Theatre and Drama Courses (TDR)
TDR 1120. Fundamentals of Production Design (3). Designed to introduce students to the basic elements of technical production and design. Emphasis upon the areas of scenery, lighting, costume, and make-up.
TDR 1310-1320, 2310-2320, 3310-3320, 4310-4320. Performance and Production Lab (3). Open to all students of the university and sponsored by the Belmont Little Theatre, this lab produces a season of shows open to the campus and Nashville community while serving as the performance-production studio for theatre majors and minors. Theatre majors must enroll in the lab 8 semesters. Minors must enroll a minimum of 3 semesters.
TDR 1500. Proficiency Review I (0). During the second semester of enrollment, theatre and drama majors must demonstrate comprehension of the following: the chronological progression of the heritage of theatre, the basic components of the theatrical performance and production process. Students must also present a memorized, 3-minute monologue performed for an audience of faculty and student peers.
TDR 1950-4950. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.
TDR 1990-4990. Special Studies (1-3).
TDR 2000. The Film Experience (3). An introduction to the art form of film. The course will focus on the cinematic arts through the various collaborative elements and the artists that create these elements. Course content will provide students with a conceptual framework and vocabulary that will enhance their ability to evaluate and analyze film.
TDR 2010. Basic Acting for Non-Majors (3). Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework, and actor's vocabulary leading towards characterization and role development. Designed specifically for non-majors who are interested in performance studies.
TDR 2050. Basic Acting for Musical Theater (2). Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework, and actor's vocabulary leading towards characterization and role development in the context of musical theatre performance.
TDR 2080. Acting I (3). Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework, and actor's vocabulary leading towards characterization and role development.
TDR 2100. Stage Voice and Diction I (3). Provides instruction in vocal and speech technique expected of stage and screen actors. Emphasis is placed upon developing the physical properties of the voice along with the articulatory skills required for speaking Standard American English.
TDR 2110-4110. Theatre Workshop (2). (Pass/Fail). A series of performance and production workshops designed to enhance students' stage expertise. Workshop topics include, but are not limited to, training in the following: audition techniques; stage dialects; period styles; on-camera performance; theatrical design; arts management. (May be repeated with change of topic.)
TDR 2120. Sophomore Audition/Portfolio Seminar (1). Prerequisite: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience. Focus on basic audition preparation, portfolio development, and resume techniques.
TDR 2200. Stage Movement I (3). Devoted to studying the various forms of movement for the stage performer as well as a physical approach to stagecraft. Course will focus on flexibility, physical improvisation, character building, mask-work, and physical composition. Course will culminate in the presentation of mask theatre.
TDR 2210. Stage Combat (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2010, 2050, 2080 or consent of instructor. An introduction to the fundamental skills of effective stage combat. Exploration of hand-to-hand, rapier, dagger, broadsword, and staff combat techniques.
TDR 2220. Stage Movement for Musical Theatre (2). Pre-requisite: DAN 1301 Modern I. A performance class focusing on the development and practice of movement for the musical theatre actor. Coursework centers on physical awareness to support and enhance acting impulse and character development, and class exercises encourage the development of a sustained vocal/physical process. The course builds on foundational movement techniques developed during the pre-requisite, DAN 1301 Modern I.
TDR 2250. Directing I (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience. Introduction to the study and practice of directing plays. This course will focus upon the rehearsal process and the staging of scenes.
TDR 2400. Scriptwriting I (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience or TDR 2000 The Film Experience. Introduction to the process of script development through writing exercises. The course will concentrate on the standard script form for theatrical and film production and will also include an introduction to important dramatic form and theory.
TDR 2500. Proficiency Review II (0). During the fourth semester of enrollment, theatre and drama majors must demonstrate comprehension of the following: basic stage terminology used by actors and directors, the process of analyzing a script for character and role development. Students must also prepare an informative presentation to be delivered to an audience of faculty and peers. Presentation topics will be assigned in advance by the theatre faculty.
TDR 2610. Set Design I (3). Prerequisite: TDR 1120 Fundamentals of Production Design. Aesthetics and process of Set Design. Emphasis on the principles and theories of design as they relate to the development of a production design concept. Course includes basic design development including concept meetings, research, rendering, model construction, and the design package.
TDR 2620. Lighting Design I (3). Prerequisite: TDR 1120 Fundamentals of Production Design. Aesthetics and process of Light Design. Emphasis on the principles of light and the foundations of theatrical light design. Course includes basic design development including concept meetings, research, plot development, and design realization.
