Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Rehearsal and Performance Stud (Face-to-Face)

THEA 3140-01

Course: THEA 3140-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 13576

Course Description

A foundational course where students learn, develop, and apply performance techniques while functioning as part of a student-produced performance ensemble which will create and produce a production to be publicly presented. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

The text of the play being performed. This semester Either: The Yellow Boat by David Saar or MacBitches by Sophie McIntosh 

Learning Outcomes


  • Creative Thinking: Students will utilize an artistic/creative process to develop performance techniques and skills.
  • Critical Thinking: Students will explore academic sources on the art of acting to experiment with their own process and craft. 
  • Communication: Students will utilize a variety of skills to communicate emotion, character, and story on stage as well as presenting their analysis of their work via the written word.

Course Requirements

40% | Attendance and Social Contract:All students are expected to participate actively in the community of the cast of the production. They are expected to attend all rehearsals, fittings, and meetings. Memorize their lines on time and be prepared to engage in the work of production on a daily basis. Stage management will be consulted to ensure that students are meeting these requirements.
30% | Goals and Plans You will provide a reflection on your goals and how you will achieve them within the rehearsal process.
30% | A Final Reflection You will write a final reflection of 2-3 pages or present a 4-5 minute video on your experience in the class

 


 

Course Outline

Rehearsals and performances will take place in a 5-8 week process. The exact schedule for rehearsal is left to student collaborators. 

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

Assignment due dates will be listed on canvas as well as below. All assignments should be typed unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Late work may be penalized 10% per day (not class period) that they are late. In general, I do not penalize late work so long as I receive it before I am grading the assignment for the class. This of course, is a nebulous thing, and I do it to acknowledge that if I haven’t started grading the essays by the time you turn it in, that it is arbitrary to penalize the work. With all of this said, I do provide, at minimum, one extension on any assignment per semester to each student. Simply send me an email before the assignment is due to ask. During the coronavirus pandemic, I am being very generous with extensions (i.e. I will give you more than one), however, please be aware that when I grant an extension I cannot guarantee when I will be able to provide feedback on the assignment. This is largely because I grade a great many things in all my courses and cannot stop grading materials turned in on time in other classes to grade an assignment that has been granted an extension. 

Attendance Policy


All students will participate actively in the community of this course—by that, I mean that each student will read the assigned material before class begins, contribute to class discussion in ways that are constructive to your fellow colleagues, and demonstrate openly your learning process with the material. This will be a challenging course, and therefore it necessitates a positive attitude from the whole class community. The traditional method of earning these points is showing up to class and participating in activities/discussions. If, for whatever reason, you need a different way to get these points, please talk with me (email or office hours works great)!

You get 4 free absences that you can use at your discretion. Additionally, absences (or if you'd simply not like to use your freebies) can be excused for any number of reasons (contact instructor). For excused absences I will provide an assignment or additional work at my discretion. 

•    Each absence after 4 will result in a 33.333 point deduction in your attendance and participation grade. If you negate your total attendance and participation grade your grade will continue to decline by 1/3 of a letter grade as per the TAD Student Handbook. 

•    3 tardies = 1 absence (leaving class early for any reason counts as a tardy).

No student missing 25% of classes can receive a passing 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.