USC School of Dramatic Arts production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Sunday in the Park with George, performed in Spring 2019. Photo by Nicholas Gingold/Capture Imaging.
One of the premier dramatic arts schools in the United States, the USC School of Dramatic Arts uniquely blends artistic training in a conservatory environment with outstanding faculty and the full academic experience found only within a major research university. This close-knit, supportive environment offers students the freedom to explore their artistic passions. Through programs of the highest caliber, as well as initiatives that provide access to professional experience, students are prepared for leadership in every facet of dramatic arts.
The school also attracts a wide range of guest speakers and lecturers, including some of the most distinguished talents from stage, screen and television. The location of the campus, literally in the center of the entertainment industry, makes the USC School of Dramatic Arts distinctive among colleges and universities in the United States.
Graduates of the school work professionally in all aspects of the entertainment industry. The school’s faculty are dynamic teachers who are also artists working at the highest level of their profession.
The breadth of learning opportunities offered at the school prepares students for the spectrum of careers in the dramatic arts. The School of Dramatic Arts strives to instill confidence, integrity, excellence and artistic sensitivity into each of its students — traits that are essential to success in any field.
Drama Center 104
(213) 740-1286
FAX: (213) 740-8888
Email: sdainfo@usc.edu
dramaticarts.usc.edu
Administration
Elizabeth M. Daley, PhD, Interim Dean
Lori Ray Fisher, MA, Vice Dean
Anita Dashiell-Sparks, MFA, Associate Dean
Oliver Mayer, MFA, Associate Dean
Stephanie Shroyer, MFA, Associate Dean
Faculty
Distinguished Professor: Velina Hasu Houston, PhD
Professors: Sharon M. Carnicke, PhD; Meiling Cheng, DFA; Oliver Mayer, MFA
Associate Professors: Luis Alfaro; Takeshi Kata, MFA; Oliver Mayer, MFA; Sibyl Wickersheimer, MFA
Assistant Professors: Alexandra Billings, MFA; Elizabeth Harper, MFA
Professors of Theatre Practice: Andrei Belgrader, MFA; Brent Blair, PhD; Kate Burton (Master Artist), MFA; Joseph Hacker, MFA; Duncan Mahoney; Kenneth Noel Mitchell; Natsuko Ohama; Stephanie Shroyer, MFA
Associate Professors of Theatre Practice: Philip G. Allen; Paula Cizmar; Elsbeth M. Collins; Anita Dashiell-Sparks, MFA; John DeMita, MFA; Kathleen Dunn-Muzingo, MFA; Melinda C. Finberg, PhD; Laura Flanagan, MFA; Christina Haatainen-Jones; Mary-Joan Negro; David Warshofsky, MFA
Assistant Professors of Theatre Practice: Scott Faris; Rena Heinrich; Dan Shaner; Christopher Shaw, MFA; Zachary Steel; Lauren Murphy Yeoman, MFA
Adjunct/Part-Time Faculty of Theatre Practice: Bayo Akinfemi; Emily Alpren, MFA; Boni Alvarez, MFA; Susan Angelo; Robert Bailey; Christopher Bange; Kay Bess; Ahmed Best; Tom Buderwitz; Anne Burk, MFA; Frank Catalano, MPW; Andi Chapman, MFA; Guillermo Cienfuegos; Tiffany Cole; Julián Conde, MFA; Samuel Craven-Griffiths; Tim Dang; Gregg T. Daniel, MFA; Nancy Cheryll Davis; Debra De Liso, MFA; Gary Domasin; Kirstin Eggers; Christine Estabrook; Khanisha Foster; Parmer Fuller, PhD; Terry Gordon, MFA; Jenny Guthrie; Murry Hepner; Paul Hungerford; Lisa James; R. Steven Johnson; Edgar Landa; Michael Laskin, MFA; Paul Lazarus; Jay Lee; Vicki Lewis; Jack Lovick, MFA; Babette Markus; Marya Mazor; Kevin McCorkle; Brighde Mullins, MFA; Patrick Murphy; Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, MFA; Jeremiah O’Brian, MFA; Se Oh; Cara Phipps; Kaitlyn Pietras; Larry Powell; Brett Ryback; Gabriella Santinelli; Sim Sarna; Judith Shelton; Armin Shimerman; Joey Skinner; Ashley Steed; Jason Thompson; Rodney To; Paul Urcioli; Kelly Ward; KcWayland; Julie Welch; Stephen Zuckerman
Courtesy Joint Appointments: Thomas G. Cummings, PhD; Larry E. Greiner, PhD (Emeritus); Bruce Smith, PhD
Emeritus Professors: Don Llewellyn, MFA; Eve Roberts, MFA; Andy Robinson; Robert R. Scales, PhD; Eric Trules; James Wilson, MFA
General Information
Degree Programs
The School of Dramatic Arts offers professional and academic degrees at the Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts levels. USC offers two degree programs to undergraduate students interested in the study of theatre arts. The professional degree programs, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting Stage, Screen and New Media; Design; Musical Theatre; Sound Design; Stage Management; and Technical Direction, offer a conservatory approach to training for students committed to pursuing careers in the professional theatre, film and television industries. The Bachelor of Arts degree program (BA) incorporates a broad, general education in addition to a thorough study of drama. The Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts Studies provides students with a broad understanding of the various disciplines. The School of Dramatic Arts also offers minor programs in theatre, musical theatre, performing arts studies, performing leadership, performing social change, comedy (performance) and playwriting.
