Theatre Timetable and Courses

THTR 100

Introduction to Theatre

An introduction to the various aspects of theatre focused on plays in production and how it all comes together. Learn about the script, the responsibilities of actors and directors, what designers do, different types of theatres, and the rich history of theatrical performance.

THTR 101

Introduction to Improv

Saying Yes to Yes! An introduction to the fundamental skills of theatre improvisation. This course is a guide to improvisational choices through the use of theatre games and exercises, with an emphasis on artistic perception and creative expression.
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for THEA 215AA and/or THAC 362 and/or THAC 360AA*

THTR 102

Introduction to Theatre Design

An introduction to the practices, aesthetics and techniques of contemporary stage set, costume and lighting performance design through text, filmed productions and interviews with international stage artists. The course will cover collage 2 & 3 dimensional rendering techniques.
*Note: Student may receive credit for one of THTR 102, THEA 121, or THDS 121.*

THTR 109

Live Events

Gain key skills in realizing live events. From running a theatre or musical performance, organizing a gallery show, or even planning a wedding, students will learn practical approaches to taking their plans from imagination to reality. Class discussions, seminars, individual and group projects will form the bulk of this course.

THTR 111

Performance Technologies

From the winged chariot that saved Medea to the introduction of gas lighting in Victorian theatres to the falling chandelier in Phantom on the Opera, theatre has always engaged in complex ways with technology. With an emphasis on lighting, sound, and projections this course gives students a hands-on chance to play with old and new theatre technologies and discover that almost anything is possible.

THTR 112

Painting and Props

The enchanted rose in Beauty and the Beast, the swords and moving forest in MacBeth and the puppets of Avenue Q props are integral to performance. This hands-on course focuses on the manipulation of various materials, sustainable props building, and scenic painting.
*Note: This class may support Theatre Department Productions.*

THTR 114

Introduction to Theatre Studies

Study theatre history, read plays, explore critical approaches in performance theory, and discuss live performances. Course syllabus includes multiple theatre genres and attending productions in Regina throughout the semester.
*Note: Students may incur costs related to ticket prices.*

THTR 116

Acting for the Camera

An introduction to some of the fundamental acting methods and techniques used by professional actors working in mainstream North American film and streamed performance.
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 116 or THAC 290AA.*
*Note: A student enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Devised Performance and Theatre Creation can only take this class with permission of the Department Head.*

THTR 119

Technical Production I

This course introduces concepts and skills essential to technical production, stage management, lighting, sound and projection design. Working with a range of analogue and digital technologies, this course will build a practical foundation for work in live arts environments.
*Note: This class requires additional hours outside class by providing support for THTR 240 and/or Theatre Dept events.*

THTR 121

Costume Construction

Costumes help create an instantly recognizable character or help tell the story. This course not only gives and/or develops students’ fundamental sewing skills but provides an introduction into pattern development, the role of costume in performance, and the language of costume building.
*Note: This class may support Theatre Department Productions.*

THTR 131

Acting I

An introduction to some of the fundamental acting methods used by professional actors working in mainstream North American theatre.
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 115, THTR 131, THEA 260, or THAC 260.*

THTR 135

Devised Theatre I

This foundational performance class is designed to unleash creativity, create ensemble, and build strong physical and theoretical groundwork for a responsive, committed and creative theatre artist. This class will focus on theatre exercises and explorations as applied to devised work.
***Prerequisite: THTR 131 or permission of the instructor.***
*Note: Registration is restricted to students enrolled in the Theatre Dept BFA/BA programs.*
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 110 or THTR 135.*

THTR 139

Theatre Design I

This course introduces students to the foundations of reading and understanding the visual world. What meanings do we give to polka dots? What meanings do we give red? What meanings do we give satin or brick? Students will focus on the reading and analysis of live and mediated performances within a larger cultural framework.
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 122 and THTR 139*

THTR 199AA

Theatre Society Change

Theatre. Society. Change is designed to provide students with different perspectives on theatre and its uses in the context of development and community building.

