Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Rehearsal and Performance (Face-to-Face)

THEA 4140-02

Course: THEA 4140-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30667

Course Description

This course is designed for intermediate students to learn, develop, and apply performance techniques and learn how to function as part of a performance ensemble by working in an actual production for public presentation. Students will receive face to face instruction in a non-traditional classroom setting. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 12 Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

All required texts will be provided by the instructor.  Students are expected to bring the script to rehearsals and use it for preparation, study, and reference.

Learning Outcomes


Through rehearsal and performance, students will apply acting, singing, and movement skills to create fully realized characters. They will integrate vocal technique, physicality, and emotional expression into live performance, demonstrating the ability to take direction and adjust their work based on feedback. 

Collaboration is central, as students work with peers, directors, and designers to achieve cohesive production goals and perform consistently with energy, professionalism, and audience awareness.

Students will also develop professional skills including time management, preparation, adaptability, and resilience during the rehearsal process. They will engage ethically and respectfully in ensemble work, maintain a supportive rehearsal environment, and reflect critically on their own performance to identify areas of strength and growth.

Students will cultivate their creative and expressive abilities, contributing artistically to the overall production. They will interpret character, music, and staging choices with imagination and clarity, communicate story and emotion effectively to an audience, and offer creative input through ideas or improvisation that enhance the collective artistic vision.

Course Requirements

Attendance at all rehearsals, tech rehearsals, and dress rehearsals, and performances are mandatory. Students are expected to come prepared, fully engaged, and ready to collaborate in both the rehearsal process and performances.

Preparation: Students must learn lines, lyrics, choreography, and music outside of scheduled rehearsal times.

Collaboration: Students will work closely with peers, directors, and designers to create a cohesive production. Respectful and professional behavior is required at all times.

Adaptability: Students must be flexible and responsive to feedback from directors and peers, adjusting their performance as needed.

Professionalism: Students must maintain focus, energy, and commitment throughout rehearsals and performances.

Course Outline

Students will learn the music, choreography, staging, and blocking for the musical. All material must be memorized in a timely manner, and students are expected to arrive prepared, ready to learn, and able to retain what is taught. The rehearsal process will build skills in performance, collaboration, and professional discipline, culminating in polished performances at the end of the semester. Students will be evaluated on the following areas:

  • Voice: Accuracy, technique, expression, and consistency in singing.

  • Body/Movement: Physicality, stage presence, and execution of choreography and blocking.

  • Choreography: Ability to learn, retain, and perform dance and movement sequences.

  • Analysis: Understanding of character, story, and musical elements, and the ability to apply that knowledge in rehearsal and performance.

  • Ensemble Work: Collaboration, professionalism, and contribution to a cohesive and polished production.

Grades will reflect attendance, preparation, engagement, and overall performance quality in both rehearsals and final performances.



Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Attendance at all rehearsals, tech rehearsals, and dress rehearsals is mandatory. Students are expected to come prepared, fully engaged, and ready to collaborate in both the rehearsal process and performances. If a student is unable to retain lines, music, or choreography, the instructor will meet with them one-on-one to develop a plan of action and take steps that better support the student and the overall production. Evaluation will be based on attendance, participation, performance quality, and engagement in the rehearsal process.

Attendance Policy

TDAA ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. A student is allotted THREE (3) unexcused absences (for classes meeting TWO DAYS per week) or FOUR (4) unexcused absences (for classes meeting THREE DAYS per week). Following the allotted unexcused absences for a specific course, each additional unexcused absence will incur a half-letter grade deduction from a student’s cumulative grade as outlined below:
0 additional unexcused absences: A 
1 additional unexcused absence:   A- 
2 additional unexcused absences: B 
3 additional unexcused absences: C+ 
4 additional unexcused absences: C- 
5 additional unexcused absences: D
6 additional unexcused absences: F

In addition to attendance, grades are contingent upon the completion and quality of all other course requirements as outlined by the professor. For purposes of grading, no distinction between excused and unexcused absences (excluding recognized religious holidays and approved university functions) as absenteeism affects the progress of the entire class.
If you know you will be absent in advance, please notify your professor.

Tardiness: If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered “tardy.” Three instances of tardiness to a class will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Please Note: Missing class and neglecting to inquire about information for the missed lesson, reflects poorly on your participation and effort. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY when you are absent to make up the missed lesson. Make an appointment to see the instructor during office hours, or ask a fellow classmate to fill you in on what you've missed – do whatever is necessary to MAKE THE EFFORT TO SHOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR EDUCATION AND THE COURSE.

If you are absent on a day that you have a solo performance or presentation we will try to make it up at a later date. However, time is precious, so THIS CANNOT BE PROMISED and may need to be recorded or result in a lower grade.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.