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is ideal for students who want a broad education in addition to production and performance experience. The degree is offered in cooperation with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Acting for Stage, Screen and New Media: The BFA acting degree is a four-year professional training program that connects the foundation of classical theatre with innovative training for the contemporary performing artist, including on-camera techniques, voice over, motion capture, the digital landscape for actors and much more. An emphasis on professional development and networking culminates this groundbreaking new degree offering in the heart of Hollywood, which promises to be the standard-bearer for the next generation of acting programs. An audition is required for admission. The BFA acting program is highly competitive.
Design: The BFA program in design incorporates study in scenic, lighting and costume design. An interview is required for admission.
Musical Theatre: The BFA program in musical theatre is a four-year, professional training program focusing on providing students with the foundational skills needed to be healthy and expressive artists.
Sound Design: The BFA program in sound design offers the student a combination of technical, management and design training in sound design. The student is also introduced to sound recording and mixing through a series of courses offered by the USC Thornton School of Music. Students begin using this training as early as the second semester of the second year of enrollment. The skills acquired in the classroom are further explored through sound design assignments on School of Dramatic Arts public productions in each subsequent semester of the student’s program. Students in the sound design program build and design the sound component for the majority of the School of Dramatic Arts’ productions under the supervision of a professional staff of designers and theatre technicians. An interview is required for admission.
Stage Management: The BFA program in stage management offers the student a combination of technical, management and design training. Students begin using this training as early as the first year of enrollment. The skills acquired in the classroom are further explored through stage management assignments in each year of the student’s program. An interview is required for admission.
Technical Direction: The BFA program in technical direction incorporates the study of theatrical design with training in the professional skills needed to execute stage designs. An interview is required for admission.
Students in the design, stage management, and technical direction programs design, stage manage, and build the majority of the School of Dramatic Arts’ productions under the supervision of a professional staff of designers and theatre technicians.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts Studies is an interdisciplinary degree offered jointly by the School of Dramatic Arts, the School of Architecture, the School of Cinematic Arts, the Roski School of Art and Design, the Thornton School of Music, and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Minor Programs
Theatre: This general minor in theatre invites students to explore the many facets of this exciting field. Students have the opportunity to take a variety of classes in acting, applied theatre arts, applied theatre arts/education, playwriting, literature, stage management, directing, costume design and production. The curriculum is very flexible and encourages students to develop a primary interest for upper-division course work. All minor students are eligible to participate in performance and production projects.
Comedy: The minor in comedy (performance) is a 20-unit minor that focuses on the theory and practice of comedy-making from the performer’s perspective. Beginning with a foundation in the history of comic performance, and supplemented by courses in the fundamentals of acting and performance, the progression of the minor offers students a comprehensive theoretical and experiential education in the many differing disciplines of comedy.
Musical Theatre: The minor in musical theatre, interdisciplinary in nature, is a 27-unit program incorporating the study of acting, dance or movement, vocal arts and related musical subjects presented in association with the USC Thornton School of Music .
