How to Enroll

For more information about our courses and to register, click on www.registrar.ucla.edu.

 

THEATER COURSES FOR FALL 2021

 

Click through the class name to see the course description on the Registrar's website.

 

1A / Introduction to Dance for Music Theater
Studio, four hours. Designed for Theater majors. Introduction to basic music theater dance technique. May be repeated once for credit. Letter grading.

2A / Tai Chi
Studio, two to four hours. Emphasizes proper form, etiquette as coextensive with training, and other values that sustain physical practice over lifetime. Actors increase focus, enhance discipline, cultivate internal energy, and relax mind and body. Demonstration of how each tai chi movement works in self-defense situation. Letter grading.

12 / Introduction to Performance
Lecture, two hours; studio, four hours. Investigation of phenomenon of performance and role of performer in theatrical events, including interpretation of drama through performance. Examination of various forms of theatrical performance and styles of expression, and development of acting, voice, and movement skills. Letter grading.

14A / Introduction to Design
Lecture, three hours; studio, six hours. Exploration of visual interpretation of drama. Study of styles and techniques of design, collaborative role of designer, principles of design for scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound. Both technical and aesthetic groundwork for further study. Letter grading.

24A / Actor's Voice
Studio, three to four hours. Study of basic vocal technique for actor, with emphasis on resonance, range, power, and development of physiological foundation for subsequent training. Letter grading.

25 / Articulation and Body
(Formerly numbered 25A.) Studio, three to four hours. Study of basic kinesiology principles of body in performance. Includes strategies of movement initiation and organization, as well as performance of movement scores to support actor's craft. Letter grading.

34A / Ballet II
Studio, five hours. Development of dance and movement techniques for musical theater. Letter grading.

35A / Group Singing Techniques
Studio, three hours. Requisites: courses 23A, 23B. Introduction to singing techniques, with emphasis on bel canto training. Exploration of how singing voice works and how to achieve optimal vocal sound and musicality while preserving vocal health. Letter grading.

50 / Theater Production
Laboratory, three to six hours. Laboratory experience in various aspects of theater production, including stage management or member of production crew. May be repeated for maximum of 8 units. Letter grading.

95 / Introduction to Community or Corporate Internships in Theater, Film, and Television
Tutorial, six to 12 hours. Limited to freshmen/sophomores. Internship at various theaters, studios, or entertainment organizations accentuating creative contributions, organization, and work of professionals in various specialties. Students meet on regular basis with faculty member and provide periodic reports of experience. May be taken for maximum of 4 units. Individual contract with supervising faculty member required. P/NP grading.

101A / Global Histories of Theater and Performance I
Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Introduction to histories of theater and performance from across world, with emphasis on ancient world through 18th century. Introduction to global aesthetic theories and historiographical research methods. Letter grading.

102A / Theater of Japan
Lecture, three hours. Exploration of major theater traditions of Japan from emergence of earliest theatrical activity to present, including investigation of Noh, Bunraku, and Kabuki performance traditions. Letter grading.

103F / Native American Theater
Lecture, three hours. Study of American Indian theater as evolving art form. P/NP or letter grading.

C104I / History of Design for Performance Production Part II: Historic Costume from Neoclassical to 21st Century
Lecture, four hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Study of historic costume as manifestation of cultural, social, economic, and political influences to provide historical framework for design of costumes for theater, film, and television. Survey of history of Western costume and civilian attire with global emphasis. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C404I. Letter grading.

107 / Drama of Diversity
Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour (when scheduled). Investigation of diversity in American society as manifested in dramatic works and theatrical presentations. P/NP or Letter grading.

C112 / Emerging Technologies and Their Uses in Live Performance
(Formerly numbered C137.) Seminar, four hours. Survey of major emerging and contemporary technologies and their potential uses in and impact on live performance, from augmented and virtual reality to electronic textiles, Internet of Things, and Modern approaches to artificial intelligence. Offers solid basis for engaging in future collaborations with technologists, for self-study of new technologies, and, for those already more familiar with digital technologies, theoretical background for engaging with social context of these technologies. Concurrently scheduled with course C212. P/NP or letter grading.

