Department of Performing arts

The Performing Arts Department embodies and practices the University's mission which "seeks to integrate the intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of students." Coursework in the Performing Arts encourages the student to explore varied points of view, skills, and techniques for understanding and expressing the human condition. Students exposed to art, music and theatre experience a broadened and enhanced worldview through exposure to widely diverse cultures and means of expression.
The Performing Arts department offers course work in Fine Arts, Music and Theatre that fulfill the University Core requirement under Diverse Human Experience. Theatre offers a minor degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a specialized Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Fine Arts

The introductory course in Fine Arts fulfills the Aesthetic Experience requirement of Objective Five of the University core. Focus on theory and appreciation rather than practice makes this course suitable for non-majors.

FA 2000 Introduction to the Arts 3 cr.

Students discover the language, principles and methodologies needed to understand the aesthetic experience. Exposure to and discussion of key works in painting, sculpture, architecture, music, dance, cinema and all forms of theatre lead to understanding the role of the arts in reflecting, explaining, and guiding both individual development and civilization itself.

Music

Course offerings in Music fulfill the Aesthetic Experience objective needed to complete the University Core requirement under Objective Five. Course listings provide students with a wide variety of cultural experiences. A general music survey course explores European and American orchestral and vocal music. Other studies include Music Theatre, emphasizing Broadway musicals, opera and operetta. Course offerings are also available in American and African American music, which include the study of jazz, spirituals, folk, and classical genres.

MUS 2020 Survey of Our Music Heritage 3 cr.
MUS 2090 African American Women in Music 3 cr.
MUS 3060 Music of Theatre 3 cr.
MUS 3080 American Music 3 cr.
MUS/EDU 4500* Performing Arts for the Classroom 3 cr.

* This course is cross listed with the Education department

Theatre

Theatre is an academic degree program offering three avenues of study. Students may obtain a Bachelor of Arts minor or a Bachelor of Arts major. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree offers a concentrated program of study for those individuals who wish to engage in theatre as a professional endeavor. Both the B.A. and the B.F.A. degrees can be used by those who wish to pursue graduate studies in Theatre.
The theatre faculty, staff, and students at UDM also form the producing organization known as "The Theatre Company." The Theatre Company has been an established and respected member of the Detroit area theatre community since 1972. Using an apprenticeship approach to stimulate artistic growth in a creative production process, we combine the work of seasoned professionals with young talents. At the heart of this process are the professional talents of the faculty and staff, who participate in dynamic partnerships with other area theatres.
All students in the major degree programs apply their classroom training by working in the Theatre Company, where they assist in all areas of the production process. Students in the B.A. and B.F.A degree programs will stage manage at least one production towards their degree requirement. Students accepted as B.F.A. candidates are expected to audition and participate in all Theatre Company productions.
Students at all degree levels are matched with a departmental advisor. The advisor works with the student to plan a curriculum devised to satisfy the university core, the student’s own career goals, and the departmental standards for graduation.

B.A. Theatre Minor 18 cr.

Designed to complement the experience of students in other majors whose career goals include directing others through appearances, presentations, or performance, such as field administration, business, pre-law, and teaching.

Pre-requisite classes 9 cr.
TRE 1310 Introduction to Theatre 3 cr.
TRE 1610 Fundamentals of Acting 3 cr.
TRE 2680 Acting II 3 cr.

Two Upper Level courses from the following: 6 cr.
TRE 3100 Theatrical Design 3 cr.
TRE 3540 Voice and Diction I 3 cr.
TRE 3550 Scene Study 3 cr.
TRE 3510 Dynamics 3 cr.

One Upper Level Course from the following: 3 cr.
TRE 4300 Theatre History I 3 cr.
TRE 4310 Theatre History II 3 cr.

B.A. Theatre Major 36 cr.

The B.A. in Theatre is for students who intend to teach, or to pursue a more diversified liberal arts program.

Pre-requisite courses: 12 cr.
TRE 1310 Introduction to Theatre 3 cr.
TRE 1610 Fundamentals of Acting 3 cr.
TRE 2660 Theatre Crafts 3 cr.
TRE 2680 Acting II 3 cr.

