Franklin & Marshall College

Theatre

A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and can be subject to change.

Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.

CORE COURSES

TDF105. World Theatre to 1700. (A) (NW) Every Fall

Surveys developments in literature, history and performance traditions in both Eastern and Western cultures. Recommended for theatre courses at or above the 300-level. Silberman

TDF106. World Theatre, 1700-1945. (A) (NW) Every Spring

Continues study of literature, history and performance traditions to the present. Recommended for theatre courses at or above the 300-level. Silberman

TDF221. Stagecraft. (A) Every Fall

Study of theatrical technical processes through lectures, demonstrations and individual hands-on training in basic set construction, scene painting, lighting and running-crew positions. Emphasis will be given to the duties of the stage manager and technical director. Marenick

TDF286. Beginning Acting Workshop. (A) Every Semester

Theory and practice of acting focused on individual and group communication. Work through voice and movement exercises, improvisation, text analysis, scene study and performance. Colli, Silberman

TDF385. Performance Seminar. (A) Every Semester

Combines performance work in theatre with research and analysis relevant to the given production, including the work of actors and technicians. (0.5 credit per semester; may be repeated for credit). Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Colli, Silberman

TDF495. Senior Seminar. (A) Every Fall

Designed as a culminating analytical and creative experience for senior majors, the course explores a challenging critical topic as a means toward integrating each student's knowledge and experience of the various theatrical disciplines. Colli

COURSES IN DESIGN

TDF221. Stagecraft. (A) Every Fall

See description under "Core Courses." Marenick

TDF225. Costume Design. (A) Every Spring

The process of designing a costume, from analyzing the script through the finished product. Examines the history of Western costume and other designers' work. Projects will allow students to apply theory, technique and research in achieving their own designs. West

TDF228. Scene Design. (A) Every Fall

Emphasizes the design process and the visual idea and analyzes designs and designers. Students prepare models and renderings of assigned productions. Same as ART 228. Whiting

TDF229. Lighting Design. (A) Every Spring

Explores theoretical fundamentals of light and visual perception and the process of lighting design from concept through execution. Whiting

COURSES IN ACTING AND DIRECTING

TDF111. First-Year Seminar: Solo Performance. (A) (W) Fall 2011

This course will consider the poetics of solo performance art. The course's practical focus will be split between writing/theorizing on solo performance and the creation of original performance pieces. Silberman

TDF286. Beginning Acting Workshop. (A) Every Semester

See description under "Core Courses."

TDF287. Intermediate Acting Workshop: Classical Theatre. (A) Fall 2012

Theory and practice of acting focused on skills necessary to understand and perform Shakespeare's classical verse as well as action based acting. Audition technique will also be introduced. C. Davis

TDF288. Intermediate Acting Workshop: Realism. (A) Fall 2011

Theory and practice of Stanislavski realism as explored through script analysis and performance of selected plays. Prerequisite: TDF 286. Sherman

TDF289. Intermediate Acting Workshop: Presentational Acting. (A) Spring 2012

Theory and practice of acting techniques needed to perform non-realistic scripts. Prerequisite: TDF 286. Sherman

TDF386. Directing Lab. (A) Spring 2012

Under the guidance of faculty, students direct plays for public performance. Areas of concentration include: developing a production concept, dramaturgical research, visual composition, casting, rehearsal schedules, budgeting, etc. Prerequisite: TDF 286 and permission. C. Davis

ELECTIVES

TDF211. Shakespeare. (A) Spring 2013

Centering upon Shakespeare's plays, the course emphasizes their theatrical and dramatic features; explores their original performance contexts; considers later productions; and draws upon the growing archive of film versions. Students will both analyze texts and approach performance possibilities as either actors or designers. C. Davis

TDF250. 20th Century European Drama. (A) Spring 2012

Beginning with Ibsen and continuing to the postmodern experiments of Churchill and Muller, this course surveys representative European plays within a broad historical, philosophical and artistic context. Naturalism, realism, impressionism, expressionism, the Theatre of Cruelty and alienation, among others, are considered in connection to specific plays. Silberman

TDF251. Modern American Drama. (A) Fall 2012

A literary and theatrical examination of representative American drama from the Revolution to the present, emphasizing developments since 1920. The focus of this study is on how and why Americans have been depicted onstage as they have and the powerful effect this range of depictions has had on American identity and the American imagination. Same as AMS/ENG 251. C. Davis

TDF383. Dramatic Writing. (A) Fall 2011

The writing of short plays under close supervision. Same as ENG 383. Silberman

TDF490. Independent Study. (A) Every Semester

Independent study directed by the theatre, Dance and Film staff. Permission of chairperson.