THTR 199AC

Behind the Magic: Props and Production

Props help create environment and character and are integral to most theatrical productions. This hands-on course focuses on creating props in support of a particular department production. Students will gain real-life experience in props building, pulling and deadlines as part of the production team.
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 199AC or THTR 112.*

THTR 202

Playwriting

This course provides basic skills for and approaches to writing a play. Students will develop theatrical texts through exercises, readings, and peer critique. Of interest to writers of all media.
***Prerequisite: Two of ACAD 100, ENGL 100, or ENGL 110.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 202 or THEA 215AE.*

THTR 203

Introduction to Standup Comedy

This course will teach students the fundamentals of writing and performing stand-up comedy. Students will learn how to generate material from their own life, how to craft a well-made joke and how to perform in front of a live audience.
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for THTR 203 and THEA 215 AG*

THTR 204

Technical Theatre for a Scholastic Situation

This course will cover the stage management and technical requirements needed to mount a production in an elementary/high school environment. You are teaching in small town Saskatchewan and learn the principal expects you to design, direct, and tech the upcoming mega-musical. Don’t panic, this course will cover the stage management and technical requirements needed to mount a production in an
elementary/high school environment.
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for THTR 204 and THDS 365AD*

THTR 213

Script Analysis & Dramaturgy

Development of the tools necessary for reading and analyzing dramatic texts. Exploring the dynamic relationship between script, stage, and audience, students will explore dramaturgy and its importance to theatrical production and performance creation.
***Prerequisite: Two of ACAD 100 and ENGL 100 or ENGL 110.***
*Note: Fulfills a Research & Methodology Critical Competency requirement for BA Theatre students.*

THTR 215

Understanding Performance Texts

Plays can be challenging to read but this course introduces students to the tools needed for reading and analyzing dramatic texts. Exploring the dynamic relationship between script, stage, and audience, students will explore plays as a genre of literature as well as blueprints for theatrical production.
***Prerequisite: Two of ACAD 100, ENGL 100, or ENGL 110.***
*Note: Student cannot receive credit for THTR 215 and/or THEA 150 and/or THST 250.

THTR 219

Technical Production II

Building on the foundational work in THTR 119, this course takes a deeper dive into control systems, automation, and special effects utilized in the performing arts. Focusing on work undertaken in Studio spaces, this course introduces concepts for touring shows.
***Prerequisite: THTR 119 or permission of the instructor.***
*Note: Provides technical support for the 4th Year Devised production.*
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 212 and THTR 219.*

THTR 231

Acting II

Building on skills developed in Acting I, this course will further explore the actor’s craft through scene study. Skills applied to existing scripts and plays in development.
***Prerequisite: THTR 131 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 210 and THTR 231.*

THTR 239

Theatre Design II

Theatre design, museum curation, parades and festival planning all require an understanding of how space means, how to imagine space and how to best use a given space. Students will learn the basics of scenography while imagining, manipulating and creating performance and non-performance spaces.
***Prerequisite: One of THTR 112, THTR 121, THTR 139, or THTR 219.***
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for THTR 222, THEA 222, THDS 221 and/or THTR 239.*

THTR 240

Cabaret: Rehearsal & Performance

Building upon the foundational work of THTR 135, this course culminates in an end-of-term Cabaret showcase devised by the students and presented to a live audience.
***Prerequisite: THTR 135 or Permission of the Instructor and Department Head.***
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for both THTR 120 and THTR 240.*

THTR 313

Decolonizing Dramaturgy

In this class you might explore such dramaturgies as decolonization, non-verbal theatre, verbatim theatre, and new play development. May include conducting dramaturgical work supporting an upcoming production/performance.
***Prerequisite: THTR 213 or the successful completion of 30 credit hours and ENGL 110.***
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for both THTR 223 and THTR 313. Fulfills a Culture & Society Critical Competency requirement for BA/BFA Theatre students.*

THTR 321

Artist Study

In this course, students will develop a deep familiarity with a particular theatre artist/company's work over time: their particular dramaturgy as well as their wider influence and importance.
***Prerequisite: Completion of 45 credit hours including THTR 114.***
*Note: Each time this course is taught, its focus will change depending on the instructor’s expertise, the context of other course offerings, and relevant department and local productions. Please inquire with Department. Offered occasionally.*

THTR 323

Theatre. Society. Change

This course is designed to give students a theoretical and practical grounding in socially-engaged creative practices and their different uses for social change and community building.
***Prerequisite: THTR 114 and completion of 45 credit hours.***
*Note: Offered occasionally. Inquire with Department.*

