Program in Theater and Dance

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Director

Michael W. Cadden

Acting Head of Dance

Rebecca J. Lazier

Executive Committee

Ze’eva Cohen, Lewis Center for the Arts

Jeffrey Eugenides, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing

Su Friedrich, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts

Emmet W. S. Gowin, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts

Chang-rae Lee, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing

Paul B. Muldoon, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing

Joyce Carol Oates, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing

James Richardson, English, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing

James L. Seawright, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts

P. Adams Sitney, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts

Edmund V. White, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing

Professor

Ze’eva Cohen, also Lewis Center for the Arts

Jill S. Dolan, English, Lewis Center for the Arts

Associate Professor

Stacy Wolf, also Lewis Center for the Arts

Senior Lecturer

Michael W. Cadden, also Lewis Center for the Arts

Lecturer

Suzanne L. Agins

Tracy E. Bersley

Jane F. Cox

Tina Fehlandt

Zvi Gotheiner

Dyane Harvey Salaam

Rebecca J. Lazier

Robert N. Sandberg, also English

Anne E. Torsiglieri

Timothy K. Vasen

Edisa K. Weeks

Katherine J. Whoriskey

Anita Yavich

Hodder Fellow

Tarell Alvin McCraney

The purpose of the Program in Theater and Dance, part of the newly established Lewis Center for the Arts, is to familiarize students, through their work with professional artists, scholars, and critics, with the nature of practical work in theater and dance. While pursuing their liberal arts educations, students have the opportunity to undertake demanding, workshop-based study in two important fields of the performing arts. Program courses are open to all undergraduates; students with a special, perhaps even a career interest in these areas can earn a program certificate while concentrating in another department.

The program offers courses in acting, directing, playwriting, design, performance history and criticism, modern and contemporary dance techniques, repertory, and choreography. In addition, the program provides co-curricular ballet classes for students who have had former ballet training. The program also stages its own theatrical productions and dance concerts, under the supervision of professional artists, in order to allow students to bring the kind of work they have developed in class to a wider audience. Visiting guest artists often offer special workshops and seminars, as well as directing students in productions and choreographing work for student dance concerts.

Students looking for an opportunity to focus a portion of their academic program in these areas might consider Program V in the Department of English or the theater option in the Department of Comparative Literature.

Admission

The introductory workshop courses in each area of the program—THR 201 Beginning Studies in Acting: Scene Study; THR 205 Introductory Playwriting; DAN 209 Introduction to Movement and Dance; and DAN 211 The American Dance Experience and Africanist Dance Practices—have no prerequisites. These courses may be taken for fulfillment of the distribution requirement in area LA.

Enrollment in program courses is necessarily limited, but past theater and dance experience is not a requirement for application. Courses are open to students pursuing work in any department, whether or not the student wishes to enroll in the program.

All courses in the program are letter-graded, but the pass/D/fail option is often available.

Certificate Program

A certificate from the Program in Theater and Dance will be awarded to students who successfully complete a substantial amount of work in the practical and academic areas of the discipline. Students normally enroll in the certificate program during the second term of the sophomore year, but no later than the start of the second term of the junior year, indicating their choice of either theater or dance. At least two of the required courses, including one from the program listing, should be completed before enrollment in the certificate program. To receive a certificate:

a) Dance students must complete a total of five courses: four studio dance courses above the introductory level and DAN 321 Special Topics in Dance History, Criticism, and Aesthetics. Dance students must also perform two works in either their junior and/or their senior years—at least one by a guest choreographer—in the annual Dance Concert at Berlind Theatre. Dance certificate students are also required to attend two sessions of the co-curricular ballet class per week over the course of two semesters sometime during their Princeton career. Students earning a dance certificate must produce a choreographic, performance, and/or written project in relation to or independent of their written departmental work in the senior year; collaborations on this project are encouraged.

b) Theater students must complete a total of five courses: four practical courses (acting, directing, playwriting, design, criticism) and one course in dramatic literature or performance history and theory. It is strongly recommended that all students interested in theater take ENG 345 Modern Drama.

If the student’s department permits, theater students in the program must complete one part of their departmental independent work (senior thesis or one junior paper) on a topic approved by the program faculty dealing with some facet of theater or dance. This independent work could take the form of a textual, cultural, or theoretical study; or it may be a combination of research and practical work supervised by the program faculty and the student’s department (see Advanced Creative Work, below).

If the student’s department does not permit such topics to fulfill its independent work requirement, the program director may prescribe additional work in theater and dance to fulfill the certificate requirement. Before a student’s independent work can be approved, he or she must be officially enrolled in the certificate program.

c) Both theater and dance students must devote a certain number of hours to technical work on theater and dance productions staged by the program.

