1.
Program Description:
The
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and
Electronic Media Performance integrates traditional studies in performance
and the liberal arts with comprehensive coursework in media production and
communications, embracing the MTU vision and mission of melding its
technological resources with Science and Arts resources. The goals are two: (1)
To prepare acting students to take advantage of the substantial career
opportunities in live theatre, entertainment, documentary, industrial, and
educational film/video, digital arts, and gaming performance, and (2) to
significantly enhance Michigan Tech’s four existing majors in entertainment
design and technology, thereby creating a complete “real world” working
environment.
The program has four
learning structures, three of which are unique:
1. The
curriculum, while primarily composed of typical theatre performance classes, is
augmented with skills courses in media, which are not typically included in a
theatre performance major. These courses
may be available to students at some universities but in departments other than
Theatre; they are not an integral part of the course work for the degree.
2. While
most Theatre programs consist of twenty percent design and technical students
and eighty percent actors, MTU’s program reverses the ratio with advantages to
all students. Because eighty percent of
the majors are in design and technical theatre, they are not “burnt-out” in the
production program staging enough plays to provide opportunities for the
actors. Reducing the number of actors
admitted not only makes the program more selective, it ensures the actors will
have many and varied opportunities to perform.
3. A
sequence of performance projects leads students through a full range of live
theatre and mediated performances.
Individual student opportunities arise from competitive open auditions
and advisor-arranged experiences in media, performing, voice-overs, narrations,
instructional and business presentations.
Through a partnership with WMTU and other local radio stations, students
will record commercials and program announcements. At the educational media center on campus,
they will provide voice and on-camera services.
They will appear in narrative and documentary film/video productions
created in Humanities and other departments, providing voice and movement
skills for diverse media. They will be
the talent for Sound Design and Audio Technology projects. Advanced students may perform as presenters
for research projects on campus and at professional events. The result of their work in the program will
be a media and traditional theatre performance portfolio, making them
competitive in the market place.
4. The
program also provides an interface with the professional world. Each major will annually participate in
American College Theatre Festival Region III.
Each class will have a specified level of involvement. For example: the
first year student must attend workshops, performances, competitive
events; the second year student must
audition for the 10 minute play festival and provide festival services in
addition to other activities; the third and fourth years, they will participate
in the Irene Ryan and regional auditions.
Regional finalists are invited to the Kennedy Center
to compete for national scholarships and intern opportunities. The Department
will provide access to ArtSEARCH to facilitate student opportunities for
professional internships and employment. The Department plans eventually to
partially fund graduating seniors’ auditions and interviews at regional
audition events and at the annual University and Resident Theatre Association
Graduate School Auditions and Interviews.
2.
Rationale:
The entertainment industry is
among the growth markets of the 21st Century. As traditional on-stage performance
opportunities have been decreasing through the shrinking of the not-for-profit
market, the growth of media arts, education, and recorded entertainment is
providing new opportunities for persons with acting skills. These opportunities require actors to be
smarter, more adaptable, and more technologically savvy than before. In the current and future market, actors will
need to be more entrepreneurial than ever by marketing their skills through
technological means. For instance, even
now, with the use of appropriate technology actors can perform as radio talent
for commercials, as on air talent, and in public service announcements for any
station in the country, rather than being limited to local markets as has been
the tradition. From their own homes,
with a properly equipped computer, actors can provide air-quality voice work to
any business with internet access. Similar technology is available for
auditioning for theatres in distant markets.
The actors who have the skills to take advantage of such opportunities
will be the actors who are most successful without ever needing to pursue the
unrealistic goal of stardom.
Thus, playing to their
individual performance strengths, actors can market their skills to the growth
fields of instructional media for both private business and public education
markets. They can work as presenters of
products in the commercial retail and wholesale market and presenters of
creative service ideas and new product proposals both inside companies and
among companies seeking to collaborate on new enterprises. They can facilitate
the exchange of ideas between executives as well.
