Catalog 2024-2025

Theatre Arts and Dance

Teaching Faculty

Professors Muse and Rogers   
Associate Professor Horne (chair)
Assistant Professor Lusk
Assistant Professor and Murphy Fellow Roberts
Adjunct Teaching Staff Woodward 

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

11 courses distributed as follows:

  • TART 140 Acting Fundamentals
  • TART 210 Script Analysis Fundamentals
  • TART 310 Theatre History
  • TART 450 Production Design
  • TART 430 Stage Directing
  • TART 497 Theatre Arts: Senior Seminar
  • One course from the following
    • TART 260 Scenery & Lighting
    • TART 280 Costume & Make-up
  • One course from the following
    • TART 350 Women Writing for the Stage
    • TART 375 American Musical Theatre
  • One course from the following
    • DANC 250 Dance Making Fundamentals 
    • TART 365 Social Justice and Theatre
  • One 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 285 Design Fundamentals
    • TART 290 Beginning Playwriting
    • TART 335 Intermediate Acting
  • Theatre Production Practicum .25 credit each, all four are required.
    • 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:

  • TART 140 Acting Fundamentals
  • TART 210 Script Analysis Fundamentals
  • One course from the following
    • TART 260 Scenery & Lighting
    • TART 280 Costume & Make-up
  • One course from the following
    • TART 430 Stage Directing
    • TART 450 Production Design
  • Two courses from the following
    • DANC 216 Ballet Technique
    • DANC 217 Jazz Dace Technique
    • DANC 250 Dance Making Fundamentals
    • TART 285 Design Fundamentals
    • TART 290 Beginning Playwriting
    • TART 295 Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
    • TART 335 Intermediate Acting
    • TART 350 Women Writing for the Stage
    • TART 365 Social Justice and Theatre
    • TART 375 American Musical Theatre
  • Theatre Production Practicum .25 credit each, all four are required.
    • 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 Dance Making Fundamentals 
      • 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.
        • 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 DANA 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 and 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 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 285

      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 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

      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 or TART 280

      TART 260 or TART 280
      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. Interested students should contact a member of the department anytime during a semester to be enrolled for credit in a practicum. 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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