Advanced Creative Work

The program offers all students the opportunity to do advanced creative work under the supervision of its faculty. This work may take the form of a practical project, such as the direction of a major production, the study and performance of a major role in theater or dance, the choreography of a major dance piece, or the writing of a play. Normally the student will have completed appropriate courses (in directing, acting, dance, or play writing) before such a proposal will be considered. These projects may be pursued as extracurricular activities, or they may be used to fulfill the requirement for independent work in the certificate program. With permission of the student’s department of concentration, such a project may also satisfy one of the requirements for independent work in the department, in which case it must consist of, or be accompanied by, written work, such as a scholarly or critical evaluation.

Courses in Theater

THR 201 Beginning Studies in Acting: Scene Study — Fall, Spring LA

Designed to guide students in developing roles and exploring texts and characters. Work will begin with exercises and proceed to consideration of scenes, short sections of plays, and specific roles. T. Vasen, T. Bersley (fall); S. Agins, Staff (spring)

THR 205 Introductory Playwriting — Fall LA

A workshop on the fundamentals of writing plays. Emphasis will be on solving problems of structure, plot development, and character through various writing exercises and theater improvisations. Ongoing work of students and instructor is read and discussed. R. Sandberg

THR 300 Performance: History, Theory, Practice (also COM 359) — Not offered this year LA

The place of performance—for example, Greek tragedy, Noh drama, modern dance, opera, performance art, crossdressing—within the social, political, cultural, and religious structures it has served. Perspectives from theater and dance history, classical and contemporary theory, and ancient and modern practice. Prerequisite: fulfillment of writing requirement. Two 90-minute seminars. Staff

THR 301 Intermediate Studies in Acting: Scene Study II — Fall LA

A continuation and extension of 201. Prerequisite: 201. A. Torsiglieri

THR 305 Playwriting II: Intermediate Playwriting — Spring LA

A continuation of work begun in Introductory Playwriting, focusing on the writing of a major play. Prerequisite: 205. Staff

THR 311 Intermediate Studies in Acting: Creating Character and Text — Spring LA

Creation of an original theater piece in collaboration with a guest artist, leading to a public performance. Will include improvisations, exercises, study of dramatic texts, and scene study. Special attention will be given to the creation of character, both in dramatic texts and in improvisation. Prerequisite: 201. K. Whoriskey

THR 317 Theatrical Design (also VIS 372) — Fall, Spring LA

An exploration of the various aspects of theatrical design: lighting, set design, costuming. Emphasis will depend to some degree on instructor’s area of interest and/or student interest. Studio projects will be designed to coincide with other theater and dance courses and currently scheduled productions. Critical discussion will explore the relationship between dramatic texts and design ideas. Prerequisites: Visual Arts 201, 202, 203, or 204, or instructor’s permission. Two three-hour seminars or studio sessions. J. Cox (fall); A. Yavich (spring)

THR 326 Criticism Workshop — Fall LA

A workshop devoted to the development of the student’s critical sensibility. Through extensive in-class analysis of their own reviews of professional theater and dance productions and through the study of past and present models, students will learn what makes a good critic of the performing arts. One three-hour seminar. J. Dolan

THR 330 Special Topics in Performance Practice — Not offered this year LA

A special topics course designed to build upon and/or enhance existing program courses, taking into consideration the strengths and interests of program concentrators and the availability of appropriate instructors. Topics, prerequisites, and formats will vary from year to year. Staff

THR 331 Special Topics in Performance History and Theory — Not offered this year LA

Designed to provide students with an opportunity to study theater and/or dance from a historical or theoretical perspective. Topics, prerequisites, and formats will vary from year to year. Staff

THR 348 Screenwriting as a Visual Medium (see CWR 348)

THR 366 American Musical Theater History (also MUS 366) — Fall LA

This seminar explores one of the most quintessentially “American” forms of performance—the Broadway musical theater—in the context of U.S. culture from the mid-20th century until today. It will begin in 1949 with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, move through the “Golden Age” of the “integrated” Broadway musical in the 1950s, the “concept” musicals of the mid-1960s, the so-called “death” of the musical in the 1970s, megamusicals of the 1980s, and end with some contemporary musicals. Two 90-minute classes. S. Wolf

THR 401 Advanced Studies in Acting: Scene Study and Style — Spring LA

Questions of historical style, poetic stage language, and various methods of contemporary nonrealistic acting. Prerequisite: 301 or 311. Staff

THR 411 Directing Workshop — Fall LA

Special directing assignments will be made for each student, whose work will be analyzed by the instructor and other members of the workshop. Students will be aided in their preparations by the instructor; they will also study the spectrum of responsibilities and forms of research involved in directing plays of different styles. Prerequisite: 201. T. Vasen

THR 448 Screenplay Adaptation (see CWR 448)

THR 499 Princeton Atelier (see ATL 499)

