Theatre & Dance (TAD)
This experiential course explores the fundamentals of the art and craft of acting. Our work will include play and performance analysis, class exercises, and collaborative projects.
This experimental dance course addresses issues of identity, culture, and ethics through personal movement exploration and analysis of master works from turning points in modern dance history. Includes dance technique, composition, and research methods from the field of performance studies.
This studio dance course will address the aesthetics and philosophies of selected cultural dance and performance traditions. This course includes dance technique, improvisation, composition, and research methods from the field of performance studies. Students will gain a lens into the specific culture through dance's unique language and history.
In this course students will discover new and innovative ways to utilize movement in various classroom settings. Students will explore our own instinctual embodiment and relationship to movement and learning.
Students will be introduced to different ways arts companies are structured and managed, with a focus on not-for-profit organizations. The course will provide an in-depth exploration of opportunities for creating start-up arts businesses, combining projects tailored to individual students' interests, case studies, and discussion.
Students will be introduced to how arts organizations communicate with different constituencies, both internal and external. The course will cover marketing, communication, development/fundraising, and social media, combining projects tailored to individual students' interests, case studies, and discussion.
How do arts organizations intersect, serve as agents for community vibrancy, and economic development? Students engage with Regional Directors, analyze local arts organizations, work on regional asset mapping, and share their research with local leaders. The hands-on approach of this course provides students with a stake in the regional economy.
In Foundations we lay the groundwork for an exciting 4-year journey in search of artistic voice. Students explore aesthetics, the creative process, and who, what, where, why and when one identifies as an artist. In TAD-492 Capstone, students will reflect on the development of their artistic voice.
An introduction to modern dance, designed to enable students to experientially understand and appreciate this art form, its discipline and its creativity. Includes basic modern dance technique and movement principles, modern dance history, and fundamentals of dance composition.
Practical training in the following areas of technical theatre: tools and materials, scenic and costume construction, lighting, stage facilities, and safety.
Production training in the scene shop. Projects are assigned according to Theatre and Dance department production needs. Projects will include: scenic construction, painting, lighting, rigging, sound, props. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
Production training in the costume shop. Projects are assigned according to Theatre and Dance department production needs. Projects will include: costume construction, accessories, maintenance, load-in, and strike. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
Introduces the foundational brain-to-body work that aligns the voice and body to support artistic fluidity in the creative art of communication. Students engage in movement and vocal exercises that provide kinesthetic awareness, aid relaxation and release tension that negatively impacts expressive capabilities of artists, dancers, or educator.
Continuation in the study and experience of contemporary/modern dance as an art form through the development of dance technique and further exploration of movement, composition, and performance principles. Includes contemporary/modern dance technique, partnering/contact improvisation, and development of the choreographic craft. May be repeated once for credit.
An introductory course in jazz dance with emphasis placed on rhythm manipulation, jazz movement vocabulary, and stylistic contrasts encompassed by jazz. Background in modern dance technique recommended.
A basic course in ballet technique. Emphasis placed on anatomic and kinesthetic principles, experiential anatomy, and competency in the ballet vocabulary. May be repeated once for credit. Students may not change course sections after the first 5 days of the semester.
Basic principles and techniques in a specific theatre craft, i.e., rigging, scenic painting, properties, lighting technology, or sound editing. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
Basic priniples and techniques in a specific design area of theatre, i.e., puppetry, mask making, properties design, makeup, or sound design. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
The history and literature of theatre examined from Ancient Greece through the 18th century. We will explore great dramatic works and learn the contexts in which they were written through discussion, readings, videotapes, and lectures.
The history and literature of theatre examined from the 19th century to the present. We will explore great dramatic works and learn the contexts in which they were written through discussion, readings, videotapes, and lectures.
The course examines choreography as a creative and evolutionary process. Through lectures, media presentations, readings, and discussions, the course surveys the history of western theatrical dance and explores the interrelationship of dance and world events.
An introduction to acting centered on the Stanislavski System. Coursework includes scene analysis, character study, and scene work. Required for all majors.
A studio course to provide continuous voice, movement and ensemble based training. Work builds on foundational work explored in TAD 140. The ensemble provides a platform for education, directing and acting students to collaborate and engage in creative practice. May be repeated for credit.
An exploration of areas not covered by the regular curriculum. Content and prerequisites depend on available faculty and resident artists. May be repeated for credit.
Presentation of a portfolio of work that illustrates student growth and progression towards the realization of program learning objectives and outcomes. Each portfolio requires specialization-based artifacts, resume, headshot, and a personal artist statement. Students will present portfolio materials for their faculty committee members followed by an interview. Graded Pass/Fail.
Intensive work in movement principles, body awaremess, and progressively more advanced dance technique emphasizing recent developments in choreography and performance. May be repeated once for credit.
Intensive work in movement principles, improvisation, and progressively more advanced dance technique. Creativity in movement invention and composition are emphasized and historically linked to the post-modern dance era. Includes performance critiques and text readings. May be repeated once for credit.
Exploration of the craft of choreography through the application of compositional theories in dance. Studio exploration and research culminate in an end of term performance. May be repeated once for credit.
An extension of foundational technique acquired in TAD-250 with emphasis on the psychophysical connection and method of physical action. Work includes the impact of detailed scene analysis, milieu study, characterization, relationships, and alignment of thinking.
A studio course that provides continuing voice, movement and ensemble based training. Work builds on foundational work explored in TAD-350. The ensemble provides a platform for education, directing and acting students to collaborate and engage in creative practice.
How a designer analyzes a script and works with the director to create a design. Students study techniques of rendering, sketching, model building, and drafting.
The lighting designer's role in the creation of a stage design. Lighting principles, instrumentation, color theory, script analysis, and light plots.
The role of the costume designer in the theatrical process. Students study basic costume history, principles of design, script analysis and rendering techniques.
Students will work on scenic design application skills such as model making, scenic rendering, drafting, and scenic design related software. Corequisite TAD-361.
Students will work on lighting design application skills such as lighting technology, rendering, and drafting and paperwork software.
Students will work on Costume design application skills such as human anatomy, drawing clothing on figures, costume rendering, and textile.
A supervised contracted experience applying theatrical theories and skills in a professional setting. Internships are arranged by the student with approval from the TAD faculty. On-site and faculty supervision are required.
With approval of the faculty member concerned, a student may earn credit for fulfilling a position of responsibility on a faculty-directed production. May be repeated for credit.
This lecture/laboratory course in theatre or dance examines the performance process from audition through conceptual analysis, rehearsal, and ensemble development, to the critical stage experience. May be repeated for unlimited credit.
Advanced work in contemporary/modern dance technique and performance. Primary focus is to clarify and articulate technical ability to help illustrate choreographic intention. Composition work emphasizes the use of choreographic collaboration reflecting themes in cultural issues, music analysis, or topics of contemporary concern. May be repeated once for credit.
This course continues advanced work in contemporary/modern dance through the investigation of the technique/performance interrelationship. Research and choreography explore original creative voice in preparation for professional dance and/or graduate school. May be repeated once for credit.
Actors explore technique specific to the handling the classical texts of ancient origins through the 18th century.
A studio course to provide continuous voice, movement and ensemble based training. Work builds on foundational work explored in Voice and Movement. The ensemble provides a platform for education, directing and acting students to collaborate and engage in creative practice.
An introduction to directing theory and practice that includes play selection, script analysis, research, directorial concept, character biographies, casting, rehearsal planning, development of a production team, rehearsal management, blocking, integrating sets, lighting, sound, costumes, and music. Culminates in a hands-on directing project.
A studio course to provide continuous voice, movement and ensemble based training. Work builds on foundational work explored in TAD-460. The ensemble provides a platform for education, directing and acting students to collaborate and engage in creative practice.
To prepare students for solo directorial projects this course continues work started in Directing 1 with an additional focus on producing. The course culminates in an evening of one-act plays directed and co-produced by students.
A studio course to provide continuous voice, movement and ensemble based training. Work builds on foundational work explored in TAD-470. The ensemble provides a platform for education, directing and acting students to collaborate and engage in creative practice.
An exploration of areas not covered by the regular curriculum. Content and prerequisites depend on available faculty and resident artists. May be repeated for credit.
In our Capstone course students reflect on the development of their artistic voice and engage in creative inquiry. They research, analyze, explain, manage, and carry out some important aspect of a theatrical production. Depending on the student's interests, the project may focus on acting, directing, dramaturgy, or design.
Arts Lab for students from professionally aligned disciplines to gain hands-on experience in the performing arts management field. Students work with creative practitioners on projects that facilitate professional skills and resume development. Focus areas include arts programming, budgeting, education, project management, marketing and communication, and fundraising. By permission of instructor.
The course examines the evolution of artistic ideas in contemporary dance. Through the analysis of the modern dance art form and the examination of 20th century choreographers and dancers, students will contextualize the work of 21st century dance artists.
A practicum in developing curriculum and teaching dance in public and nontraditional school programs. The course content addresses standards and assessment in the New Hampshire Curriculum Framework for the Arts. May be repeated for credit. Section 01 - Primary, section 02 - Intermediate, section 03 - Middle School.
A continued praticum in developing curriculum and teaching dance in public and nontraditional school programs. The course content addresses standards and assessment in the New Hampshire Frameworks for Arts Curriculum. May be repeated for credit. Section 01 - Primary, section 02 - Intermediate, section 03 - Middle School.
Intensive study of an issue, problem, or topic related to theatre arts or dance. May be repeated.