PHILOSOPHY
AND PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The
Bachelor of Arts in Performance is designed as a more general, liberal studies
degree for the student who does not wish to teach at the secondary level or
pursue as intently the competencies of performance, design, or technical practice
of the BFA degree. Because
the degree requires two years of an international language, it is recommended
for those considering further study in both masters and doctoral programs. The additional stress on competencies
in dramatic literature and theatre history (some in collaboration with the
English Department) required by this degree also recommend it to the student
considering a career in stage directing, although this skill may also be pursued
under the BFA in Performance as well. Like the BFA.
program, the BA degree employs
the same core curriculum in performance, stagecraft, literature, history,
and directing, and seeks to graduate a creator/scholar who exhibits "both
technical competence and a broad knowledge of theatre, sensitivity to artistic
style, and an insight into the role of theatre in the life of humankind."
The program strives to provide quality training in the classroom, public
performance opportunities, and appropriate assessment and evaluation in both
venues. The recommended capstone
experience, or Senior Project, for students in this program is the directing
of a one-act play.
COMPETENCIES
ENTRY LEVEL = 1000-level Courses
Ability to define and recognize fundamental ,
traditional Aristotelian dramaturgical principles (e.g. the "well-made
play" in terms of the qualitative elements of plot, character, theme,
language, spectacle, and music) in approximately 10-15 historical and contemporary
performance scripts (theatre, film, musicals) ) and fundamental knowledge
of historical background for those works
Ability
to define and employ in a fundamental way–orally and in writing--the
vocabulary associated with the critical analysis of text form
Ability
to perceive standard roles of characters in terms of structural parts of texts,
motivational "beats," biography, and so forth
Demonstrated
comprehension of play structure through practice in basic script writing (also, learning of correct format for
manuscripts)
Fundamental
ability to scan verse, primarily Shakespeare
Demonstrated
facility of the above analytical process and communication through competent
expository writing
Fundamental
practical, problem-solving exercises which relate the activity of interpreting
a script or text to the challenges of producing it in a performance space
as a member of a collaborative team
B. History
Fundamental knowledge of major historical
periods of theatre and contemporary and 20th century works, primarily, but
not limited to, American theatre
and the English-speaking stage.
Familiarity
with the significant works of dramatic literature of Ancient Greece, Roman,
Byzantium/Middle Ages, Spanish Golden Age, Elizabethan, Restoration, 17th
Century France, early 19th century Germany, and late 19th century western Europe/Russia, and Asia (India, China,
Japan), and the modern period prior to WWII; approximately 50-60-works
(English
Department) Familiarity with significant works of the modern period: American, British, Continental European;
approx. 50-60 works when applicable to student's specialization
(English Department) Familiarity with the works of Shakespeare
Ability
to recognize common structural forms of plays related to periods and genres (tragedy, comedy, farce, melodrama, realism,
expressionist forms of theatre, and so forth)
Knowledge
of the historical periods and theatre production practices appropriate as
background to an understanding of the themes in the works above; familiarity
with the social, political, religious, and related cultural circumstances
which produced or were reflected by the theatre of these periods
Some
knowledge of significant dramatic works of national or generic (e.g., black
drama, feminist plays, musical theatre,
avant-garde, postmodern theatre) origin not covered in traditional
historical periods above, including short works (i.e., one acts); approximately
20 (short + full-length ) works per course
Greater
familiarity with dramatic works of specific periods: e.g., Classical Greek and Roman, Spanish Golden Age theatre
Continued
demonstrated, research-based critical-analytical skills useful for the purpose
of producing, writing about the theatre, and adjudicating productions of peers
Familiarity
with non-traditional formalist and post-modern theories and alternative modes
of performance
B.
History
Knowledge of the theatre as a cultural and
artistic institution in the major periods cited above in this section, including
acting and management systems,
architecture, and major developments in scenery design, stagecraft, costuming,
and makeup; acquaintance with methodologies which inform scholars of dramatic
history and literature in the major periods
More
extensive knowledge of 20th century and contemporary dramatic "movements"
and alternative theatre and performance forms
Knowledge
of the contemporary theatre "scene," primarily in America and Great Britain
OTHER
GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Understanding
of the fundamental concepts of performance, directing, scenecraft, and scenic,
lighting, costume, and sound design principles necessary in the production
of a work of theatre
Fundamental
knowledge decor, social custom, mores, and modes of movement and dance common
to performance in the most popular periods of theatre
Capstone Project: Ability to conceive and plan a project for a physical plant and program which satisfies several artistic and cultural parameters in a specific geographical location and/or performance configuration–proscenium, thrust, arena, or extended stage. This project will synthesize skills from other performance sub-disciplines.