Performing Arts Studies: The minor in performing arts provides an interdisciplinary inquiry into the nature and aesthetics of the performing arts. It combines the disciplines of cinematic arts, dance, music and theatre. The minor is a unique course of study that looks at how the performing arts contribute to a culturally literate society.
Performing Leadership: The minor in performing leadership is the study and practice of embodied communication, collaboration and storytelling, creating pathways to authentic, dimensional, empathic leadership.
Performing Social Change: This minor creates opportunities for exploration of social change through performance and theatrical practice.
Playwriting: The minor in playwriting presents undergraduate students who are not theatre majors with a concentration in the discipline of playwriting as a means for broadening and deepening expression using the literary and performing arts. This minor offers a foundation for extended expression in dramatic writing and creative writing genres in general.
Master of Fine Arts
The Master of Fine Arts with a major in theatre requires 48–64 units of course work at the 400 or 500 level. The areas of emphasis include acting, theatrical design, dramatic writing and directing. These programs provide a high level of practical experience. To ensure this, the number of students accepted in each area of emphasis is strictly limited. An interview is required for admission.
Master of Arts, Applied Theatre Arts
The Master of Arts in Applied Theatre Arts explores the intersection of theatre arts and cultural fieldwork, encompassing the fields of theatre and therapy, theatre in education and theatre for social change/community-based theatre. Practitioners of applied theatre arts supplement their work as classroom teachers, therapists, social workers, case managers, community organizers and social activists.
Auditions and Entrance to the Degree Programs
Admission to the various degree programs is granted through the university’s regular admission procedures in conjunction with the School of Dramatic Arts supplementary application procedure. See the Admission section of this catalogue, Undergraduate and Graduate.
Admission to the BA program is determined by academic record, experience in theatre, and information required on the USC application for admission and the School of Dramatic Arts supplementary application. Students applying for the BA program must contact the School of Dramatic Arts directly to obtain the supplementary application.
In addition to submitting a USC application for admission, a dramatic arts supplementary application and an inperson audition are required for the BFA and MFA programs. Auditions are held during January and February. Applicants should contact the School of Dramatic Arts directly to obtain supplementary application materials and to arrange for their audition.
The acting audition requires two monologues: one contemporary and one classical (preferably verse).
Auditions and interviews for all programs are held in major cities around the country including Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
Students wishing to transfer from a community college or another four-year college or university into the Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum must present training equivalent to their level of transfer or be prepared to take remedial work in acting, voice, movement, dramatic literature and stagecraft.
Admission to the BFA Design/Technical Direction, Stage Management and Sound Design and MFA programs is based on a personal interview and/or review of a portfolio. In addition, the student must submit a USC application for admission and a dramatic arts supplementary application.
Applicants for the design programs must present a portfolio of their work at the time of their interview with the design faculty.
Interviews are held beginning in January for the following fall semester.
Admission to full graduate standing will be granted after the satisfactory completion of one semester. A satisfactory test score on the Graduate Record Examinations and a satisfactory grade point average are also required.
Application materials and details about audition dates and locations may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, School of Dramatic Arts, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0791, (213) 740-1286.
International Study
In conjunction with Sarah Lawrence College and the British American Drama Academy, USC students have the opportunity to study theatre in London. For additional information, see International Study Options .
Bachelor’s Degree
Minor
Master’s Degree
Dramatic Arts
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THTR 410 The Digital Actor
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Empowers the student to forge a career in acting by managing and utilizing the many facets of social and digital media.
Prerequisite: THTR 252a and THTR 252b
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 411 The Business of Acting
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Develops the student’s ability to connect and combine managerial, economic and business-related skills with the craft and career of acting.
Prerequisite: THTR 252a and THTR 252b
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 412 Performing Content
Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Introductory skills for the creation and realization of performance on camera.
Prerequisite: THTR 480a
Registration Restriction: Not open to Freshmen
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 413 Writing Your Own Material
Units: 2
Terms Offered: Sp
Develop and write one of a range of comic forms learning the discipline, structure necessary in a longer narrative piece.