Two Upper Level courses from the following: 6 cr.
TRE 4300 History of Theatre I 3 cr.
TRE 4310 History of Theatre II 3 cr.
TRE 4650 Fundamentals of Directing 3 cr.

Electives 18. cr.
Courses may be chosen from the upper division course list in the B.F.A.
degree program pending approval of the instructor.

B.F.A. Theatre Major

This degree program provides intensified training for students who show a potential for a career in the performing arts. Students interested in seeking entrance to the B.F.A. are encouraged to complete a preponderance of the University Core before application to the B.F.A. Sophomores or juniors may enter the B.F.A. after satisfying the prerequisite courses and pending audition and acceptance by the theatre faculty. Candidates accepted into the B.F.A. program have the option to seek a specialization in acting or directing/design.

Once accepted, students concentrate their energy on an intensive two year program designed to facilitate artistic growth and maturity. As students move through the program they receive ongoing assessment from advisors and faculty members that allows them to evaluate their professional goals and needs. B.F.A. students are fully functioning members of the Theatre Company and are required to stage manage at least one Theatre Company production before graduation.
The program is open to transfer students from other four year programs or community college graduates holding an associates degree. Students attending other Catholic universities holding a consortium agreement with UDM are also welcome to apply.

Pre-requisite Courses for the B.F.A. degree (14 cr.):

TRE 1310 Introduction to Theatre 3 cr.
TRE 1610 Fundamentals of Acting 3 cr.
TRE 2540 Stage Movement 2 cr.
TRE 2660 Theatre Crafts 3 cr.
TRE 2680 Acting II 3 cr.

In addition to courses required for the two concentrations (listed below),
BFA students must take 8 hours of Rehearsal and Production -- typically 1 hour each semester. These are credits for crew work on major productions.

B.F.A. Acting Concentration 62 cr.

Courses within the acting concentration provide diverse approaches to the actor’s problems: physical training including movement, vocal technique and period styles; analysis of scenes and study of verse drama; internal methods of character development and interplay; contemporary techniques in creativity and bioenergetics. Studies in theatre history, directing, and design deepen the students’ understanding of the collaborative nature of contemporary theatre.
At the heart of this concentration are three semesters of voice and diction, and three courses of four semesters each: Scene Study, Dynamics, and Styles.

TRE 3540, 3590 & 4590 Voice & Diction I, II III 3 cr. each
TRE 3500, 3550, 4500 & 4550 Scene Study I, II, III, IV 3 cr. each
TRE 3510, 3560, 4510 & 4560 Acting Dynamics I, II, III, IV 3 cr. each
TRE 3520, 3570, 4520 & 4570 Acting Styles I, II, III, IV 3 cr. each

Capstone requirements:
TRE 4310 & 4311 Theatre History I & II 6 cr.
TRE 4650 Directing 3 cr.

B.F.A. Directing/Design Concentration 47 – 55 cr.

Students specializing in Direction/Design will spend two semesters in a range of acting courses, but will also take design and research courses, including a directed study culminating in a mounted production. They will demonstrate competence in stage management, publicity, and dramatic literature. In addition to the prerequisites and Rehearsal and Production they will take:

TRE 3100 Theatrical Design 3 cr.
TRE 3500 Scene Study I: Play Analysis 3 cr.
TRE 3550 Scene Study II: Creativity 3 cr.
TRE 3560 Dynamics II: Interplay 3 cr.
TRE 3570 Styles II: Classic Tragedy 3 cr.
TRE 3540 or 3590 Voice & Diction I or II 3 cr.
TRE 3740 Rehearsal & Production II 3 – 6 extra cr.
TRE 4300 Theatre History I 3 cr.
TRE 4310 Theatre History II 3 cr.
TRE 4510 Dynamics III: Audition 3 cr.
TRE 4650 Fundamentals of Directing 3 cr.
TRE 4570 Styles IV: High Comedy 3 cr.
TRE 4950 Directing Readings 2 cr.
TRE 4970 Directed Study in Directing 2 or 3 cr.
TRE 4980 Directed Study in Design 2 or 3 cr.
TRE electives 6 cr.