113 / Special Topics in Theater and Performance Studies
Lecture, three or four hours. Consult Schedule of Classes for author, period, genre, or subject to be studied in specific term. May be repeated for credit. P/NP or letter grading.

116A / Psychological Systems of Acting: Foundations
Studio, six hours. Requisites: courses 24A, 24B, 25. Development of acting skills through sense memory, personalization, action, and objective exercises. Letter grading.

117 / Topics in Physical Performance
Studio, three to four hours. Exploration of specific physical performance techniques, drawn from range of practices. Topics may include specific types of partnering, combat, martial arts, vintage dance, etc. May be repeated twice for credit. Letter grading.

118A / Creative Dramatics
Lecture/laboratory, four hours. Studies of principles and procedures of improvisational approach to drama as done with children from nursery school to junior high. P/NP or letter grading.

118B / Advanced Creative Dramatics
Lecture, four hours; other, to be arranged. Practical application of creative drama process. Exploration of interrelationships of arts to traditional disciplines of learning. May be repeated once for credit. P/NP or letter grading.

120A / Acting and Performance in Film
Lecture, six hours. Exploration of acting and performance in film. Through screenings of performance-driven films, class discussion, and acting exercises, examination of methods, styles, and performances of some of world's most highly regarded actors and their work. P/NP or letter grading.

121 / Acting Workshop
Studio, to be arranged. Requisite: course 20. Courses 160, 163A, 163B, and 163C may be taken concurrently. Workshop that provides students with opportunity to rehearse, perform, and criticize scenes. May be repeated once for credit. P/NP or letter grading.

123 / Intermediate Acting for Stage
Lecture/studio, four hours. Requisite: course 20. Study and practice of art of acting through perfecting of techniques and application of those techniques to acting problems. P/NP or letter grading.

124A / Intermediate Voice and Speech: Vocal Energy in Classical Text
Studio, three to four hours. Requisites: courses 24A and 24B, or 28A and 28B. Creation of warm-up and building of vocal energy through understanding ideas, thoughts, and beats. Examination of diaphragmatic connection and breath control to work on classical text and verse, including Shakespearean sonnet. Letter grading.

124C / Dialects
Studio, three to four hours. Requisite: course 124B. Development of techniques in approaching dialects in performance. Letter grading.

125A / Alexander Technique
Studio, three to four hours. Requisite: course 25 or 28C. Study and practice in Alexander technique as method of developing balance, poise, and coordination of body and mind. Exploration of use of rhythm to expand movement potential of actors and use of visual arts and animal studies for character development. Letter grading.

126A / Acting Shakespeare
Studio, six hours. Requisites: courses 24A, 24B, 25, and 116A, or 28A, 28B, 28C, and 116B, all with grades of C or better. Study of characterization, verse, scansion, and rhetoric; personalization within heightened reality. Letter grading.

134A / Dance for Musical Theater II
Studio, five hours. Designed for Theater majors. Development of dance and movement techniques for musical theater. Letter grading.

134D / Dance for Musical Theater III
Studio, five hours. Designed for Theater majors. Development of dance and movement techniques for musical theater. Letter grading.

135D / Musical Theater Vocal Styles: Rock
Studio, three hours. Designed for Theater majors. Part of five-course series of musical theater performance techniques in which students explore and master variety of vocal styles and/or acting approaches necessary to be competitive in field of professional musical theater. Exploration of strategies and techniques for singing rock music, with emphasis on vocal and body strengthening exercises and solo song coaching. Letter grading.

135F / Singing: Individual Instruction
Studio, one hour. Requisite: course 35B. Designed to advance proper vocal technique, focusing on breath support, vowel shape, range expression, and overall mastery of vocal instrument. May be repeated four times for credit. Letter grading.

147A / Drafting
Studio, four hours. Development of visual communication skills through drafting. Exploration of drafting for scenic and lighting designs. May be repeated once for credit. Letter grading.

149 / Introduction to Design
Lecture, three hours. Exploration of interpretation of drama through design, including study of styles and techniques of design, collaborative role of designer, principles of design for scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound. Both technical and aesthetic groundwork for further study. Investigation of techniques for realization of designs in production. Letter grading.

150 / Theater Production and Performance
Laboratory, three to six hours. Laboratory experience in various aspects of theater production, including performance in project or production, stage management, member of crew, or assignment as designer or assistant on production. May be repeated for maximum of 8 units. Letter grading.

C151A / Scenic Design
Lecture/studio, four hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Imagination as impetus for design, text analysis, metaphor, and conceptualization. Investigation of design research process, composition, and style leading to visual presentation of design. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C451A. Letter grading.

C152A / Lighting Design
Lecture/studio, four hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Study of lighting, with emphasis on imagination, text analysis, metaphor, and conceptualization. Investigation of composition and control of light and color in relation to actor. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C452A. Letter grading.

C153D / Projects in Costume Design Management
Lecture, three hours. Examination of professional duties of costume designers, set costumers, and supervisors, especially management of production logistics, including but not limited to costume breakdowns, creating budgets, adhering to and overseeing them, as well as set costumer training for film and television, practicing on-set protocol, breakdown of daily responsibilities, and assembling set costumer kits ready for production. Practice with professional resourcefulness to move from abstract to substantive problem solving, maintaining creative and collaborative environment while adhering to logistical obstacles and tasks. Concurrently scheduled with course C453D. Letter grading.

C154A / Sound Design
Lecture/studio, four hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Introduction to sound and audio in acoustic, audio, and digital domain. Study and practice of techniques for recording, editing, and creating soundscapes. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C454A. Letter grading.

C155F / Graphic Representation of Design: Costume Rendering
Studio, four hours. Requisite: course 147A or 147B. Study of techniques for rendering theatrical costumes, with emphasis on figure, clothing, and fabrics. Concurrently scheduled with course C455F. Letter grading.

C156D / Introduction to Computer-Assisted Drafting
Studio, four hours. Requisite: course 147A. Investigation of drawing and editing techniques, drawing floor plan sections, and elevation drawings using Vectorworks. Concurrently scheduled with course C456D. Letter grading.

C156G / Virtual Reality Rendering for Film
Studio, four hours. Requisites: courses C155C, C155H, C156A, C156B, C156C. Preparation: basic 3D modeling and rendering skills. Students learn how to translate 3D models developed in Maya into Unreal virtual game engine environment, and utilize this platform as powerful tool for development, presentation, and staging of film and theater set design. Students primarily use, Autodesk Maya and Unreal gaming engine, but are also introduced to Zbrush, Blender, Quixel, and other ancillary resources. Concurrently scheduled with course C456G. Letter grading.

C157A / Costume Construction Techniques
Studio, four hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Study of theory and application of drafting, pattern making, fitting, and construction techniques for period costumes and undergarments to achieve authentic-appearing costume using contemporary methods. Introduction to draping, pattern grading fitting, and slash and spread adaptation. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C457A. P/NP or letter grading.

C163D / Directing Project for Stage
Discussion, three hours; laboratory, four to eight hours. Requisites: courses 163A, 163B, 163C. Application of stage directing techniques in production of short play or project. Students direct one-act play or project. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C263D. Letter grading.

167A / Career Preparation for Actor
Lecture/studio, three to four hours. Requisite: course 116B. Preparation for professional career as actor in film, television, theater, and commercials. Topics include audition preparation, head shots, résumés, agents, managers, casting directors, producers, unions, survival skills, professional development. Letter grading.

172 / Production Practice in Theater, Film, Video, and Digital Media
Studio, three to eight hours. Exploration and laboratory experience in one or more various aspects of production and postproduction practice for entertainment media, including theater, film, video, and digital media. May be repeated for maximum of 24 units. Letter grading.

173A / Design Assignment: Assistant Designer
Studio, six hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Laboratory experience as assistant designer, including participation in preparation and realization of scenic, lighting, costume, or sound designs. May be repeated twice. Letter grading.

173B / Production Design Assignment: Designer
Studio, six hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Laboratory experience as designer, including preparation and realization of scenic, lighting, costume, or sound designs. May be repeated twice. Letter grading.

174A / Stage Managing Techniques
Studio, six hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Professional duties of stage manager. Problems of unions, professional auditions, organization, scheduling, out-of-town openings, Broadway openings, and responsibilities of lengthy run. Letter grading.

174B / Project in Stage Management
Studio, nine hours. Requisite: course 174A. Laboratory experience in professional duties of assistant stage manager, including participation as assistant stage manager in preproduction, rehearsal, and performance phases of productions. May be repeated once for credit. Letter grading.

174C / Project in Stage Management
Studio, 12 hours. Requisite: course 174A. Laboratory experience in professional duties of stage manager, including participation as stage manager in preproduction, rehearsal, and performance phases of productions. Problems of unions, auditions, organization, scheduling, and responsibilities of lengthy run. May be repeated three times for credit. Letter grading.

180 / Senior Project
Lecture or studio, three hours. Requisites: courses 101A, 101B. Preparation of conceptual or creative project to provide culminating experience in production of creative or research work. May be repeated twice for credit. Letter grading.

195 / Community or Corporate Internships in Theater, Film, and Television
Tutorial, eight, 16, or 24 hours. Limited to juniors/seniors. Internship at various theaters, studios, or entertainment organizations accentuating creative contributions, organization, and work of professionals in their various specialties. Students meet on regular basis with instructor and provide periodic reports of their experience. May be taken for maximum of 8 units. Individual contract with supervising faculty member required. Letter grading.

C212 / Emerging Technologies and Their Uses in Live Performance
(Formerly numbered C437.) Seminar, four hours. Survey of major emerging and contemporary technologies and their potential uses in and impact on live performance, from augmented and virtual reality to electronic textiles, Internet of Things, and Modern approaches to artificial intelligence. Offers solid basis for engaging in future collaborations with technologists, for self-study of new technologies, and, for those already more familiar with digital technologies, theoretical background for engaging with social context of these technologies. Concurrently scheduled with course C112. S/U or letter grading.

216C / Approaches to Identification
Lecture, three hours; laboratory, one hour. Overview of key theories, methods, debates, and performance texts of identificatory structure between audience member or scholar and theatrical or performance object. Letter grading.

220 / Graduate Forum
Seminar, one to four hours. Limited to graduate theater students. Presentation and discussion of issues informing and affecting contemporary theater. May be repeated four times for credit. S/U grading.

230A / Writing for Contemporary Theater: One-Act Play
Lecture, three hours; studio, two hours. Designed for graduate students. Analysis of strategy and dramatic structure of selected contemporary short plays leading to guided completion and critique of student-written one-act plays. Letter grading.

232 / Manuscript Analysis
Lecture, three hours. Designed for graduate students. Critical and constructive study of dramatic techniques as employed by playwrights and screenwriters in selected examples of contemporary work. May be repeated once for credit. S/U or letter grading.

260 / Directing I
Lecture, four hours; studio, 24 hours. Designed for graduate students. Development of directorial skills of analysis, planning, staging, and criticism through medium of written preparations and directing of scenes. Letter grading.

272 / Production Practice in Theater, Film, Video, and Digital Media
Studio, three to eight hours. Exploration and laboratory experience in one or more various aspects of production and postproduction practice for entertainment media, including theater, film, video, and digital media. May be repeated for maximum of 24 units. Letter grading.

298A / Special Studies in Theater Arts
Lecture/discussion, two or four hours. Designed for graduate students. Seminar study of problems in theater arts, organized on topic basis. May be repeated once for credit. S/U or letter grading.

375 / Teaching Apprentice Practicum
Seminar, to be arranged. Preparation: apprentice personnel employment as teaching assistant, associate, or fellow. Teaching apprenticeship under active guidance and supervision of regular faculty member responsible for curriculum and instruction at UCLA. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.

C404I / History of Design for Performance Production Part II: Historic Costume from Neoclassical to 21st Century
Lecture, four hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Study of historic costume as manifestation of cultural, social, economic, and political influences to provide historical framework for design of costumes for theater, film, and television. Survey of history of Western costume and civilian attire with global emphasis. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C104I. Letter grading.

421C / Advanced Acting and Craft for Actor
Studio/laboratory, six hours. Advanced acting with focus on craft, inclusive of physicality of thought, details of realism, tempo, shared rhythm and relating movement to text, and audition technique. Letter grading.

424J / Acting for Microphone
Studio, four to six hours. Techniques including textual analysis and character work in art and craft of acting for microphone. Letter grading.

425A / Advanced Movement I
Studio/laboratory, three to six hours. Discovery of body's unique language through exercises designed to explore and free total instrument. Development of flexible actor with range, expression, and confidence physically. May be repeated for maximum of 12 units. Letter grading.

425D / Advanced Training Intensive
Studio, 12 to 15 hours per week for four weeks. Advanced training class, challenging body's core, energy, and concentration needed for performance. Deepening awareness of personal, physical idiosyncrasies and acting tendencies, body and breath control. May be repeated once for credit. Letter grading.

430A / Advanced Studies in Playwriting
Lecture, three hours. Limited to MFA playwriting program students. Guided completion of full-length scripts for stage. S/U or letter grading.

C433C / Script Development Workshop
Lecture, three hours; studio, four to 24 hours. Designed for graduate students. Guided process of script development, with emphasis on communication, artistic growth, and professional process. May be taken for maximum of 8 units. Concurrently scheduled with course C133C. Letter grading.

435AF / Problems in Advanced Writing for Stage
Lecture, two hours. Limited to MFA candidates. Review discussion and critique of playwriting projects. May be repeated for maximum of 6 units. In Progress grading (credit to be given only on completion of courses 435AW and 435AS).

441A / Lighting Design
Lecture/studio, four hours. Study and practice in lighting actors, emphasizing textual and character analysis from lighting designer's perspective, conceptual development with director, effect of light on dynamics of staging, use of color in light, and relationship of lighting designer to actor. May be repeated once for credit. Letter grading.

442A / Costume Design
Lecture/studio, four hours. Advanced study and practice in costume design for theater. Imagination as impetus for design, text analysis, metaphor, and conceptualization. Investigation of design research process, period style, and character analysis leading to visual presentation of design. Study of costume design for theatrical productions, ballet, opera, and musical theater. May be repeated once for credit. Letter grading.

443A / Advanced Scenic Design
Studio, four hours. Advanced study and practice of scenic design for theater, with emphasis on cultivating imagination as impetus for design, text analysis, metaphor, and conceptualization. Investigation of design research process, composition, and style leading to visual presentation of design, as well as exploration of students' individual cognitive and artistic process and refinement of techniques. May be repeated twice for credit. S/U or letter grading.

445A / Production Design for Film, Television, and Entertainment Media
Lecture/studio, four hours. Study and practice in design of scenic environment for film, video, and entertainment media, including effect of differing media on design choices, role of production designers and art directors, and design for single- and multiple-camera production. May be repeated once for credit. Letter grading.

449A / Design Thesis Preparation
Lecture/studio, four hours. Series of group design projects that prepare design students for thesis examination. In Progress grading (credit to be given only on completion of courses 449B and 449C).

C452A / Lighting Design
Lecture/studio, four hours. Study of lighting, with emphasis on imagination, text analysis, metaphor, and conceptualization. Investigation of composition and control of light and color in relation to actor. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C152A. Letter grading.

C453D / Projects in Costume Design Management
Lecture, three hours. Examination of professional duties of costume designers, set costumers, and supervisors, especially management of production logistics, including but not limited to costume breakdowns, creating budgets, adhering to and overseeing them, as well as set costumer training for film and television, practicing on-set protocol, breakdown of daily responsibilities, and assembling set costumer kits ready for production. Practice with professional resourcefulness to move from abstract to substantive problem solving, maintaining creative and collaborative environment while adhering to logistical obstacles and tasks. Concurrently scheduled with course C153D. Letter grading.

C455F / Graphic Representation of Design: Costume Rendering
Studio, four hours. Requisite: course 147A or 147B. Study of techniques for rendering theatrical costumes, with emphasis on figure, clothing, and fabrics. Concurrently scheduled with course C155F. Letter grading.

C456D / Introduction to Computer-Assisted Drafting
Studio, four hours. Requisite: course 147A. Investigation of drawing and editing techniques, drawing floor plan sections, and elevation drawings using Vectorworks. Concurrently scheduled with course C156D. Letter grading.

C456G / Virtual Reality Rendering for Film
Studio, four hours. Requisites: courses C455C, C455H, C456A, C456B, C456C. Preparation: basic 3D modeling and rendering skills. Students learn how to translate 3D models developed in Maya into Unreal virtual game engine environment, and utilize this platform as powerful tool for development, presentation, and staging of film and theater set design. Students primarily use, Autodesk Maya and Unreal gaming engine, but are also introduced to Zbrush, Blender, Quixel, and other ancillary resources. Concurrently scheduled with course C156G. Letter grading.

C457A / Costume Construction Techniques
Studio, four hours. Requisites: courses 14A, 14B, 14C. Study of theory and application of drafting, pattern making, fitting, and construction techniques for period costumes and undergarments to achieve authentic-appearing costume using contemporary methods. Introduction to draping, pattern grading fitting, and slash and spread adaptation. May be repeated once for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C157A. S/U or letter grading.

460AF / Contemporary Issues in Direction
Discussion, three hours. Designed for graduate students. Discussion of role of director in contemporary professional practice. Review discussion and critique of directing projects. May be repeated for maximum of 4 units. Letter grading.

472 / Production Practice in Theater, Film, Video, and Digital Media
Studio, three to eight hours. Exploration and laboratory experience in one or more various aspects of production and postproduction practice for entertainment media, including theater, film, video, and digital media. May be repeated for maximum of 24 units. Letter grading.

474 / Advanced Projects in Design and Production
Lecture/studio, four hours. Study and practice in preparation and execution of designs for theater, film, video, and related entertainment forms. As contributing artistic member of design team, creative responsibilities include designer, technical supervisor, or production manager. May be repeated for maximum of 16 units. Letter grading.

498 / Professional Internship in Theater, Film, and Television
Tutorial, to be arranged. Full- or part-time at studio or on professional project. Designed for advanced MFA students. Internship at various film, television, or theater facilities accentuating creative contribution, organization, and work of professionals in their various specialties. Given only when projects can be scheduled. S/U or letter grading.

596A / Directed Individual Studies: Research
Tutorial, to be arranged. Designed for graduate students. May be repeated with consent of instructor. S/U or letter grading.

596B / Directed Individual Studies: Writing
Tutorial, to be arranged. Designed for graduate students. May be repeated with consent of instructor. S/U or letter grading.

596C / Directed Individual Studies: Directing
Tutorial, to be arranged. Designed for graduate students. May be repeated with consent of instructor. S/U or letter grading.

596D / Directed Individual Studies: Design
Tutorial, to be arranged. Designed for graduate students. May be repeated with consent of instructor. S/U or letter grading.

596E / Directed Individual Studies: Acting
Tutorial, to be arranged. Designed for graduate students. May be repeated with consent of instructor. S/U or letter grading.

596F / Directed Individual Studies: Production
Tutorial, to be arranged. Designed for graduate students. May be repeated with consent of instructor. S/U or letter grading.

597 / Preparation for PhD Qualifying Examinations in Theater Arts
Tutorial, to be arranged. Writing of prospectus and three reading lists. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.

599 / PhD Dissertation in Theater Arts
Tutorial, to be arranged. Preparation: advancement to PhD candidacy. Research for and writing of PhD dissertation. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.