Academic Catalogs

THEA A100: Introduction to Theatre

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 10/15/2025
Top Code 100700 - Dramatic Arts
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 108
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 3 Arts and Humanities 3A Theory (OC1)
  • Area 3 Arts and Humanities 3B Active Participation (OC2)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 3A Arts (OSC1)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 3A Arts (3A)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 3A Arts (3A)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU C1 Arts (C1)

Course Description

An introductory lecture course which explores the process of creating theatre today, including the contributions of the playwright, actor, director and designer. Plays of varying genres will be viewed and discussed. Students will also review two live stage productions. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitations: THEA A100 and THEA A101 combined: maximum credit, 1 course.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Analyze and discuss aspects of important works of playwriting in terms of genre, character, structure, dialogue and theme.
  2. Describe the work of theatre professionals today in terms of directing, acting and design/production.
  3. Analyze and discuss play productions in terms of theme, genre, directorial concept, script interpretation, performance quality, and production values.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Make written critical appraisals of theatre productions, of written play texts, and of performance and production styles.
  • 2. Describe the actor's contribution to play production.
  • 3. Describe the director?s contribution to play production.
  • 4. Describe the playwright's contribution to play production.
  • 5. Describe the designer's contribution to play production in the areas of scenery, costume, lighting and sound.
  • 6. Define the major theatre genres.

Lecture Content

Section One:

Roots of theatre: Dionysus and Ancient Greece

The role of the audience: Group psychology/ The imagination of the audience Willing suspension of disbelief

Communication tools and styles: Realism vs.non-realism/ theatrical communication styles

Criticism and play reviews

Acting: Historical acting styles/ Modern performance styles/ Acting today

Directing: History of directing/ Directorial interpretation/ Directing today

Hamlet

Section Two:

Playwriting: subject, purpose/theme, and point-of-view/genre

Genre: Drama- tragedy/ domestic drama/ melodrama

Genre: Low Comedy/High comedy/  tragicomedy/ satire/ parody, / Absurdism

Genre: Musical Theatre/ History of musical theatre /Book musicals/  concept musicals/  jukebox musicals

Waiting for Godot (clip)

Pass Over

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

 Section Three:

Playwriting: Structure -Elements of structure/ Climactic /Episodic/ Musical /Serial Playwriting: Character- Realistic /non-realistic types

Cyrano de Bergerac

Theatre of Diversity

Zoot Suit 

Section Four:

Theatre Spaces

Design: Scene Design/ Costume Design/ Lighting Design/ Sound Design/ Projection Design

Death of a Salesman

Our Town

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)

Instructional Techniques

1. Make written critical appraisals of theatre productions, of written play texts, and of performance and production styles. 2. Appraise and critique theatre productions, written play texts, performance and production styles. 3. Describe historical styles of performance. 4. Describe the actor s contribution to play production. 5. Describe the director s contribution to play production. 6. Describe the playwright s contribution to play production. 7. Describe the designer s contribution to play production in the areas of scenery, costume, lighting and sound. 8. Describe theatre organizational systems 9. Define the following theatre genres: Comedy, Tragedy, Tragicomedy, Musical Theatre, Avante-Garde, Absurdism, Melodrama.

Reading Assignments

The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. Exams will include a written essay portion.

Writing Assignments

The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. Exams will include a written essay portion.

Out-of-class Assignments

The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. Exams will include a written essay portion.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Short Quizzes
  • Written Assignments
  • Essay Examinations

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Evaluation consists of: Tests which include essay portions as well as multiple choice and true/false questions.   Four vocabulary homework assignments. Two written play critiques.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

1. The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. 2. Exams will include a written essay portion.

Eligible Disciplines

Theater arts: See drama/theater arts Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Wilson, Edwin. The Theatre Experience, ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2023

Resources Subscreen

  • Textbook: Edwin Wilson. The Theatre Experience. McGraw-Hill (2025).

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Theater arts: See drama/theater arts Master's degree required.