Class Schedules

Reading Plays guides students in close readings of dramatic literature, in particular of plays that are typically left out of the traditional theatrical canon. Students will learn about the socio-historical context of each play, and in-class exercises will introduce them to the foundation of script analysis: they will examine the play's given circumstances, dialogue, dramatic action, characters, and style. Students will read a new play every week; assignments include weekly in-class writing exercises and short critical papers.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism OR U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Reading Plays guides students in close readings of dramatic literature, inparticular of plays that are typically left out of the traditional theatrical canon. Students willlearn about the socio-historical context of each play, and in-class exercises will introducethem to the foundation of script analysis: they will examine the play’s givencircumstances, dialogue, dramatic action, characters, and style. Students will read a newplay every week; assignments include weekly in-class writing exercises and short criticalpapers. Some playwrights we may explore are: Ayad Akhtar, Jaclyn Backhaus,Christopher Chen, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, Prince Gomolvilas, David Henry Hwang,Naomi Iizuka, Rajiv Joseph, Hansol Jung, Haruna Lee, Kimber Lee, Young Jean Lee, QuiNguyen, Jiehae Park, Lloyd Suh, Kristina Wong, Lauren Yee, and Chay Yew.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism OR U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Reading Plays guides students in close readings of dramatic literature, in particular of plays that are typically left out of the traditional theatrical canon. Students will learn about the socio-historical context of each play, and in-class exercises will introduce them to the foundation of script analysis: they will examine the play's given circumstances, dialogue, dramatic action, characters, and style. Students will read a new play every week; assignments include weekly in-class writing exercises and short critical papers.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism OR U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course focuses on key 20th century contemporary choreographers across four continents, including LIN Hwai-min, Pina Bausch, Akram Khan, and Ohad Naharin, among others. We examine the international impact of their work as well the cultural contexts in which they thrived, or are thriving, as artists. We compare their creative processes, aesthetics and philosophies. We examine the political, social, and spiritual power of their artistic lives and bodies of work, with special attention to issues of race and gender.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course grounds students in the technical and construction practices of performance-making: materials and their sources and histories; conventional and contemporary technologies and techniques; quantitative methods for calculating and assessing drawings for execution. A balance of lecture and hands-on studio time allow students to learn and apply knowledge through working with materials. Students in this course also may provide support to mainstage performance projects, further extending their learning in the course. Department provides course materials. Appropriate for First-Year students.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q1

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course grounds students in the technical and construction practices of performance-making: materials and their sources and histories; conventional and contemporary technologies and techniques; quantitative methods for calculating and assessing drawings for execution. A balance of lecture and hands-on studio time allow students to learn and apply knowledge through working with materials. Students in this course also may provide support to mainstage performance projects, further extending their learning in the course. Department provides course materials. Appropriate for First-Year students.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Students will work to discover their own voice in this class. Habits that have formed in the body will be worked on to free the voice and allow for its true potential to exist. Breathing and relaxation exercises, and developing a sense of body awareness and presence will all be a part of the journey of the class. Improvisation and games will be used as tools to help define openness, balance and creativity, strength and vulnerability. Students will consult various books and memorize a number of texts. Students are asked to write responses to readings, a report on a book of the instructor's choice, a report on a Macalester theater production, and a review of one professional play. A large part of a student's grade depends on the thoroughness and rigor of their work, as well as how much they develop and improve their skills throughout the semester. Students are expected attend and participate in all classes and to complete all assignments. There is one required book for the class, The Actor Speaks, by Patsy Rodenburg.​ Prerequisite(s): No previous acting or performance experience necessary.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course is the study and discipline of dance-making. Students learn the tools of the choreographer - time, space, energy - and how they can be shaped to give the body expressive power. The relationships between form, content, and technique are explored. Students choreograph short studies, improvise, discuss, and view dance on film and in live performance. The course values risk-taking and collaboration in a supportive, shared space. Through the creative process, we seek energy from a sense of investigation as opposed to the pressure to "succeed". The solo form is emphasized. May be repeated for credit.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Making theatre is a messy business; in this studio course, we will explore physical comedy, the haphazard world of the clown, masks, improvisation, games, and object manipulation. The goal of the course is to encourage curiosity, and to engage the student as creator, designer, and performer-we will invent everything ourselves by learning how to play with skill. In short: there are no scripts, no lines and no stage directions. Our training will include basic acrobatics, balancing, and juggling. The instructor draws inspiration from the work of French stage actor and movement coach Jacques Lecoq. Prerequisite(s): Performance training in dance or theater is strongly encouraged. Openness to experimentation and play a must.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Scenography is the creation of imagined spaces for performance. In this course we will study the fundamentals of scenography holistically, including scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design. Students will develop the ability to analyze and critique elements of performance design, articulate design ideas through written and verbal means, and complete a design project from textual analysis to tangible objects. This course is a prerequisite for intermediate and advanced design courses in Theater and Dance. Department provides course materials.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q1

