Graduate Performing Arts Courses

PER 513 Playwriting
Through writing exercises and analysis of modern plays, students explore the most effective way to tell stories through dramatic form. Students will produce short scenes and one original play.
3 hours; FA
PER 515 Contemporary Theories of Theatre
Students will study the intersections of Theatre and Anthropology, Theatre and Ritual, Post-Modern theory and Performance, and Theatre for Social Change. Theories and performances of the following artists will be covered: Boal, Bogart, Brecht, Schechner, Suzuki, Wilson.
Cross-listed with current course PER415 Contemporary Theories of Theatre.
3 hours; Offered alternate fall semesters.
PER 518 Advanced Directing
Students will produce directing plans in which they explore style, concept, composition and language in a variety of plays. A complete director’s promptbook will be the final project.
3 hours; Offered alternate spring semesters.
PER 530 Theatre Synthesis
Students will attend and critique productions in the St. Louis area and meet for seminars with local professional actors, directors, stage managers, and artistic directors.
3 hours; Offered alternate spring semesters.
PER 545, 546 Graduate Studies in Acting
Advanced scene study work will include character analysis and development and focus on honest interaction with scene partners. Updating or developing a professional resume and headshot will be covered. Students will be expected to participate in auditions for local theatre companies.
3 hours; Offered alternate spring semesters.
PER 549 Special Topics in Theatre
Topics will vary, allowing students to explore areas of theatre not covered in other courses.
3 hours; Offered as needed.
PER 555 Sexual Politics in Drama
This course will look at the theme of sexual politics as it appears in dramatic literature from Ancient Greece through modern times. We will examine the myths, games, and realities of sexual politics, and how they interact with the performance of gender and sexuality. We will discuss and write about drama as a unique genre, exploring through dramatic texts the evolution of sexual politics. After completing this course a student should have an understanding of 1) the development of theatrical styles of Greek and Renaissance theatre and the rise of Realism; 2) how sexual roles are performed by real people (on and off-stage); 3) how to analyze a dramatic text and its historical/social context; 4) what the term “sexual politics” means and how it is visible in dramatic texts and performances of the past and present.
3 hours; Offered odd years. FA
PER 561 Internship in Theatre
An opportunity for the student to apply theory and skills in a work experience. Projects are jointly supervised by a faculty member and an employer/supervisor.
2-6 hours; Offered as needed.
PER 590 Independent Study
To be arranged in terms of student need, interest and background.
1-6 hours; Offered as needed.
PER 595 Master’s Project
An independent project which integrates various aspects of theatre studies with an area of particular interest to the student. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 18 semester hours.
3 hours; Offered as needed.