Prerequisite: THTR 470 or THTR 474 or THTR 479 or THTR 482 or THTR 483
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 415 Physical Theatre II
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced Physical Acting focusing on principles of verbal/non-verbal improvisation and communication. Elements of textual analysis, including development of character mask and of the ensemble.
Prerequisite: THTR 315b
Duplicates Credit in former THTR 415ab
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 416 Creating Content for the Actor
Units: 2.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Development of skills to create content for stage and screen.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 417 Stage Combat
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Introduction to safe and effective portrayals of violence for the stage. Training and practice of unarmed stage combat skills.
Recommended Preparation: THTR 216 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 419 Alexander Technique for Performers
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Training and practice in the work of F.M. Alexander. A clear and systematic look into the underlying principles that govern human movement.
Prerequisite: THTR 101
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 420 Senior Project
Units: 2
Terms Offered: Fa
Contemporary material from plays and screenplays with an emphasis on individual challenges and problems.
Prerequisite: THTR 320b
Registration Restriction: Open only to Theatre (Acting) majors
Duplicates Credit in former THTR 420ab
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 421 Public Speaking as Performance: A Course for Non-Actors
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Public speaking approached as performance, using acting techniques to communicate with confidence, clarity and charisma.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 422 Improv 3: Long Form Improvisation
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Emphasis on Full Length Improvised Performances including the styles of various playwrights, genres of films, “the Harold,” improvised plays and musicals. Building on the groundwork of THTR 122 Improvisation and Theatre Games and THTR 322 Improv 2, students apply the techniques to long form unscripted performances.
Prerequisite: THTR 122 and THTR 322
Recommended Preparation: THTR 101 and THTR 483 and THTR 470
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 423 Magic
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
The dramatic art of making an audience believe something is impossible. The history and performance of magic including illusion, mentalism, vanishing, coin and card tricks.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 424 The Stage Artist as Entrepreneur
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Explores all the tools required to forge a career as a stage artist, with an emphasis on producing new work.
Prerequisite: THTR 101 and THTR 305a
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 425 Dynamics of Technical Theatre
Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced technical direction topics involving the technical analysis and design of moving scenery and theatrical systems.
Recommended Preparation: THTR 438
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 426 Being on Screen: A Class for Presenters, Hosts, and Others
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Exploration of on-camera skills required for presenters, hosts, athletes, public speakers, and others whose careers will include on-screen appearances.
Registration Restriction: Not open to Theatre majors
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 427 Audition Technique for Film, Television and New Media
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Develop on-camera auditioning skills for actors at a professional level in a variety of film, television and new media venues.
Prerequisite: THTR 252b or THTR 320b
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 430 Stage Management II
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Application of stage management procedures required in the professional theatre.
Prerequisite: THTR 333 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 431 Seminar in Theatre Design
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Research into the application of contemporary topics relevant to theatrical design within the diverse cultural environment of the greater Los Angeles area.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 432a Scene Design II
Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of THTR 330 . Evolution of scene design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.
Prerequisite: THTR 330 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 432b Scene Design II
Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of THTR 330 . Evolution of scene design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.
Prerequisite: THTR 330 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 433a Costume Design II
Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Evolution of costume design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.
Prerequisite: THTR 331 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 433b Costume Design II
Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Evolution of costume design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.
Prerequisite: THTR 331 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 434a Lighting Design II
Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of THTR 332 . Evolution of lighting design through analysis of script, environmental factors and styles.
Prerequisite: (THTR 332 and THTR 409 ) or THTR 435
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 434b Lighting Design II
Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of THTR 332 . Evolution of lighting design through analysis of script, environmental factors, and styles.
Prerequisite: THTR 332 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 435 Advanced Theatrical Drafting
Units: 3
Drafting style and complex graphic communication. Emphasis on creating professional plates, developing an individual style and graphic problem solving.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 436 Sound for Theatre
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
Introduction to electronic sound and sound reinforcement, including basic equipment, recording, editing, and show operation.
Prerequisite: THTR 236 or THTR 336
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 437 Scene Painting
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Techniques, materials, and equipment of the scenic artist, including both historic and modern methods.
Recommended Preparation: paint and drawing experience.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 438 Technical Theatre
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Theory and practice of technical theatre. Emphasis is on technical problem solving and graphic solutions to technical theatre.
