Welcome to the Rutgers-Camden Theater Program. Our emphasis is placed on student generated work and original work created in and around our playwriting wing. We offer a unique perspective on the study of theater—one that emphasizes the creative process and new play development, a vital aspect of American theater. We encourage our students to think of themselves as creators as well as interpreters, whether their primary interest is Acting, Directing, Playwriting,Technical Theater or a combination thereof. Our students graduate from our Theater Program prepared for graduate study, careers in the theater or other fields that demand creative, dynamic individuals.
Course offerings in theater develop students in two ways. First, as an integral part of a liberal arts education; the courses sharpen insights, perceptions, and creative thought processes such as the problem solving related to making theater. Second, the theater curriculum provides students with the rigorous training of an artistic discipline within the performing arts. The value of this process lies in the direct expression of one's self as an instrument—emotional, physical, and vocal. Students in the theater program realize their education in a fully personal sense through theoretical, laboratory, and experiential work. As a result of this twofold approach, students majoring in theater arts are prepared with the broadest possible base for continued artistic development and future career opportunities.
Nancy Ellis, B.S., Northwestern, M.A. in English Literature, Middlebury College; M.A. in Theater Arts, Emerson College
Larry Biren, B.S., Temple
Ed Shockley, M.F.A., Columbia
Directed by
Dr. Ken Elliott
Fall 2007 - Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Spring 2007 – The Importance of Being Earnest Theater Program – Spring Festival: Student Works(Original and Student generated theater works, musicians in concert, some dance, some video, a surprise special guest, an alumni blast from the past and more.)Fall 2006 – The Madwoman of Chaillot Spring 2006 – Theater Program – Spring Festival Fall 2005 - As You Like It Spring 2005 – Theater Program – Spring Festival Spring 2005 - The Passenger List Fall 2004 - Nunsense Fall 2004 – A Slight Ache Spring 2004 - Something's Afoot Fall 2003 – Equus Spring 2003 – Noises Off Fall 2002 - 110 In The Shade Spring 2002 Fall 2001 Spring 2001 - Man of La Mancha Fall 2000 - Sister Angelica |
Students in the Theater Program will study in an active atmosphere of experimental and traditional theater techniques applied to theoretical, laboratory, and experiential work. The theater curriculum provides students with rigorous training in theater from several distinct perspectives, geared for the development of the well-rounded, highly imaginative theater artist. The value of this process lies in the direct expression of the individual as an instrument – emotional, physical and vocal. Experience with Improvisation and Composition for the theater is a core objective for the following curriculum. Students majoring in Theater Arts are prepared with a broad base for continued artistic development
and future career opportunities.
Our program encourages the study of Improvisation and New Play Development from a wide spectrum of perspectives. Students are encouraged to shape and reshape works in progress on our stages as well as at site-specific locations in and around the campus and beyond. Theater Majors will learn by doing and gain familiarity with a variety of approaches to staging theater of all kinds, classical, contemporary, physical/visual theater, and video production as it relates to capturing and editing student performances.
A: Introduction to Contemporary Theater -- 965:201 (3)
B: (Choose two of three) History of Theater I, II, III -- 965:279, 280, 281 (6)
C: Choose one from the following:
Dramatic Literature (English Dept. or Language Dept.)
Shakespeare (3)
Theater and Film in Europe (3) 965: 344 (3) (change: special topics 2)
Cultural Theater Studies – 965:215 (3)
Note: With permission from the Theater Program Director a student may
fulfill requirement with a course from another department (e.g. 20th Century
French Theater -Language Dept.)
A: Intro to Technical Theater + Lab in Technical Theater – 965:241, 965:243 (3)
(+1 optional lab)
B: Acting and Directing I – 965:321 (3)
D: Playwriting I – 965:318 (3)
E: Movement & Voice for the Stage – 965:123 (2)
F. Modern/Improvisational Dance – 965:124 (2)
(same)
G. Acting II – 965:272 (3)
H. Choose one course that furthers the study of theater
Playwriting II – 965:319 (3)
Directing II – 965:322 (3)
Educational/Children’s Theater – 965:363 (3)
Majors are required to be involved with a minimum of three performances over a
four year period, through main-stage or workshop productions (in Acting,
Directing, Playwriting, or Technical Design)
A: Performance – 965:301 (6) (2 credits for each performance, technical theater
included)
B: Practicum/Crew Call in Technical Theater – 965:302-303
Majors must participate in building/running crew for at least two semesters
during their four-year course of study, for one credit for each production (2)
C: *Senior Project–Ind. Study (in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Production Staff, Technical Design and/or Implementation, or Academic Paper) 965:302 (3)
A: Majors are required to choose two courses from another area of the Fine Arts Department (Music, Musical Theater, Visual Art, Electronic Art or Video Production)
* Seniors are encouraged to fulfill their Senior Project requirement in conjunction with one of the required performances from section A. The performance credit can be expanded into a Senior Project by including a research/dramaturgical component, an academic paper, or other means with the approval of the director of the Theater Program.
Theater Minors are encouraged to gain a broad perspective on theater.
A. Intro. to Contemporary Theater – 965:201 (3)
B. Choose one from History of Theater I,II or III – 965:279,280,282 (3)
C. Acting and Directing I – 965:321(3)
D. Playwriting I – 965:319 (3) NEW
E. Choose two of the following: (6)
Playwriting II, Directing II, Acting II, Experimental in Europe, Cultural Theater Studies, or other course related to theater from other Dept., e.g. Dramatic, Lit., Shakespeare)
F. Minors must participate in 2 performances (Acting, Directing, Playwriting or Technical Theater) (2)
G. Practicum for two semesters, no credit.
Set in an attractive campus adjacent to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Rutgers-Camden offers a diverse curriculum designed to provide students with a strong liberal arts background as well as extensive knowledge in specialized fields. The college offers major programs in twenty-three undergraduate and several graduate disciplines.
Rutgers-Camden has the advantage of being located in a geographic area that provides one of the richest heritages for the study of music in the United States. The major concert halls in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington DC, as well as major research libraries found not only at Rutgers, but also University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University, are frequently used by students for research and enrichment purposes.
Applicants are evaluated by the Committee on Admissions on the basis of several criteria, including high school academic record, courses taken, quality of work, trend of grands, and rank in class. The committee considers the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test of the College Entrance Examination Board, which is required of all applicants except those who have been out of high school for two or more years or transfer with 12 or more credits from another college or university.
In addition, the committee welcomes recommendations from faculty, principals, and guidance counselors, and is interested in the applicant's personal characteristics, motivation, maturity, and potential as a contributor to the college community.
Because admission to the college is based on academic criteria, the Theaer Program does not conduct formal auditions. However, applicants are urged to arrange an interview with a department advisor to discuss academic and career planning.
Financial aid is available to those students who qualify for admission and demonstrate financial need. Assistance is provided through appropriate combinations of scholarships, grants-in-aid, loans, and work opportunities. Selection of the types of funds used to meet the student's need is the responsibility of the financial aid office.
For More Information: 856-225-6176
Directions to Rutgers-Camden Campus, click hereWe want to hear from you!
Please send comments, suggestions, and questions to: webmaster@camden.rutgers.eduThis page has been accessed
times since 8 October 1998
Last Updated 5 July 2007
Copyright © Rutgers, The State University and
the Rutgers - Camden Department of Fine Arts
Phone: 856.225.6176
http://finearts.camden.rutgers.edu/