Courses in Dance

DAN 209 Introduction to Movement and Dance — Fall, Spring LA

A mix of movement techniques, improvisation, and composition. Students with no previous dance training will learn how to recognize their own movement potential and how to build their own dances. The essential principles and evolution of 20th-century modern and post-modern dance will be studied through readings and viewings of live and videotaped dance performances. Two two-hour classes. E. Weeks

DAN 211 The American Dance Experience and Africanist Dance Practices (also AAS 211) — Spring LA

A studio course introducing students to American dance aesthetics and practice, with a focus on how American dance has been influenced by African American choreographers and dancers. An ongoing study of movement practices from traditional African dances and those of the African diaspora, touching on American jazz dance, modern dance, and American ballet. Studio work will be complemented by readings, video viewings, guest speakers, and dance studies. Two two-hour classes. D. Harvey

DAN 219 Modern Dance: Beginning Technique and Choreography — Fall LA

The practice of primarily modern dance and some ballet techniques designed to further expand movement vocabulary and expressive range. Students will be introduced to the influence of Modernism on choreographic practices through structured improvisations, choreographic studies, viewing videotapes, and readings. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. R. Lazier, T. Fehlandt

DAN 220 Modern Dance: Beginning/Intermediate Technique and Choreography — Spring LA

DAN 309 Modern Dance: Intermediate Technique and Choreography — Spring LA

To understand and experience contemporary dance through technique, choreography, and reading. In technique, students will be encouraged to expand movement range and increase technical mastery as related to modern and contemporary dance practices. In choreography, students will be encouraged to create dances that articulate their independent vision in solo and group works. Readings about and viewings of live and videotaped dance from mid-20th-century dance will supplement studio work and expand knowledge of historical and contemporary trends in the arts. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. R. Lazier, E. Weeks

DAN 319 Dance Performance Workshop: Intermediate Repertory and Choreography — Fall LA

In the repertory component, students expand their understanding of the creative process, their technical ability, and expressive range through the development of an original dance, or reconstruction, created in collaboration with a faculty member. The choreography component guides students through improvisation to explore theme, concepts, and structures to develop a personal movement style. Students read essays about and view videos of major figures in 20th-century dance. Two two-hour repertory classes, one two-hour choreography class. Z. Cohen, E. Weeks

DAN 321 Special Topics in Dance History, Criticism, and Aesthetics — Spring LA

Dance as a theatrical art form and/or a social practice. Topics might include a study of dance as an expression of personal, aesthetic, religious, social, and/or political concerns. Classes will be augmented by film, videos, music, guest speakers, occasional demonstrations, and studio work. One three-hour seminar. Staff

DAN 409 Contemporary Dance: Advanced Technique and Choreography — Spring LA

Advanced dance technique and choreography, with an emphasis on contemporary practices. In technique, students will be challenged to expand their movement range and increase their mastery in ways required by today’s dance world. In choreography, students will explore the new territory pioneered by leading choreographers. Selected readings and viewings of live and videotaped dance from late 20th century will supplement studio work and expand knowledge of contemporary trends in the arts. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. R. Lazier, T. Fehlandt

DAN 419 Dance Performance Workshop: Advanced Repertory and Choreography — Fall LA

Students will master the performance of a technically advanced choreographic work with the aim to further challenge their technical expertise, expressive range, and stylistic clarity. Students will also create choreography infusing movement invention with ideas informed by historical and contemporary dance practices. Two two-hour classes in repertory and one two-hour class in choreography. R. Lazier

DAN 420 Chamber Dance: Repertory and Choreography — Fall LA

This course covers the study and performance of seminal historical and contemporary chamber dances ranging from solos to septets. It will emphasize performance techniques encouraging rich, subtle, and stylistically accurate renditions of the repertoire while fostering intelligent and imaginative artistic interpretations. Student choreography will be geared toward the creation of small ensembles, the study of existing master works will be done by viewing videotapes of the dance literature, attending live concerts, and reading and analyzing historical works. Two two-hours classes in repertory and one two-house class in choreography. Z. Cohen, Staff

Related Courses

Various departments offer courses in dramatic literature, many in English and some in foreign languages. A list of such courses follows. Additional topics are taught in seminars whose titles change yearly. For current descriptions, see listings under the appropriate departments.

Classics

CLA 323 Self and Society in Classical Greek Drama

CLG 302 Greek Tragedy

CLG 305 Greek Comedy

LAT 332 Roman Drama

Comparative Literature

326 Tragedy

English

131 Shakespeare

310 Shakespeare I

311 Shakespeare II

316 The English Drama to 1700

345 Modern Drama

346 Modern British Drama

347 Topics in Drama

356 Contemporary Drama

375 Topics in Comedy and Satire

French and Italian

FRE 365 Modern French Theater

German

301 Topics in German Drama and Theater

362 Contemporary German Literature

Music

220 The Opera

Slavic Languages and Literatures

312 Russian Drama

Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures

SPA 312 The Dramatic Expression of the Golden Age