” and “First Year Plays” theatre programs and "Fresh Works" and "Salon" dance program. Auditions open to all students (with the exception of First Year Plays, open only to first-year students) are held before each production. All students are encouraged to participate backstage by volunteering and contacting the production manager of the department. No experience is necessary, and patient instruction, often from experienced students, is always available. Opportunities for off-campus study
Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad, but study abroad is not a requirement. Students should consult with the chair of the department and the executive director of the Center for Global Study and Engagement.
Opportunities for off-campus study
Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad, but study abroad is not a requirement. Students should consult with the chair of the department and the executive director of the .
Additional Remarks
Ballet CPYB Certificate Program: The CPYB ballet certificate program is designed for the pre-professional ballet student interested in combining intensive weekly ballet training with pursuit of college level courses. The certificate program is comprised of eight courses that combine daily studio training with academic study. Requirements: Audition is required for the certificate. If accepted, students must take four semesters of certificate level ballet, perform at least one semester with CPYB and/or DTG. Other course work includes (THDA 102) Introduction to Global Dance Studies, (THDA 204), Fundamentals of Choreography (THDA 214), Anatomy: The Thinking Body, and Dance History Seminar (THDA 316).