Prerequisite: THTR 230 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 439 Stage Properties
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Organization, management, and construction of properties for the theatre.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 440 Advanced Voice: Voice-Over Acting
Units: 2
Terms Offered: Fa
Continuation of exercises related to the individual student for the stage including voice-over acting work.
Prerequisite: THTR 340b
Duplicates Credit in former THTR 440a
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 441 Advanced Sound Design
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Advanced exploration of theatrical sound design theory and related technology; creative uses of music, sound effects, and audio equipment in modern theatres.
Prerequisite: THTR 436 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 442 Voice-over Acting
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Acting techniques, recording studio technology and editing for the field of voice acting and voice-overs.
Prerequisite: THTR 252a
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 443 Production Management
Units: 4
The context and scope of work done by a Theatrical Production Manager. Students will learn about different types of theatrical organizations and how they are structured.
Prerequisite: THTR 333 ;
Recommended Preparation: two units of THTR 397 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 444 Applied Voice: Speech and Text
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
Intensive study of speech and voice regarding text, context, environment, dynamics, range, and accent.
Recommended Preparation: THTR 342a , THTR 342b .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 445 Developing Your Speaking Voice
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Designed to expand the uniqueness of one’s own voice in the areas of pitch, power, clarity, and warmth.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 450 Acting on Camera for Network and Cable TV
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Practical application of acting before a camera working on television scenes, both network and cable, directed by School of Cinematic Arts BFA student directors, supervised by both Cinematic Arts and Dramatic Arts Faculty.
Prerequisite: THTR 320b or THTR 352a
Registration Restriction: Open only to seniors
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 452 Advanced Acting: Absurdist, Surrealist, Contemporary Drama
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Focus on acting changes in the late 20th century and contemporary dramas.
Prerequisite: THTR 352b
Duplicates Credit in former THTR 452a and former THTR 452b
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 453 Taking it on the Road and Beyond
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Specific instruction to prepare Stage Managers for the rigors and processes of Touring and Opera productions as well as other non-theatrical team-based collaborations in entertainment.
Prerequisite: THTR 333 and THTR 430 ;
Recommended Preparation: 2 units of THTR 397 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 454 Acting Shakespeare II
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
A continuation and deeper investigation of the analysis and performance of the highly formalized texts of William Shakespeare.
Prerequisite: THTR 354 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 455 Devised Theatre
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Collaboration in the creation of short performance pieces, devised through a process of observation, research, writing, critical thinking and improvisation.
Registration Restriction: Open only to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 456 Latinx Theatre
Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Explores the range and genealogy of Latinx theatre and performance from its origins in the last fifty years to the present.
Prerequisite: THTR 225
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 457 Film Acting Practicum
Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Creating a visual narrative story. Gaining a basic understanding of both the visual and technical components of story telling.
Prerequisite: THTR 420
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 458 Visiting Artist Workshop
Units: 2
Max Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
A workshop course taught by the visiting artist holding the George Burns chair. Course topics will be determined by the instructor.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 459 Songwriting for the Musical Theatre
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Structure, character and intention in songwriting for the musical theatre. Writing for the voice and examination of how form follows content. Portfolio submission required.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 460 Asian and Asian American Theatre: Identity and Aesthetics
Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Explores Asian and Asian American theatre, from the historical to the contemporary, with an aim toward understanding issues of aesthetics, acculturation, and identity.
Prerequisite: THTR 225g
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 464 An Actor’s Reel
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Using original and existing scripted material for film, television and new media students will act, film and edit scenes to form a professional performance reel.
Prerequisite: THTR 352a or THTR 320a
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 465 Playwriting III
Units: 4
Analysis of a full-length play or its equivalent with continued production opportunity.
Prerequisite: THTR 366 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 466 Playwriting IV
Units: 4
Continuation of the work begun in THTR 465 .
Prerequisite: THTR 465 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 467 Going Viral: Performance for New Media
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
A writing and performance course (partially online) for new media. Students will learn to create original short form and web series content for new media including YouTube, Funny or Die, Periscope and other Internet platforms.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 468 Theatre in Education
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Exploration of the theory and practice of theatre arts in the learning environment. Design and implement projects to support elementary and secondary education.
