Department Head: Mr. Randal Blades
344 Stone Center
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre
The mission of the Jacksonville State University Theatre and Film Department is to provide a strong liberal arts education while promoting respect for and appreciation of the art of theatre and film. Through an academically rigorous and supportive, creative environment, we cultivate critical thinking, analysis, and skills for artistic expression needed to build a career, while providing opportunities for higher level development within our students' chosen specialties. We also seek to produce a multifaceted, high quality, and challenging theatrical experience on our stage to enrich the university and surrounding communities.
The Department of Theatre and Film offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Arts in Film. Students majoring in Theatre must choose a concentration in either Performance or Production.
The Bachelor of Arts in Film is an interdisciplinary degree with coursework in Film, Theatre, English, and Art.
The Department of Theatre and Film also offers a minor in Theatre and a minor in Film and Entertainment Technology.
Theatre
An introductory theatre course for non-majors that highlights the intrinsic and transferrable skills central to performance. Course focuses on observation and analysis of verbal and nonverbal communication, ensemble building, emotional intelligence, and the many facets of character and audience, ultimately examining what it means “to perform” in a public setting.
The appreciation of theatre as an expressive art form and as a business. A general survey of acting, directing, designing, playwriting, and audience participation.
Prerequisite(s): Theatre major or minor, or instructor approval.
Introduces foundational acting concepts and techniques for developing a role through points of training including improvisation, character and scene study, and analysis, primarily using Stanislavski’s system.
Active participation in the department's plays in the areas of scenery construction, painting, lighting, costumes, and make-up. This course is repeatable for a maximum of two (2) credit hours.
Advanced strategies for developing an appreciation for theatre as an art form.
The examination and application of the theories and exercises of movement and physicality for performance. Emphasis placed on physical health as well as the imaginative and artistic use of the whole body in the development of acting roles, including potential topics such as stage combat and period deportment.
Prerequisite(s): THR 242.
A study of analytical tools and critical approaches to theatrical texts for production, design, and performance.
Experiments in the basics of acting. Limit 1 hour credit per semester.
Corequisite(s): THR 250.
Introduction to theatre technology, including scenery construction and painting, properties, lighting, and sound.
An introduction to the principles and techniques of theatrical design.
An acting course designed to deepen character and ensemble acting work through the exploration of various vocal techniques focused on diction, pronunciation, intonation, vocal placement and production, and character voice.
An assessment of the student's progress and potential for successful completion of the degree requirements. Grades: Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite(s): THR 246 and approval of instructor.
Fundamental principles of theatrical directing.
Prerequisite(s): THR 246.
Exercises in preparing actors for auditions and portfolio review.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Techniques for the development and presentation of a professional portfolio for theatrical designers, technicians and stage managers.
Prerequisite(s): THR 246 or equivalent.
Course focuses on an actor’s training with classical material, including advanced scene and monologue work from various classical and period plays, especially those involving verse and heightened language. Special attention will be paid to Shakespearean textual analysis and scene work.
Prerequisite(s): Two hours of THR 250 or permission of instructor.
Active participation in the department's plays in the areas of scenery construction, painting, lighting, costumes, make-up, management, or performance. Production assignments arranged through Theatre and Film faculty. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of two (2) hours.
Prerequisite(s): THR 242.
Study of basic script and screenplay writing techniques and the development of skills for writing scripts and screenplays.
Conditions under which the great plays of the world have been produced. Audience, actors, patrons, physical conditions, architecture, and the relation to the other arts: Antiquity to 1600. (Writing Intensive Course)
Conditions under which the great plays of the world have been produced. Audience, actors, patrons, physical conditions, architecture, and the relation to the other arts: 1600 to present.
Prerequisite(s): THR 285.
Principles and problems of staging in arena, thrust, proscenium, and flexible theatres. Designs for settings of plays in models and perspective rendering.
Prerequisite(s): THR 371.
Advanced principles and problems of staging in arena, thrust, proscenium, and flexible theatres. Designs for settings of plays in models and perspective rendering.
A practical study of stage management duties, responsibilities, procedures, and organization during auditions, rehearsals, production meetings, and performance.
Exploration of basic design elements and fabrics and their culmination into stage costume: period, character, and stylized.
Prerequisite(s): THR 377.
Advanced exploration of the elements and principles of costume design, rendering characters and fabrics, and exploration of period and stylized costumes.
Experiments in the basics of acting. Limit 1 hour credit per semester. Major production assignments in the department's plays in the areas of scenery, management, painting, lighting, costumes, and makeup or other technical/design assignment arranged with theatre faculty.