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

In this course, students engage in a series of playwriting exercises and read a wide variety of plays. They will read new and contemporary plays that employ different storytelling techniques (i.e., structure, character arcs, staging elements, etc.), embrace the unlimited possibilities of theatricality, and exemplify why we write for the stage. Students will develop a "playwriting toolkit" as they explore their artistic interests following the conventions of time-bound pieces: the 1-minute, 5-minute, 10-minute, and ultimately one-act form. In-class exercises and prompts, and small-group workshopping and reading will challenge each writer's individual development. A midterm and final play reading series of one-acts will allow students to hear their work in a supportive public setting. May be repeated for credit.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WC

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

The camera has a way of capturing truth in an unflinching way. The acting techniques needed to be able to communicate honestly and authentically are magnified when acting for the camera. This class will explore the expression of truth for both drama and comedy while building acting skills uniquely required for film and video. Students will develop critical response techniques that will enable constructive feedback. With the current industry trend towards video content, this class will give a strong foundation to succeed in any of the various film and video platforms.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course is an introduction to the techniques and tools of scene painting. Students willbe introduced to terminology and a variety of tools to explore faux finishes, abstracttechniques, and realistic reproductions. Students will also have a chance to participate inpainting the Theater department Spring productions to test their skills. Prior experiencewith painting is helpful, but not required. All materials will be provided.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Join the conversations around class and the development of the labor movement in the US from the late 1800s to the present day through the lens of the theater and the people who worked in it. We will ask how the economic and political landscape shaped their working conditions, and how the arts themselves then shaped that same landscape. We will engage with this great conversation through 9-10 plays on power, labor and class struggle and analyze them in their context both as pieces of theatrical entertainment and political statements. Throughout the semester, students will also research parallel developments in other parts of the world and will present a research and analysis paper comparing and contrasting their findings with the material presented in class. Not appropriate for First-Year students.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

By examining key movements in dance and theater history from the late 19th century to the present, this seminar explores the active relationship between theoretical thought and aesthetic innovation on stage. Through close readings of primary, secondary, and critical texts, the course highlights the ways in which dance and theater advanced movement by movement, each “ism” a reaction to what came before, and how the transformation from historical avant-garde to experimental contemporary performance represents dynamic and cumulative ruptures with the mainstream. Ultimately, they shape how we imagine, see, and create dance and theater today. Students’ work in this seminar will culminate in an individual critical writing project. Required for Theatre and Dance majors.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Theater students are involved in production as actors, assistant directors, assistant designers or designers, and dramaturgs. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): auditions and interviews, relevant coursework.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This is a beginning ballet class designed for students who have never had ballet before. The goal is to demonstrate fundamental understanding and execution of basic ballet technique and to develop a foundation in movement that will carry over and support any other style of dance or physical practice. It will include barre and center work, across-the-floor combinations, and stretching and strengthening practices. Correct alignment, coordination, and body mechanics will be emphasized. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This course introduces students to fundamental characteristics, techniques, and principles of Urban and Street Dance. This spring, the course will focus specifically on Breaking. The class will dive into the typical movements, histories and origins of this urban dance style. We are going into deep detail using theories and concepts that can help our minds, bodies and spirits connect further and deeper to the styles themselves. This class will allow your own identity and way of motion to be in the forefront. The course is physically rigorous, and emphasizes community building. No experience required. All are welcome. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Dances of the African Diaspora II deepens student engagement with selected dance forms from the African diaspora, especially those coming from West Africa and that emerged in the Caribbean and the Americas. The course is physically rigorous and emphasizes community building. A drummer accompanies the class, so students experience the fundamental connection between drums and dance as they learn the histories, techniques, and characteristics of Diasporic movement forms. Assignments include movement projects developed in class and presentations. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): THDA 21 or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This is a beginning intermediate level ballet class for students who have acquired a foundation in the basic skills of classical ballet or have successfully completed THDA 51. Students will be expected to develop or expand their ballet technique while continuing to grow as dance artists. This class will consist of ballet barre and center work, simple pirouettes and the development of basic petit allegro steps. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): THDA 22 (Beginning Ballet) or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This course builds on skills introduced in Modern Dance I. Students engage fully with their bodies and minds as they deepen their strength, flexibility, and felt sense of alignment and flow. Emphasis is placed on deepening precision, sense of rhythm, and anatomical awareness of the body in motion. Class consists of in-place warm-ups, traveling across the floor, and final combinations. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): THDA 24 or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This is an advanced level ballet class for students who have achieved an advanced level of skill and artistry in classical ballet. Students will be expected to expand and develop their ballet technique while continuing to grow as dance artists. It will include barre work, pirouettes ending in all positions, and petit allegro with beats. Combinations will increase in complexity and students will be expected to pick up material quickly. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

