The Theatre Arts Department offers a program of study that meets the needs of the following kinds of students:
• Those who wish to enrich a liberal arts kind of education with theatre knowledge
• Those who major in theatre in preparation for either a career in the profession or in academic life
• Those who plan to teach theatre at the elementary or secondary level
There are two distinct streams within the Theatre Arts Department major: the general stream which balances applied theatre courses with history and literature, and the performance stream which foregrounds performance courses.
The General Stream includes: an introductory course in the discipline (THR 103) and an introduction to performance (THR 100), courses in technical theatre and production (THR 217, 218) and theatre history (THR 225, 226).
The Performance Stream includes: THR 103, THR 100, history and literature courses, but also two additional courses in performance (THR 200, THR 300).
Both streams provide numerous additional options in courses such as Shakespeare, Directing Playwriting and Storytelling.
For students who are planning to enter the profession, we offer four, two-semester guided studies in Performance, Directing, Technical Theatre or Playwriting.
The
Writing Centre is available both for students who struggle with writing and for students who want to improve already strong writing skills.
Co-operative Spirit
Because of our belief that theatre is integral to human life we have sought out relationships with departments with whom we share similar interests. Many of our courses are cross-listed with courses in the English Department, for example.
Additionally, Storytelling (THR 210, also EDU 210) provides a natural place for education and theatre students to learn about the art of Storytelling together.
One of the natural ways in which this shared course has yielded fruit is in Professor Sharon Klassen’s “Storytelling Project”. “The Storytelling Project” is a mission to inner city children in which Redeemer University College students partner with children in “turn-around” schools to teach storytelling and literacy. Contact
Professor Klassen for details.
Theatre Co-op
For students with an eye on the professional theatre, we offer individually tailored placements in area professional theatres for a four-month placement. Contact
Professor Louter for details.