Recommended Preparation: THTR 201 , EDUC 200 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 469 Satire and Parody in Performance
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
A survey of the history and implementation of American satire and parody in performance from Mark Twain to Jon Stewart and beyond. Building on the past, students will learn the structures and techniques for parodying and satirizing the contemporary world through writing and performance.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 470 Sketch Comedy for Theatre
Units: 2
A writing-performance workshop in which the students create, rehearse, and perform original sketch comedy material.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 471 Industry Landscape
Units: 4
Designed to provide the graduating students with opportunity to select, prepare and perform for agents, directors and producers in film, television and theatre. Also includes the study of the business of acting.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 472 Professional Preparation for Actors
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Introduction to the skills, knowledge, and promotional materials that will enable the student to manage an independent career in the performing arts.
Prerequisite: THTR 252b
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 473 Sketch Comedy in Performance
Units: 2
Terms Offered: Sp
A workshop in the techniques of performing humorous sketches, in collaboration with writers, directors, and technicians in the production of a live sketch comedy show.
Recommended Preparation: THTR 101 , THTR 122 , THTR 470 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 474 Introduction to Stand Up Comedy
Units: 2
An introduction to the discipline of conceiving, writing, and creating original Stand Up Comedy routines.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 475 Acting on Camera: The Collaborative Process
Units: 4
Max Units: 08
Terms Offered: FaSp
Acting students will learn to develop on-camera acting skills and to collaborate with student directors and cinematographers from the School of Cinematic Arts.
Prerequisite: THTR 252b
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 476mw African American Theatre, Dance, and Performance
Units: 4
A survey of African American theatre and cultural performance traditions as a reflection of both African American culture and American history.
Satisfies Global Perspective in Category G: Citizenship in a Diverse World
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 477 Theatre and Therapy
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Explores theatre as a healing art form. Techniques include games, improv, playback theatre, Boal’s and Moreno’s drama therapy, and Jungian dream theatre to name a few. Work with incarcerated youth, gay/lesbian/bi teens, elderly, disabled and other populations.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 478a Theatre for Youth
Units: 2
Theory and practice of youth theatre, including development and rehearsal of mainstage productions. Emphasis on multicultural and bilingual pieces. Enroll by audition or interview only.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 478b Theatre for Youth
Units: 2
Continuation of a, bringing developed pieces into production for regional K–12.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 479 Solo Performance
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
A writing-performance workshop in which students write, develop, and rehearse original, autobiographical and character monologues and perform them at the end of the semester.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 480a Performance for Camera
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Structured to address the dynamics of acting in relation to film/television. Refining the students’ understanding of the similarities/differences between acting on stage/film.
Prerequisite: THTR 252a or THTR 105
Duplicates Credit in former THTR 480
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 480b Performance for Camera
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Continued exploration of acting for film/television. Furthering the student’s understanding of the similarities/differences between acting on stage/film.
Prerequisite: THTR 480a
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 481 From The Border to Broadway
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
An investigation of the role that Latina/o plays and performances have played in creating and documenting a contemporary American experience of the theatre.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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THTR 482 Stand Up 2
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Enhancement and extension of the student’s comedic set using new forms and structures to develop the student’s comedic sensibility and content.
Prerequisite: THTR 474
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 483 Characters of Comedy
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
An in depth study of the performance of archetypal characters of comedy focused on the lineage from commedia to sit-com. Students will create original characters from archetypal forms and explore their relationships in classic and contemporary comedic performance.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 484 Acting in Television Commercials
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSm
An on-camera, workshop-style introduction to techniques, perspectives and theories unique to performing in television commercials.
Recommended Preparation: THTR 101
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 485 Advanced Solo Performance
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
An advanced writing and performance workshop. Students will write and rehearse an extended personal monologue to be presented at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: THTR 479 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 486 Creating Characters
Units: 4
A writing workshop devoted to the creation of living, breathing characters, exploring a range of techniques designed to develop authenticity.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 487 Promotion for the Performing Arts
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Introduction and overview of all aspects of marketing the arts including both non-profit and commercial organizations.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 488mw Theatre in the Community
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Research and actively develop the theory of theatre as a moving political, social, economic and spiritual force of change within the local community.
