Theatre and Dance

James Hunter, Chair/Artistic Director

Professors
Susan E. Anderson, M.F.A., University of California, 1973
Elbin Cleveland, M.F.A., University of Iowa, 1972
Richard Jennings, M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts, 1979
Jim O’Connor, M.F.A., Pennsylvania State University, 1969

Associate Professors
Sarah Barker, M.F.A., Southern Methodist University, 1974
Ann Dreher, M.A., Northwestern University, 1968
James Hunter, M.F.A., University of Virginia, 1991
Lisa B. Martin-Stuart, M.F.A., University of Texas, Austin, 1984
Nic Ularu, M.F.A., University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania, 1980

Assistant Professors
Terry Donovan Smith, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1996
Erica Tobolski, M.F.A., Purdue University, 1989

Instructors
Miriam Barbosa, M.F.A., University of Fine Arts of SP/Brazil, 1991
Andrew J. Mills, M.F.A., University of South Carolina, 1996
Valerie Pruett, M.F.A., University of South Carolina, 1996
Eric Rouse, M.F.A., Pennsylvania State University, 1997
K. Dale White, B.F.A., Webster University, 1981

Distinguished Professors Emeriti
Russell E. Green, M.F.A., Yale University, 1956
James A. Patterson, M.A., University of Michigan, 1959

Professor Emeritus
Jayne F. Mulvaney, M.A., University of Michigan, 1970

Overview

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers a B.A. in Theatre and a B.A. in Dance. The B.A. in Theatre is especially suitable for persons wishing a strong liberal arts education and/or preparation for careers in theatre, the entertainment industry, communication, education, law, medicine, the ministry, etc.

The B.A. in Dance offers two major concentrations: 1) performance and choreography and 2) dance education. The B.A. in Dance with a concentration in dance education is pending approval as a teacher certification program from the State Board of Education. Requirements for the dance performance and choreography concentration include 53-62 credit hours in general education requirements, 30-40 credit hours in major courses, 12 credit hours in cognate courses (or 18 credit hours in minor courses), and 15-30 credit hours of electives. Requirements for the dance education concentration include 53-62 credit hours in general education requirements, 51-55 credit hours in major courses, 12 credit hours in cognate courses (or 18 credit hours in minor courses), and 1-12 credit hours of electives.

The USC dance program's emphasis is classical ballet requiring daily ballet technique classes as well as other forms of dance. Academic course work such as choreography, dance history, and theory courses are all ballet-based. All technique classes may be repeated for credit six times. Dance performances will include full-length ballet productions and classical repertory.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

(120 hours)

1. General Education Requirements (53-62 hours)

For a general outline, see "College of Arts and Sciences," curricula section I.

2. Major Requirements (30 hours)

Prerequisite: THEA 201 Introduction to Theatre Studies
Required courses: THEA 170, THEA 280, THEA 561, THEA 562, THEA 578
3 hours from the following: THEA 219 (prerequisite for THEA 220 and 221), THEA 220, THEA 221
Majors are required to enroll in a theatre laboratory (THEA 219, 220, or 221) course every semester, but only 3 hours count toward the major. Sudents must complete two different production areas.
6 hours from the following: THEA 240, THEA 252, THEA 253, THEA 288, THEA 289, THEA 359, THEA 370, THEA 372
6 hours from THEA 400 or above

Special requirement in dramatic literature: Students must take 6 hours of dramatic literature (ENGL 300 or above). May count toward cognate.

3. Cognates, see "College of Arts and Sciences," curricula section I (12 hours)

The cognate will be satisfied by 12 hours of non-production/performance courses related to the major and must include at least 6 hours of dramatic literature.

4. Electives, see "College of Arts and Sciences," curricula section I (22-31 hours)

Bachelor of Arts in Dance: Concentration in Performance and Choreography

Admission Requirements

1. Entering freshmen and transfer students must meet University admissions requirements and academic standards.

2. Initial acceptance into the dance performance and choreography concentration is dependent upon a qualifying audition in ballet. Students who do not qualify because of technical limitations will be placed in technical dance courses in the dance program and will be on a probationary status for two semesters. After two semesters, probationary students will be re-evaluated for full acceptance into the dance program. Private lessons in the USC Dance Conservatory will be available for two semesters to improve technique. All students' academic and dance progress will be reassessed at the completion of two semesters at USC as a dance major.

