Course Descriptions and Syllabi
Undergraduate courses include:
Graduate classes in the three year Master of Fine Arts program include:
- TH 141: Acting I
- The course is designed to introduce the beginning student to the art and craft of acting.
- TH 441: Acting III/Advanced Scene Study ,Group Zoom Greek Project
- A thorough exploration of character study and script analysis applied to scene study and performance.
- TH 446: Advanced Voice and Speech for the Performer, Jabberwocky Zoom Project
- Intensive voice and speech exercises and practice for acquiring flexible use of voice and speech for performance.
- TH 447: Accents and Dialects for the Stage
- Study of accents and dialects for the performer.
Graduate classes in the three year Master of Fine Arts program include:
- TH: 542 Careers in Professional Theatre
- A course focusing on audition and interview techniques, unions, résumé writing, and other skills required to apply for positions in the academic and professional theatre.
- TH: 544 Period Acting Styles
- The study and practice of period acting styles.
TH 546 Advanced Voice and Speech - Intensive exercises and practice for acquiring flexible healthy use of voice and speech for the actor.
- TH 547 Accents and Dialects for the Stage
- Study of accents and dialects for the performer.
- TH 642: Teaching Acting
- A course to provide practical experience in teaching and coaching actors as well as developing methods and various approaches in teaching acting.
- TH 649 Problems in Performance
- Advanced theory and practical application of performance techniques applied to audition preparation and solo performance.
Examples of experiential learning and teaching outcomes
Each semester in Acting I, students go through the steps of a mock audition and receive feedback from directors. These auditions are a valuable experience as students get an immediate response to their audition from other faculty members as well as directing candidates in the MFA program; this is a collaborative experience for all. Additionally, in Acting I, the class takes a trip to the library to experience the process of checking out plays as part of their monologue searching process. Finding a specific play in the library stacks is a bit of a scavenger hunt for students, and is incredibly important in this online world when students can search for a new audition piece on the internet. Finding a script in the library and reading it is a crucial step in an actor preparing for an audition.
In the Advanced Scene Study for undergraduate students and the graduate course in Period Acting Styles that I teach, we incorporate working outdoor on Greek scenes. Public showing of scenes is also incorporated into the classroom experience to create a live exchange with audience members. Every class I teach is interactive and includes challenges and collaboration for the students. Student success is displayed when students apply their work and discipline to projects in and out of the theatre. Our alumni have found success in working in the business of acting in New York City on and off-Broadway, in Los Angeles, Atlanta, as well as other markets, including Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Students also pursue graduate work, and many recent graduates of the Masters of Fine Arts Program are working in higher education in addition to working professionally.
The connection of teaching, advising, and mentoring is an incredibly important part of my position in the Department of Theatre and Dance. With seventeen years of experience as a faculty advisor, I find mentoring students a crucial step in their success by making a connection with my students, beyond course planning, preparing the student to navigate and work as a theatre artist after graduation; often a frightening step for many leaving our program. I serve as the Director of Undergraduate Advising in Theatre for the College of Arts and Sciences. In this liaison role, I share information with my colleagues in the Department of Theatre and Dance, and coordinate departmental advising assignments and events. I must have made an impression on one of my past student advisees Glenn Halcomb, currently the digital content manager The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He gave me a shout-out in a blog post that he wrote in 2016 about what he learned studying the arts www.theatricalrights.com/arts-taught-me-that/ which reveals the power of taking time to be fully present with a student, answers questions, brainstorm, and listen. In short, I value the art and craft of the teaching process.
In the Advanced Scene Study for undergraduate students and the graduate course in Period Acting Styles that I teach, we incorporate working outdoor on Greek scenes. Public showing of scenes is also incorporated into the classroom experience to create a live exchange with audience members. Every class I teach is interactive and includes challenges and collaboration for the students. Student success is displayed when students apply their work and discipline to projects in and out of the theatre. Our alumni have found success in working in the business of acting in New York City on and off-Broadway, in Los Angeles, Atlanta, as well as other markets, including Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Students also pursue graduate work, and many recent graduates of the Masters of Fine Arts Program are working in higher education in addition to working professionally.
The connection of teaching, advising, and mentoring is an incredibly important part of my position in the Department of Theatre and Dance. With seventeen years of experience as a faculty advisor, I find mentoring students a crucial step in their success by making a connection with my students, beyond course planning, preparing the student to navigate and work as a theatre artist after graduation; often a frightening step for many leaving our program. I serve as the Director of Undergraduate Advising in Theatre for the College of Arts and Sciences. In this liaison role, I share information with my colleagues in the Department of Theatre and Dance, and coordinate departmental advising assignments and events. I must have made an impression on one of my past student advisees Glenn Halcomb, currently the digital content manager The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He gave me a shout-out in a blog post that he wrote in 2016 about what he learned studying the arts www.theatricalrights.com/arts-taught-me-that/ which reveals the power of taking time to be fully present with a student, answers questions, brainstorm, and listen. In short, I value the art and craft of the teaching process.
Teaching Certifications
- Master Teacher Acting and Singing with Archetypes 2015
- Certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework 2008
Teaching and Advising Support Letters
Individual letters:
David Bolus, MFA Alumni
Professor and Colleague Cornelius Carter
Ginny Cooper, BA Alumni
Alexa DiGiovanni, BA Student
Malcolm Driscoll, BA Alumni
Sadie Magadanz, MFA Alumni
Julie Newton, BFA Student
Hannah Niblett,Theatre Minor
Elizabeth Perkinson, BA Alumni
Julia Quan, Theatre Minor
Steve Simmons,Theatre Minor
Michael Witherell,MFA Alumni