Student Learning Assessment Program Summary
2003-04 Academic Year
The Department of Theatre Arts
The Mission Statement of the Department of Theatre Arts
The Department of Theatre Arts at Eastern Illinois University supports in every way possible the
Mission of Eastern Illinois University and the College of Arts and Humanities. It prepares its
majors for careers in the various fields of the theatrical arts and provides for the non-major and
the community, as a whole, the opportunity to experience live theatre performance both as a
spectator and as a participant.
Departmental Goals:
a. to prepare the undergraduate theatre major for graduate school, entry level positions in
the theatre, film or television or related professional areas (secondary education,
management, public relations.)
b. to provide the non-major the opportunity to participate in theatrical experiences at
every level of study (performance and production.) "
c. to support the work of other programs in the university by providing a varied
production season, representing major works, genres, and social and historical
perspectives.
d. to provide for, the campus community and the Charleston area a valued cultural
experience.
Comprehensive Departmental Learning Objectives:
I. Performance
a. an understanding of basic acting technique
b. an introduction to period style and movement related to performance
c. an understanding of the importance of movement in performance
d. an introduction to the history of acting and the development of contemporary acting techniques
e. an understanding of the workings of the human voice
f. an understanding of the role of the director in the contemporary theatre
g. an introduction to study, analysis and understanding play scripts for production
h. development of the ability to communicate with other artists in the field'
Assessment Measures
1. Students demonstrate their ability as performers by auditioning for and being cast in
departmental productions. All auditionees who are theatre arts majors receive written evaluations
from each director present. Following the auditions students are encouraged to seek an oral
evaluation of their audition.
2. Beginning with the 2002-03 catalog a performance practicum (THA 2000; 3000) will give each
of directors in a given term the opportunity to evaluate a performer’s participation in the
production/performance program.
3. Students taking the advanced directing class audition, cast, prepare a script for production and
work with a team of STUDENT designers that leads to a public performance of play. Beginning;
with the 2002-03 season student directors must submit a formal proposal for a directing "slot".
These proposals are read and discussed by the faculty as a whole. Final decision rests with the
Department Chair. Funding for the student directed one act plays is provided through an
endowment for Dr. and Mrs. David Jorn’s. The announcement of students directors is generally
made at the annual awards banquet.
4. Students regularly seek employment through competitive state and
regional auditions and interviews. These outside auditions provide students a professional theatre
outlet and through their success demonstrate a positive assessment of the program.
5. Students regularly seek employment through competitive state andregional auditions and
interviews. These outside auditions provide students a professional theatre outlet and through
their success demonstrate a positive assessment of the program.
6. Departmental productions are regularly adjudicated by outside evaluators representing the
American College Theatre Festival. Written evaluations are made available to all participants in
the adjudicated play. The evaluator and director select 2 cast members to participate in the Irene
Ryan competition for acting.
Expectations:
1. Students will demonstrate in practice an understanding of the audition procedures and
practices generally employed in the contemporary theatre.
2. Students will demonstrate in practice (either in class room scene work or departmental
productions) an understanding of basic acting techniques.
3. Students will demonstrate n practice (either in class room scene work or departmental
productions) an understanding of how an actor uses voice and body to communicate
human emotion in performance.
4. Students demonstrate an understanding of the role of the director through class room
scenes and possibly the full production of a one act play (generally produced during the
spring term).
Results:
1. More students are participating in the departmental auditions and are generally better
prepared. (both majors and non-majors)
2. Basic Acting and Directing I are scheduled at the same time to provide a director’s eye
for student scenes and talent for the student director.
3. More students were selected and encouraged to participate in the Irene Ryan competition.
This an annual competition supported by the American
4. college Theatre festival.
5. 4 student directors, 3 students designers and 6 student stage managers submitted
portfolios for evaluation spring 04. 2 directors, 2 designers and all of the stage managers
will participate in the production season next year.
6. An 04 graduate will be participating in professional summer theatre in Ohio this summer.
Goals and expectation for 04-05
1. Freshman participating the acting class and seminar were asked to develop an audition
package for the fall 04 season.
2. Evaluation of the Basic Acting and Directing I schedule is on going and will be further
developed in spring 05.
3. Evaluation process for student actors will be discussed fall faculty meeting.
4. Examine how many departmental productions can and should be evaluated each year
through the ACTF adjudication process.