Curriculum

(120 hours)

1. General Education Requirements (53-62 hours)

For a general outline, see "College of Arts and Sciences," curricula section I.

2. Major Requirements (30-40 hours)

A dance major with a concentration in performance and choreography must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours of major course work within the Department of Theatre and Dance. Of these 30 hours, 18 will be prescribed as 4 credit hours of ballet, 2 credit hours of modern dance, 3 credit hours of dance performance, 3 credit hours of dance history, 3 credit hours of choreography, and 3 credit hours of DANC 303 The Dancer's Body. The remaining 12 credit hours can be elected from theatre, dance, or dance-related courses in physical education, music, and exercise science in courses numbered 200 or above.

DANC 371 Introduction to Choreography (3 hours)
DANC 381 Dance History (3 hours)
DANC 303 The Dancer's Body (3 hours)
DANC 577 Dance Performance {=PEDU 577}(3 hours)
Choose from DANC 375, 376, 402, or 474 (ballet technique)(4 hours)
Choose from DANC 274 or 374 (modern dance technique)(2 hours)
Choose from THEA, DANC, or related course work (12 hours)

3. Cognates, see "College of Arts and Sciences," curricula section I

4. Electives (15-30 hours)

Bachelor of Arts in Dance: Concentration in Dance Education

The B.A. in Dance with a concentration in dance education is pending approval as a teacher certification program from the State Board of Education.

Admission Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to the dance program with a concentration in dance education offered by the College of Arts and Sciences in cooperation and collaboration with the College of Education. Students who wish to enter the program from another college on the Columbia campus or another USC campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher if they have completed less than 30 semester hours of credit or have a GPA of 2.25 if they have 30 semester hours or more. Students who wish to enter the program from a regionally accredited college or university other than USC must meet applicable admissions standards of the University. Students may not transfer credit for any course that carries a grade lower than C. All students applying to the program will be given a dance theory and content placement exam. If accepted, all dance majors with a concentration in dance education must fulfill professional education program requirements.

Curriculum

(126 hours)

1. General Education Requirements (53-62 hours)

For a general outline, see "College of Arts and Sciences," curricula section I.

2. Major Requirements (51-55)

A dance major with a concentration in dance education must earn a minimum of 51 to 55 credit hours of major course work, which includes 12 credit hours of student teaching. Some of the course work will originate from the College of Education. Of these minimum 51 hours, 34 from the dance curriculum will be prescribed as follows:

DANC 577 Dance Performance (3 hours)
DANC 479 Teaching Internship in Dance Education (12 hours)
DANC 477 Teaching Methods of Dance and Practicum (4 hours)
DANC 303 The Dancer's Body (3 hours)
DANC 381 Dance History (3 hours)
DANC 371 Introduction to Choreography (3 hours)
Choose from DANC 375, 376, 402, or 474 (ballet technique) (4 hours)
Choose from DANC 274 or 374 (modern dance technique) (2 hours)

The remaining 17 hours will be offered by the Department of Physical Education and/or the College of Education and meet state certification requirements. They are:

PEDU 340 Practicum in the Instruction of Young Learners in Movement Settings (1 hour)
PEDU 360 Instructional Aspects of Physical Education (3 hours)
PEDU 515 Physical Education for Inclusion (3 hours)
EDFN 300 Schools in Communities (3 hours)
EDPY 401 Learning and Diversity of Learning (3 hours)
EDPY 401P Practicum: Learners and the Diversity of Learning (1 hour)
EDSE 584 Middle and High School Internship Seminar (3 hours)

Recommended elective courses:

PEDU 263 Introduction to Athletic Training (2 hours)
PEDU 263L Athletic Training Lab (1 hour)

Progression Requirements

To remain in the dance program with a concentration in dance education, a student must make satisfactory progress toward a degree. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress may be placed on academic probation or removed from the college.

Professional Education Program Requirements

Information regarding the professional education program and certification are available from the Office of Student Affairs, College of Education, Wardlaw 113, 803-777-6732, teach@gwm.sc.edu.

