Theatre Majors Advisement Alert: Because of the sequential nature of many of the Fine Arts courses, students must meet during their first semester at Georgia Perimeter College with a Fine Arts advisor to plan their course of study. Fine Arts majors need to start their major area courses in their first semester in order to complete the two-year sequence.
 
The Theatre program at the college is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in theatre related professions by meeting the freshman and sophomore theatre requirements established by most four-year schools. Students who complete the recommended transfer theatre curriculum will be prepared to enter as juniors and meet the lower-division requirements for theatre majors at most institutions.
 
The college Theatre program offers its students the opportunity to put the skills they have learned in class to practical use, both as performers and as technicians, in a variety of theatrical productions, thereby gaining experience for artistic growth and resume building. It is widely recognized that theatre majors at the college are offered more theatrical experience at the freshman and sophomore levels than at most senior colleges or universities.
 
THEA 1301 - Theatre Appreciation (3)
The course is a survey of theatre from fifth century B.C. Greece to contemporary theatre. The history, physical stage, playwrights, dramatic literature, and styles of the major periods of theatre are included. Various aspects of play production and the importance of theatre as an art form and cultural force are treated.
 
THEA 1301H - Theatre Appreciation (Honors) (3)
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program
This course is THEA 1301 for Honors students.
 
THEA 1550 - Dance Technique for the Performer (3)
This courseintroduces the art and practice of beginning dance techniques for the
performer; includes technical practice, exploration of the elements of dance, the history of dance, and creative activities leading to the appreciation of dance performance and the development of a beginning technical vocabulary. This course is for students with no dance training or those who wish to develop beyond the beginning level.
 
THEA 1551 – Tap Dance I (1)
This course provides the basic technical skills of tap dancing and consists of two studio hours
per week. It is intended for students with no previous training or basic tap skills.
 
THEA 1552 – Tap Dance II (1)
Prerequisites: THEA 1551
This course provides further foundation training necessary for the development of skilled proficiency in tap dance. It consists of two studio hours one day per week.
 
THEA 1553 – Jazz Dance I (1)
This course provides the foundation training necessary for the development of skilled proficiency in jazz dance. It consists of two studio hours one day per week.
 
THEA 1554 – Jazz Dance II (1)
Prerequisites: THEA 1553
This course provides practice of jazz technique at the intermediate level with emphasis on the varied styles of choreography used in theatre and concert productions. It consists of two studio hours one day per week.
 
THEA 1556 – Social Dance I (1)
This course introduces forms of different cultures. It covers international and American folk dances, social forms, and ballroom. The course consists of two studio hours one day per week.
 
THEA 1603 - Acting I (3)
The fundamentals of acting techniques are taught through improvisation, character development, monologue, and scene-work. This is a lecture/laboratory course.
 
THEA 1604 - Acting II (3)
Prerequisites: THEA 1603
This course is a continuation of THEA 1603 with emphasis on an actor’s approach to a role, characterization, styles of acting, and vocal technique. Assignments include presentation of scenes from period and modern plays.
 
THEA 1607 - Stagecraft (3)
The fundamentals of scene design, set construction, painting, lighting, costuming, and backstage organization are emphasized. Practical work in the stage shop or in college theatre facilities is required.
 
THEA 1610 - Improving Voice and Articulation (3)
This is a laboratory-oriented class for the correction of deficiencies in voice or articulation. Careful analysis of each student’s speech problems is made, followed by intensive directed exercises for their correction, based on an understanding of the speaking mechanism and of elementary phonetics. The course is not for treatment of foreign dialect or severe speech disorders requiring speech therapy.
 
THEA 1611 - Play Analysis for Production (3)
Prerequisites:Exit or exemption from Learning Support English and reading or all ESL requirements
This course includes a textual analysis of play scripts, with an emphasis on the perspective of the practitioner of Theatre for production purposes.
 
THEA 1650 – Design Skills for Theatre (3)
Prerequisites: THEA 1611 or consent of the instructor
This course introduces Theatre students to tools, methods and skills for theatre design. Students will learn to work as a designer and how to present themselves as such to the world at large.
 
THEA 1660 – Makeup for the Stage (3)
This course is a practical exposure for students to makeup design and application for the stage. In this course, students will learn techniques in 2-dimensional makeup, skin care for performers, hair and wig concerns as well as touching upon 3-dimensional makeup.
 
THEA 1701 - Theatre Practicum (1)
This course is participation as a performer in theatre productions (full length plays or musicals produced as part of the fine arts season). It may be repeated for a maximum of 2 credits. It may not be taken at the same time as THEA 1702.
 
THEA 1702 - Technical Theatre Practicum (1)
Prerequisites: Approval of Theatre program coordinator
This course offers students practical work on theatre productions (full length plays or musicals produced as part of the fine arts season) in the areas of technical production including: stage management, lighting, sound, backstage crew, costuming, props, and makeup/wigs/hair. It may be taken only once per production.
 
THEA 1758A – Music Theatre Ensemble (1)
Prerequisites: THEA 1603 or previous vocal study in Music Theatre genre and the permission of the instructor or the theatre coordinator
This course is a training ground for music theatre performers to learn to integrate the fundamental skills of singing, acting, and stage movement into their work. The semester culminates in a recital of musical theatre selections of ensemble, duo and solo works. As the course content varies from term to term, the course may be taken more than once.
 
THEA 2345 - Audition Portfolio (1)
Prerequisites: THEA 1603, THEA 1604, THEA 1610, THEA 1611, and THEA 1701
This course includes selection, preparation and presentation of material for theatre auditions.
Students will have experience in preparing resumes and auditions, cold readings and call back interviews. Final performance of audition for theatre exit panel is required.
 
THEA 2401 – Scenery Skills for the Theatre (3)
Prerequisites: THEA 1607
This course expands on skills learned in the basic stagecraft course in the areas of scenery construction, scenic painting and properties. The approach is practical, emphasizing projects over lecture.
 
THEA 2402 – Costume Skills for the Theatre (3)
Prerequisites: THEA 1607
This course expands on skills learned in the basic stagecraft course in the areas of costume construction, fabric science, and crafts. The approach is practical, emphasizing projects over lecture.
 
THEA 2403 – Lighting and Sound Skills for the Theatre (3)
Prerequisites: THEA 1607
This course expands on skills learned in the basic stagecraft course in the areas of lighting and sound. It details technical skills and safety practices. The approach is practical, emphasizing projects over lecture.
 
THEA 2450 – Stage and Theatre Management (3)
Prerequisites: THEA 1607
This course exposes students to the full process of stage management for live theatre as well as the basic concepts, and procedures of other areas including production, audience, and business management. 
 
THEA 2607 - Children’s Theatre Production (3)
Prerequisites: Audition and approval of Theatre program coordinator
This course is designed to offer the student practical theatre experience in performing, presenting and writing children’s theatre. Final play will be toured to local elementary schools, after school programs and GPC campuses.
 
THEA 2611 - Directing (3)
Prerequisites: THEA 1603 and THEA 1611
This course is the study of the role of the director in theatrical production, including practical application of theories in classroom exercises.
 
THEA 2613 – Theatre Workshop (3)
Prerequisites: Permission of the department chair
This course is designed to offer the student practical theatre experiences working with a major project. Individualized instruction is provided according to the student’s area of specialization.