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 Profile:
Professor Merola
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 Students majoring in theatre concentrate their efforts in the areas
of performance and directing. Additional courses in theatre history
and stagecraft, combined with Oglethorpe's internship program, offer
a study in theatre that is interactive in approach and broad in
scope. The department's unique relationship with Georgia
Shakespeare also provides qualified students with
performance opportunities unparalleled by any school in the region.
Those entering Oglethorpe with a background in theatre, as well as
students with an interest but no experience, will find ample
opportunities in the theatre program to develop their skills and
expertise.
The Oglethorpe University theatre program is dedicated
to presenting stimulating and enjoyable theatre for audiences of all
types and ages, and integrating theatre into Oglethorpe University's
academic curriculum. Mounting five full productions per school year,
the program pursues an artistic policy that celebrates the diversity
of its dramatic heritage by engaging texts of diverse periods,
cultures, and styles. Through The Playmakers (the theatre program's
official performance company), laboratory opportunities are provided
as students and faculty come together to create live performance
events for the campus community and the city of Atlanta.
More
information on Oglethorpe's Theatre Program
Major
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree are required to
complete the following courses:
THE 105 Beginning Characterization
THE 205 Intermediate Characterization
THE 210 Theatre History I: Greeks to Restoration
THE 220 Theatre History II: Renaissance to 20th Century
THE 305 Advanced Characterization
THE 310 Stagecraft
THE 330 Directing for the Stage I
THE 340 Directing for the Stage II
THE 407 Internship in Theatre
In addition, students must choose two from among the following:
ENG 202 Shakespeare
ENG 306 Special Topics in Drama
THE 320 Special Topics in Theatre
THE 408 Independent Study in Theatre
Minor
A theatre minor serves as an appropriate complement to a variety
of majors in communications and the humanities. Students are
required to take the following courses:
THE 105 Beginning Characterization
THE 205 Intermediate Characterization
THE 310 Stagecraft
Students must complete one of the following:
THE 210 Theatre History I: Greeks to
Restoration
THE 220 Theatre History II: Renaissance to 20th Century
Students must complete one from among the following:
ENG 202 Shakespeare
ENG 306 Special Topics in Drama
THE 320 Special Topics in Theatre
THE 407 Internship in Theatre
The following courses are offered in Theatre:
| THE 105. Beginning
Characterization |
4 hours |
This
course explores the physical and mental foundations necessary
for successful stage performance. Students will be expected to
engage in hands-on exercises, physical and vocal warmups, and
performance work (both individual and partnered) throughout the
semester. The basic principles of the Stanislavski method will
be explored through stage combat, mime, movement, vocalization,
and contemporary characterization.
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| THE 205.
Intermediate Characterization |
4 hours |
Intermediate Characterization is a studio intensive course that
explores the methods of 20th-century American acting teacher
Sanford Meisner. This course is designed to provide
students with an in-depth understanding of his approach to
acting, which builds upon tenets put forth by Constantin
Stanislavski. Meisner's training approaches will be uncovered
through immersive studio exercises, in-depth scene study
assignments, and review and discussion of Meisner's seminal book
Sanford Meisner on Acting, as well as other related
literature. Prerequisite: THE 105.
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| THE 210. Theatre
History I: Greeks to Restoration |
4 hours |
An
in-depth study of theatrical history, examining not only the
theatrical literature of particular periods, but the staging
practices, costuming, social customs and performance styles as
well. Periods covered include: Greek, Roman, Medieval,
Elizabethan, and Restoration.
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| THE 220. Theatre
History II: Renaissance to 20th Century |
4 hours |
An
in-depth study of theatrical history, examining not only the
theatrical literature of particular periods, but the staging
practices, costuming, social customs and performance styles as
well. Periods and styles covered include: Renaissance,
Neo-classic, Sentimental Comedy, Domestic Tragedy, Melodrama,
and Realism.
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| THE 305. Advanced
Characterization |
4 hours |
| This
course affords the advanced theatre student an opportunity to
explore methods for rehearsing and performing texts written by
William Shakespeare. With a focus on the practical demands of
Shakespeare's language, the course addresses technical,
stylistic, historical and interpretive considerations as they
relate to the feat of performance. This course builds upon the
student's understanding of Stanislavkian acting with the
assumption that, despite formal differences, Shakespearean texts
can be approached with psychological-realist tactics.
Prerequisite: THE 205. |
| THE 310. Stagecraft |
4 hours |
Stagecraft
provides hands-on experience and assignments designed to
physically and mentally engage the technician and designer. This
class will focus on historical perspective as well as individual
research and design. Students will be evaluated on the basis of
a mid-term examination, written assignments, the completion of a
minimum number of practicum hours and a final design project.
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| THE 320. Special Topics in
Theatre |
4 hours |
This
course will be a study of a selected topic in theatre and/or
film, such as Feminist Theatre, Shakespeare in Performance,
Gender in Performance, The Hero in American Film, or Hollywood's
Treatment of Women. Prerequisite: THE 105 or permission of the
instructor.
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| THE 330. Directing
for the Stage I |
4 hours |
This
course offers the intermediate to advanced theatre student an
opportunity to explore the foundations of directing texted
material for live theatrical performance. The primary focus of
this course will be on experiential learning rather than
abstract study. The course provides practical experience with
the three preparatory phases of directing: research, analysis
and conceptualization. Prerequisite: THE 205.
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| THE 340. Directing
for the Stage II |
4 hours |
This
course serves as the studio practicum for Directing for the
Stage I, culminating in performances staged as part of the
Oglethorpe University theatre season. The work of individual
students will be scheduled accordingly. All student work will be
evaluated by a faculty panel. Prerequisite: THE 330.
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| THE 407. Internship in Theatre |
1-4 hours |
An
internship is designed to provide a formalized experiential
learning opportunity to qualified students. The internship
generally requires the student to obtain a faculty supervisor in
the relevant field of study, submit a learning agreement, work
30 hours for every hour of academic credit, keep a written
journal of the work experience, have regularly scheduled
meetings with the faculty supervisor, and write a research paper
dealing with some aspect of the internship. Written work should
total five pages of academic writing for every hour of credit.
Internships are available at most of the 147 Atlanta Coalition
for Performing Arts member theatres. Graded on a
satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisites: Permission of
the faculty supervisor and qualification for the internship
program.
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| THE 408. Independent Study in
Theatre |
1-4 hours |
Supervised research on
a selected topic. Prerequisite: Submission of a proposed outline
of study that includes a schedule of meetings and assignments
approved by the instructor, the division chair, and the Provost
and Senior Vice President prior to registration.
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