1. Upon completion of 60 semester hours of course work including courses specified by the program area, the candidate should submit an application to the College of Education Office of Student Affairs for admission to the professional program. To be admitted into the professional program, candidates must have:

a. a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50.
b. a passing score on Praxis I (all three tests).
c. grades of C or better in English (ENGL 101 and 102) and public communication (SPCH 140).
d. a grade of C or better in all dance courses.
e. a passing score on a dance proficiency written exam.
f. a completed professional program application with appropriate signatures. Note: If members of the University dance faculty have specific concerns regarding an applicant's potential to become a professional educator, the Professional Education Committee for Dance (PECD) may request a personal interview with the applicant to make their determination. Such concerns may include but are not limited to an unsatisfactory professional disposition, a lack of intellectual motivation, inadequate interpersonal skills, an uncooperative attitude, violation of fundamental academic principles of honesty and integrity, or weakness in expressive skills. The PECD's identification of such weaknesses in either writing or speech may require additional academic work as a condition of acceptance.

2. A formal admissions application is also required for the fourth-year student teaching internship program, which is also submitted to the College of Education. For admission to the internship, a candidate must:

a. be admitted to the professional education program.
b. have completed 100 hours of practicum in dance education through course practica, the USC Dance Conservatory, the College of Education Gateway Center, and/or other experiences as approved by the dance education faculty.
c. complete DANC 477.
d. complete PEDU 340/360.
e. complete EDFN 300, EDPY 401, and EDPY 401P.
f. complete six courses in content area of dance.
g. achieve a GPA of 2.50 or higher in all dance and education course work.
h. have a satisfactory personal interview with a committee of dance and education faculty.
i. pass criminal background check and health screening requirements.

3. Certification: All students seeking initial teacher certification must meet the following requirements:

a. successfully complete the requirements of the degree program.
b. achieve scores at or above the criteria established by the state on the program-appropriate exams (Praxis II series). Scores earned on the Praxis must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs, College of Education, and to the South Carolina State Department of Education.
c. submit an application for certification to the College of Education Office of Student Affairs and pay all certification fees as required.

Exit Requirements

1. Successfully complete all degree requirements.

2. Complete and submit an application for graduation to the College of Arts and Sciences early in the last semester of the senior year. Students should consult the official University calendar for the specific date the application is due.

Course Descriptions

Theatre (THEA)

• 170 -- Fundamentals of Acting. (3) The techniques of body and voice control; improvisations; interpretation of characters: characterization applied in scenes.
  
• 172 -- Basic Stage Makeup. (1) The study and application of the principles of the art of makeup for the theatre.
  
• 200 -- Understanding and Appreciation of Theatre. (3) An introduction to the understanding and appreciation of theatrical experience. Attendance at theatrical performances required.
  
• 201 -- Introduction to Theatre Studies. (3) (Prereq: Theatre major or consent of instructor) Introduction to the skills necessary to be a theatre major. Designed to prepare the student to competently complete academic, artistic, and technical assignments.
  
• 219 -- Introduction to Theatre Laboratory. (1) Study of health, safety, and other laboratory procedures in preparation for participation in scenic, lighting, costume, promotions, and performance labs. May not be repeated for credit.
  
• 220 -- Theatre Laboratory. (1) (Prereq: THEA 219) Supervised participation in theatre production. No formal class meetings. May be repeated for credit, but no more than four credits may be applied toward the departmental major.
  
• 221 -- Stage Management Laboratory. (2) (Prereq: THEA 219) Supervised participation in theatre stage management. May be repeated once for credit.
  
• 240 -- Voice and Diction. (3) The analysis, evaluation, and improvement of speech through a study of the anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism, voice production, and articulation.
  
• 241 -- Voice Laboratory. (1) (Prereq: THEA 240) Training in vocal skills needed by actors such as dialect and verse speech. May be repeated for a total of seven hours.
  
• 252 -- Stage Costume Construction. (3) An introductory course in the principles and practice of costume construction.
  
• 253 -- Scenic Technology. (3) A beginning course in the principles and practice of scenic technology.
  