The purpose of this technique class is to allow the intermediate to advanced modern dance student to explore and discover themselves as an articulate and expressive mover. Classwork places specific emphasis on alignment, power, momentum, articulation, clarity of intent, musicality and stamina. Class consists of in-place warm-ups, center exercises and a range of dance phrases. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): THDA 42 or THDA 43 or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Students are involved in Theater and Dance Department productions as actors or dancers in student-led pieces. Performance Practice in Student Projects is the appropriate course when students will not work under direct supervision of a faculty member, but are part of a student director's or student choreographer's work in an Honors production or Dance Concert. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. S/N grading only.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Students are involved in production as actors or dancers, assistant choreographers or choreographers, assistant directors or directors, assistant designers or designers, dramaturgs and playwrights. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor required; please contact the Theater and Dance Department directly for audition and registration information

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Students are involved in production as actors or dancers, assistant choreographers or choreographers, assistant directors or directors, assistant designers or designers, dramaturgs and playwrights. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor required; please contact the Theater and Dance Department directly for audition and registration information

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Students are involved in production as actors or dancers, assistant choreographers or choreographers, assistant directors or directors, assistant designers or designers, dramaturgs and playwrights. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor required; please contact the Theater and Dance Department directly for audition and registration information

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Students are involved in set, costume, lighting and sound engineering and construction, and running crew. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor required; please see instructor to be added to registration roster

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

In this course, first-year students critically attend live dance and theater performances in the exciting arts scene of the Twin Cities, and articulate their individual reactions by writing reviews, responses, and essays. In this process of studied spectatorship, students acquire the vocabularies of the field. Readings include seminal texts in dance and theatre criticism, as well as manifestos and scholarly articles. We will attend dance and theater performances at professional venues such as the Walker Arts Center, the Guthrie, Penumbra Theatre, Mixed Blood, Northrop Auditorium, and Cowles Center. This course is typically reserved for incoming first-years and not open to returning students. Only offered as a First-Year Course.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

