Theatre Program at OCC

Orchard Ridge Campus

F&PA Home | Wallace F. Smith Theatre Season 2007-8 | Program Description | Course Descriptions | Suggested 2-Year Schedule | Theatre Course Offerings by Semester | Contact the Theatre Faculty

April 3, 4, 5, 2008
Fools  by Neil Simon
8pm in the Smith Theatre
A cast of lovable characters and "Airplane"-style humor combine to tell this comic fable about a Russian town placed under a curse of stupidity.  A new schoolmaster, hired to educate the village beauty, must do his work within a single day, or fall victim to the curse himself. Can he rescue his beloved pupil and save the village in time, or will he be doomed to live out the rest of his life senseless in a town of fools?
Master comic playwright Neil Simon gets just plain silly in a laugh-out-loud funny tale full of puns, slapschtick, and shameless nonsense.

Adults  $8.00 / Seniors and Students  $5.00
To purchase theatre tickets over the phone, call 248.341-2270, or purchase them in person at the OCC Orchard Ridge Bookstore.  Tickets will also be available at the door. 

Recent OCC Orchard Ridge Productions

November 2 and 3, 2007
The Storytellers  by Brian Way
The OCC Orchard Ridge Theatre program presents this hilarious and energetic interpretation of classic fairy tales by Hans Anderson and the Brother Grimm.  This fast-paced evening will tickle your funny bone and ignite your imagination.  Affordable quality entertainment for the whole family.

Connections by David James, OCC Orchard Ridge English Faculty / March 29, 30, 31, 2007
Click here for Photographs and Poster.

Office Hours by Norm Foster / November 2, 3, 4, 2006
Click here for Photographs and Poster.

Tales of Wishing and Silliness adapted by Nancy Florkowski / March 30, 31, April 1, 2006
Click here for Photographs and Poster.

Reckless by Craig Lucas / October 20, 21, 22, 2005
Click here for Info, Review, Poster, and Photographs.

The Nerd by Larry Shue / April 7, 8, 9, 2005
Click here for Photographs and Poster.

All in the Timing by David Ives / March 28, 29, 30, 2004

Theatre Program Description

The Theatre program is an associate degree in liberal arts with a concentration in Theatre.  This program includes performance and the technical aspects of theatre, including theory and practical experience.  Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre, enter a specialized school of acting, or enter the professional entertainment industry.

General Requirements                                      _____________________

« Course may be used to meet General Education requirements.
¹ As defined on the General Education Distribution list for an Associate in Liberal Arts Degree on page 153.


Course Descriptions

THE 1561 Introduction to Theatre • 3 Credits
Students will be introduced to the elements and structure of the theatre through analysis of written dramas and performance reviews. Students will read representative classic and contemporary plays and study the role of theatre in society and how theatre generates value as a humanistic discipline. Students will be introduced to the techniques used by actors, directors and designers in contemporary American theatre. Students may be required to attend performances outside of class.

THE 1571 Acting I • 3 Credits
This course will focus on the fundamentals of stage acting. Through acting exercises and scene work, the course will provide an introduction to physical, vocal and rehearsal techniques common to contemporary theatre.

THE 1580 Acting II • 3 Credits
Prerequisite: THE 1571
This course is a continuation of Acting One, designed to further develop the student’s acting skills. The coursework will emphasize the application of scene study and rehearsal skills in the preparation and performance of scenes and monologues from contemporary and classical plays

THE 1581 Voice for the Actor • 3 Credits
Prerequisite: THE 1571
Geared toward the actor, but also beneficial to anyone wishing to improve one's voice and diction, this course will help the student identify strengths and weaknesses in his/her vocal production and provide tools that may be used to strengthen and improve breathing, phonation, resonance, articulation, pronunciation, phrasing and projection.

THE 1583 Movement for the Actor • 3 Credits
Prerequisite: THE 1571
This course is designed to help the actor become more aware of his/her body and improve it as an instrument for the stage, through studies in movement characterization, dance and stage combat. It will introduce traditional and contemporary techniques of movement and provide exercises to improve posture, muscular strength, coordination, flexibility, musicality, dramatic movement ability and stamina.

THE 1585 Acting for Film • 3 Credits
Prerequisite: THE 1571
This course will provide a comprehensive study of the intrinsic challenges, both technical and artistic, of film acting. The class will offer theoretical analysis and practical experience concerning the differences between film and stage acting techniques, and will focus on producing the non-theatrical work required for film. Students will develop their craft through extensive time in front of the camera, resulting in a taped scene of their final work.

THE 1587 Audition and the Business of Acting • 3 Credits
Prerequisite: 1571 and Pre- or Corequisite: 1580
This class is designed to prepare the actor in the different audition techniques for stage and film and to provide insight concerning the challenges of a career in the theatre, television and film. Students will receive training in how to do effective cold readings, improvisation and monologue auditions, along with choosing appropriate audition materials. The course will provide information concerning headshots, resumes, interviews, casting directors, talent agents, unions and other topics necessary for getting work in the business of acting.

THE 1589 Movement for Musical Theatre • 2 Credits
This course will focus on the basic elements of movement for musical theatre auditions and performances, including terminology, techniques, and a variety of dance styles from different decades and choreographic viewpoints. Students will perform individually and as part of an ensemble dance chorus, while incorporating the style, dance steps, and character of the time period/genre being studied.

THE 1590 Improvisation • 3 Credits
The course will study the elements and structure of improvisation in performance. The student will participate in the organization and dramatization of both individual and group scenarios. Emphasis will be on the presentation of self in solo and group impromptu theatrical situations.

THE 1601 Theatre Production and Technology • 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the equipment, materials and techniques used in theatre production and design. Students will be exposed to costume design, set design, behind the scenes, stage rigging, prop building, stage organization, lighting and sound technology used in contemporary theatre and will have an opportunity to apply those skills learned. Course/lab fees.

THE 1603 Fundamentals of Costuming • 3 Credits
This class will introduce the basic skills and techniques used by the theatrical costumer in the construction of stage costumes. The course will include instruction in and practical application of fashion history principles and theory of costume, character and play analysis, directorial influence, methods of research, design presentation styles and the execution of various costuming projects. Course fee.

THE 1701-1703 Theatre Activity • 1-3 Credits
This course provides novices and experienced actors or technicians with the opportunity to learn while participating in their chosen area of theatrical endeavor. Among the areas available for 1 to 3 credits include acting, set construction, lighting, box office management, stage management, costuming and design.

THE 1990 Fundamentals of Directing • 3 Credits
Prerequisite: THE 1571
This course will present students with an overview of the directing process and different styles of directing, giving them direct and practical experience in the art and craft of stage directing. The final project for the course will include a full play analysis and director’s promptbook based on a ten-minute play that the student director will select, cast, block, rehearse and produce as a finished performance.

CONCENTRATION IN THEATRE REQUIREMENTS:
SUGGESTED 2 YEAR CLASS SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED SPECIALTY COURSES
NOTE: This is a recommendation—courses can be taken at any time as long as prerequisites are met. In planning your program, refer to the Theatre Program Course Offerings By Semester information below, as not all courses are offered each semester or yearly.

In addition to the required specialty courses listed below, you will also need to take the general requirements for the associate degree and 9 elective credits from list on theatre page of catalog.

FALL I
Acting I
Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Activity

WINTER I
Acting II
Fundamentals of Directing

SUMMER 1
Improvisation

FALL II
Acting for Film
Theatre Activity

WINTER II
Movement for the Actor
Audition and the Business of Acting


THEATRE PROGRAM COURSE OFFERINGS BY SEMESTER

(F=Fall, W=Winter, S1=Summer 1)
THE 1561 Introduction to Theatre F, S1
THE 1571 Acting I F, W, S1
THE 1580 Acting II F, W (Prereq 1571 or consent of instructor)
THE 1581 Voice for the Actor S1
THE 1583 Movement for the Actor W (Prereq 1571)
THE 1585 Acting for Film F, W, S1 (Prereq 1571)
THE 1587 Audition and the Business of Acting W in Even years (Prereq 1571 & Pre- or Coreq 1580)
THE 1589 Movement for Musical Theatre F, S1
THE 1590 Improvisation F, S1
THE 1601 Theatre Production and Technology F, W
THE 1603 Fundamentals of Costuming W
THE 1701-1703 Theatre Activity F, W
THE 1990 Fundamentals of Directing W in Odd Years (Prereq 1571)

Note: If you begin the program in an odd year but hope to complete the program in two years, you will need to get permission to take Acting Two as a corequisite to Directing and Audition.

If you have additional Theatre program questions please contact:

Dr. Diane Hill, Faculty
Fine & Performing Arts Department
e-Mail: dohill@oaklandcc.edu
Office: J-277 (Smith Theatre Lobby)
Phone: 248.522.3636

Oakland Community College
Orchard Ridge Campus
27055 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334