• 280 -- Introductory Theatre Design. (3) Basic principles of design in scenery, costumes, and lighting. Related topics include play analysis, creative and visual thinking, and graphic representation.
  
• 283 -- Introduction to Theatre Sound Design. (3) Introduces the students to the basic principles of sound design and technology. Related topics include physics of sound, use and maintenance of equipment, script analysis, and creative thinking.
  
• 288 -- Introduction to Stage Lighting. (3) Principles and practices of theatrical lighting design. Course not available for major credit.
  
• 340 -- Oral Interpretation of Literature. {=SPCH 340} (3) A course designed to give an understanding of the principles involved in extracting meaning from the printed page and the oral presentation of that meaning in a lucid and stimulating manner.
  
• 359 -- Theatrical Imagery. (3) The theory and application of visual imagery in theatrical design; identification and selection of historical motifs.
  
• 369 -- Japanese Culture and Society through Theatre. {=JAPA 351} (3) Introduction to Japanese traditional theatre and its influences on Japanese culture and society. Taught in English.
  
• 370 -- Intermediate Acting. (3) (Prereq: THEA 170) A continuation of THEA 170.
  
• 372 -- Movement for the Actor. (3) An introduction to theoretical principles and kinesthetic practices involved in the development of characterization through the body.
  
• 373 -- Movement Laboratory. (1) Training in specific physical skills for actors: stage combat, mime, folk dance, tap dance, etc. May be repeated for credit.
  
• 399 -- Independent Study and Research. (3-6) Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department chair is required for undergraduate students.
  
• 480 -- History of Cinema I. {=ENGL 474 and ARTH 365} (3) Survey of the international cinema from its inception until 1945.
  
• 481 -- History of Cinema II. {=ENGL 475 and ARTH 366} (3) Survey of the international cinema from 1945 to the present.
  
• 489 -- Introduction to Costume Design. (3) (Prereq: THEA 280 or permission of instructor) Introduction to the basic principles and elements of design as they apply to the costume designer. Script and character analysis, costume rendering, and production unity.
  
• 500 -- Selected Topics in Theatre. (1) A series of courses, each lasting one-third of a semester. Topics and prerequisites are announced in the class schedule for each semester.
  
• 510 -- Rendering Techniques for the Theatre. (3) Rendering techniques for the communication of concepts and mood in the design process.
  
• 520 -- Playwright's Workshop. (3) Principles and practice of playwriting. Writing, adapting, and revising plays. May be repeated with consent of department chair.
  
• 522 -- Creative Drama. (3) Methods and techniques in developing and leading informal dramatic activity with children.
  
• 526 -- Children's Theatre. (3) (Prereq: THEA 170 and 253, or consent of instructor) Special problems in producing plays for child audiences.
  
• 529 -- Theatre Management. (3) Problems involved in organizing, administering, and promoting the non-professional theatre.
  
• 531 -- Theatre Graphics. (3) Specialized graphic techniques used in the preparation of a theatrical production. Practice in the execution and interpretation of working drawings, perspective sketches, color renderings, scale models, etc.
  
• 550 -- History of Costume. (3) A survey of clothing through the ages with emphasis on the dress of the actor in significant periods of theatrical activity. From ancient times to present day.
  
• 552 -- Stage Costume Pattern Drafting and Drawing. (3) The principles of pattern making for costume construction using flat-pattern and draping techniques.
  
• 553 -- Advanced Stagecraft. (3) (Prereq: THEA 253 or equivalent) Advanced principles and practices of stagecraft.
  
• 554 -- Performing Arts Safety. (3) Study of health and safety hazards for actors, technicians, and audience members.
  
• 555 -- Scene Painting for the Stage. (3) Techniques of scene painting. Application of principles of painting to the stage.
  
• 556 -- Stage Design. (3) Survey of the history and principles of scene design. Assignments will involve drawings, watercolor sketches, and scale models.
  
• 557 -- Advanced Scenic Design. (3) (Prereq: THEA 556 or consent of instructor) Advanced procedures and techniques of scenic design.
  
• 561 -- History of the Theatre I. (3) A survey of plays, playwrights, actors, production, and the physical development of theatres from the time of the Greeks to 1660; reading of representative plays required.
  
