Why Juniata?
Graduates from Juniata with a Theatre Performance Degree will gain:
Grounding in actor methodology from one or more of the Stanislavski- based schools (Meisner, Adler, Strasberg, Clurman, Mamet, etc.).
Holistic physical training, both structured and improvisational (Viewpoints, Suzuki, Laban, Skinner Releasing Technique)
Grounding in an embodied system of Voice and Speech training (Fitzmaurice Voicework or Linklater Technique)
Professional development techniques, tools of the trade, and auditioning skills
Knowledge of Theatre history and the playwrights and thinkers who contributed to that history.
A deep and nuanced understanding of how theatre connects to a larger world. An understanding of why live art matters. A sense of how theatre can make a difference in communities and can change lives.
Deep perspectives of live art , dramaturgy, and the artist’s process through many different lenses: ( ie: Media and Film Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Literature courses, Nutrition and Wellness, History courses, etc.)
What your four years in the Theatre Department at Juniata College might look like.
Courses
TH-120 Tai Chi, Level I (Variable; Yearly; 1.00 Credit) This course provides an introduction to Tai Chi movement, history, and philosophy. Students will be able to explain the history of Tai Chi, perform a solo Tai Chi sequence, and engage in push-hands with a partner. Tai Chi is useful to the performing artist both in its philosophy and also in cultivation of kinesthetic and energetic awareness of the body. It also promotes mindfulness and wellbeing.
TH-121 Tai Chi, Level 2 (Variable; Variable; 1.00 Credit) This course deepens your understanding of Tai Chi movement, history, and philosophy. Students will deepen their understanding of Tai Chi history, perform a solo Tai Chi sequence, and engage in push-hands with a partner at a much deeper level than Tai Chi 1. Tai Chi is useful to the performing artist both in its philosophy and also in cultivation of kinesthetic and energetic awareness of the body. It also promotes mindfulness and wellbeing. Prerequisite: TH-120 or CONN-234. Note: This course is repeatable for credit up to three times.
TH-123 Jedi Academy (Variable; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; F,WK-CE) In Jedi Academy, we will examine the nine major Star Wars films but also some of their historical, philosophical, neurobiology, and creative influences and intersections. We will also train our own bodies, minds, and spirits and search for our own personal definition of health, happiness, and wellbeing. NOTE: This course involves a significant physical strength and condition component. Everything we do in class is scalable and modifiable for all abilities and fitness levels. However, student-athletes must get permission from the Head Coach as activities in this class could lead to over-training. Pre-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109
TH-160 Tai Chi (Fall & Spring; Yearly; 2.00 Credits) This course provides an introduction to Tai Chi movement, history, and philosophy. Students will be able to explain the history of Tai Chi, perform a solo Tai Chi sequence, and engage in push-hands with a partner. Tai Chi is useful to the performing artist both in its philosophy and also in cultivation of kinesthetic and energetic awareness of the body.
TH-161 Play/Making (Variable; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; WK-CE,H,F) Compositions are a collaborative way to rehearse a play, build a play, and nurture ensemble. Built off an idea or theme, book or novel, or an existing play, these short theatre pieces can be woven together into a full-length production or simply stand-alone exercises to deepen an artists' understanding of work. We will be building all of our work off of a central idea with multiple source documents with the goal of creating a final, full-length performance piece.
TH-199 Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) Allows the department to offer special topics not normally offered. Departments may offer more than one special topic. Prerequisites vary by title.
TH-221 Acting I (Fall; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; F,WK-CE) A study of the discipline of acting, including development of concentration methods, creative energy, fine tuning of the vocal and physical instrument and character analysis.
TH-262 Solos (Variable; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; F,CW,WK-CE) This course uses playwriting and performance techniques to move from page-to-stage as students create original one-person shows. We will explore a number of different playwriting techniques from self-exploration, interview, and narrative forms. Then we will rehearse and perform the pieces at the end of the semester in a new play festival.
TH-299 Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) Allows the department to offer special topics not normally offered. Departments may offer more than one special topic. Prerequisites vary by title.
TH-325 Acting II (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; F,CS) Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: Meisner-based Practical Aesthetics through script analysis and application to scene work. Develop a deeper confidence in the strength and flexibility of the breath and voice. Collaborate on scene rehearsals with partner in a professional manner Nurture a deeper understanding of her meta-cognition. Integrate strategies for mitigating stress through self-talk, imagery, and meditation. Engender a life-long pursuit of self-improvement and psychophysical mastery. Prerequisite: TH221.
TH-351 Integrated Experience (Fall; Yearly; 1.00 Credit; F) The goal of the integrated experience is to create a space where the student may reflect on her entire curricular and co-curricular experience at Juniata. In discerning how the myriad experiences have impacted and influenced her over the past several years, she will begin to form a narrative of how those experiences have added up to the artist-student she is today and hopes to be tomorrow. She will use this narrative to form a strategic plan for post-graduation activity and, more immediately, a capstone experience that is directly linked to this Integrated Experience. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: Research possible future opportunities such as grad school, internships, and career paths Map the curricular and co-curricular experiences you have had thus far into a cohesive narrative of a professional self Write a formal grant proposal Create an e-portfolio for professional marketing purposes Develop a comprehensive capstone experience predicated on the totality of your experience thus far Prerequsites: Permission of the instructor.
TH-399 Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) Allows the department to offer special topics not normally offered. Departments may offer more than one special topic. Prerequisites vary by title.
TH-405 Directing (Variable; Variable; 3.00 Credits; F,H,CS) The basic principles of stage directing are offered with areas of inquiry and practical application in: script selection and analysis, audition/casting techniques/considerations, rehearsal preparation, the prompt script, working with designers, decision making, working with actors, being a director/guide( vision, focus, note- taking, and giving), and bringing a script/actors/designers to performance. Each student will select and work on a one-act script which, will be presented to the public in a spring semester festival. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing, TH206 and TH243, and permission of the instructor.
TH-421 Acting III: Styles (Fall; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; F,CS) In this course we will investigate the historical and cultural origins of a variety of acting styles, including Greek, Elizabethan, and 20th century non-realistic forms. We will encounter playwrights and theatre makers as wide-ranging as Shakespeare, Beckett, Brecht, and Pina Bausch. At the end of the semester we will perform a public performance of final scenes from a multitude of styles. Prerequisite: TH221.
TH-490 Theatre Internship (Variable; Variable; 2.00-9.00 Credits; H) See Internships in the catalog. Corequisite: TH495. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor and Jr. or Sr. standing.
TH-494 Senior Capstone (Fall; Yearly; 1.00-3.00 Credits; F) The Theatre Capstone provides an opportunity for senior theatre students to demonstrate excellence in acting, movement, vocal technique, and either writing or interpretation of existing text of their choosing. Seniors gain hands-on directing experience through the completion of their piece, and will be working with a professional designer. Student projects are based on proposals and may include live performances or film projects. Capstones will be presented to a public audience and mentored by faculty. Seniors may register for this course at between one and three credits, depending on credit needs. Prerequisites: Senior status and Theatre Performance POE.
TH-495 Internship Research Seminar (Variable; Variable; 2.00-6.00 Credits; H) See Internships in the catalog. Corequisite: TH490. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor .
TH-TUT Theatre Tutorial (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) See Catalog.