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Bulletins

TAI - Theatre and Interpretation

TAI 170 Oral Interpretation of Literature

General education approach to the art of oral interpretation as a dynamic means of analyzing and experiencing literature while communicating it with others. (University Program Group I-B: The Arts)

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 175 Appreciation of the Theatre

A survey course that explores the development of theatre by looking at the art, craft, and business of the theatre. (University Program Group I-B: The Arts)

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 177 Stagecraft and Stage Lighting

Basic principles of scenery construction. Theory and principles of basic stage lighting and sound.

Credits
3(0-6)

TAI 178 Special Topics in Theatre

Current topics for each semester listed in Course Search and Registration. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours.

Credits
3-9(Spec)

TAI 180 First-Year Theatre Seminar

An introductory course that situates theatre as a topic of exploration and investigation. This course also focuses on student success in the CMU theatre major.

Credits
2(2-0)

TAI 182 Acting I

Introductory voice and body work with special emphasis through exercises given to energy control and concentration.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 277 Stage Management

Principles and practices of stage management. Duties and responsibilities of the stage manager with emphasis on stage management in academic, community, and professional theatre. Prerequisites: TAI 177; 182.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 278 Stage Makeup

Theory and practice in straight and character makeup.

Credits
3(2-2)

TAI 280 Script Analysis

Introduction to analysis of scripts/dramatic texts for theatrical production, concentrating on the script as the primary source for performance. Prerequisite: TAI 175 or TAI 180.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 282 Acting II

Introduction to emotional technique and characterization through exercises and scenes in individual projects. Prerequisite: TAI 182.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 300 Improvisation

Creation of spontaneous performances, emphasizing scenes, monologues, and storytelling. Prerequisite: TAI 182.

Credits
3(2-2)

TAI 302 Voice and Diction

Theory and practice of principles necessary for improving the speaking voice. Primary emphasis on individual speech improvement.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 305 Studio: Acting/Performance

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of acting/performance. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 306 Studio: Directing

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of directing. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 307 Studio: Movement

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of movement. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 308 Studio: Script Creation

Script creation through adaptation of nondramatic materials or creation of original dramatic material for potential use in laboratory theatre or oral interpretation activities. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 309 Studio: Stage Management

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of stage management. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 310 Studio: Sound

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of sound. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 311 Studio: Properties

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of properties. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 312 Studio: Scenery Construction and Rigging

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of scenery construction and rigging. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 313 Studio: Scenery Design

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of scenery design. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 314 Studio: Lighting

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of lighting. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 315 Studio: Lighting Design

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of lighting design. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 316 Studio: Technical Direction

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of technical direction. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 317 Studio: Costuming

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of costuming. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 318 Studio: Wardrobe Management

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of wardrobe management. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 319 Studio: Makeup

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of stage makeup. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 320 Studio: Theatre Management

Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of box-office management. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 321 Studio: Dramaturgy

Major participation in faculty and/or staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of dramaturgy. Prerequisite: Written permission of instructor.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 352 Music Theatre Scene Study

Analysis and presentation of musical theatre scenes (duets, trios, groups). Study of character development in various music theatre styles. Prerequisites: MUS 250; TAI 182.

Credits
3(1-2)

TAI 371 Readers Theatre

Scripting and directing alternative texts for performance, including narrative fiction, lyric poetry, personal narratives, and non fictional prose. Prerequisite: TAI 170.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 373 Oral Interpretation for Children

General education approach to the art of oral interpretation as a dynamic means of experiencing literature for children and communicating it to children.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 376 Interpretation of Drama

Specialized study of dramatic literature with particular attention to analysis, performance, styles of drama, stage speech, and appropriate dialects. Prerequisite: TAI 170.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 377 Costuming I

Survey of costume history, Egyptian to the present; introduction to design and construction techniques.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 378 Stage Combat

Basic principles of stage combat as they apply to hand-to-hand, quarterstaff, and rapier-and-dagger techniques. Prerequisite: TAI 182.

Credits
3(2-2)

TAI 379 Acting for the Camera

The creative process and special technical aspects of acting for the camera. Prerequisites: TAI 182.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 380 Musical Theatre History

Examination of American Musical Theatre history and forms from 1866 to the present.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 382 Acting III

Period movement patterns, pantomime techniques, and regional and cultural dialects, with individual scenes prepared for critical evaluation. Prerequisite: TAI 182, TAI 282.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 383 Voice for the Actor

Vocal techniques for actors. Designed to provide the student with a general understanding of vocal technique and theory, as they apply to characterization and acting. Prerequisites: TAI 182; TAI 302.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 384 Movement for the Actor

Movement techniques for actors. Designed to provide the student with a general understanding of movement technique and theory, as it applies to characterization and acting. Prerequisite: TAI 182.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 385 Audition Techniques

Practical audition skills including monologue selection, analysis and performance, cold readings, audition etiquette and protocol. Prerequisites: TAI 182, 282.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 399 Theatre and the Holocaust

This course examines how theatre was/is used to represent and respond to the Holocaust and Nazi culture. Historical, political, ethical, and aesthetic questions are explored. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 452 Music Theatre Performance

Preparation and performance of musical theatre scenes and vignettes. Synthesis of performance techniques in music, dance, and theatre in relation to various musical theatre styles. Prerequisites: DAN 136, DAN 137, DAN 138, DAN 232; MUS 284, MUS 350; TAI 282, TAI 380.