The actors taking this broad
approach to employing their talents and skills will need to be highly
independent and self-starting. They will
have to think creatively about how to engage the non-live performance market,
because, as McCarthy observes in his study of the economics of the performing
arts (op. cit.), the income of
performers is derived from a variety of arts and non-art enterprises which
require a performer’s skills.
With its four current interdisciplinary
degrees in entertainment design and technology which integrate theatre, music,
video/film, themed entertainment, and digital arts, the Visual and Performing
Arts Department of Michigan Technological University is uniquely positioned to
provide performers the experience and training they need to succeed in the new
marketplace. Moreover, trained
performers will provide the talent for Michigan Tech’s own sound designers,
audio production technicians, new media creators, as well as documentary and
narrative filmmakers, improving the quality of these works.
To
summarize, in addition to traditional Theatre courses which provide foundations
skills, special courses such as Presentation Skills I and II, Movement for
Theatre and Electronic Media, and Vocal Approaches for Theatre and Media, will
hone these skills for specific applications, preparing students for jobs in
theatre, film, radio, and television, and such opportunities as:
Professional paths available to
graduates, in addition to traditional jobs in theatre, film, radio, and
television, include:
Professional presenter for business and industry of
ideas, products, etc.
Performer/director of industrial and trade shows
Audio book narrator
Performer/producer of educational media
Performer/producer of product instructional
materials
Video game movement and voice artist
Internet video performer/director for web-based
instruction and entertainment
Documentary production/performance
Voice and commercial talent for radio and
television
Work with major sales and marketing agencies
Law school resource for litigation training
The creation of the program is
right for MTU in a number of ways.
First, the available technological resources and penchant for
interdisciplinary support provide a sound foundation for the program’s
development. Second, recruiting performance
students obviously improves the quality of production, making it easier to
recruit students in the Theatre design and technical fields by enhancing the
reputation of Tech Theatre. Third,
non-majors will benefit from the program.
More sections of skills courses such as Presentation Skills I and II
will be available. Additional general
education distribution courses will be available as well. Students will have the opportunity to take
more than one course in acting, for example, to gain greater depth of
understanding.
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APPROPRIATE COURSES FOR
NON-MAJORS
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COURSE
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APPROPRIATE
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FOR
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REQUIRES
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NON-MAJORS
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PREREQUISITE
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FA 1--- Career Dev. Practicum
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ü
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FA 2--- Makeup
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*FA 2600 Acting I
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ü
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FA 2610 Acting II
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FA 2620 Acting for the Camera
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FA 2--- Audition Techniques
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FA 3--- Period Acting Styles
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FA 4--- Playing Shakespeare
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FA 4--- Musical Theatre
Performance
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ü
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FA 2830 Voice and Articulation
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FA 3--- Vocal Approaches -
Theatre/Media
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ü
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ü
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FA 2080 Presentation Skills I
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FA 3---- Presentation Skills II
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FA 3880 Readings in Dramatic Lit.
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FA 2--- Movement -
Theatre/Elec. Media
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ü
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FA 1--- Film/Video/Stage Practicum
I
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FA 2--- Film/Video/Stage
Practicum II
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FA 3--- Film/Video/Stage
Practicum III
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FA 4--- Film/Video/Stage
Practicum IV
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FA 4--- Stage Combat
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FA 2 --- Marketing the
Performer
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FA 3--- Personal Finance -
Performer
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*FA 2600 (Acting I) will
replace current course, The Technique of Acting.
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----FA 1/2/3/4--- Indicate new courses and
indicate relative academic level.
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The course list, presented in part 7: Revised Current and
New Course Descriptions, for the program indicates the courses available to
non-majors with no or only one prerequisite.
The creation of the program neither financially nor educationally
affects any other programs or departments on campus. Lastly, the five completely realized Theatre
majors will attract over one-hundred students, who would not have otherwise
come to MTU, providing a gross tuition increase of roughly one-million dollars
with a surprisingly minimal investment.
