Courses
CMTT-109. First Year Experience: Staging Chicago:Performances In, For, & About Chicago. 3 Hours.
In Staging Chicago students will read, watch, write, and perform plays about Chicago. Special attention will be paid to plays that premiered in Chicago and were produced by Chicago artists. In addition to reading plays, students will have an opportunity to stage scenes and present their own theatrical interpretation of the Second City.
CMTT-130. Introduction to Theatre. 3 Hours.
Survey of the components of theatrical experience and the function of the various contributors to theatrical production. Attendance at selected theatrical productions is required.
CMTT-203. Voice For The Performer. 3 Hours.
This course offers an intensive exploration of spoken vocal performance technique for the actor. Students will examine the function and usage of breath, create healthy connection between breath and sound, build resonance, and improve articulation skills leading to dynamic performances in a variety of texts and forms.
CMTT-220. Improvisation. 3 Hours.
Emphasis on mastering improvisational theatre games for both actor training and performance.
CMTT-221. Acting 1. 3 Hours.
The basic skills of acting including the actor's internal preparation for playing a role and the development of his/her external technique for projecting the role to the audience.
CMTT-240. Foundations Of Theatrical Design. 3 Hours.
This course introduces the elements of art and principles of visual design as they relate to the theatrical design areas of scenery, costumes and lighting. Students will learn how to analyze a play for design and apply this foundational knowledge to a dramatic text by creating the scenery, costumes and lighting design ideas based on text analysis, point of view, and research in the form of a production notebook.
CMTT-242. Costume Construction. 3 Hours.
Students will learn theatrical costume construction techniques through the study of basic fabric handling, pattern cutting, hand and machine sewing, and fabric dying. Students will also learn costume care and storage.
CMTT-249. Makeup. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of stage and television makeup for straight and character roles; emphasis on the application of makeup, historical periods and uses of masks.
CMTT-309. Independent Study in Theatre. 3 Hours.
Individual investigation into a topic of the student's choice. Approval of instructor, department chair and dean.
CMTT-321. Acting 2. 3 Hours.
Building on the skills developed in Acting 1, this course deepens the student’s exploration of the professional craft and demands of acting. Class sessions will take a rigorous approach to theatrical movement, character analysis, safe emotional connection, and the embodiment of action, intention, and point of view necessary for impactful storytelling. Course materials will focus on current plays and playwrights driving the national and global theatrical conversations of today.
Prerequisite: CMTT-221 with a minimum grade of C.
CMTT-331. Western Theatre History. 3 Hours.
This course charts the history and development of theatre and drama of the "West" from the approaches of the ancient Greeks through the early twenty-first century. Students will engage in active study of the societal conditions that sparked theatrical response as well as the evolution of civic and artistic approaches that have been synthesized into the Western branch of today's common theatrical forms.
CMTT-332. History Of Theatre 2. 3 Hours.
Chronological survey of the development of theatre and drama of the Western World from the Renaissance period to the twentieth century.
CMTT-333. Contemporary Theatre. 3 Hours.
This course is an intensive survey of contemporary theatre from the twentieth century to the present with an emphasis on the past five years of theatrical culture and global contributors to the field. Students will learn about dramatic structure and characters. They will read, analyze and discuss a variety of dramatic works that are in dialogue with the emerging socio-political climate around the globe. As a capstone of this course, students will research a given topic and write an original ten-minute play, and submit it to the Nuevas Voces: A Ten-Minute Playwriting Contest.
CMTT-334. Special Topics In Theatre. 3 Hours.
In-depth study of the major works of a single dramatist or movement, the relationship of those works to the period in which they were produced, and their place in the history of dramatic literature. Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific topics.
CMTT-337. Women In Playwriting. 3 Hours.
This course examines the work of the dynamic women who have shaped theatre through their words and stories. The class will investigate the lens of women playwrights and the diverse range of art created through that lens.
CMTT-339. Technical Theatre Production. 3 Hours.
The study and practice of technical theatre production in the areas of scenery, lighting, costumes, and props. Students collaborate and execute the designs for the Stage Center Theatre Mainstage Season.
CMTT-340. Scenic Design. 3 Hours.
This course offers a comprehensive study of the principles of scenic design theory and practice. Students will analyze dramatic text, conduct visual research, execute renderings, write design concept statements, and design and build a scaled, color model of their concept.
Prerequisite: CMTT-130 with a minimum grade of C.
CMTT-341. Lighting Design. 3 Hours.
This course is a comprehensive study of the principles of lighting design theory and practical application.
Prerequisite: CMTT-130 minimum grade of C or PERF-130 minimum grade of C.
CMTT-342. Costume Design. 3 Hours.
In-depth study of the basic design skills, identification of textiles, as well as analysis of dramatic texts for costuming and coordinating designs with a theatre production team.
Prerequisite: CMTT-130 with a minimum grade of C.
CMTT-343. Stage Management. 3 Hours.
In-depth study of the job of the Stage Manager, including production planning, prompt book design, scheduling and managing rehearsal time, and actually stage managing and calling a show.
