THE 201 - Introduction to Theater

Description
This is a course in theater appreciation. Students learn to understand theater as a reflection of the human condition as they analyze performances and study how a play moves from script to stage. Students also learn about theater structure and the various artists and craft persons associated with this collaborative art.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: None
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

General Education Requirement:
Humanities
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
2. Communication: Demonstrate effective communication through listening, speaking, reading, or writing using relevant sources and research strategies, 3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge
Course Learning Outcomes:

Critique productions by analyzing structural components, organization, and aspects of criticism.(GELO2)
Judge individual acting performances using established criteria.
Explain the use of structural components during the two (2) phases of directing.(GELO2)
Discriminate between the various steps of the design process through the identification of goals and means.
Assess if the ideas of a culture can be seen in the plays that culture produces. (GELO2)
Adopt a personal set of aesthetic criteria to judge a production.(GELO3)

Course Outline:
I. Introduction

A. Define Theater and Play

B. Jobs Associated with Theater

C. Length and Genre Labels

II. Analyzing Theater

A. Structural Components

B. Organization

C. Critical Perspectives

III. Configurations and Theater Groups

A. Thrust Arena and Proscenium

B. Community Theater

C. College Theater

D. Professional Theater

IV. The Actor

A. Definition/Rewards and Fears

B. Aspects of Impersonation

C. Actor’s Routine

D. Demands of the Actor

1. Physical

2. Vocal

3. Mental

E. Methods of Approaching a Role

1. Internal

2. External

3. Stanislavsky System

V. The Director

A. Attributes and Definition

B. The Directing Process

1. Preparatory Phase

2. Implementation Phase

VI. The Designer

VII. Synthesizing Information -The Aesthetic Manifesto

VIII. The Greeks - Connecting Culture to Art

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 50-70%

Hands-on backstage work (service learning) or performance critiques: 15-25%

Media Instruction: 10-25%

Live production viewing: 10-25%

Group Work: 0-10%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
TH 248

Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course-Specific Placement Test:
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: ARW 100 (IRW97/IRW98), IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 100369
Course CIP Code: 50.05
Maximum Course Enrollment: 26
School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Theater
Discipline: TH
First Term Valid: 08/01/2025
1st Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Master’s Degree in Theater

Major Course Revisions: Prefix
Last Revision Date Effective: 20250302T15:01:13
Course Review & Revision Year: 2025-2026