Satisfies Global Perspective in Category G: Citizenship in a Diverse World
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 489 Theatre Internship
Units: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Practical experience in the entertainment industry.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 490x Directed Research
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 12.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 491 Theatre Organization and Administration
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Budgets, contracts, box-office procedures, public relations; personnel and executive policies of the school, community, and professional theatre.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 493a Periods and Styles
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
A survey of the influence of historical and cultural events on the evaluation of theatrical styles. Classical to Jacobean.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 493b Periods and Styles
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
A survey of the influence of historical and cultural events on the evaluation of theatrical styles. Restoration to 20th century.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 494 Raising Money for the Arts
Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Overview of fundraising techniques for non-profit theatre including grantsmanship, board development, direct mail soliciting, and money raising activities and events.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 495 Experimental Theatre Workshop I
Units: 4
Max Units: 08
Terms Offered: FaSp
Guidance and direction in the production of new and experimental plays for a public audience. By audition.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 496 Experimental Theatre Workshop II
Units: 4
Max Units: 8.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of THTR 495 . Enrollment by audition only.
Instruction Mode: Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 497 Advanced Theatre Practicum
Units: 2
Max Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Intensive participation in a production sponsored by the school and supervised by the faculty, to increase and develop artistic growth.
Prerequisite: THTR 397 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 498 Production Analysis and Performance
Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Investigation and analysis of the work of a major dramatist and his milieu; production of one of his plays. By audition.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 499 Special Topics
Units: 2, 3, 4
Max Units: 8.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Studies in selected areas of theatre art. Intensive practice in role and script interpretation and its psychological relationship to the audience.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 500 Dramaturgical Perspectives and Approaches
Units: 2
Max Units: 10.0
Investigates art and craft of dramatic writing initiated/completed in other MFA in Dramatic Writing courses or that was submitted as a sample for program entry.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 501 Poetry and Prose into Drama
Units: 4
Max Units: 12
Terms Offered: Sp
Plays for the stage shall be written using public-domain poetry and prose as inspiration and source material, complemented with exploring poetry, prose, and varied dramas as context for the student writer. Students should be well-versed in literature, and have written in one or more genres.
Recommended Preparation: reading poetry and novels
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
Crosslisted as ENGL 563 -
THTR 504 The Art of Collaboration and Ensemble
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
An investigation of the role that collaboration plays in making ensemble work. MFA Actors will collaborate with MFA Dramatic Writers in creating an ensemble company.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 505 Staging Community-based Theatre
Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Explores the theory and practice of staging community-based popular theatre, including Theatre of the Oppressed, street theatre, witness theatre, agit-prop and festival theatre events.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 506 Advanced Creating Characters
Units: 2
An advanced writing workshop that focuses on continuing development of the crafting of character, centering on depth, breadth, dimensionality, and authenticity.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 507 Casting Director Workshop
Units: 2.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
The development and building of auditioning skills for film, television and new media venues.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 510 Writing the Short Drama
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
The art and craft of dramatic writing. In particular exploring its dimensions with regard to character and story development in the ten minute play.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 512 Studies in Dramatic Analysis
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
A skill-based workshop that uses a historical survey of theatre texts to develop critical reading skills along two different tracks: Acting and Dramatic Writing.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 513 Seminar in History of the Theatre
Units: 4
Bibliography, historical evolution, patterns, and techniques of the theatre from primitive to modern times.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 515a Advanced Movement
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 515b Advanced Movement
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 515c Advanced Movement
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage. Includes Viewpoints and Clown.
Prerequisite: THTR 515b
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 515d Advanced Movement
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage including a study of Viewpoints and Mask Work.
Prerequisite: THTR 515c
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 515e Advanced Movement
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage.
Corequisite: THTR 480, THTR 540e , THTR 555 , THTR 575 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 515f Advanced Movement
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced exercises in movement for the use of the body in relation to the stage.
Corequisite: THTR 520e , THTR 540f , THTR 597 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 516 Filmmaking for Actors
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
The execution and breakdown of a film project from ideation to completion.
Registration Restriction: Open only to USC School of Dramatic Arts students
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
THTR 520a Advanced Acting
Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced training in acting skills; emphasis upon individual needs.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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