Prerequisite: CMTT-130 with a minimum grade of C.
CMTT-345. Directing. 3 Hours.
Principles and techniques of the director's art.
Prerequisite: CMTT-130 with a minimum grade of C or CMTT-221 with a minimum grade of C or CMTT-350 with a minimum grade of C or CMTT-351 with a minimum grade of C or CMTT-359 with a minimum grade of C.
CMTT-346. American Musical Theatre. 3 Hours.
Survey of the history and evolution of American musical theatre, particularly focusing on the “Broadway musical”, within the context of the political, economic, social and cultural events.
CMTT-347. Playwriting. 3 Hours.
Study of dramatic art with practice in the writing of plays for dramatic production. An attempt will be made to provide laboratory productions of outstanding student works.
CMTT-349. Summer Theatre. 3 Hours.
A laboratory class covering all phases of theatre production in conjuction with the production of a play script. Includes acting, directing, set and costume design, choreography, lighting, props publicity and theatre management as related to the production of a play script.
CMTT-350. Children's Theatre Workshop:Elementary. 4 Hours.
This course offers a comprehensive look at all facets of creating and producing theatre for Elementary school aged youth. Students research professional approaches to theatre for young audiences, rehearse, design, market, create youth engagement experiences, and build education strategies in order to generate critical storytelling experiences for young people. The course culminates in a class mounted production of a play for Chicago Public School student audiences in Stage Center Theatre.
CMTT-351. Children's Theatre Workshop:Middle and High School. 4 Hours.
This course offers a comprehensive look at all facets of creating and producing theatre for Middle and High School aged youth. Students research professional approaches to theatre for young audiences, rehearse, design, market, create youth engagement experiences, and build education strategies in order to generate critical storytelling experiences for young people. The course culminates in a class mounted production of a play for Chicago Public School student audiences in Stage Center Theatre.
CMTT-357. Interpretation Of Shakespeare. 3 Hours.
This course will offer an in-depth examination of the life, legacy, and theatrical craft of William Shakespeare. Through an interactive exploration of selected works, performance techniques, and global productions of the bard's work, we will seek to humanize Shakespeare the playwright, and examine the artistic voice that has resonated across centuries and continues to impact every aspect of our lives and every stage on which we perform.
CMTT-358. Acting 3. 3 Hours.
This course will serve as a professional preparatory laboratory for advanced acting students. Students will engage in a rigorous, practice-based study of professional acting practices, audition technique training, audition repertoire building, the business and industry of theatre, and career preparation. Actors in the course will work to cultivate a body of work that truly represents their true artistic self and then share that body of work with the profession. The course arc leads directly to a professional showcase of student work for invited leading members of the professional Chicago theatre community including directors, producers, casting directors, and management reps.
Prerequisite: CMTT-321 with a minimum grade of C.
CMTT-359. Experimental Theatre. 3 Hours.
In this course, students will study and perform experimental modes of theatre. Methods may include collaborative devising, verbatim theatre, playback theatre, physical theatre, relational performance, solo storytelling, game theatre, and live art techniques.
CMTT-383. Professional Internship 1. 3 Hours.
Professional activities in a selected field of theatre, performed and supervised at public or private facilities, theatres, organizations, schools, etc.
CMTT-384. Professional Internship 2. 6 Hours.
(See CMTT-383 for description.).
CMTT-385. Professional Internship 3. 9 Hours.
(See CMTT-383 for description.).
CMTT-393. Drama For Teaching And Learning. 3 Hours.
CMTT-393 is a practical, process-oriented course designed to introduce students to techniques for using drama as a teaching tool. From 20th century techniques for using drama as a teaching tool in elementary and middle schools, to contemporary approaches to drama as a means of community engagement and social intervention with youth and adults, students will explore multiple methods for applying drama and theatre in a variety of pedagogical settings. Course assignments are hands-on and emphasize various techniques in a space conducive to developing increased proficiency, both individually and in groups.
CMTT-423. Independent Study in Theatre. 3 Hours.
Individual investigation into selected topics in methods and materials for dramatic activities. Permission of instructor, chair, dean & graduate director.
CMTT-430. Performance Theory. 3 Hours.
This graduate level course will examine the theory and study of performance creation and interpretation through the lenses of narrative and aesthetic. Students will explore a variety of theoretical, philosophical, and performative approaches to understanding diverse performance narratives and the visual interpretation, composition, and storytelling that render such narratives meaningful to artist and audience alike.
CMTT-446. Arts Administration. 3 Hours.
This course will examine best practices in arts administration including institutional approach, mission development, structures, strategies, policies, and success assessment in the not-for-profit, commercial, and educational arts sectors. Students will investigate active and current "real world" case studies in an exploration of the competitive landscape of artistic producing and presenting.
CMTT-473. Special Topics In Theatre. 3 Hours.
This revolving topics course allows graduate students the opportunity to study in-depth, specific theatre methods, movements and motivators. Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific topics.