THTR 326AA

Artist Study: Harold Pinter

Harold Pinter transformed dialogue and the use of silence in twentieth century theatre. In this course we will trace the development of his influential dramaturgy over the course of his long career. We will also experience the deep learning accessed through focused study of a single artist/collective through time.
***Prerequisite: Completion of 45 credit hours.***

THTR 331

Directing

This course introduces students to the basic skills necessary for directing. Incorporating script analysis and collaborating with actors, students will develop one’s aesthetic approach to theatre leadership. Modules may include directing both text-based and devised theatre practices.
***Prerequisite: THTR 231 or permission of the instructor.***

THTR 335

Devised Theatre II

Using the dramaturgical, scenographic and performance skills acquired throughout their program thus far, the third-year cohort will further develop their devising skills, in anticipation of their final project.
***Prerequisite: THTR 135.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 320 or THTR 335.*

THTR 339

Studio: Technical Design

This course is taken concurrently with THTR 340 to provide a dedicated block of time where production and design work can be accomplished. Work assignments may include, or be related to stage management, scenic and/or costume design, lighting, sound, and/or projection design. ***Prerequisite: THTR 319.***
**Corequisite: THTR 340.*

THTR 340

Studio: Rehearsal & Performance

Building upon the skills of the ensemble, this course provides students in the second-year cohort with the opportunity to produce and perform in a studio-type production. In the style of a Fringe Festival production.
***Prerequisite: THTR 240 and permission of the instructor.***
**Corequisite: THTR 339.*
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 220 or THTR 340.*

THTR 411AA

Advanced Topics in Voice and Movement

Students will study and practice specific topics related to voice and/or movement for the performer as determined by the instructor.
***Prerequisite: THTR 311 or permission of the instructor.***

THTR 414

Emerging Theatre Practice

This class will explore the fundamentals of a theatre career in Canada for emerging practitioners and researchers. Through class discussions, seminars, individual, group and whole-class projects, students will learn key skills in launching their career in the Canadian theatre practice and research ecologies, including auditioning, establishing a company and/or securing funding.
***Prerequisite: Successful completion of 75 credit hours.***
*Note: Registration limited to fourth-year BA and BFA Theatre students, or Instructor’s Permission.*

THTR 426AA

Decolonizing Dramaturgy

This course focuses on decolonization as a theoretical and methodological approach in dramaturgical discourses.
***Prerequisite: Completion of at least 60 credit hours.***

THTR 430

Emerging Theatre Research

In this course you might study a particular playwright, investigate a theme that runs through the work of several playwrights or explore a particular form of drama or performance. Throughout the semester, and with support from the Theatre Department, this class designs, organizes and presents an annual mini symposium, which serves as a showcase for undergraduate research in theatre and performance.

THTR 431

Mainstage: Rehearsal & Performance

The fourth-year cohort rehearses and performs a scripted play chosen by the Department. Building upon the various skill sets of the ensemble. ***Prerequisite: THTR 231 and permission of the instructor.***
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for both THTR 310 and THTR 431.*

THTR 435

Devised Theatre III

Building on the discoveries from Devised Theatre II, this course focuses on imagining the dramaturgy and development of the projects that emerges in THTR 440. The fourth-year cohort creates a template of their final project, which includes determining the production needs necessary to rehearse and produce this performance.
***Prerequisite: THTR 335.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 410 or THTR 435.*

THTR 439

Devised Theatre: Technical Design

This course is taken concurrently with THTR 440 to provide a dedicated block of time for production and design work to be accomplished. Work assignments may include, or be related to stage management, technical direction, scenic and/or costume design, lighting, sound, and/or projection design.
***Prerequisite: THTR 339.***
**Corequisite: THTR 440.*

THTR 440

Devised Theatre: Rehearsal & Performance

Students in the fourth-year cohort will be involved in all aspects of creating, producing and presenting their final devised project, including, but not limited to: writing, performing, scenography, stage management, construction, technically running the show, and marketing.
***Prerequisite: THTR 435.***
**Corequisite: THTR 439.**
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of THTR 420 or THTR 440.*