In this course, first-year students critically attend live dance and theater performances in the exciting arts scene of the Twin Cities, and articulate their individual reactions by writing reviews, responses, and essays. In this process of studied spectatorship, students acquire the vocabularies of the field. Readings include seminal texts in dance and theatre criticism, as well as manifestos and scholarly articles. We will attend dance and theater performances at professional venues such as the Walker Arts Center, the Guthrie, Penumbra Theatre, Mixed Blood, Northrop Auditorium, and Cowles Center. This course is typically reserved for incoming first-years and not open to returning students. Only offered as a First-Year Course.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Reading Plays guides students in close readings of dramatic literature, in particular of plays that are typically left out of the traditional theatrical canon. Students will learn about the socio-historical context of each play, and in-class exercises will introduce them to the foundation of script analysis: they will examine the play’s given circumstances, dialogue, dramatic action, characters, and style. Students will read a new play every week; assignments include weekly in-class writing exercises and short critical papers. Some playwrights we may explore are: Ayad Akhtar, Jaclyn Backhaus, Christopher Chen, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, Prince Gomolvilas, David Henry Hwang, Naomi Iizuka, Rajiv Joseph, Hansol Jung, Haruna Lee, Kimber Lee, Young Jean Lee, Qui Nguyen, Jiehae Park, Lloyd Suh, Kristina Wong, Lauren Yee, and Chay Yew.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism OR U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Reading Plays guides students in the close reading of dramatic literature, focusing specifically on plays that are often overlooked in the traditional theatrical canon. This Fall 2025 edition will emphasize texts from both the classic and contemporary Black Theatre canon. Students will learn about the socio-historical context of each play, and in-class exercises will introduce them to the fundamentals of script analysis. They will examine the play's given circumstances, structure, dialogue, dramatic questions, characters, and style. Each week, we will focus on a different playwright to deepen our understanding of American theatre through the lens of Black and African American artists. Students will write weekly reflections to enhance their ability to articulate how the plays and playwrights we study address the Black experience in America. For their midterm and final projects, students will curate a theatrical season based on the plays we've read and discussed in class. These papers will explore how the plays relate to one another by reflecting on history, sharing cultural narratives, and examining the ongoing impact of their content on today's audience.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course introduces students to the art of acting. They will acquire fundamental acting skills and engage in artistic experimentation. Students will learn how to create a repeatable score of psychophysical actions, script analysis, use the body/voice as the actor’s performing instrument; explore internal (memory, impulses, and so forth) and external (the other actors, the environment, objects, and so forth) stimuli as creative sources; rediscover of play and imagination; and develop work ethics and discipline. Students in this course will engage in physical activity and be required to spend 3-5 hours in rehearsals outside of scheduled class time. Appropriate for first years.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course introduces students to the art of acting. They will acquire fundamental acting skills and engage in artistic experimentation. Students will learn how to create a repeatable score of psychophysical actions, script analysis, use the body/voice as the actor’s performing instrument; explore internal (memory, impulses, and so forth) and external (the other actors, the environment, objects, and so forth) stimuli as creative sources; rediscover of play and imagination; and develop work ethics and discipline. Students in this course will engage in physical activity and be required to spend 3-5 hours in rehearsals outside of scheduled class time. Appropriate for first years.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course focuses on dance in the United States from the early 20th century to today with attention to how it has interacted with the nation’s cultural transformations. The historical study of dance as an embodied art form inevitably lends itself to an intersectional examination of how gender, race, ethnicity, and class experiences continually reflect and shape individual as well as collective identities. We will examine dance forms that have grown in and outside of concert halls, discuss seminal texts in dance and cultural studies, analyze dance videos and live performances, and write short papers that critically consider the relationship between the histories of American dance and culture over the last century.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This fall, Voice in Performance will focus on Shakespeare in preparation for THDA’s spring production of a play by this author. Students in Voice in Performance will have preference at the time of casting. Students will work to discover their own voice in this class. Habits that have formed in the body will be worked on to free the voice and allow for its true potential to exist. Breathing and relaxation exercises, and developing a sense of body awareness and presence will all be a part of the journey of the class. Improvisation and games will be used as tools to help define openness, balance and creativity, strength and vulnerability. Students will consult various books and memorize a number of texts. Students are asked to write responses to readings, a report on a book of the instructor's choice, a report on a Macalester theater production, and a review of one professional play. A large part of a student's grade depends on the thoroughness and rigor of their work, as well as how much they develop and improve their skills throughout the semester. Students are expected to attend and participate in all classes and to complete all assignments. There is one required book for the class, Speaking Shakespeare by Patsy Rodenburg. Frequency: Offered occasionally.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Scenography is the creation of imagined spaces for performance. In this course we will study the fundamentals of scenography holistically, including scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design. Students will develop the ability to analyze and critique elements of performance design, articulate design ideas through written and verbal means, and complete a design project from textual analysis to tangible objects. This course is a prerequisite for intermediate and advanced design courses in Theater and Dance. Department provides course materials.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q1

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

In this course, students engage in a series of playwriting exercises and read a wide variety of plays. They will read new and contemporary plays that employ different storytelling techniques (i.e., structure, character arcs, staging elements, etc.), in order to embrace the unlimited possibilities of theatricality, exemplifying why we write for the stage. Students will develop a "playwriting toolkit" as they explore their artistic interests. In-class exercises, prompts, small-group workshopping, and related readings will challenge each writer’s individual development. A mid-term check-in and in-class readings of final plays will allow students to hear their work out loud in a supportive public setting. May be repeated for credit.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WC

