Catalog 2021-2022

Theatre Arts and Dance

Teaching Faculty

Professors Muse (chair) and Rogers   
Associate Professor Horne
Murphy Fellow Vaught 
Adjunct Teaching Staff H. Payne and Smith


Description

The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance offers a major in Theatre Arts, a minor in Theatre Arts and a minor in Dance. Students choosing to major in Theatre Arts and minor in Dance may double count courses required for the major toward the completion of the minor.

Major in Theatre Arts

12 courses distributed as follows:

  • TART 140 Acting Fundamentals
  • TART 145 Design Fundamentals
  • TART 210 Script Analysis Fundamentals
  • TART 310 Theatre History
  • TART 450 Production Design
  • TART 430  Stage Directing
  • TART 497 Theatre Arts: Senior Seminar
  • 1 course from the following
    • TART 260 Scenery & Lighting
    • TART 280 Costume & Make-up
  • 1 course from the following
    • TART 350   Women Writing for the Stage
    • TART 375  American Musical Theater
  • 1 course from the following
    • DANC 250 Reading and Writing Dance
    • TART 365 Moment Work Soc Justice in Theatre
  • 1 course from the following
    • DANC 215 Modern Dance Technique
    • DANC 216 Ballet Technique
    • DANC 217 Jazz Dance Technique
    • TART 135 Voice and Movement for the Theatre
    • TART 290 Beginning Playwriting
    • TART 335 Meisner Technique in Acting
  • Theatre Production Practicum .25 credit each, all four are required.  (Department faculty register students with the Registrar)
    • TARA P21 House & Publicity, Assistant Stage-Manager, or Properties
    • TARA P22 Acting, Stage-Manager, Dance Captain, Sound or Choreography
    • TARA P23 Scenery & Lighting
    • TARA P24 Costume & Makeup

 

Senior Capstone Experience

The Senior Capstone Experience consists of completion of TART 497 Senior Seminar.

Minor in Theatre Arts

6 courses distributed as follows:

  • 2 courses from the following  
    • TART 140   Acting   Fundamentals
    • TART 145   Design Fundamentals
    • TART 210  Script Analysis Fundamentals
  • 1 course from the following
    • TART 260  Scenery & Lighting
    • TART 280  Costume & Make-up
  • 1 course from the following
    • TART 430  Stage Directing
    • TART 450  Production Design
  • 1 course from the following
    • DANC 216  Ballet Technique
    • DANC 217  Jazz Dance Technique
    • DANC 250  Reading and Writing Dance
    • TART 290  Beginning Playwriting
    • TART 295  Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
    • TART 310  Theatre History
    • TART 335  Meisner Technique in Acting
    • TART 350 Women Writing for the Stage
    • TART 365  Moment Work Soc Justice in Theatre
    • TART 375   American Musical Theater
  • Theatre Production Practicum .25 credit each, all four are required. (Department faculty register students with the Registrar)
    • TARA P21  House & Publicity, Assistant Stage-Manager, or Properties 
    • TARA P22  Acting, Stage-Manager, Dance Captain, Sound, or Choreography  
    • TARA P23  Scenery & Lighting  
    • TARA P24  Costume & Make-up
                            
       
       

Minor in Dance

6 courses distributed as follows:

  • DANC 250  Reading and Writing Dance
  • DANC 325  Choreography
  • 2 courses from the following 
    • DANC 215  Modern Dance Technique
    • DANC 216  Ballet Technique
    • DANC 217  Jazz Dance Technique
    • TART 135 Voice and Movement for the Theatre
  • DANA A30 Dance Ensemble (.25 credit each semester, four semesters required)
  • Theatre Production Practicum .25 credit each, all four are required. (Department faculty register students with the Registrar
    • TARA P21  House & Publicity, Assistant Stage-Manager, or Properties
    • TARA P22  Acting, Stage-Manager, Dance Captain, Sound, or Choreography
    • TARA P23  Scenery & Lighting
    • TARA P24  Costume & Make-up
            

Hendrix Players

Participation in dramatic productions is open to all Hendrix students. Students who participate in the activities of the Hendrix Players perform in plays that cover a wide range of dramatic literature, build sets and costumes, and participate in other technical aspects of dramatic performance. The activities of the Hendrix Players take place in the Cabe Theatre and Staples Auditorium.