The creation of the Theatre and Electronic Media Performance program
makes good cultural, educational, and business sense.
3. Related Programs:
· At Michigan Tech
o
Current Visual and Performing Arts degrees
§ B.S.,
Audio Production and Technology
§ B.A.,
Sound Design
§ B.S.,
Theatre and Entertainment Technology (Engineering & Operations)
§ B.A.,
Theatre and Entertainment Technology (Design)
§ Minors in
Music, Music Technology, Theatre Arts, Technical Theatre, Art
· At other
institutions
o
In the region, no universities or colleges have a
program like the proposed major in Theatre and Electronic Media
Performance. Twenty-one have traditional
programs in theatre, thirteen have the resources for the proposed program
housed in different departments, and four have no theatre training program or
offer service courses without a major.
So, MTU’s program fills an important niche.
o
MTU Benchmark Institutions also lack similar
programs. Three have traditional theatre
programs (Cal Poly, Carnegie, and Lehigh), two (Rensselaer and Carnegie) have
the resources in different departments to create the proposed program, and four
have either no career training in Theatre or a selection of individual
courses. Even with the resources,
Carnegie and Rensselaer have not created a
similar program. They are not likely to
do so. Carnegie has a very large traditional theatre program concentrated on
graduate programs. Rensselaer
is limited to the technical resources and would have to hire a performance
faculty with appropriate specialties.
The Theatrical and Electronic
Media Performance Major is unique among both regional and benchmark
institutions for two reasons. First, the
spectrum of theatre production extends beyond the traditional bounds of
academic theatre into themed entertainment, television and radio, video, and integrated
live and media performance. Second, the
major provides a systematic method of developing skills though course work and
creative projects, the creation of a portfolio appropriate for diverse
workplace situations, and an interface with the professional world.
4.
Projected Enrollment
The
program expects to enroll five to seven majors in 2008 and a similar number
each year for four years to create a company of twenty-five to thirty
performance students.
5.
Scheduling Plans:
This
degree will be administered as part of the regular course schedule, including
alternate-year cycling of certain courses. The proposed teaching schedule,
outlining the first four years of the implementation of the program, is Attachment B.
6.
Curriculum Design:
General Education University Course
UN 1001
Perspectives on Inquiry 3
UN 1002
World Cultures 3
UN 1003
World Cultures Activities 1
UN 2001
Revisions 3
UN 2002
Institutions 3
World
Cultures Distribution Requirement 6-9
Institutions
Distribution Requirement 6-9
(The two distribution Requirements must sum
15 credits)
Science
and Mathematics 16
Sub
Total 44 Credits
Performance Major Requirements
Foundation Courses:
FA 2800
Script Analysis 3
FA 3880 Readings in Dramatic
Literature 1
(Repeated four times with different
required readings
totaling 4 credit hours)
FA 3810
Ancient Theatre History 3
FA 3821
Modern Theatre History 3
FA 2821
Performance and Design Principles 3
FA 2640
Stage Makeup 2
FA 1012
Career Development Practicum 1
(Repeated each fall term for a total of4 credits)
ú Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
Midwest Theatre
Auditions, Consolidated Professional
Theatre Auditions,
etc.
Sub Total
22 Credits
Performance Courses:
FA
3710 Movement for Theatre 3
FA
2600 Acting I 3
FA
2610 Acting II 3
FA
2830 Voice and Articulation 3
FA
2080 Presentation Skills I 3
FA
3080 Presentation Skills II or
FA
2620 Acting for the Camera 3
FA
2650 Audition Techniques 3
FA
3680 Period Acting Styles 3
FA
4680 Playing Shakespeare or
FA
4620 Musical Theatre Performance 3
FA
3780 Directing for Theatre 3
FA
3675 Personal Finance for the Performer 1
FA
2670 Marketing the Performer 1
FA
1010 Film/Video/Stage Practicum* 1
FA
2010 Film/Video/Stage Practicum* 1
FA
3010 Film/Video/Stage Practicum* 1
FA
4010 Film/Video/Stage Practicum* 1
(*Must enroll for 1 credit in practicum each
academic year
at the appropriate level course, Freshman,
Sophomore, etc.
for a total
of 4 credits)
Sub Total 36 Credits
Collateral Electives 14 Credits
A program
of electives is planned with the advisor to enhance the background, personal
development and primary career direction that the student wishes to pursue.
