The theater and dance major---Students
are required to complete 13 course credits for the major. Students
who choose the two-credit thesis option will complete 14 course
credits for the major.
Required core courses:
- THDN 107. Introduction to Performance
- THDN 110. Theatrical Traditions: Classical to the Early Avant-Garde
- THDN 496. Senior Thesis Part 1 and
THDN 497. Senior Thesis Part 2 (one credit) or
THDN 498. Senior Thesis Part 1 and
THDN 499. Senior Thesis Part 2 (two credits).
These courses meet the
Writing Intensive Part II requirement.
In addition to completing the three required
courses, students will choose one of three tracks listed as follows:
Performance track
In this track, students examine a wide array
of approaches to performance techniques and disciplines that are
fundamental to contemporary performance practice. Students in this
track will be expected to author their own performance work as well
as participate regularly in departmental productions.
- THDN 103. Basic Acting
- THDN 205. Intermediate Acting or one full
credit of dance technique at the 200 or 300 level
- THDN 207. Improvisation or
THDN 235. Voice
- THDN 233. Critical Views/Critical Values
- THDN 394. Directing or
THDN 315. Making Dances
- One design course, in either lighting, scene, or costume design
- Three departmental electives, one of which must be a Theater and
Dance Department history or theory course and two of which must be
at the 300 level
- Performance in four departmental productions, one of which must
be THDN 309. Stage Production.
Arts in the community track
In this track, students investigate the ways
that theater, dance, and performance are integrated into the social
and educational institutions in our culture. Students will look at
how the arts impact community in terms of education, health, racial
and gender equality, as well as other issues of social justice.
- THDN 207. Improvisation
- PBPL 263. Art and the Public Good
- THDN 270. Arts in Action: Moving into the Community
- THDN 332. Education through Movement
or THDN 373. Human Rights through Performance
- THDN 340. Field Studies or
THDN 348. The Arts and Special Populations
- THDN 394. Directing or THDN 315. Making Dances
- Two credits in education, sociology, or psychology. Courses outside the
Theater and Dance Department must be approved by the department.
- One credit in dance/movement techniques or acting technique
- One departmental elective at the 300 level
Writing, directing, and
dramaturgy track
In this track, students will explore the
historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of theatrical
practice. Students will have the opportunity to write and/or direct
their own stage productions and to engage in an in-depth research
project.
- THDN 103. Basic Acting
- THDN 233. Critical Views/Critical Values
- THDN 238. 20th-Century European Theater
- THDN 239. Contemporary American Theater
- THDN 363. Philosophy and Performance
- THDN 393. Playwrights' Workshop
- THDN 394. Directing
- THDN 493. Advanced Playwriting or
THDN 494. Advanced Directing or
THDN 404. Dramaturgy
- Two electives, one of which may be a course in another arts
discipline. Courses outside the Theater and Dance Department
must be approved by the department.
Students
participating in departmental productions receive .25 credit per
production for THDN 109. Performance
and THDN 109. Production and .50 credit
per production for THDN 309. Stage Production,
and must obtain their adviser's permission to count a production
towards the major.
In addition,
all majors are required to complete 90 hours of design/production
work in the Department of Theater and Dance. Upon declaring the
major, the student will develop a plan with the performing arts
technical director. It is recommended that students complete their
production hours in 30-hour segments over the course of three
semesters.
A grade of C-
or higher must be obtained in all courses for the major. The last
term of the senior year must be in residence. No more than three
full credits in techniques and applications of theater and dance
courses (THDN 109,
THDN 209, and THDN 309)
may be counted toward fulfillment of the general credit requirement
for the bachelor's degree.
The Writing
Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled either by the one-credit
THDN 496-497. Senior Thesis or by the
two-credit THDN 498-499. Senior Thesis.
Honors---Typically,
departmental honors are awarded to students who have at least an A-
average in courses required for the major and earn at least an A- in
a two-credit thesis. Students who complete an exceptional one-credit
thesis and have an A- average in courses required for the major may
also be considered for honors.
Trinity/La MaMa Urban Arts Semester in New York City---Sponsored
by the Department of Theater and Dance, this semester program
utilizes the landscape and history of New York City as a catalyst
for an intensive study in the arts. Based at the historic and
critically acclaimed La MaMa Experimental Theater Club (E.T.C.),
the program offers students an immersion experience in the unique
and vibrant New York arts scene. Occurring in the fall semester,
the program is designed for both major and nonmajor arts students.
The program includes a comprehensive academic seminar, an internship
at a nonprofit arts organization, practice classes, attendance at
multiple performances each week, and field studies utilizing the
cityscape of New York to develop site-specific performance work.
The program culminates with a performance project presented both
at Trinity and at La MaMa E.T.C. In order to foster dynamic
academic and artistic growth, the interdisciplinary learning
approach includes both group and individualized study and research.
In addition to students with a focus in theater, dance, and
performance, the semester can accommodate those interested in
other genres including visual arts, creative writing, and music.
Further information is available from Professor Michael Burke,
program director, by telephone at (212) 598-3058 or by email:
Michael.Burke@trincoll.edu;
or from Professor Judy Dworin of the Department of Theater and Dance,
at Judy.Dworin@trincoll.edu.
Students earn five course credits for the program, not more than
three of which may be counted toward the theater and dance major.
See course descriptions for
THDN 401. Performance Workshop,
THDN 405. The Nonprofit Arts Organization,
and THDN 411. Performance Analysis.