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Theatre (Production and Design Stream) Major
Theatre students may choose a performance stream or a production and design stream. Both lead to a bachelor of fine arts with a major in theatre.
The performance stream emphasizes the development of the theatre artist. The studio courses are supplemented by courses in dramatic literature, theatre history, playmaking, and technical theatre. Courses chosen from disciplines outside theatre give the program an interdisciplinary component. Students are encouraged to participate in productions and to develop their own scripts and performance pieces.
The production and design stream provides a path for students who wish to study theatre, but prefer production and design aspects of the discipline.
Students whose interest in theatre is primarily historical, critical or theoretical are directed to the art and culture studies major program, leading to a bachelor of arts.
丁香园AV Requirements
Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs and to many courses is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines.
Although the University operates on a trimester system, most FPA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school?s programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.
About the School鈥檚 Course Offerings
Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.
Students are reminded that the school is an interdisciplinary fine and performing arts department, and are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the many disciplinary courses that are available.
Special Topics Courses
The subject matter (and prerequisites) of special or selected topics courses vary by term.
Prior Approval Prerequisite
Where a prerequisite is, or includes, 鈥榩rior approval,鈥� approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.
Program Requirements
Entry to all first year theatre coruses required for the major is by questionnaire. Contact the School prior to attendance at the University to request details and dates.
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
BFA Academic Continuance Policy
After a student has declared a major in Contemporary Arts, he or she will need to maintain their BFA Program GPA (FPA) at a minimum of 3.0. Maintenance of the BFA Program GPA level will be evaluated at the end of the 1st and 2nd academic years, normally at the end of the Spring Semester. A student who falls below a BFA Program GPA of 3.0 will lose their status as major, and meet with the SCA Advisor. If the student has finished first year, they will normally have one year to increase the BFA Program GPA to 3.0 or above in order to re-establish the major. If the student has finished second year, they will need to meet with the Area Coordinator and the Advisor to determine
- if the BFA Program GPA can be raised and the major can be re-established and
- plan their academic career for either re-establishing the major, or pursuing a SCA Extended Minor, and the FCAT BA Double Minor.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 42 units including:
Four core courses below:
Introduction to acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound synthesis, audio sampling and signal processing, and sound production in general as relating to music, film sound, radio, new media, art installations and live performance. Quantitative.
Introduces innovations in the fine and performing arts to show the range of possibilities open to those who wish to employ or understand the use of moving images in their disciplinary and multidisciplinary art practices. By the completion of the course students should have a good sense not only of previous innovations and traditions, but of the contemporary scene as well.
An introduction to the techniques of artistic composition as experienced in a collaborative interdisciplinary studio environment. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaborative groups by students in dance, music, theatre, film/video and visual art. Prerequisite: FPA 111 and one of FPA 122, 130, 145, 150, 160, 170 or permission of the instructor.
Plus one additional FPA history course outside their major.
and all of:
An approach to the elements of acting based on improvisation, with some attention to working from established texts. Focus will be placed on the development of the actor's instrument. The work will include the development of individual powers of expression - vocally, physically, intellectually, imaginatively, and emotionally. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Equivalent Courses: FPA151.
An introduction to the processes, tools and technology used in the production and presentation of the fine and performing arts. Course requirements will include hands-on assignments in the production of theatre, dance, and music events. Students will work directly with equipment and materials, and are expected to be involved in work on productions and exhibitions outside of lecture and lab hours. Laboratory fee required. May be of particular interest to students in other areas and departments.
An introduction to the management, and organization of the performing arts. This course will provide a grounding for students who wish to become further involved in the administration of the performing arts and may include practical experience outside of regular seminar hours. May be of particular interest to students in other areas and departments.
A conceptual approach to a selected body of dramatic work focusing on the detailed structural analysis of dramatic texts, their historical context, their development and production histories. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the evolving relationship between theatre and its audience. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Students having a basic familiarity with elements of production and design participate in an in-depth theoretical and practical exploration of stage management, staging, audio and lighting for theatre, dance and music production. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: FPA 170 or 171.
Students having a basic familiarity with elements of production and design participate in an in-depth theoretical and practical exploration of stage management, staging, audio and lighting or theatre, dance and music production. Students in this class will develop skills necessary to provide technical support for the School's productions. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. Maybe of particular interest to students in other departments. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: either FPA 170 or FPA 171, or permission from instructor.
and one of
A studio course devoted to the development of movement skills through specific styles of dance. The content of the course changes every semester including techniques in Bhangra, Afro-Caribbian, Hip Hop and Contemporary. May repeat for credit. May be of particular interest to students in other departments.