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course will provide the student with an introduction to the creative and technical process of sound design in contemporary theater. Through lecture, demonstration, and projects, students will learn the aesthetic of sound design, the basic science of sound, audio software, and the process of collaboration. Students will acquire the skills to analyze and research a script; to edit, manipulate, and program sound files; and to present and defend design projects.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q1

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

Students in this class will engage with costume design as both generative and collaborative artists. They will learn to conceptualize costumes for theater and dance productions drawing from a multitude of inspirations including the fine arts, costume/fashion history, music, literature, film, opera, and textiles. Class meetings will include discussions about readings and visual literacy, as well as hands-on exploration of a real-world design process including research, drawing and painting renderings, budgeting, fittings, and oral presentations of designs. Students will engage with both traditional and devised methods of developing characters and silhouettes to develop their unique vision for theatrical and dance productions. There will be 1-2 field trips to visit key resource locations for costume designers.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course will introduce students to the multi-faceted responsibilities of the stage manager in theatrical stage productions. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, site visits and group discussion, students will learn the responsibilities and tools of managing any collaborative creative team. Each student will either Stage Manage or Assistant Stage Manage a THDA Production during the year. By the end of this course, students will have developed core proficiencies in note-taking, information management, giving written & verbal feedback, collaboration, leadership, communication, conflict intervention, decision making and team organization. Students receive 2 credits per semester, but only after two consecutive semesters of enrollment. Appropriate for First Years.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

By examining key movements in dance and theater history from the late 19th century to the present, this seminar explores the active relationship between theoretical thought and aesthetic innovation on stage. Through close readings of primary, secondary, and critical texts, the course highlights the ways in which dance and theater advanced movement by movement, each “ism” a reaction to what came before, and how the transformation from historical avant-garde to experimental contemporary performance represents dynamic and cumulative ruptures with the mainstream. Ultimately, they shape how we imagine, see, and create dance and theater today. Work in this class will support learning theories and methodologies for a larger project, such as a capstone and Honors thesis, or projects, as well as independent research in theater, dance, and other forms of live performance. Required for Theatre and Dance majors. Frequency: every fall.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course prepares advanced theater students to direct scenes for public performances, and thus focuses on the acquisition of skills such as text analysis, dynamic storytelling, stage composition, and communication. Students will choose a scene from a play proposed by the instructor, research style and aesthetic, facilitate a rehearsal process, and stage a live performance. They will also learn best collaborative practices, since the class unfolds in conversation with the Acting courses (THDA 120) and culminates in public performances at the James A. Williams Theater. Frequency: every fall. Prerequisite(s): THDA 120 or THDA 235 or THDA 360, or permission of the instructor.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course prepares advanced theater students to direct scenes for public performances, and thus focuses on the acquisition of skills such as text analysis, dynamic storytelling, stage composition, and communication. Students will choose a scene from a play proposed by the instructor, research style and aesthetic, facilitate a rehearsal process, and stage a live performance. They will also learn best collaborative practices, since the class unfolds in conversation with the Acting courses (THDA 120) and culminates in public performances at the James A. Williams Theater. Frequency: every fall. Prerequisite(s): THDA 120 or THDA 235 or THDA 360, or permission of the instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This course prepares advanced theater students to direct scenes for public performances, and thus focuses on the acquisition of skills such as text analysis, dynamic storytelling, stage composition, and communication. Students will choose a scene from a play proposed by the instructor, research style and aesthetic, facilitate a rehearsal process, and stage a live performance. They will also learn best collaborative practices, since the class unfolds in conversation with the Acting courses (THDA 120) and culminates in public performances at the James A. Williams Theater. Frequency: every fall. Prerequisite(s): THDA 120 or THDA 235 or THDA 360, or permission of the instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

In this course, we will examine recent theater and film from all over the francophone world, with a focus on three main topics: the act of writing and performing while living in exile, the idea of the Other on the stage, and the development of colonial and post-colonial subjects in francophone drama. The form of each work that we study will vary widely, from classical theater to minimalist contemporary staging. In addition to literary and cultural analyses, we will explore three different aspects of theater production: acting, directing, and writing, with projects in French for each of those roles.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WC

