THDN - Theater and Dance Major

Number of courses, credits and overall GPA required for the major:

Students are required to complete 11 course credits for the major. Students who choose the two-credit thesis option will complete 12 course credits for the major. A grade of C- or higher must be obtained in all courses for the major.

There is a choice of six concentrations within the theater and dance major:

• Acting

• Dance and choreography

• Media and performance

• History and dramaturgy

• Performing arts in the community

• Writing and directing

Core courses:

• THDN 103. Basic Acting

• THDN 140. Improvisation as Composition

• THDN 233. Critical Views/Critical Values

• One design course in lighting, scene, or costume design

• THDN 496. Senior Thesis Part 1 and THDN 497. Senior Thesis Part 2 (one credit) or
  THDN 498. Senior Thesis Part 1 and THDN 499. Senior Thesis Part 2 (two credits)

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled either by the one-credit THDN 496-497. Senior Thesis, or by the two-credit THDN 498-499. Senior Thesis.

Students choose one of six suggested concentrations listed below or design their own concentration in the major subject to departmental approval:

Acting

• THDN 205. Intermediate Acting

• THDN 235. The Expressive Voice

• **THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance or THDN 304. Directing

• **THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen or THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop

• One 300-level theater techniques course

• One THDN theater history course 

Dance and choreography

• **THDN 215. Making Dances

• THDN 314. Advanced Performance Workshop or THDN 324. Advanced Choreography Workshop*

• Two credits in dance technique

• One THDN elective. Suggestions include: THDN 218. Principles of Movement, THDN 225. Interactive Media, THDN 235. Voice, THDN 272. Arts in Education, THDN 301. Directing/Devising

• One THDN dance history course

Media and performance

• **THDN 124. New Media Practices

• THDN 225. Interactive Media or THDN 252. Comparative Media Studies

• THDN 215. Making Dances or THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance or THDN 304. Directing

• THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen or THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop

• THDN 325. Media Performance Laboratory* or THDN 314. Advanced Performance Workshop

• One THDN history course

History and dramaturgy

• **Two THDN history/theory courses

• **THDN 215. Making Dances or THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance or THDN 304. Directing

• THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen or THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop

• THDN 404. Dramaturgy*

• One THDN elective. Suggestions include: THDN 252. Comparative Media Studies, THDN 271. Mapping Arts Economies, THDN 382. Shakespeare’s Other Race Plays

Performing arts in the community

• **THDN 270. Arts in Action: Moving into the Community

• **THDN 271. Mapping Arts Economies

• THDN 215. Making Dances or THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance or THDN 304. Directing

• THDN 345. Theater for Social Change

• One THDN elective. Suggestions include: THDN 248. New Beginnings: Justice Alternatives and the Arts, THDN 272. Arts in Education, THDN 373. Human Rights through Performance

• One THDN history course

• In place of a 309 production credit, students completing the performing arts in the community concentration should complete a one-credit internship in an area approved by the department

Writing and directing

• THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance or THDN 304. Directing

• **THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen or THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop

• THDN 493. Advanced Playwriting or THDN 494. Advanced Directing or THDN 314. Advanced Performance Workshop

• Two THDN history/theory courses

• One THDN elective. Suggestions include: THDN 252. Comparative Media Studies, THDN 314. Advanced Performance Workshop, THDN 271. Mapping Arts Economies

**Recommended entry point for concentration

* Taught as an independent study for a small group of advanced level major.

PRODUCTIONS

Theater and dance majors are required to participate in at least three departmental productions, two of which must be faculty or guest artist directed THDN 309. Stage Production projects. Because of evening rehearsals it is recommended that THDN majors limit their registration in night classes.

In addition, all majors are required to complete 90 hours of design/production work in the Theater and Dance Department, which will include introductory training in various aspects of technical production. Upon declaring the major, the student will develop a plan with the performing arts Technical Director. It is recommended that students complete their production hours in three 30-hour segments beginning in their first year or as soon as possible.

Please Note: Students completing the performing arts in the community concentration are required to participate in only two departmental productions, one of which must be a faculty- or guest artist-directed THDN 309. In addition, they should complete a one-credit internship in an area approved by the department.

PROGRESS THROUGH THE MAJOR

YEAR 1 AND 2

By the time students reach second semester of sophomore year we recommend they have completed 5-6 courses including THDN “core courses” and “entry” courses into their concentration as designated by **.

In addition, by the end of their second year, we suggest students participate in at least one THDN 309 production and complete the first 30-hours of design/production work.

YEAR 3

With Trinity/La MaMa

Many of our THDN majors study at the Trinity/La MaMa Performing Arts (TLM) semester in the fall of their junior year. Students in TLM work with their adviser prior to attending to define what credits will be fulfilled by the program. Students at TLM receive five credits, no more than three of which can be counted towards the THDN major. TLM is especially appropriate to fulfill: upper level acting classes, upper level dance classes, voice, and internships. Students at TLM receive a .5 credit in THDN 309. Stage Production for their participation in the Trinity/La MaMa showcase at the end of the semester.

Without Trinity/La MaMa

Students who choose not to study at Trinity/La MaMa or elect to participate in an alternative study abroad program should plan to dive into their concentrations in their junior year, taking advanced practice classes, theater and dance history classes, gaining skills they will need for their senior thesis, participating in departmental productions, completing production hours, and potentially pursuing arts internships opportunities in Hartford.

YEAR 4

THDN students are expected to be in residence during their final year at Trinity. All students pursue either a one-credit THDN 496-497. Senior Thesis, or two-credit THDN 498-499 Senior Thesis facilitated through intensive work with an adviser and a senior colloquium. In addition to the thesis, students in their final year should plan to complete their concentration, complete their production hours, ideally in the semester prior to their thesis, and take advanced classes that prepare them for their intended career paths.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Internships: Students have the opportunity to do internships at different Hartford performing arts organizations such as Artist’s Collective, Austin Arts Center, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford Stage, HartBeat Ensemble, Scapegoat Garden, Real Art Ways, TheaterWorks, etc.

Study away: Trinity/La MaMa Performing Arts Program in New York City—Sponsored by the Department of Theater and Dance, this semester program utilizes the landscape and history of New York City as a catalyst for an intensive study in theater, dance, and performance. Based at the historic and Tony Award-winning La MaMa Experimental Theater Club (E.T.C.), the program offers students an immersion experience in the unique and vibrant New York arts scene. Occurring in the fall semester, the program is designed for both major and non-major arts students. The program includes a comprehensive academic seminar, an internship at a nonprofit arts organization, performance practice classes, attendance at multiple performances each week, and multi-arts exploration of NYC as a field-study site. The program culminates with a performance presented both at Trinity and at La MaMa E.T.C. In order to foster dynamic academic and artistic growth, the interdisciplinary learning approach includes group and individualized study and research. Further information is available from Professor Barbara Karger, program director, by telephone at (212) 598-3058 and/or by e-mail: Barbara.Karger@trincoll.edu. See course descriptions for TLMM 401. Performance Workshop, TLMM 405. The Nonprofit Arts Organization, and TLMM 411. Performance Analysis.

Honors: Departmental honors may be awarded to students who have at least an A- average in courses required for the major and who earn at least an A- for a two-credit thesis/senior capstone or an A for a one-credit thesis/senior capstone. The awarding of honors is determined by a vote of departmental faculty.