Free Electives 12 Credits
Total
Program Credit Hours 128
Co-curricular Courses 3
Credits
Total
Graduation Credit Hours 131
7. Revised Current and New Course Descriptions:
Several
courses will be offered in alternating years (A). Current courses are listed by number, and new
courses are designated with (*).
*FA 1012 Career Development Practicum 1
credit
Provides students the opportunity to engage in
professional development activities with national theatre organization by
participating in seminars, auditions, performances, and competitions. (Repeat
to 4 credits)
*FA 2640 Stage Make-up: (A) 2
credits
Teaches fundamental techniques
for corrective, straight, age, and beginning special effects.
FA 2600 Acting I: (Formerly “The Technique of
Acting”) 3
credits
Teaches basic techniques of acting to include script and
character analysis, internal and external approaches to performance, and basic
use of voice and body.
FA 2610 Acting II: 3
credits
Prerequisite: Acting I
Develops skills in improvisation and other advanced
techniques and applies previously learned techniques through scene study of
modern and contemporary plays.
FA 2620 Acting for the Camera: 3
credits
Prerequisite: Acting I, Acting II
Introduces the basic techniques of acting in television
and film, including playing to the camera, acting out of sequence, special
blocking concerns, and a more subtle approach to acting.
*FA 2650 Audition Techniques: 3
credits
Prerequisite: Acting I
Provides the student actor with basic auditioning skills
for drama, comedy, singing, dancing, and film performance with simulated
experiences.
*FA 3680 Period Acting Styles: (A) 3
credits
Prerequisite: Acting I, Acting II
Provides knowledge and experience in playing the manners,
movement, and language in plays of the most frequently performed periods.
FA 3780 Directing for Theatre 3
credits
Prerequisite: Acting I, Acting II, Script Interpretation,
Performance Design Principles (FA2821)
Develops artistic leadership through practice with the
skills and techniques of Directing, including concept development, auditioning
and casting, rehearsal planning and conduct, and performance evaluation.
*FA 4680 Playing Shakespeare: (A) 3
credits
Prerequisite: Acting I, Acting II, Period Acting Styles
Provides specialized experience in performing Shakespeare
and other Elizabethan authors including manners, movement, language structure,
meaning and vocal dynamics.
*FA 4620 Musical Theatre Performance: (A) 3
credits
Prerequisite: Acting I, Acting II
Provides specialized experience in performance styles of
the American Musical Theatre through
scene study and performing the many styles of acting a song.
FA 2830 Voice and Articulation 3
credits
Introduces the components of
voice—including phonation, quality, articulation, dialect, and inflection,
healthy vocal practice with emphasis on creating versatility and flexibility in
the dialect, vocal quality, and intonation—necessary for creating characters or
for standard speaking. Clear
articulation is stressed beginning with a working knowledge of the
International Phonetic Alphabet.
*FA 3710 Vocal Approaches for Theatre and Media 3
credits
Prerequisite: Voice and Articulation
Teaches various approaches to types of speaking
situations, including radio commercials, instructional videos, announcing,
cartoons, and theatrical productions.
Students will practice vocal projection for a large theatre/auditorium,
as well as microphone technique for electronic media.
FA 2080 Presentation Skills I: 3
credits
Provides
training in basic presenting skills.
Emphasizes delivery and the dynamics necessary to sell a product or
idea.