Featured Courses
Fall 2026
THEA 0825: Contemporary Global Stages: Performing Festivals (Gen Ed Credit)
- Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
- Instructor: Laya Shahzamani
- The topic is different every time it is offered!
- The course counts towards multiple Gen Eds: The Arts, Cross-Cultural Awareness, and Global Issues. It also counts as a Hist/Lit/Crit elective for the Theatre Arts major, or a general elective for the Theatre Arts major or minor.
Festivals with communal purposes have long been a global phenomenon. Performing Festivals explores festivals as global and transnational cultural formations, tracing their historical development from civic and religious festivals to cultural and artistic events. This course examines festivals as dynamic sites where performance, ritual, politics, economy, and mobility intersect. Through historical and theoretical perspectives and ethnographic accounts, it explores how the concept of festival circulates across borders, constructs cultural identities, and participates in processes of nation-building and global exchange. From Brazil to the UK, Hungary, Australia, the United States, and South Africa, we will examine the relationships between festivals and tourism, globalization, and cultural interrelationships. The course will conclude with students creating and performing their own original transnational festival informed by the theories and methodologies developed throughout the course.
THEA 0840: Intro to Theatre Design
This course is an introduction to the design of scenery, costumes and lights used in theatre. Class work consists of several design projects focusing on design development, drawing and rendering, and drafting. This course will create an awareness of the role of the designer within the scope of the total collaborative process of theatre production. This class has an additional fee. For more information go to http://www.registrar.pitt.edu and click on Faculty and Staff, then Course and Class.
THEA 0880: Theatrical Production
A practical application course which gives the student hands-on experience in university theatre productions in one or more of the following areas: scenery/props, costume, lighting, sound, and/or stage management. The goal is to expand the student’s knowledge and understanding of production processes through team participation in the presenting of a full production. A student must complete at least 45 hours of work in an assigned area to receive 1 credit. Students must usher for 2 performances during the semester enrolled. Note: this course is offered by appointment.
THEA 1100: Voice and Movement 1
This course will explore the anatomy, physiology, and physicality of the human voice and body. The approach will be holistic mind, body, and vocal practice. Techniques learned and practiced will be applied directly to specific performance assignments throughout the semester. Students will begin by examining and identifying healthy, effective, and expressive voice and body use. Students will receive an introduction to the practices of Patsy Rodenburg, Edith Skinner, the Viewpoints, Rudolf Laban, yoga, among others. The work will focus on voice and bodywork as they relate to acting and to any area of life requiring effective communication. Emphasis in text work will be on clarity of thought, physical connection, emotional availability, and clear communication.
- Monday/Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
- Instructor: Keelie Sheridan
THEA 1113: Acting for the Camera
This course is designed for actors who would like to improve their craft by better understanding the differences between acting for the stage and acting for the camera. The course will describe and demonstrate the contrasts between stage and screen acting in specific shooting scripts and follow that with script study, character analysis and exercise in film acting techniques. Each class will include lecture, videotaped examples of performances for analysis and critique and the practical experience of working in front of the camera.
- Tuesday/Thursday, 3:00 PM - 4:50 PM
- Instructor: Kelly Trumbull
THEA 1227: Scene Painting (Gen Ed Credit)
This course is a study of scene painting practices for theatre. Students will study the techniques and processes of painting in a studio class atmosphere. Tools and techniques will be demonstrated by the instructor then executed by the student on a large format canvas. Some painting projects may include how to paint marble, foliage, and/or woodgrain.
- Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00 AM - 12:50 PM
- Instructor: Gianni Downs
- Course can fulfill Creative Work Gen Ed
THEA 1229: Stage Management 1
Principles and techniques of stage and production management as applied to professional, educational, and community theatre. Studies will include auditions, rehearsal process and organization; technical and performance process and procedures; production personnel and cost management.
THEA 1233: Sound Design 1
An introduction to the elements, tools, and styles used for theatrical sound design and reinforcement of live theatre productions. The projects will be varied and will include creating cues, paperwork, and full designs for new works, existing texts, and other innovative forms of live design within the community. From this course, one will have the knowledge to create and implement basic sound design in production.
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
- Instructor: Howard Patterson
THEA 1365: Playwriting 1 (Gen Ed Credit)
This is a beginning course in the craft of playwriting. Students will read eight outside plays, will write seven scripts—the last of which is a one-act—and will critique, read aloud, and discuss the work of others in the class. Seminar/workshop style. Attendance is mandatory. Recommended: two courses from among the following three areas performance, dramatic literature, creative writing.
- Tuesday/Thursday, 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
- Instructor: Kathy George
- Course can fulfill Writing requirement Gen Ed* (Students can take either THEA 1365 or ENGWRT 1650 depending on their needs for major or minor credits in either department)
THEA 1407: Intro Musical Theatre Design (Elective Credit)
Step into the world behind the curtain in this vibrant, team-taught introduction to the art and craft of theatrical design. Led by instructors specializing in scenery, costume, lighting, and sound, the course offers an immersive exploration of how each design element shapes the storytelling of musical theatre. Students engage in hands-on learning and creative collaboration while developing essential terminology, core design principles, and practical techniques. Through script analysis, concept development, and visual communication, students gain insight into each design discipline and its contribution to the overall production. With varied teaching styles and tailored assignments, the course provides a multifaceted experience that emphasizes design as both artistic expression and intellectual inquiry.
Regularly Offered Courses by Area
Introductory
- Introduction to Dramatic Art
Performance Area
- Theatre and Collaboration
- Introduction to Performance*
- Acting I*, II, III
- Voice and Movement I, II
- Directing I, II
- Stage Management I, II
- Musical Theatre Performance
- Special Topics in Performance
Design, Technology and Management Area
- Introduction to Theatre Design
- Intro Musical Theatre Design
- Theatrical Production
- Introduction to Stagecraft
- Stage Lighting I, II
- Scene Design I
- Scenic Painting
- Sound Design I
- Costume Production and Technology
- Stage Makeup
- Costume Design I
- Special Topics in Design & Technology
History, Literature, Criticism Area
- World Theatre I: 500 B.C.E. – 1640
- World Theatre II: 1640 – 1890
- World Theatre III: 1890 – Present
- Enjoying Performances
- Contemporary Global Stages
- Playwriting I
- Musical Theatre Dance History
- Seminar in Theatre Arts
* Students who have taken an introductory level acting course or private acting lessons prior to attending Pitt, may be eligible to audition out of THEA 0830 - Introduction to Performance and transfer directly into THEA 1102 - Acting 1.
In order to schedule an audition/interview with Head of Performance Ricardo Vila-Roger, students must complete the Application to Audition Out Form.
If applicable, please include a headshot and/or resume.