TDR 2630. Costume Design I (3). Prerequisite: TDR 1120 Fundamentals of Production Design. Aesthetics and process of Costume Design. Emphasis on the principles and theories of costume design concepts. Course includes basic Design development including concept meetings, research, fabric choices, rendering, costume construction, and design realization.
TDR 2640. Stage Make-up (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2050, 2080 or consent of instructor. An examination of basic stage make-up techniques including research methods, exploration of typical materials, practical applications, and the creation of character through the make-up.
TDR 2720. Acting for the Camera (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2050, 2080 or consent of instructor. Provides a detailed look at the art and craft of acting for the camera. Course will focus on scene study with emphasis on script analysis for film acting, specifically in the areas of choice, goal/action/obstacle, stakes, playable action, triggers, dramatic tension and rehearsing.
TDR 2730. Acting for Shakespeare (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2050, 2080 or consent of instructor. An examination of Shakespearean drama and the practical approaches to acting in Shakespearean theatre. The course involves extensive monologue and scene work. Course will involve extensive textual analysis and a study of the history of classical theatre.
TDR 2800. The Theatre Experience (3). Designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the process of theatrical production from conception to execution to evaluation.
TDR 3050. Creative Drama in the Classroom (3). This course is devoted to studying the traditional modes of creative dramatics and the use of drama as a supplemental teaching tool. A required class for students who plan to teach in the elementary/secondary school system.
TDR 3080. Acting II (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2010, 2050, 2080, or consent of the instructor. Devoted to the study and application of specific contemporary acting systems, including those developed by Stanislavski, Meisner, Adler, and Hagen. Emphasis is placed on intensive individual and group scene work.
TDR 3100. Stage Voice & Diction II (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2100 Stage Voice and Diction I. A continuation of TDR 2100 Stage Voice and Diction with the focus on removing specific non-standard speech and regionalism issues. Course includes dialect work and an introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet.
TDR 3120. Junior Audition/Portfolio Seminar (1). Prerequisite: TDR 2120 Audition/Portfolio Seminar. Extensive individual coaching in style and presentation of audition material, design portfolios, directing books, and monologues. Students will develop audition technique, audition and portfolio material, and professional resumes in preparation for professional work.
TDR 3180. Elementary Theatre Education Methods (3). A course designed to acquaint the theatre specialist with the content, methodology, and materials of an elementary school theatre curriculum. Required of all Theatre Education majors. Lab required involving classroom observations and introduction to creative drama for the classroom including puppetry, Mime, mask work, and Improvisation.
TDR 3190. Secondary Theatre Education Methods (3). Prerequisite: TDR 3180 Elementary Theatre Education Methods. Provides instruction and field experiences, which enables art education pre-service teachers to organize and guide middle and high school students in developing appropriate conceptual understandings and production skills for Theatre. Other components of the course include middle school and adolescent student development, middle school and high school structure and culture, curriculum development and implementation, and classroom management strategies.
TDR 3200. Stage Movement II (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2200 Stage Movement I. A continuation of Stage Movement I, with a focus on the work of Michael Chekhov. This course will place additional emphasis on physical improvisation, imagination, psychological gesture, and an introduction to period movement styles. The course will culminate in the presentation of a movement piece.
TDR3250. Directing II (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2250 Directing I. Intensive study in the process of stage directing and culminates in student-directed one-act plays to be viewed by an audience.
TDR 3550. Dramatic Literature and Criticism (3). The study of significant dramatic theory and literature from Ancient Greece through the present.
TDR 3560. Play Analysis (3). A study of the methods of analyzing dramatic scripts.
TDR 3610. Computer Assisted Design (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2610 Set Design I, or TDR 2620 Light Design I, or TDR 2630 Costume Design I. The study of computer technology as a tool for the design process including 3-D rendering, CADD, Figure Drawing, Light plot development, and graphic arts programs.
TDR 3500. Proficiency Review III (0). During the sixth semester of enrollment, theatre and drama majors must demonstrate comprehension of the following: basic terminology used by theatrical designers, the functions of each area of theatrical design. Students must also prepare a presentation that addresses their own directorial concept for staging of a specific play. The presentations will be delivered to an audience of faculty and peers. Plays will be assigned in advance by the theatre faculty.
TDR 3510. Theatre and Drama History I (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2800 The Theatre Experience. The study of theatre history and dramatic theory from Ancient Greece through Restoration drama.
