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Home > Current Students > Academic Information > Course Catalogs > Theater Major/Minor
Theater
Michelle Magnussen, M.F.A., Assistant Professor of Theater;
mlmagnussen@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6586; Eisenmeyer Hall
The major in theater gives students background in acting, technical work, directing, and
dramatic literature. The combination of practical and theoretical preparation forms a
basis for graduate or professional work in theater or for high school drama coaching.
Students in theater also participate in McKendree College Theater productions on campus,
thus learning to apply the skills gained in course-work and gaining valuable experience.
A theater major can help prepare the student for a variety of professions in the
arts, education, and business.
Students will learn advanced techniques in acting, directing, and stage and lighting
design and be able to apply those techniques in production. They will also know the
major historical periods and genres of world drama and be able to analyze a script from
both the performance and production perspective. Courses in the theater major build
skills in movement, voice, interpretation, design, production, analysis, critical thinking,
and writing.
To Major in Theater, students must complete a minimum of 44 hours in the major
and six hours of a single foreign language or equivalent (calculated at two semesters of
high school language equal to one semester of college language), and maintain at least
a 2.25 cumulative grade point average,
To minor in theater, students must complete 22 hours and maintain at least at 2.25
cumulative grade point average.
All students pursuing the major or minor must complete a total of three (3) hours
from THE 215 or THE 216.
THEATER MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: 44 crs.
COURSES REQUIRED OF ALL MAJORS: 32 crs.
THE 100 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER (3)
THE 111 ACTING I (3)
THE 215 TECHNICAL THEATER PRACTICUM (1-2)
THE 216 ACTING PRACTICUM (1-2)
THE 219 PLAY PRODUCTION-SET AND LIGHTS (3)
THE 221 PLAY PRODUCTION-COSTUME AND MAKE-UP (3)
THE 250 DRAMATIC LITERATURE (3)
THE 320 DIRECTING (3)
THE 350 THEATER HISTORY I (3)
THE 351 THEATER HISTORY II (3)
THE 390 JUNIOR PROJECT (2-4)
or
THE 490 SENIOR PROJECT (2-4)
ENG 301 SHAKESPEARE’S COMEDIES AND HISTORIES (3)
or
ENG 302 SHAKESPEARE’S TRAGEDIES AND ROMANCES (3)
Electives—minimum of 12 credit hours
THE 212 ACTING II (3)
THE 280-289 SPECIAL TOPICS (3)
THE 380-389 SPECIAL TOPICS (3)
THE 480 INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-4)
MUS 375 HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATER (3)
PED/MUS 210 RHYTHMS AND DANCE (2)
Alternate courses listed under major requirements may be taken as electives.
Other courses may be applied as electives with the approval of major advisor.
THEATER MINOR REQUIREMENTS 22 crs.
THE 100 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER (3)
THE 111 ACTING I (3)
THE 215 TECHNICAL THEATER PRACTICUM (1-2)
THE 216 ACTING PRACTICUM (1-2)
THE 219 PLAY PRODUCTION – SET AND LIGHTING (3)
THE 221 PLAY PRODUCTION – COSTUME AND MAKE-UP (3)
THE 250 DRAMATIC LITERATURE (3)
Plus a minimum of four hours from among the following:
THE 212 ACTING II (3)
THE 320 DIRECTING (3)
ENG 301 SHAKESPEARE’S COMEDIES AND HISTORIES (3)
ENG 302 SHAKESPEARE’S TRAGEDIES AND ROMANCES (3)
MUS 284 SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC: (3)
THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATER
PED
or
MUS 210 RHYTHMS AND DANCE (2)
Other courses may be applied as electives with the approval of the minor advisor.
THE 100 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER (3)
An introductory course designed to acquaint the student with the basics of theatrical production. The
course will cover the basics of acting, directing, technology, and design elements. This course is intended both for general education student and theater minors. Annually spring, as needed.