Hendrix Dance Ensemble

Auditions for the Hendrix Dance Ensemble are held during the first week of the fall semester. The ensemble meets to rehearse on Tuesday, Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the Dance Studio. The work of the ensemble culminates in a faculty choreographed performance in the fall semester, a faculty and student choreographed Dance Ensemble Concert in the spring semester, and participation in the American College Dance Festival Association.


Students who successfully complete two semesters of TARA A30 fulfil two Physical Activities capacities requirements toward graduation. Note that there is a limit of two course credits from partial credit courses that can be applied toward the 32 courses required for graduation.

Accademia dell’ Arte

Hendrix is the accrediting institution for courses through the Accademia dell' Arte in Arezzo, Italy. Located in a beautifully restored sixteenth-century villa just south of Florence, the Accademia dell' Arte offers intensive work in theatre, dance, music, and film production. Courses are offered during fall, spring, and two summer semesters. Additional information and application forms are available at www.dellarte.it , or by emailing info@dellarte.it . Contact the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance chair for information about how to use Accademia dell' Arte courses for the Theatre Arts major, minor or Dance minor.

Program Course Listings

The courses for this program are organized into the following categories:

Theatre Arts Courses

TART 100

Introduction to Theatre

Engaged understanding of the nature of theatre, and of those whose creative and collaborative processes bring texts to the stage through informed choices.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 135

Voice and Movement for the Theatre

Combined focus on freeing the natural voice through text reading stage movement.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 140

Acting Fundamentals

Students study Stanislavski as a basis for scene work. The approach frees the actor from mechanical, self-conscious behavior on stage and enhances the awareness of the given circumstances and finding truth in the moment.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 145

Design Fundamentals

A hands-on introduction to all aspects of theatre production including costume, makeup, scenery, lighting and sound design and technology with a focus on experiential learning. We look at each area individually and as a collaborative whole, applying knowledge and technique to create the materials that theatre designers and technicians use.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 210

Script Analysis Fundamentals

Study and analysis of dramatic texts for the purpose of transforming scripts into theatrical productions.

Expressive Arts EA
Literary Studies LS
TART 260

Scenery & Lighting

Techniques of lighting, sound, scenery and property construction for the theatre.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 280

Costume & Make-up

Techniques of make-up and costume design and construction for the theatre.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 290

Beginning Playwriting

Construction of the dramatic text through in-depth research and disciplined creativity.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 295

Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

This course allows students of all disciplines to explore the basic mechanics of 2-D drawing and 3-D modeling. Basic concepts presented in this class can be applied to most drafting and visualization programs and are particularly useful to students interested in art, architecture, film, animation, interior design, engineering, and theatrical design.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART M24

Murphy in Tutorial in Theatre

In this course students incorporate practice, analysis, and experimentation to create a full-length piece of dramatic literature. Students explore the multi-faceted discipline of playwriting by reading established works of theatre as well as critical theory about the purpose, implementation, and moral obligation of dramatic literature. These readings serve to develop aptitude for creating work as well as constructively critiquing peers’ work. This course is open only to Murphy Scholars in Literature and Language.

TART 310

Theatre History

Study of Theatre history and dramatic texts from the Classical Era through the Eighteenth Century. Offered in alternate years.

Historical Perspectives HP
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
TART 335

Intermediate Acting

An introduction to the acting technique developed by Sanford Meisner. The course will cover the key elements of the method used to develop a character. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher

Sophomore standing or higher
Expressive Arts EA
TART 350

Women Writing for the Stage

Study of women playwrights from a historical, literary, social, and performative perspective, and in the 20th century and 21st century.

Historical Perspectives HP
TART 365

Social Justice in Theatre

Can theatre change the world? Will the bridge to civil discourse and understanding be through theatre? This course introduces students to social justice through theatre. Students learn performance development through Moment Work, interview techniques, and the study of theatre artists dedicated to social justice. The final project is a performance piece based on interviews of local public servants. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher

Sophomore standing or higher
Expressive Arts EA
TART 375

American Musical Theatre

A survey of the history and literature of Musical Theatre in America, beginning with popular antecedents (such as vaudeville, minstrelsy, and burlesque) and ending in the year 2000. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher

Sophomore standing or higher
Historical Perspectives HP
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
TART 390

Advanced Playwriting

An extension of TART 290. Construction of the dramatic text through in-depth research and disciplined creativity.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 391

Special Topics in Acting

A special topics course in theatrical, textual, and kinesthetic studies. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Recent section topics include Modern Scene Study and Audition Technique, Acting Meisner. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 392

Special Topics in Design

A special topics course in set and costume design. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught.