Selected dance improvisational skills will be explored in a variety of solo, duet, small group and large group forms through structured movement themes. Emphasis will be on sensory awareness, elements of movement, and literal and abstract imagistic stimuli. (studio) This is one of four courses required for entry into the BFA dance major and extended minor. Recommended: dance or theatre experience.
This studio/theory course incorporates techniques of body awareness, centering, and structural realignment. The emphasis is on body conditioning and body connectedness. This course will be of interest to dancers, actors, kinesiologists, and athletes. This is one of four courses required for entry into the dance major and extended minor program.
and one of
A hands-on studio course modeled on the progressive development of artistic practice from simple mark-making to full scale installation. Through a process of continuous transformation, an original idea is developed in a sequence of methods, materials and scales. Some research is required. A course materials fee is required.
A continuation of the work begun in FPA 160, with emphasis on particular problems in the visual arts worked through a series of projects, culminating in the Campus Project, a site-specific public work designed, built and installed at the end of the term. Some research is required. A course materials fee is required. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: FPA 160.
+ See advisor for course options.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 39 units, including all of
A conceptual approach to a selected body of dramatic work. The detailed structural analysis of dramatic texts, their historical context, their development and production histories. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the evolving relationship between theatre and its audience. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: 24 lower division units or prior approval. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Provides students with training and an historical and contemporary context for their related practicum roles as production heads and stage management and design personnel. Issues will be drawn from the School's current production season and from national and international forums in related fields. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: FPA 270 and 271 or prior approval.
Provides students with training and an historical and contemporary context for their related practicum roles as production heads and stage management and design personnel. Issues will be drawn from the School's current production season and from national and international forums in related fields. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: FPA 270 and 271 or prior approval.
Explores contemporary stage lighting for theatre, dance and opera. Participants will review the principles of theatrical lighting instruments and control systems and will experiment with the components of lighting design in a variety of studio projects. This course will require a practicum in an actual performance. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: FPA 270 or FPA 271 or prior approval. Students with credit for FPA 371 prior to 2005 may not take this course for further credit.
Explores the numerous complex processes and practices needed to create two and three dimensional designs for stage and performance. Students will engage in a series of creative projects, research, analysis and presentations to enable them to develop and realize their design solutions. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: FPA 270 or FPA 271 or prior approval. Students with credit for FPA 370 prior to 2005 may not take this course for further credit.
and one of
Provides senior students with training and an historical and contemporary context for their related practicum roles as production heads and stage management and design personnel. Issues will be drawn from the School's current production season and from national and international forums in related fields. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: FPA 370 or 371 and prior approval.
Provides senior students with training and an historical and contemporary context for their related practicum roles as production heads and stage management and design personnel. Issues will be drawn from the School's current production season and from national and international forums in related fields. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: FPA 370 or 371 and prior approval.
and one of
A specific topic or set of ideas will form the basis for choreographic exploration. Students will create one or more works and participate in research and critical analysis, depending on the particular topic in a given term. Prerequisite: 40 units in FPA courses.
Continues the development of playmaking research through intensive studio work consisting of the deconstruction or adaptation of a major dramatic text. Provides the basis for a public presentation in the subsequent term. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: REQ- FPA 251 and 255.
Black Box Theatre. Students will continue playmaking research through the creation of an ensemble season in a series of public presentations. Prerequisite: Second year standing in a studio discipline and prior approval from the instructor. May be repeated for credit if course content is different.
A course in public performance, with the option of focusing on other advanced studio skills. Integrates and implements the techniques acquired in the earlier studios. Prerequisite: Prior approval from the instructor or audition. May be repeated for credit if course content is different.
A course in the fundamentals of directing leading to public performance of student directed projects. Allows the option of public performance with a professional director. Integrates and implements the techniques acquired in the earlier studios. Prerequisite: FPA 150, 151, and prior approval from the instructor. May be repeated for credit if course content is different.
An analytical approach to a selected body of dramatic work. Course content includes an intensive consideration of practical dramatic techniques such as story structure and dramaturgy. May be repeated for credit if course content is different. Prerequisite: 45 units and prior approval from the instructor.
A studio course focusing on creative collaborations between artists of different disciplines. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaboration between senior students in dance, film, music, theatre and visual art. Prerequisite: One FPA studio course at the upper level, a CGPA of 3.0 and an overall average of 3.5 in FPA courses.
This course permits students to explore the relationships among the arts by undertaking creative projects involving more than one art form. Students will work under the close supervision of one or more faculty and will be required to discuss their work on a regular basis with others involved in the course. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
and the remaining credits in upper division FPA courses which may be drawn from any of the above or from other available FPA offerings. At least three of these units must be from an FPA theory or history course outside of Theatre.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 丁香园AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 丁香园AV within the student’s major subject | |
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) | |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections