Courses - Spring 2026
THET110
Introduction to the Theatre
In the age of pop music and blockbuster films, of memes and viral videos, we often forget that theatre was one of the original forms of popular entertainment. We will focus on theatre practitioners including actors, directors, designers and backstage personnel to understand how theatre is produced. We will also consider popular entertainment in Europe and America, with a particular focus on musical theatre and Broadway to explore how theatre communicates, resonates, and remains relevant to all audiences.
THET116
Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Examines theatre as an environmental art that is realized through collaboration between set, costume, and lighting designers.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET222
Foundations of Acting and Performance
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Students will become familiar with the tools and process of acting through the discipline of acting exercises, analyzing character and performing. Students will research various theatre artists that have contributed to the acting process. Through monologue and scene work students will learn listening skills, communicative, collaborative and embodiment skills and will learn how to use the self in the imaginative process and research. And, most importantly, students will learn creative process through practice.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET222 is for new Theatre majors only. Non-Theatre majors must attend the first day of class for permission to add
THET222 is for new Theatre majors only. Non-Theatre majors must attend the first day of class for permission to add
THET223
Text and Context in Western Theatre
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Introduction to the analysis and critique of the play script. Students will have the opportunity to read, analyze, and interpret western dramatic literature from a range of periods and styles. Texts are analyzed from a variety of theatrical analytical perspectives, with an eye towards choices theatre artists must make in the creation of a theatrical production.
THET251
Broadway Mashup: Remixing America Through Musical Theater
Interrogate musical theater's political history, investigating how this uniquely American genre uses narrative, song, and dance to weave critical differences across race, ethnicity, immigration status, religion, gender, sexuality, and ability into our national fabric.
THET285
The Art of Communication and Presentation
Credit only granted for: COMM107, COMM200, INAG110, JOUR130, or THET285.
An introduction to the fundamental practice and theory of public speaking and oral communication using theatrical techniques of both performance and the craft of storytelling.
THET287
Credit only granted for: THET289I or THET287.
Formerly: THET289I.
Every society has rebels - those who refuse to conform to the mainstream's rigid rules, aesthetics, and beliefs. From unruly skateboarders, punk rockers, bohemian poets, and radical theater performers, to national revolutionary movements and brick-throwing anarchists - such groups form niches that are defined by their exclusion from society. We will look at how their beliefs and actions fit into a particular historical context, and how their actions drive social change.
THET294
Restriction: Sophomore standing or higher.
Thematic and historical survey of African-American drama from the 1960s to the present. Emphasis on sociopolitical context, thematic thrust, issues, styles, the aesthetic reflected in the work, impact on African-American and general theatre audiences.
THET310
Voice for the Actor I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET116, THET222, THET223, and TDPS201; and must Interview; and permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Restriction: Sophomore standing or higher.
Freeing the natural voice. In-depth experience of connection of actor's voice to thought, impulse and emotion. Tools for releasing tension, increasing resonance and range, and refining articulation will be explored.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET325
Actor's Process I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in THET310; or permission of Instructor. And must audition; and permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Focus on use of self in creating character. Tools employed include decision-making and use of imagery, personalization, objectives, adjectives, and verbs.
THET328O
Special Topics in Intermediate Theatre and Performance; Movement for the Actor
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET328W
Theatre and Dance in Iran and Afghanistan
Repeatable to 3 credits if content differs.
Cross-listed with: PERS385, TDPS358A.
Credit only granted for: TDPS358A, THET328W, PERS398A, or PERS385.
Formerly: PERS398A.
Students will learn about stories, plays, and movements in Iran and Afghanistan from past to present. Through watching performances, readings, and discussions, we explore the relationship between storytelling, body, space, and power in forming and performing identity and life experiences. Looking at case studies from traditional, popular, and western style dance and theater are an exciting part of the course. Note: This course requires no prior knowledge of Persian culture or dance and theatre studies on the part of the students.
Cross-listed with TDPS358A and PERS385. Credit will be only granted for PERS385 or TDPS358A or THET328W.
THET363
The Business of the Business
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET116, THET222, THET223, and TDPS201; and permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
An in depth study of the business of working in the theatre. Explores early career opportunities and entry-level positions in the entertainment industry. Analyzes publicity, management, union, casting, and agency practices; how they apply to you and your career in the non-profit and commercial theatre.
THET377
Lighting Design for Performance
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET222, THET223, THET116, and TDPS201; or permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
A study of the theories of electrification, instruments, design, color, and control for the stage. Practical work on productions.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET380
Sound Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET116 and TDPS201; or permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Restriction: Sophomore standing or higher.
Theatre Sound Design is a first course in designing sound for stage productions.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET383
Costume Design I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: TDPS201, THET116, THET222, and THET223.
Basic principles of theatre costume design and introduction to rendering skills. Emphasis on development of design conception, unity, character statement, basic clothing design and period style adaptation.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET386
Experiential Learning
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Restriction: Junior standing or higher; and permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
THET391
Theatre History II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
The history of Western theatre from the mid seventeenth century to the early twentieth century, with emphasis on plays and playwrights, architecture and decor, acting and costuming, and significant personalities. Includes explorations of interrelationships between Western theatre and the theatre of other cultures.
THET399
Independent Study
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET408D
Seminar: Theory and Performance Studies; Introduction to Dramaturgy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET428C
Special Topics in Advanced Theatre and Performance; Pedagogy as Performance
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET428G
Special Topics in Advanced Theatre and Performance; Business for Live Performance Designers
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET428J
Special Topics in Advanced Theatre and Performance; Performance and Sexuality in Early Modern Japan
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Explores the intersections between performance and sexuality in early modern Japan. Our main sites will be the stage, the brothels, and everyday life as we examine how people of the period performed gender and sexuality. We will draw from popular fiction, kabuki, puppet theatre, woodblock prints, guides to the pleasure quarters, and censorship edicts. Taught in English.
Cross-listed with JAPN445. Credit granted only for THET428J or JAPN445.
Cross-listed with JAPN445. Credit granted only for THET428J or JAPN445.
THET428R
Special Topics in Advanced Theatre and Performance; Design for Devised Theatre
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET428T
Special Topics in Advanced Theatre and Performance; Advanced CAD Drafting
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET429
Actor's Studio
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
THET452
Musical Theatre Workshop II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Must audition.
Restriction: Permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Development of the ability to move, act and express through the media of lyric and music from the integrated musicals of the 1960s through the development of concert and rock/pop musicals.
THET465
History of Fashion for the Theatre
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET116; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Sophomore standing or higher.
A survey of Western clothing from the Ancient Worlds through 20th Century. A discussion of the cultural contexts of various trends in fashion through an examination of art, industry and textiles.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET471
Design Studio in Scenery
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET371; and permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Jointly offered with THET639. Credit only granted for: THET471 or THET639.
Advanced study of scenic design for the theatre. Particular design projects will vary.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET477
Design Studio in Lighting
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET377; and permission of ARHU-School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies department.
Jointly offered with THET659. Credit only granted for: THET477 or THET659.
Designed for students who have successfully completed THET377 and wish to further develop their lighting design skills. Emphasis is on theoretical design of productions and realized light lab projects. Particular design projects will vary.
For first year lighting design students and other MFA students. Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET488I
Special Topics in Theatre History Before 1800; Shakespeare's Romances and Comedies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET491
Theatrical Rendering Using Photoshop
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: THET471.
Credit only granted for: THET491 or THET428O.
Formerly: THET428O.
A studio course in rendering for the theatre. The course focuses primarily on traditional approaches to perspective drawing, space, texture, color and lighting rendering using Photoshop. Photoshop tools and techniques; preparing three-dimensional objects for accurate rendering; and techniques for Photoshop rendering and lighting of three-dimensional objects and architectural forms. This class primarily has an emphasis on rendering/uses for scenic design.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET499
Independent Study
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
THET608D
Seminar: Theory and Performance Studies; Advanced Dramaturgy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
THET619D
Special Topics in Theatre; Business for Live Performance Designers
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET619R
Special Topics in Theatre; Designing for Devised Theatre
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
THET619T
Special Topics in Theatre; Adv. CAD Drafting
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
THET636
Photoshop for Theatrical Rendering
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Credit only granted for: THET636 or THET669P.
Formerly: THET669P.
Photoshop tools and techniques; preparing three-dimensional objects for accurate rendering; and techniques for Photoshop rendering and lighting of three-dimensional objects and architectural forms.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET639
Graduate Design Studio - Scenery
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET649
Graduate Design Studio - Costume
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
For first year costume design students and other MFA students. Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET659
Graduate Design Studio - Lighting
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
For first year lighting design students and other MFA students. Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET669
Independent Study
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
THET670
Period Style for the Theatre: Fashion and Decor
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Recommended: THET600.
Jointly offered with: THET475.
Credit only granted for: THET475 or THET670.
A study of environmental decor, theatrical architecture, historic ornament and fashion through the ages and their practical application for theatrical production.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET672
Scenography
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
An advanced design studio which takes a comprehensive approach to design spanning across lines between specific disciplines and explores Scenography as an art form. Students are expected to concentrate in their primary design area while simultaneously conceiving, coordinating and developing other scenographic elements.
Students must pay a $25 lab fee.
THET679
Graduate Design Studio - Multimedia Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Students must pa a $25 lab fee.
THET788
Design for Live Performance Tutorial
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
THET789
Theatre Design Process and Production
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
THET799
Master's Thesis Research and Preparation
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
THET888
Doctoral Practicum in Theatre
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg
THET889
Doctoral Tutorial in Theatre and Performance Studies
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg
THET898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
THET899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
1 - 10
Grad Meth:
S-F
Flagship Institution of the University System of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
/
Phone:
301.405.1000
Copyright
© 2025 University of Maryland
/
Privacy /
Web Accessibility
Contact us
with comments, questions and feedback
/