Expressive Arts EA
TART 393

Special Topics in Performance

A special topics course in performance. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught.

Expressive Arts EA
TART M31

Murphy Tutorial in Literature

Students pursue in-depth exploration of a topic in dramatic literature. The course, taught in one-hour weekly sessions, has a low faculty-to-student ratio (1:2 or 1:3) and stresses, writing, reading, peer critiquing, and oral presentation skills. It culminates in a group activity such as a field trip, student symposium, engaged-learning project, or gathering with other tutorial pairs. This course is open only to Murphy Scholars in Literature and Language.

TART 430

IndSt: Stage Directing

Study of play analysis and of the techniques of staging plays. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Consent of instructor
Expressive Arts EA
TART 450

Production Design

Process of unified design for the technical elements of a play. Prerequisites: TART 260 and TART 280 or consent of instructor

TART 260 and TART 280 or consent of instructor
Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART 497

Theatre Arts: Senior Seminar

A collaborative synthesis: Theory transformed into theatrical practice. Prerequisite: Senior Theatre Arts Majors or consent of instructor

Senior Theatre Arts Majors or consent of instructor
Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
TART X98

Internship

Students interested in an internship in theatre arts should contact the department chair.

TART X99

Independent Study

Students interested in independent studies in theatre arts should contact the department chair.

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Theatre Production Practicum Activities

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring. The grade earned in each Practicum is included in the computation of the student's grade point average. Students must complete all four areas of practicum in order to receive a full course credit for the major, EA credit and Odyssey [SP] credit. Note there is a limit of two course credits from partial credit courses that can be used toward the 32 courses required for graduation.

TARA P21

House&Pub/Asst Stage Manager/Props

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
TARA P22

Acting/St Man/Dance Capt/Sound

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
TARA P23

Scenery and Lighting

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
TARA P24

Costume and Make-up

Practicum offers the student extensive experience in a play production. Students interested in taking this course should not pre-register. Students should contact department faculty members during the week of orientation and registration in fall or during the first week of classes in the spring.

Expressive Arts EA
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Dance Courses

DANC 215

Modern Dance Technique

A modern dance technique class focusing on developing the basic fundamentals, theories, vocabulary and theatricality of modern dance along with a holistic approach to a life-long learning of physical health and fitness.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
DANC 216

Ballet Technique

A ballet technique class, focusing on developing the basic fundamentals of classical ballet movement and alignment, vocabulary, theories and style along with a holistic approach to a life-long learning of physical health and fitness.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
DANC 217

Jazz Dance Technique

A jazz dance technique class focusing on the introduction to and the development of various styles, vocabulary and theories of jazz along with a holistic approach to a life-long learning of physical health and fitness.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
DANC 250

Dance Making Fundamentals

An introduction to dance design and focusing on the interpretive processes of viewing through the Liz Lerman critical response process or “reading” dance and the creating/revising processes of choreographing “writing” dance using historical and contemporary dance artists and styles as the foundational “grammar.”

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
DANC 325

Choreography

A study of the fundamentals of the craft of choreography through a variety of improvisational components, a study of contemporary choreographers, theory and process.

Expressive Arts EA
DANC X98

Internship

Students interested in an internship in dance should contact the department chair

DANC X99

Independent Study

Students interested in independent studies in dance should contact the department chair.

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Dance Activities

DANA A30

Dance Ensemble

A performance ensemble of choreographed dance that may accrue 1/4 course credit per semester. Acceptance is by audition. Two semesters of DANA A30 fulfill the two Physical Activities capacities requirement toward graduation. Note there is a limit of two course credits from partial credit courses that can be used toward the 32 courses required for graduation.

Artistic Creativity AC
Expressive Arts EA
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