Credits
3(2-2)

TAI 460 BFA Capstone Project

Major capstone project in theatre (including music theatre) and/or interpretation. Prerequisite: Must be approved by TAI or Music Theatre faculty/staff advisor(s) prior to registration. Must be completed in final year of study.

Credits
3(0-6)

TAI 476 Lighting Design

Theory and application of basic principles used in designing lighting for theatre and dance. The course may be repeated once with higher level learning expectations. Prerequisite: TAI 177.

Credits
3-6(Spec)

TAI 477 Scene Design

Theory and application of basic principles used in designing scenery for the theatre. The course may be repeated once with higher level learning expectations. Prerequisite: TAI 177.

Credits
3-6(Spec)

TAI 478 Theatre Management

Concepts and methods of theatre management and promotion: box-office procedures, house management, and publicity.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 481 Directing

Responsibilities, philosophies, and techniques of the stage director. Emphasis on preparation of scenes for evaluation. Prerequisite: TAI 182.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 490 Independent Study

Student-initiated study guided by faculty member or faculty committee. Undergraduate prerequisites: an overall B average, permission of advisor and instructor (and completion of form).

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 499 Senior Capstone

Capstone course that integrates academic and production experiences in theatre with student’s career goals. Prerequisites: senior standing and completion of 30 hours of their TAI major.

Credits
1(1-0)

TAI 518 Advanced Make-up

Practical application of advanced make-up materials and techniques, including both two-dimensional and three-dimensional make-up. Prerequisite: TAI 278. Recommended: ART 260, 261.

Credits
3(2-2)

TAI 569 History of American Theatre

Development of drama and theater in America from colonial times to the present. Prerequisites: 6 hours of TAI coursework.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 570 Oral Interpretation of Prose Fiction

Specialized study of the short story and novel, in both individual and group performances. Prerequisites: one course in oral interpretation; one course in fictional literature.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 571 Oral Interpretation of Poetry

Specialized study of poetry. Prerequisites: one course in oral interpretation and one course in poetic literature.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 572 Special Topics in Oral Interpretation

Current topics for each semester listed in Course Search and Registration. 3 hours each; maximum credit 9 hours. Prerequisite: one course in oral interpretation and/or a major in English.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

TAI 573 Seminar: Interpretative Reading

History of the art of interpretative reading, its current theories and possible trends. Prerequisite: one course in interpretative reading.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 574 History of Drama and Theatre I

Development of drama and theatre in Western Culture from ancient origins to 1700. Prerequisites: 6 hours of TAI coursework.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 575 History of Drama and Theatre II

Continuation of TAI 574, History of Drama and Theatre I. Development of drama and theatre in Western Culture from 1700 to 1945. Prerequisites: 6 hours of TAI coursework.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 577 Special Topics in Technical Theatre

Current topics for each semester listed in Course Search and Registration. 3 hours each; maximum credit 9 hours. Prerequisites: Two from the following: TAI 177, TAI 278, TAI 377, TAI 477.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

TAI 578 Special Topics in Theatre

Current topics for each semester listed in Course Search and Registration. 3 hours each; maximum credit 9 hours. Prerequisites: Two undergraduate courses in theatrical production.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

TAI 579 Costume Design and Construction

Concentration in the problems of design, pattern drafting, and construction of costumes for the theatre. Prerequisites: TAI 377; FMD 140.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 580 Dramatic Theory and Criticism

Analysis of significant theories of theatre and drama. Prerequisite: TAI 574 or TAI 575.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 581 Advanced Directing

Continuation of TAI 481, Directing. Emphasis on the rehearsal and performance of one-act plays for public presentation. Prerequisites: TAI 177 and TAI 481. Admission by approval of instructor only (contact CDA office for procedure).

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 583 Women in the Contemporary American Theatre

Examines the contributions of women producers, directors, playwrights, actors, designers, and critics to the development of the contemporary American theatre. Prerequisites: 6 hours of TAI coursework.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 584 Field Course in Theatre

A travel course to metropolitan theatrical productions and institutions. Required are a pre-travel reading program and final reaction/evaluation paper.

Credits
1-4(Spec)

TAI 585 Creative Dramatics

Techniques of guiding children through original dramatizations. Primarily for the classroom teacher.

Credits
3(2-2)

TAI 586WI Playwriting

Theory and practice in writing original plays; discussion and critical evaluation of student plays. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: ENG 201; ENG 294 or one course in history of drama and theatre.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 587 Irish Theatre and Drama

Development of theatre and drama in Ireland. Course requires travel to Dublin during Spring Break. Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 588 Contemporary Theatre

Development of drama and theater in Western Culture from 1945 to the present. Prerequisites: 6 hours of TAI coursework.

Credits
3(3-0)

TAI 589 Theatre Workshop

Theoretical and practical work in productions of the University Theatre. Prerequisite: minimum of one course in theatre.

Credits
2-6(Spec)

TAI 590 Summer Repertory Theatre

Intensive practical theatre experience in the repertory situation under professional direction and guidance. Prerequisite: applicant admitted to course only through audition.

Credits
3(3-0)