Theater

Overview

Students in the Department of Theater explore the art of theater through theory, performance, and production. Each student experiences the essentially collaborative nature of theater through participation in theater productions. Our curriculum enables students to develop a rich understanding of both the enactment of the written word and the essence of theatrical expression. In addition to preparing our students for further study and related careers in theater or film, we encourage each student to explore ideas of self and community and to express these discoveries through one or more aspects of theater.

Because the development of a theater artist is enhanced by time as well as training, we encourage students considering a Theater major or minor to consult with department faculty and begin taking courses in the first year. (The curriculum, however, is structured to enable an industrious student to begin at a later time and complete the major by the end of the fourth year.)

Students are encouraged to broaden their self-discovery through opportunities for Community Based Learning and through internships. The department has rich, ongoing relationships with Los Angeles theater companies, providing opportunities for internships and independent study. Artists from these companies are frequent and regular guest artists for productions and as guest instructors.

While the major is designed to prepare students for successful careers in theater and film, it provides also, in conjunction with study in other areas of the liberal arts, unique and effective preparation for success in such diverse fields as business, law, communications, arts administration, education, and social service.

Major Requirements

COURSEWORK

Students who major in the Department of Theater pursue the following program of study:

Two semesters of:

Four units of coursework in design or technical theater selected from:

Sixteen units from other Theater or approved interdisciplinary courses

The Department welcomes interdisciplinary programs and double majors, and will work carefully with students interested in such programs. Up to 8 units of select courses from Film, Music, Art, Art History, and Dramatic Literature may be applied to the Theater Major in consultation with the department chair.

WRITING REQUIREMENT:

Students majoring in Theater will fulfill Occidental College's 3rd year writing requirement by completing a significant research and analytical paper written in:

Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. See the Writing Program and consult the department chair for additional information.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

The Department has established standards of excellence in theoretical analysis, performance, and production that our students meet by completing a comprehensive project in the senior year.

Information concerning all phases of the senior project can be obtained from the Department Chair.

The department accomplishes the college objectives for the Senior Comprehensive by having each candidate, having completed the THEA 121/THEA 122 requirement, (1) propose a creative or research project; (2) submit a paper of research and/or preparation during the comprehensive process, to be discussed with the faculty; and (3) execute the project. Projects may include but are not limited to acting, directing, design, playwriting, stage management, technical direction, theater management, and scholarly research. See the department for details.

HONORS

To receive College Honors in the department of Theater, the student must be a major and achieve a 3.50 grade point average in departmental courses. In addition the student must achieve a 3.25 grade point average overall, and receive a grade of Pass with Distinction on the senior comprehensive project. See the Honors Program for additional information.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

In the summer, Occidental College hosts the annual Occidental Children's Theater at the Remsen Bird Hillside Amphitheater. Academic credit is available for this program through THEA 197 or THEA 397. Off-campus internships in professional theater and film may be arranged during the academic year or summer through the Department of Theater and the Career Development Center. Support for undergraduate research and travel are available both during the academic year and during the summer. Contact the Department Chair and the Undergraduate Research Center for more information. We encourage Theater students to participate in study abroad. Information on approved programs is available through the International Programs Office. Credit toward the major may be available.

Minor Requirements

The minor consists of a minimum of 20 units.

COURSEWORK

Two semesters of:

Courses

Theater Courses

Faculty

Regular Faculty

John Bouchardv, chair

Professor, Theater

B.A., UC Santa Barbara; M.A., Ph.D., Rice University

Jamie Angell

Associate Professor of the Practice, Theater

B.A., Dartmouth College; M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts

Brian Fitzmorris

Professor of the Practice, Theater

B.F.A., Carnegie-Mellon University

Susan Gratch

Professor, Theater

B.A., M.F.A., University of Michigan

Sarah Kozinn

Assistant Professor in Theater

B.A., Wesleyan University; M.A., Ph.D., New York University; Post-doctorate Fellow, Occidental College

On Special Appointment

Adjunct Instructor, Theater

B.A., Spelman College

Jenna K. Dillon

PT NTT Instructor

B.A. Columbia College Chicago

Laural Meade

Full-time NTT AssociateProfessor, Theater

A.B., Occidental College; M.F.A., UCLA

Francisco Martinez

Adjunct Instructor, Theater

Tom Slotten

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Theater

B.G.S., University of Michigan; M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts