COMT140 Children's Theatre

Department of The Arts: Performance Arts

  1. Course Number and Title

    COMT140 Children's Theatre

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250 minutes

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course examines the dramatic structure, audience needs, directing, and acting techniques that are employed in the production of theater for children. Practical and creative applications of scene design, costumes, make-up, and lighting are among the topics studied in the preparation of the final production.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Course Learning Goals

        2. Students will be able to

        1. recognize the concepts of theater produced especially for children;
        2. demonstrate an understanding of the expectations of elementary and secondary audiences;
        3. identify the processes of directing, acting, and designing for young audiences; and
        4. produce, on a simplistic level, a production for a young audience.

      2. Core Learning Goals (if applicable)


        3. Not applicable

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Creative drama and children's play production
      2. Message plays for elementary and secondary audiences
      3. Creating a production plan
      4. Understanding the performance space
      5. Rehearsals and acting
      6. Set/Costumes/Make-up/Lighting
      7. Music/Choreography
      8. Adapting/Writing a play
      9. Encouraging student creativity
      10. Sidelines of puppetry, dance, improv

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals

        1. Attendance and critique of a live production designed for young audiences
        2. Discussion and quizzes on textbook and/or readings from class
        3. Participation in classroom activities and exercises
        4. Self and peer evaluations of class projects

      2. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals (if applicable)


        3. Not applicable

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      1. Textbook: See course format
      2. Supplemental materials by instructor (Optional)

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    1. Lectures
    2. Guest lecturers in children's theatre
    3. Exercises
    4. Text readings
    5. Discussions
    6. Play attendance
    7. Scene/play production
    8. Tests


    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Review/Approval Date - 6/99; Revised 11/09