THE 111 ACTING I (3)
This introductory course explores the idea of acting, with work in the basics of voice, movement, and
characterization. Students will do exercises, improvisations, monologues, and duet scenes. Annually, Fall.
THE 212 ACTING II (3)
This course is a continuation of Introduction to Acting, with more advanced work in voice, movement,
and characterization, as well as some work with classic texts. Students will do exercises, improvisations, monologues, and duet scenes. Prerequisite: THE 111 or equivalent. Annually, Spring.
THE 215 TECHNICAL THEATER PRACTICUM (1-2)
Experience in set, lighting, sound, props design or stage management. The student will participate in the semester’s theater production, receiving instruction within that framework. Additional work may be
required, depending on number of hours and student’s duties in the production. One credit hour per
semester, two with consent of major advisor. No more than three hours may be applied. Does not fulfill
any core requirement. This course is offered on a Pass/C-/D/Fail basis only. . Pre-requisite: THE 219 or
THE 221. Each semester.
THE 216 ACTING PRACTICUM (1-2)
The student actor will further the development of his or her own acting craft through work on a role in
the department’s mainstage production. They will articulate, through the written work, the process of the
development of a character from the beginning into full performance. One credit hour per semester, two
with consent of major advisor. No more than three hours may be applied. Does not fulfill any core
requirement. This course is offered on a Pass/C-/D/Fail basis only. Pre-requisite: THE 111. Each semester.
THE 219 PLAY PRODUCTION – SETS AND LIGHTING (3)
This course introduces students to the theory, technique, and practice of scene design and construction,
lighting design, and stage electrics. Students may do some hands-on work in campus theater productions. Alternate years, Fall ‘08.
THE 221 PLAY PRODUCTION-COSTUME AND MAKEUP (3)
This course introduces students to the theory, technique, and practice of costume design and construction, and makeup design and execution. Students may do some hands-on work in campus theater productions. Alternate years, Spring 2009.
THE 250 DRAMATIC LITERATURE (3)
A survey of the world’s dramatic masterpieces tracing the evolution of the theater from the Greeks to the
contemporary theater. Emphasis is on dramatic literature in performance, and the survey includes the
development of the theater as a historical institution. Same as ENG 250. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or equivalent. Alternate years, Fall ‘08.
THE 280-289 TOPICS IN THEATER (3)
This course introduces topics or areas in theater that are not generally included in the regular curriculum. As needed.
THE 320 DIRECTING (3)
This course introduces students to the directing process through observation and practice. Topics include script analysis, casting, production coordinating, and rehearsing with actors. Students will direct one, two, and/or three actor scenes. Prerequisite: THE 111. Alternate years, Spring ‘08.
THE 350 THEATER HISTORY I (3)
A study of the history of theater and its development as an art form. Course will discuss performance
spaces, technical development, acting styles, playwriting, and how social and cultural dynamics have
influenced theatrical performance from the beginnings of the art to the Renaissance. Annually, Fall.
THE 351 THEATER HISTORY II (3)
A study of the history of theater and its development as an art form. Course will discuss performance
spaces, technical development, acting styles, playwriting, and how social and cultural dynamics have
influenced theatrical performance from the Renaissance to the present. Annually, Spring.
THE 380-389 TOPICS IN THEATER (3)
This course introduces topics or areas in theater that are not generally included in the regular curriculum. As needed.
THE 390 JUNIOR PROJECT IN THEATER (2-4)
For this course individual students will conduct a major theater project from planning to completion and
final review of the process. The requirements will include such assignments as creating and maintaining a project timeline, doing background research, conducting the project, completing a production notebook (or equivalent), and submitting a final paper assessing the process. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and academic advisor. As needed.
THE 480 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN THEATER (1-4)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and academic advisor. As needed.
THE 490 SENIOR PROJECT IN THEATER (3-4)
For this course individual students will conduct a major theater project from planning to completion and
final review of the process. The requirements will include such assignments as creating and maintaining a project timeline, doing background research, conducting the project, completing a production notebook (or equivalent), and submitting a final paper assessing the process. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and academic advisor. As needed.
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