Distribution Requirements:
Fine arts

Course Materials

This dynamic course invites students to dive into the vibrant world of dances of the African Diaspora, where movement, music, rhythm, and history come together. In 2025-26, students will explore the rich cultural heritage of the African Diaspora in Brazil, especially the forms Capoeira, Samba, and Maculelê. The course begins with energizing warm-up exercises designed to prepare the body for the flow and intensity of these dance forms. Through embodied practice, students will develop foundational skills, strengthen the connection between dance and music, learn about diasporic history, and engage in community building. Readings include “Capoeira’s Incredible Roots: Brazil’s Unique Art Form,” “The Cultural History of Brazilian Samba Music,” and “Maculele, history of this lesser known martial arts from Brazil,” among others. May be repeated for credit. No experience necessary. Letter grading.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This is a beginning ballet class designed for students who have never had ballet before. The goal is to demonstrate fundamental understanding and execution of basic ballet technique and to develop a foundation in movement that will carry over and support any other style of dance or physical practice. It will include barre and center work, across-the-floor combinations, and stretching and strengthening practices. Correct alignment, coordination, and body mechanics will be emphasized. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This class introduces students to the process of spontaneously creating movement, and the art of composing in the moment. Creative exploration is facilitated using a variety of movement scores and structures, working with the elements of time, space, quality, sensory experiences and perception. This course emphasizes collaboration and community, as well as individual agency within that framework. Through a kinesthetic lens, using curiosity and awareness, we will delve into who we are and how we move through the world. The class includes an introduction to Contact Improvisation, the "art-sport" developed by Steve Paxton in 1972. Come with a desire to move, an open mind and a willingness to explore in a non-competitive environment. Open to students with any level of previous experience in dance and movement, from beginning to advanced. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This dynamic introductory course invites you to explore contemporary dance, where movement becomes a language and the body transforms into a canvas of expression. Through a fusion of physicality and creativity, you will awaken your body and mind. This course will guide you to acquire foundational dance skills, pushing the boundaries of strength and flexibility, and the fluidity of alignment and flow. Each class is rooted in growth and rediscovery through dance movements. You will refine your physical awareness, discovering new dimensions of the body in motion as you join a community of movers. No experience necessary. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This course introduces students to fundamental characteristics, techniques, and principles of Breaking/Breakdance. The class will dive into the typical movements, histories and origins of this urban dance style. We are going to deep detail using theories and concepts that can help our minds, bodies and spirit connect further and deeper to the styles themselves. This class will allow your own identity and way of motion to be in the forefront. The course is physically rigorous, and emphasizes community building. We will utilize class time to learn and discuss the history of Breaking and its evolution by reading the book The Birth of Breaking by Serouj "Midus" Aprahamian. No experience required. All are welcome. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This is a beginning intermediate level ballet class for students who have acquired a foundation in the basic skills of classical ballet or have successfully completed THDA 51. Students will be expected to develop or expand their ballet technique while continuing to grow as dance artists. This class will consist of ballet barre and center work, simple pirouettes and the development of basic petit allegro steps. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): THDA 51, 22, or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Designed for intermediate to advanced dancers, the class invites you to explore the nuances of alignment, momentum, and articulation, while honing the relationship between movement and musicality. Each session is a dynamic blend of warm-ups, center exercises and dance phrases that challenge both body and mind. Building on the foundation of Beginning Contemporary Dance (or with permission of instructor), this course is a space to refine your expression, precision, and stamina. You will expand your technical skills to let your movement speak with clarity and power. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): THDA 41, 24 or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

This is an advanced level ballet class for students who have achieved an advanced level of skill and artistry in classical ballet. Students will be expected to expand and develop their ballet technique while continuing to grow as dance artists. It will include barre work, pirouettes ending in all positions, and petit allegro with beats. Combinations will increase in complexity and students will be expected to pick up material quickly. May be repeated for credit. Letter grading. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Students are involved in Theater and Dance Department productions as actors or dancers in student-led pieces. Performance Practice in Student Projects is the appropriate course when students will not work under direct supervision of a faculty member, but are part of a student director's or student choreographer's work in an Honors production or Dance Concert. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. S/N grading only.

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Course Materials

Students are involved in production as actors or dancers, assistant choreographers or choreographers, assistant directors or directors, assistant designers or designers, dramaturgs and playwrights. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor required; please contact the Theater and Dance Department directly for audition and registration information

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Course Materials

Students are involved in set, costume, lighting and sound engineering and construction, and running crew. Two credits awarded at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor required; please see instructor to be added to registration roster

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials