Theater Minor

This course is designed to expose students to the wide and unique variety of theater available in the Twin Cities with a conscious emphasis on mission specific theater companies such as Theater Mu, Ten Thousand Things, Penumbra, Mixed Blood, etc. which practice color blind/color conscious casting. Through lecture, discussion, and play attendance at professional and semi-professional venues, students will acquire the skills to critically analyze and appreciate theater and its components. Early classes and on-line links/supporting materials are provided for navigating each play experience. Students will respond to each performance through one of several approaches, depending on the type of play attended.

Full course description for The Live Theater Experience

This course uses full-length playscripts, videos of plays and film adaptations to tour the dynamic traditions of the theater. Students are to demonstrate reading knowledge of all plays on the reading/viewing list through online discussions, critical/creative thinking activities, and the focused analysis of six short questions for each play read or watched. The playscripts are provocative and diverse, exploring theories and concepts of dramatic literature from multiple perspectives, and serving as an entry point into discussions about politics; social justice; and issues of identity, including race, gender, sexuality, class, and subjectivity.

Full course description for The Art of Reading Plays

In this course, students who wish to use their voices more expressively work through a variety of methods from relaxation and breathing exercises to personal storytelling and the practice and analysis of poetry, prose and drama. Students work to develop resonance, range, support and to relearn effective habits of vocal expression.

Full course description for Voice: Speaking from Experience

Actor training can be life enhancing. In this class, advanced students are guided to discover, explore and develop their emotional, physical and psychological resources using varied acting exercises and techniques. Prerequisite: Acting II (MCTC) or equivalent (Screenwriting students exempt from prerequisites).

Full course description for Acting III

Two credits of off stage production support are required for the major and minor. Students enrolled in advanced acting/directing classes or working on season productions or special performance projects under faculty guidance may receive credit for rehearsal time spent out of the regular class period. Students cast in directing class scenes may also receive credit. Note: Students may take up to eight credits over time. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission if not enrolled in directing or advanced acting class.

Full course description for Production and Performance Laboratory

Student-designed independent studies give Metropolitan State students the opportunity to plan their own study. This type of independent learning strategy can be useful because it allows students: to study a subject in more depth, at a more advanced level; to pursue a unique project that requires specialized study; to draw together several knowledge areas or interests into a specialized study; to test independent learning capabilities and skills; or to use special learning resources in the community, taking advantage of community education opportunities which, in themselves, would not yield a full college competence. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information.

Full course description for Theater Student Designed Independent Studies

This course examines the ideas, individuals, institutions, and innovations that have contributed to the development of theater, from its precursors in the ancient world to the present day. Through the reading and viewing of seminal works, the essential elements of live theater - acting, directing, dramatic texts, design elements, performance space, and the audience - are explored with a focus on staging practices, aesthetics, and theatrical convention.

Full course description for The Evolution of Western Theater

Writing for the spoken word and for acting demands different skills than writing for the page. Develop your ear, your signature of voice, your sense of subtext. Through a variety of approaches, from improvisation to creative autobiography, students explore character, conflict and drama as metaphor. Writers with material they would like to explore or adapt for the stage are welcome. Expect to complete at least one short play.

Full course description for Playwriting I

Learn to analyze script, work with actors, construct a prompt book, and use the director's tools to elevate the written script to dramatic action. Students initially explore the possibilities of realistic drama with the option in the second half, to move on to original creations, collaborations or other styles of theater. All work is under the guidance of a director, toward the evolution of the specific theater piece. This class may be taken twice for credit.

Full course description for Directing and Creating Theater