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University Catalog
Three dancers performing

THEATRE AND DANCE

College of Arts and Letters

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The California State University, Sacramento Department of Theatre and Dance provides a broad and deep foundation of the theory, history, literature, and practice of Theatre and Dance to students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies or join the profession. We offer an imaginative and creative program that provides the student opportunities to grow and develop through studio and production work. Our goal is to challenge students to be independent thinkers and make collaborative artistic efforts that reflect a richly complex and diverse global perspective, complimented by national and international faculty and staff experience.

Theatre

Majors in the Theatre program receive in-depth training in acting, voice, movement, audition technique, design, history, literature, criticism, and film studies.

Special Features

  • An extension of our academic offerings is our excellent program of performance opportunities. Each year we offer four to six major productions and a varied selection of minor productions including student-directed one-acts, recruitment shows, and productions in puppetry.  Students are also offered production assignments as stage managers, costumers, designer and stagecraft technicians, all of which enhance the range of theatrical knowledge and experience.
  • Included are African American and Chicano/Latino Theatre productions that make this program unique in the State University System.
  • In addition to the performance and technical components, Sacramento State’s Theatre Department provides organizations that encompass social, academic and professional opportunities, both on campus and in the community.
Dance

Majors in the Dance program receive in-depth training in dance technique, performance, production, choreography, theory, dance history, and dance education.

Offering a comprehensive program of study, dance starts with the basic principles of dance technique and refines them through the choreographic and theoretic processes, culminating in the creation of full-scale concert productions. Students in the program are involved at every level of the creative process.

Special Features

  • Dance majors have the opportunity to perform as members of several dance organizations. Company members participate in all aspects of producing and presenting dance, from creating and performing the choreography to designing and implementing the production and promotional aspects of the concerts. Company programs are produced at the campus state-of-the-art dance performance studio.
  • Dance majors are given the opportunity to work with professional dance companies on the campus. Each year, at least one regional professional company is in residence at the campus and the program invites nationally acclaimed guest artists to provide workshops for the majors.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree - Theatre

Units required for Major: 49
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
A minimum grade of C- is required of courses applied to the major.

Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses (17 units)

(3)

THEA 2

History of the Theatre: Ancient to Renaissance

(3)

THEA 3

Theatre History After 1660

(3)

THEA 4

Script Analysis

(3)

THEA 11

Acting Study I (Theatre and Dance majors or minors or instructor permission)

(3)

THEA 16

Technical Production I - Stagecraft

(2)

THEA 20

Technical Production II - Lighting

B. Required Upper Division Courses (20 units)

(3)

THEA 101

Acting Study II (THEA 11 or instructor permission)

(3)

THEA 107

Directing (THEA 2, THEA 3, THEA 4, THEA 11, THEA 16, THEA 20, instructor permission; Junior or higher standing)

(3)

THEA 120

Practicum in Technical Production (1 unit x 3)

(2)

THEA 121

Rehearsal and Performance (1 unit x 2)

(3)

THEA 123

Design for Theatre (THEA 16, THEA 20 or instructor permission)

(6) Select two of the following courses fulfilling the "Ethnic Theatre" requirement:

 

THEA/WOMS 144

Women and Theatre: Staging Diversity

 

THEA 170

African-American Theatre and Culture (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

THEA 173

Contemporary Chicano/Latino Theatre: Themes and Performance 1965-Present

 

THEA 174

Multicultural Perspectives in American Theatre

C. Electives/Advising Sequences (12 units)

The Theatre major requires twelve additional upper division units selected from any combination of the following areas. Electives MUST be determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. Prerequisites and corequisites noted in the course catalog.

 

Acting/Directing

(3)

THEA 109

Musical Theatre (MUSC 25, THEA 9, or THEA 11, DNCE 1, DNCE 2, DNCE 3A, DNCE 4, DNCE 5, DNCE 6 or instructor permission/audition)

(3)

THEA 110

Acting Study III: Advanced Acting (THEA 101, THEA 114A, THEA 114B, or instructor permission)

(3)

THEA 111

Audition Technique (THEA 101, THEA 114A, THEA 114B, or instructor permission)

(1)

THEA 112

Musical Theatre Workshop (THEA 109 or instructor permission and/or audition)

(3)

THEA 113

Acting Styles: Shakespeare (THEA 101, THEA 114A, THEA 114B and instructor permission)

(3)

THEA 114A

Voice and Movement I (THEA 11)

(3)

THEA 114B

Voice and Movement II (THEA 114A)

  Youth Theatre/Puppetry

(3)

THEA 115

Puppetry

(3)

THEA 115A

Multicultural Puppetry

(3)

THEA 118

Children's Theatre

  History/Literature

(3)

THEA 140

Black Drama in the African Diaspora OR

(3)

THEA 149 series course

Playwright as Artist Series

(3)

THEA 173

Contemporary Chicano/Latino Theatre: Themes and Performance 1965-Present

(3)

THEA 175

Multicultural Perspectives in American Film

Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree - Dance

Units required for the Major: 52
Minimum total units required for BA: 120
A minimum grade of C- is required of courses applied to the major.

Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses (16 units)

(2)

DNCE 11

Intermediate Jazz (DNCE 1 or instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 12

Intermediate Modern Dance (Instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 13A

Intermediate Ballet (Demonstrate technical proficiency of Beginning Ballet levels and instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 22

Dance Improvisation

(3)

THEA 11

Acting Study I (Theatre and Dance majors or minors or instructor permission)

(3)

THEA 16

Technical Production I - Stagecraft

(2) Select one of the following:

DNCE 5

Mexican Folklorico Dance OR

DNCE 14

Intermediate Tap (DNCE 4 or instructor permission)

B. Required Upper Division Courses (36 units)

(2)

DNCE 111

Advanced Jazz (Instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 112

Advanced Modern Dance (Instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 120

Principles of Choreography (DNCE majors only and instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 122

Choreographic Form and Styles (DNCE 120, DNCE 22)

(3)

DNCE 130

Appreciation and History of Dance

(3)

DNCE 131

Dance Cultures of America

(3)

DNCE 132

African-Caribbean Dance

(2)

DNCE 142

Dance Performance Skills

(3)

DNCE 143

Culminating Choreographic Project (Senior standing)

(3)

DNCE 150

Dance Theory and Criticism (DNCE 122, DNCE 130, DNCE 131, instructor permission)

(3)

DNCE 160

Creative Dance for Children

(3)

KINS 151C

Dance Kinesiology (BIO 22 or equivalent)

(1)

THEA 120

Practicum in Technical Production

(1)

THEA 121

Rehearsal and Performance

(3) Select one of the following:
 

THEA 109

Musical Theatre (MUSC 25, THEA 9, or THEA 11, DNCE 1, DNCE 2, DNCE 3A, DNCE 4, DNCE 5, DNCE 6 or instructor/audition)

 

THEA 114A

Voice and Movement I (THEA 11)

 

THEA 118

Children's Theatre

Requirements - Minor - Theatre

Units required for Minor: 18
The minor requires that all courses be taken in Theatre, 9 units of which must be upper division.
A minimum grade of C- is required of courses applied to the minor.

Specific course requirements are:

(3)

THEA 2

History of the Theatre: Ancient to Renaissance

(3)

THEA 3

Theatre History After 1660

(3)

THEA 11

Acting Study I (Theatre and Dance majors or minors or instructor permission) OR

THEA 16

Technical Production I - Stagecraft AND

(1)

THEA 120

Practicum in Technical Production

(7-9)

Upper division courses taken from section C, Elective/Advising above. (Advisor approval required.)

Requirements - Minor - Musical Theatre

Units required for Minor: 19
A minimum grade of C- is required of courses applied to the minor.

Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

The minor specifically requires the following courses:

(3)

THEA 11

Acting Study I (Theatre and Dance majors or minors or instructor permission)

(3)

THEA 109

Musical Theatre (MUSC 25, THEA 9, or THEA 11, DNCE 1, DNCE 2, DNCE 3A, DNCE 4, DNCE 5, DNCE 6 or instructor permission/audition)

(3)

THEA 111*

Audition Technique (THEA 101, THEA 114A, THEA 114B, and/or by instructor permission)

(1)

THEA 112*

Musical Theatre Workshop (THEA 109 or instructor permission and/or audition)

(1)

THEA 121**

Rehearsal and Performance

* Must be taken concurrently.
**

Credit MUST be from participation in the "Outreach Show" AND

(2)

DNCE 1

Beginning Jazz

(2)

DNCE 3A

Ballet I

(2)

DNCE 4

Beginning Tap

(2)

DNCE 6

Popular Jazz Dance (DNCE 1 and/or instructor permission) OR

(2)

DNCE 11

Intermediate Jazz (DNCE 1 or instructor permission)

Requirements - Minor - Dance

Units required for Minor: 18
The minor requires that all courses be taken in Dance, 9 units of which must be upper division.
A minimum grade of C- is required of courses applied to the minor.

Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Specific course requirements are:

Technique (6 units)
Select one of the following:

(2)

DNCE 1

Beginning Jazz

(2)

DNCE 2

Beginning Modern Dance

(2)

DNCE 3A

Ballet I

(2)

DNCE 4

Beginning Tap

(2) DNCE 6 Popular Jazz Dance (DNCE 1 and/or instructor permission)
 
(4) Select two of the following:
(2)

DNCE 11

Intermediate Jazz (DNCE 1 or instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 12

Intermediate Modern Dance (Instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 13A

Intermediate Ballet (Demonstrate technical proficiency of Beginning Ballet levels and instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 14

Intermediate Tap (DNCE 4 or instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 111

Advanced Jazz (Instructor permission)

(2)

DNCE 112

Advanced Modern Dance (Instructor permission)

Choreography (2 units)

(2)

DNCE 120

Principles of Choreography (Dance majors only and instructor permission)

Production (3 units)

(3)

THEA 16

Technical Production I - Stagecraft

History/Cultural Studies (3-6 units)

(3)

DNCE 130

Appreciation and History of Dance

(3)

DNCE 131

Dance Cultures of America

Electives (1-5 units)
Select from the following:

(2)

DNCE 5

Mexican Folklorico Dance

(2)

DNCE 22

Dance Improvisation

(2)

DNCE 122

Choreographic Forms and Styles (DNCE 120, DNCE 22)

(3)

DNCE 132

African-Caribbean Dance

(2)

DNCE 142

Dance Performance Skills

(3)

DNCE 143

Culminating Choreographic Project (Senior standing)

(3)

DNCE 160

Creative Dance for Children

(2)

THEA 20

Technical Production II - Lighting.

Requirements - Subject Matter Program - English/Theatre (Pre-Credential Preparation)

Students may also pursue a secondary teaching credential in English/Theatre. The requirements represent a 57-unit waiver program in the two departments. The courses outlined below must be completed with a "B" average:

A. Basic Core (30 units)

(3)

ENGL 40A

Introduction to British Literature I

(3)

ENGL 50A

Introduction to American Literature I

(3)

ENGL 50B

Introduction to American Literature II

(3)

ENGL 110A

Linguistics and the English Language

(3)

ENGL 120A

Advanced Composition (GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W, or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X)

(3)

ENGL 125A

Literature and Film for Adolescents (ENGL 20 or ENGL 120A; GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

(3)

ENGL 125B

Writing and the Young Writer (GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W, or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X)

(3)

ENGL 140*

Studies in British Literature

(3)

ENGL 145B

Shakespeare -- The Early Plays, 1592-1600 OR

ENGL 145C

Shakespeare -- The Later Plays, 1600 - 1612

(3)

THEA 174

Multicultural Perspectives in American Theatre

* The prerequisites for this course are ENGL 40A, ENGL 40B, ENGL 50A, ENGL 50B with a grade of a "C-" or better and ENGL 120A with a grade of a "B-" or better.

B. Breadth and Perspective (27 units)

(3)

THEA 2

History of the Theatre: Ancient to Renaissance

(3)

THEA 3

Theatre History After 1660

(3)

THEA 4

Script Analysis

(3)

THEA 11

Acting Study I (Theatre and Dance majors or minors or instructor permission)

(3)

THEA 16

Technical Production I - Stagecraft

(2)

THEA 20

Technical Production II - Lighting

(3)

THEA 107

Directing (THEA 2, THEA 3, THEA 4, THEA 11, THEA 16, THEA 20, instructor permission; Junior standing or higher)

(1)

THEA 120

Practicum in Technical Production

(3)

THEA 131

Styles in Costume

(3) Select one of the following:

THEA 140

Black Drama in the African Diaspora

 

THEA/WOMS 144

Women and Theatre: Staging Diversity

THEA 149 Series

Playwright as Artist Series

THEA 170

African American Theatre and Culture (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

THEA 173

Contemporary Chicano/Latino Theatre: Themes and Performance 1965-Present

Career Possibilities

Actor · Choreographer · Dancer · Director · Scenographer · Lighting Designer · Scenic Designer · Puppeteer · Theatre Manager · Critic · Announcer/Narrator · Sound/Light Technician · Scenic Artist · Propmaster · Teacher (all levels) · Stage and Production Manager

Faculty

Lorelei Bayne, Ed Brazo, Andonia Cakouros, Michelle Felten, Linda Goodrich, Randee Paufve, Manuel Pickett, Roberto Pomo, Ron Reisner, Melinda Wilson

Contact Information

Linda Goodrich, Department Chair
Andrea Cool, Academic Support Coordinator II
Cindy Piccinini, Academic Support Coordinator I
Shasta Hall 104
(916) 278-6368
www.csus.edu/dram



COMPLETE COURSE LISTING - THEATRE
COMPLETE COURSE LISTING - DANCE
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