• 562 -- History of the Theatre II. (3) A survey of plays, playwrights, actors, production, and the physical development of theatres from 1660 to the present; reading of representative plays required.
  
• 565 -- African American Theatre. (3) The major movements, figures, plays, and critical strategies that have marked the development of African American theatre in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
  
• 567 -- Dramatic Theory I. (3) A survey of the major works of dramatic theory and criticism, with emphasis on theories of theatrical performance. from Aristotle through 18th-century neo-classicism.
  
• 568 -- Dramatic Theory II. (3) A survey of the major works of dramatic theory and criticism, with emphasis on theories of theatrical performance from the 18th century to the present.
  
• 570 -- Advanced Acting I. (3) (Prereq: THEA 240 or THEA 372, and THEA 370 with a grade of B or above) Theory and practice in the development of a role and an understanding of the psychology of the audience-actor relationship.
  
• 571 -- Advanced Acting II. (3) (Prereq: THEA 240 or THEA 372 and a grade of B or higher in THEA 370) Technique of performing play scripts with heightened language and styles other than naturalism/realism. Some examples of genres that may be taught are Classical Greek, Elizabethan, absurdist.
  
• 572 -- Advanced Makeup. (2) (Prereq: THEA 172 or consent of instructor) Specific character types, prosthetics, wig making, and corrective makeup. Special attention to the development of files of character illustrations and the designing of specific makeups.
  
• 575 -- Rehearsal and Performance. (3) An intensive laboratory course in theatrical and media performances.
  
• 576 -- Rehearsal and Performance. (3) An intensive laboratory course in repertory theatre.
  
• 578 -- Play Direction I. (3) (Prereq: THEA 170, 370, and 556 or 588) A study of the principles, procedures and practice of stage direction, with the selection, analysis, casting, and rehearsal of a one-act play to be presented in the laboratory theatre.
  
• 579 -- Play Direction II. (3) (Prereq: THEA 578) A continuation of THEA 578.
  
• 580 -- Film History and Criticism. {=ENGL 565} (3) Critical appreciation and historical development of motion picture art; viewing of films from various eras and national traditions.
  
• 581 -- Film as Performance. (3) Study and analysis of film production, performance, and aesthetics.
  
• 582 -- Costume Design. (3) Theory and practice in the design of theatre costumes.
  
• 585 -- Design for Communications Media Production. (3) (Prereq: THEA 253, THEA 351) The study and application of techniques in theatrical stagecraft, design, lighting, costuming, and makeup applicable to specialized fields of communication media.
  
• 586 -- The Articulate Body. (3) Theoretical and experimental exploration of the major body systems and developmental movements to bring more articulation to the body and more awareness and physical ease in performance.
  
• 587 -- Film and Television Acting. (3) (Prereq: THEA 170) Theory and practice of film and television acting.
  
• 588 -- Stage Light Design I. (3) The interrelationship of stage lighting and other production elements. Design techniques, equipment, and script analysis. Laboratory work on department productions. Restricted to theatre majors or those having special permission of instructor.
  
• 589 -- Advanced Stage Lighting Design II. (3) Stage lighting equipment and design techniques. Laboratory work on departmental productions.
  
• 599 -- Special Topics in Theatre. (3) Reading and research on selected topics. Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of classes by suffix and title. May be repeated once as topics vary.

Dance (DANC)

• 101 -- Dance Appreciation. (3) An eclectic survey of various dance forms including primitive, historic, ballet, modern, and Broadway musical.
  
• 274 -- Beginning Modern Dance. {=PEDU 162} (1) Fundamental skills and terminology.
  
• 300 -- Music for Dancers. (3) Rhythmic analysis, reading and metric patterns, construction and use of scores from musical theatre to symphonic orchestration with exercises to enhance the knowledge of relationship between dance and music.
  
• 303 -- The Dancer's Body. (3) Anatomy and movement analysis for dancers.
  
• 304 -- Intermediate Tap Dance. (3) (Prereq: permission of intsructor) Advanced fundamentals of tap dance, including intermediate/advanced rhythmic structure and incorporation of alignment and style.
  
• 371 -- Introduction to Choreography. (3) Principles of dance composition through analysis of special patterns, classical ensemble, and modern forms. One choreographic composition required.
  
• 374 -- Intermediate Modern Dance. {=PEDU 163} (1) Continuation of PEDU 162 and THEA 274; increased dance skills through creative movement, patterns, improvisations, and compositional problems.
  
• 375 -- Beginning Ballet. {=PEDU 164} (1) Fundamental history and techniques of classical ballet.
  
• 376 -- Intermediate Ballet. {=PEDU 165} (1) (Prereq: PEDU 164 or DANC 375 or consent of instructor) The development of precision, flexibility, and proficiency as a dancer.
  
• 377 -- Historic Dance. (3) A course open to all students interested in gaining knowledge of early dances from the 15th Basse, Pavanne and Gaillarde of the Renaissance era to the Baroque dances from the court of Louis XIV.
  
• 378 -- Beginning Jazz Dance. (1) Performance of jazz dance from its early black origins to its use on the contemporary stage.
  
• 379 -- Intermediate Jazz Dance. (1) (Prereq: DANC 378) Development of jazz movement and styles. Control, rhythm, and continuity are emphasized. Dance performance required.
  
• 380 -- Movement and Dance for Musical Theatre. (3) Styles of movement and dance in musical theatre from the '20s, '30s and '40s to modern contemporary musical theatre. Choreographing for musicals, cultural forms of dance, staging for vocal pieces.
  
• 381 -- Dance History. (3) A survey of dance from ethnic and social to professional dance, from the time of the Greeks through the twentieth century.
  
• 382 -- Body Conditioning/Gyrokinesis Method. (1) Body conditioning technique designed to increase strength, flexibility, and coordination, enhancing the dance students' performance ability and body awareness.
  
• 390 -- Dance Studio Operation. (3) Advanced training methods and techniques in all forms of dance. Emphasis on recent research in dance curriculum and operational technique. For experienced dance teachers.
  
• 399 -- Independent Study and Research. (3-6) Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department chair is required for undergraduate students.
  
• 401 -- Dance Composition. (3) (Prereq: DANC 371 or permission of instructor) Intermediate to advanced choreography. Creative exploration and analysis of principles of dance composition through improvisation and problem solving. May not be repeated for credit.
  
• 402 -- Pointe Variations for Intermediate/Advanced Ballet. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) Pointe technique, an extension of ballet technique skills on pointe. Study and execution of female variations from classical repertory. May be repeated four times.
  
• 406 -- West African Dance. (3) The history and practice of West African dances.
  
• 474 -- Advanced Ballet. (1) (Prereq: THEA 376, PEDU 165, or consent of instructor) Precision, flexibility, and proficiency as a dancer; emphasis on performance skills.
  
• 477 -- Teaching Methods of Dance and Practicum. (4) Curriculum development for dance as a primary purpose for teaching with implementation of long- and short-term instructional goals. Studies are preparatory for K-12 teacher certification. Includes ADEPT Orientation.
  
• 479 -- Teaching Internship in Dance Education. (12) (Prereq: minimum of 90 hours in program of study and a 2.5 GPA or higher, formally admitted to the professional program, completed 6 hours of approved courses in the field of education, and completed the additional course requirement for dance education; coreq: EDSE 484 should be taken the same semester) The student will demonstrate the pedagogical knowledge, skill, and disposition necessary to effectively teach K-12 dance education as defined by NASD and NCATE and as measured by a departmental student teaching evaluation.
  
• 500 -- Selected Topics in Dance. (1) A series of courses, each lasting one-third of a semester. Topics and prerequisites are announced in the class schedule for each semester.
  
• 573 -- Dancer's Workshop. (1) (Prereq: graduate standing or three credits in dance) Individual advanced training in movement, improvisation, flexibility, and precision in dance styles including modern and ballet.
  
• 577 -- Dance Performance. {=PEDU 577} (3) Rehearsal, choreographic analysis, and dance performance. All components of dance production--including music, costume, lighting, and scenery--will be considered.
  
• 599 -- Special Topics in Dance. (3) Reading and research on selected topics. Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of classes by suffix and title. May be repeated once as topics vary.
  

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