TDR 3520. Theatre and Drama History II (3). Prerequisite: TDR 3510 Theatre History I. A study of theatre history and dramatic theory from the eighteenth century through the present.TDR 3530. Shakespeare: Representative Plays (3). Traces the development of Shakespeare's career through the study of representative tragedies, histories, comedies, and romances. Taught through the Department of Literature and Language.
TDR 3700. Business of Show Business (3). Prerequisites: TDR 2250 Directing I, or TDR2080 Acting I or TDR2610 Set Design I, or TDR2620 Light Design I, or TDR2630 Costume Design I. Study of audition and interview techniques, contracts, taxes, unions, agencies, and other subjects the theatre professional. Course will also introduce concepts of theatre management, producing, production budgeting and fundraising.
TDR 3940, 4940. Directed Studies (3). Student development of a project or student special interest. Consent of the instructor is required.
TDR 4015. Senior Capstone in Theatre (1-3). Prerequisite: Senior standing and approval of advisor. This course is the culminating experience in the major, and also addresses the goals for the Senior Capstone as defined in the BELL Core Curriculum, including reflection on the student’s academic experience and on the transition from the university setting to professional life. The senior may produce, direct, design or act in a project to be chosen by the student and the student’s advisor. Additionally, the senior will be responsible for all aspects of the production, including production management and budgeting. This project may be completed on or off campus, may be completed solely or with a partner, and must culminate in a major performance and presentation. This course is to be taken in the final year of residence before graduation. Repeatable up to a total of 3 credit hours.
TDR 4080. Acting III (3). Prerequisite: TDR 3080 Acting II or consent of the instructor. Intensive scene study and character analysis with the goal of honing the actor’s personal technique. Class will culminate in a final presentation of scenes or one-acts.
TDR 4120. Advanced Production Design (3). Prerequisites: 2 of the following courses: TDR 2610 Set Design I, TDR 2620 Lighting Design I, or TDR 2630 Costume Design I. Advanced design course focusing on collaborative production design. The course includes advanced design development, typical production drawings and paperwork, production budgeting, and final design presentations. Designers will be required to design in two or more disciplines. May be repeated for credit.
TDR 4200. Advanced Performance Studies (3). Intensive studio work in areas of acting, directing, script-writing, or production design. Participating students must be interviewed and approved by the instructor at least one semester prior to enrollment in the course. (May be repeated once with change of focus.)
TDR4260. Advanced Methods in Directing (3). Prerequisites: TDR 3250 Directing II. Intensive study of the historical development of directing theory and methodology since Saxe-Meiningen. Course includes extensive research based projects designed to give student’s practical experience in work settings.
TDR4400. Scriptwriting II (3). Prerequisite: TDR 2400 Scriptwriting I. The study of formal scriptwriting for both stage and screen. Extensive focus on long form scripts including one-acts, full length play scripts, and extended screen plays.
TDR 4430. Stage Management (3). Prerequisite: TDR 1120 Fundamentals of Production Design. Concentrated training in the functions and the role of the Stage Manager in the production process.
TDR 4440. Technical Theatre for Stage Directors (3). Studies in the technical aspects of production from the director's viewpoint. Emphasis is placed on implementing the directorial concept through the visual media of scenic design, lighting, costuming, and make-up.
TDR4520. Period Styles (3). Prerequisite: TDR3520 Theatre History II. Intensive study of major historical periods including major movements in acting, directing, design, period style, and décor. This course involves interactive collaborative presentations and extensive research projects.
TDR4610. Student Teaching Seminar (0). A seminar dealing with practical and philosophical issues in current theatre education. Content of this course grows out of the student-teaching experience, TDR 4620, which is taken concurrently.
TDR4620. Student Teaching (8). Prerequisite: TDR 3180 Elementary Theatre Education Methods & TDR 3180 Secondary Theatre Education Methods. A laboratory course giving student teacher experience in theatre education. This full-semester course allows for teaching experience on both elementary and secondary levels in theatre. This course is taken concurrently with a seminar, which meets once a week for the entire semester (TDR 4610). ($325.00 course fee)
TDR 4910. Theatre Internship (3). Sponsored for qualifying students in one of the following areas: (I) Technical Internship; (2) Performance Internship; (3) Production Internship. A student is accepted as a theatre intern upon approval of the application by the Belmont Little Theatre director in conjunction with the participating Intern Theatres.