Scope and development of puppetry throughout the world. Practical experience in the design, making, and performing puppets.
Prerequisite(s): THR 284.
Exploration and application of lighting, sound, and projection technology for theatre.
Prerequisite(s): THR 284.
A practical carpentry course that explores specialized woodworking and finishing techniques for the stage including scenery, furniture, tools, and materials.
Principles and problems of lighting for mood and effect in play production.
Creation of straight, character, middle-age, old-age, beards, rubber prosthesis, and stylized make-up to aid the actor.
History of costume as to styles, period fabrics, construction, and movement for theatrical performance.
Introduction to the principles of sound and the equipment used in sound production with an emphasis on digital audio, computer based editing, and Midi.
Techniques of scene painting to include drop painting, perspective illusion, lighting consideration, budget, and equipment.
Basics of construction of stage costumes; alteration and repair of existing costumes, and the implementation of professional costume shop practices.
Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by department. May be duplicated for credit; however, only three (3) credits may be applied toward any major or minor. Infrequently scheduled and subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit required.
Prerequisite(s): FLM 231, FLM 232, and FLM 235.
Fundamental theories and practices of cinematography and editing for film and video. Practical cinematography exercises will utilize small, professional grade HD cameras in location settings. Editing exercise will utilize professional offline editing software to complete a small group-produced short film.
Prerequisite(s): THR 284.
Development of scenic drafting techniques for production, including floor plans, elevations, sections and working drawings.
Prerequisite(s): THR 246.
Advanced acting scenes and approaches to performances.
Prerequisite(s): THR 246 or equivalent.
Advanced acting techniques and approaches to performance, including work from non-traditional texts and styles (non-Realism, non-Western, avant-garde) and non-Stanislavsky-based acting techniques. Focuses on intensive scene work and complex character challenges.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Major production assignments in the department's plays in the areas of scenery, management, painting, lighting, costumes, and makeup or other technical/design assignment arranged with theatre faculty.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Major production assignments in the department's plays in the areas of scenery, management, painting, lighting, costumes, and makeup or other technical/design assignment arranged with theatre faculty.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Major production assignments in the department's plays in the areas of scenery, management, painting, lighting, costumes, and makeup or other technical/design assignment arranged with theatre faculty.
Dance for musical theatre; a practical application of dance and movement in performance.
An investigation into the major theories of drama from Aristotle to the present. Extensive reading of play scripts as well as analytical works.
A historical study of musical theatre in America from 1735 to the present. Emphasis is on theme, composers, performers, producers, and choreographers.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Individually designed and supervised research projects or production assignments.
Advanced study of theatrical literature, research or performance studies. Topics will rotate. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of nine hours.
Advanced study of theatrical design or technical areas. Topics will rotate. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of nine hours.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Major performance roles in the areas of acting, directing, movement, and playwriting.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Major performance roles in the areas of acting, directing, movement, and playwriting.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Major performance roles in the areas of acting, directing, movement, and playwriting.
Advanced work in performance techniques. Topics will rotate. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of nine hours.
Prerequisite(s): THR 387.
Advanced makeup techniques for theatre, film, and television. Creation of false teeth and prosthetics for three dimensional, old-age, and specialty makeup.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and instructor's permission.
Directed practicum in one of these areas: acting, directing, design, management, technology, or theatre education. (Writing Intensive Course)
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and permission of instructor.
Students will gain experience within an area of their specialization in a professional theatre setting. Grades: Pass/Fail.
Film
This course provides a forum for assigned readings and discussion of ideas in response to a current issue/event. The topic of the course will vary. May be repeated for a total of three credit hours.
Introduction to film terminology, history, and theory; overview of the film-making process from concept to completion.
Introduction to film production and technical crew positions. Best practices and techniques in lighting, audio, grip and other production positions with an emphasis on recognized safety standards.
Prerequisite(s): FLM 231.
Introduction to camera set up, operation, types, and lenses. Basic film techniques, including composition, setting up shots, and introductory setting.
Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by department. May be duplicated for credit; however only three (3) credit hours may be applied to toward any major or minor. Subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit required.
Prerequisite(s): 12 hours of 300+ level coursework in the major and permission of department head.
Students will receive on-the-job training and experience in an area relating to film. This course may be repeated for credit to a maximum of six (6) hours.
Prerequisite(s): Film majors with senior standing and permission of department head.
Capstone experience for film majors.