5. Department will determine how many student plays can be produced each year.
II. Scenery and Costume Design/Technical
a. being able to read, draft and understand basic theatre drawings
b. being able to construct the basic elements used in contemporary stage design
c. having a working knowledge of the tools used in the contemporary theatre
d. having and understanding of the "Theatre as machine"
e. having an understanding of the basic principles of light
f. having an understanding of how to hang, focus and maintain lighting instruments
commonly used in the theatre
g. having an understanding of the control of light in the theatre
h. having an understanding of the relationship between designers and director
i. having an understanding of fashion as it relates to theatrical performance
j. having a basic understanding of how garments are constructed
Assessment Measures
1. Beginning with the 2002-03 catalog production practicums (THA 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
3001, 3002) were created to give student costumers and students technicians the opportunity to
participate in a laboratory experience connected directly with the departmental production
program. Costume students are evaluated and their progress assessed by the costume designers
and student technicians are evaluated and assessed by the departmental scene designers.
2. Student designers (costume and set) who wish to have an opportunity to design for the
department submit portfolios to the department with a letter of application. Portfolios are
examined by the faculty and recommendations are made to the department chair. The
announcement of student designers is usually made at the annual awards banquet in May.
3. Students wishing to stage manage (either for student plays or for faculty directed productions)
submit letters to the faculty and participate in the departmental stage management program.
Students must complete this part of the program and serve as an assistant stage manager in order
to participate,
4. Students regularly seek employment through competitive state and regional auditions and
interviews. These outside auditions provide students a professional theatre outlet and through
their success demonstrate a positive assessment of the program.
5. Departmental productions are regularly adjudicated by outside evaluators representing the
American College Theatre Festival. Written evaluations are made available to all participants in
the adjudicated play. The evaluator and director select 2 cast members to participate in the Irene
Ryan competition for acting.
Results:
1. The establishment of the practicum classes resulted in more participation in departmental
technical areas.
2. Sophomore student costumer received recognition at annual ACTF regional festival.
3. Student stage manager was asked to stage manage 10 minute play at annual ACTF
festival.
4. Application and application date for designers and stage managers was formalized.
5. Graduate ’04 will begin professional career at Opera Theatre St Louis and Utah
Shakespeare festival this summer.
6. Student designer have portfolios reviewed by faculty and were presented at ACTF.
Goals and expectation for 04-05
1. Continue to develop design and stage management program and the application process.
2. Continue to encourage students to participate in ACTF. Numbers have more than doubled
in the last 2 years.
3. Provide more opportunity for students to have portfolios reviewed and critiqued both
formally during production type classes and informally as students prepare for ACTF
participation.
III. History and Literature
a. have an understanding of the major periods of drama and their relationship to the
contemporary theatre
b. have an understanding of the principle writers and critics of a given period and the
contemporary view of their works
c. be able to read, understand and analyze play scripts.
d. have an awareness of the significant plays, criticism and theories of the major periods
in theatre history
Assessment Measures
1.
2.
3.
Under the new Theatre Arts Curriculum a minimum of 3 semester hours of Theatre History and
literature are required of all Theatre Arts Majors.
The new Theatre Arts curriculum created an area of emphasis for Theatre Arts Majors with an
interest in developing expertise in the study of Theatre History.
As the upper division Arts and Humanities requirement is phased out the department is reclaiming
these upper division history and literature courses for the major. Class size will be reduced and a
greater focus on the theatre major will be evident.
Results:
1.
2.
The department sought and was granted a tenure tract position devoted to Theatre History,
Literature and Dramaturgy.
A departmental committee reviewed the text, syllabi for all Intro to Theatre Classes (THA 2140)
and is working towards developing a common set of learning objectives for this class that will be
utilized for all sections of this course (as many as 12 per academic year).
Goals and expectation for 04-05
1.
2.
3.
4.
Using the new tenure track position focus and establish the learning objectives for the history and
literature sequence to meet in a direct fashion the expectations listed above.
Strive to create a more balanced approach to the study of history and literature and its relation to
the production program of the department.
Connect the study of history and literature in a direct way to the production program through the
development of an understanding of the importance of dramaturgy.
Look at developing and undergraduate theatre symposium to encourage the study of the history of
the theatre.
Respectfully submitted,
John T. Oertling, Chair Theatre Arts