Theatre Arts (B.A.)
Students electing to major in Theatre Arts complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree, including 41–44 credits of core courses and 38 credits in their major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE-102 | Foundations of Acting | 3 |
| THE-105 | Multicultural Drama and Performance | 3 |
| THE-135 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THE-203 | Voice and Movement | 2 |
| THE-220 | African American Drama | 3 |
| THE-221 | Gender and Sexuality in Performance | 3 |
| THE-218 | Stage Management | 2 |
| THE-246 | Theatre and Community Engagement | 3 |
| THE-364 | Directing | 3 |
| THE-384 | Dramatic Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| THE-431 | Theatre as a Profession | 2 |
| THE-485 | Senior Thesis Preparation | 1 |
| THE-490 | Senior Thesis Project | 2 |
| Choose two 1-credit courses | 2 | |
| Choose one additional 3-credit course from any THE course offerings. | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
All Theatre Arts majors must participate in four mainstage Theatre Arts productions: two as crew member and two as performer.
Theatre Arts Concentrations
For those Theatre Arts students interested in a professional career in a major market or going straight on to graduate school, we offer detailed concentrations in Acting, Technical Theatre and Music Theatre. Students take all of the foundation courses in the theatre major and then add 10-15 credits in their area. Acceptance into a concentration requires approval from the program head and students are expected to focus their senior thesis around their area of concentration.
Acting Concentration
Students wishing to train as professional actors are highly encouraged to add the acting concentration to their core as majors. Professional theatre companies are looking for actors who can interpret classical and modern texts like Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, and Arthur Miller, but they are also insistent that those same actors bring physical theatre skills like clowning, mask-work, Viewpoints, and impulse-trust. With an additional requirement of 10 credits, students concentrating in acting will learn and practice the array of skills from classical acting to movement theatre, to film and television performance. Requires an audition for acceptance or permission from the theatre program coordinator.
Acting Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE-115 | Auditioning | 1 |
| THE-215 | Movement Theatre | 3 |
| THE-317 | Realism in Acting | 3 |
| THE-415 | Acting for Film and Television | 3 |
| Regular participation in THE-360 can substitute for classes not offered to fit schedule | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Technical Concentration
Students interested in technical theatre often enter college with a limited understanding of the many ways they can contribute behind the scenes. The tech concentration curriculum is an additional 10 credits to the theatre core and teaches the foundational design and execution skills in all areas of tech (set, costumes, lighting, hair and makeup) while providing an opportunity to take on the responsibility of a full leadership role in a mainstage production and receive credit for it, essential for an early-career technical theatre professional. Students graduating with this tech concentration are set up easily for internships, assistant tech positions and MFA pathways. Requires an interview and portfolio presentation for acceptance or permission from the theatre program coordinator.
Technical Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE-231 | Makeup for Stage and Film | 3 |
| THE-337 | Costume and Props Design | 3 |
| THE-368 | Theatre Production | 1 |
| THE-435 | Scenic Lighting and Design | 3 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Musical Theatre Concentration
Students wishing to perform musical theatre in a more professional manner are encouraged to add a musical theatre concentration. Students will study realism in acting and musical theatre auditioning alongside acting concentrates. In this concentration, students also cross into the music and dance major programs with classes in rhythm generated jazz, musical theatre dance, music theory, chorus, and may opt for their final two credits to take private voice lessons or an additional dance course. The musical theatre concentration is an additional 13-15 credits to the theatre core. Requires an audition for acceptance or permission from the theatre program coordinator.
Musical Theatre Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| THE-115 | Auditioning | 1 |
| THE-317 | Realism in Acting | 3 |
| DNC-124 | Dance for the Musical Theatre | 2 |
| MSC-211 | Musicianship I | 3 |
| MSP-153 | University Chorus | 1 |
| One DNC course from this list: | 1-3 | |
| Theatrical Jazz Styles and Techniques | ||
| Ballet I | ||
| Tap Dance | ||
| Dance for the Musical Theatre | ||
| Hip Hop Dance Intensive | ||
| Social Dance | ||
| Dances of the African Diaspora | ||
| Rhythm-Generated Jazz Styles and Techniques | ||
| Choreography | ||
| Students fulfill remaining two credits from the list of DNC electives above or from MSI-250: Individual Voice | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 13-15 | |
Degree Plan for Theatre Arts (B.A.)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| STU-101 | First Year Studio | 1 |
| WRT-105 | College Writing and Research Intensive 1 | 3 |
| PHL-105 or RTS-105 |
Finding Your Moral Compass 2 or Faith, Mercy, Justice in the 21st Century |
3 |
| THE-102 | Foundations of Acting | 3 |
| THE-135 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHL-105 or RTS-105 |
Finding Your Moral Compass 2 or Faith, Mercy, Justice in the 21st Century |
3 |
| THE-105 | Multicultural Drama and Performance | 3 |
| THE-203 or THE-218 |
Voice and Movement or Stage Management |
2 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| STU-201 | Sophomore Studio 3 | 1 |
| THE-246 | Theatre and Community Engagement | 3 |
| THE-220 or THE-221 |
African American Drama or Gender and Sexuality in Performance |
3 |
| THE Workshop 4 | 1 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| THE-203 or THE-218 |
Voice and Movement or Stage Management |
2 |
| THE-220 or THE-221 |
African American Drama or Gender and Sexuality in Performance |
3 |
| THE Workshop 4 | 1 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| THE-384 | Dramatic Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| THE-364 | Directing | 3 |
| THE-399 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| THE Workshop 4 | 1 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| THE-399 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| THE Workshop 4 | 1 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| THE-485 | Senior Thesis Preparation | 1 |
| THE-399 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| THE-431 | Theatre as a Profession | 2 |
| THE-490 | Senior Thesis Project | 2 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 121-127 | |
- 1
The first-year writing requirement may be fulfilled by completing WRT-105 in either the fall or spring semester. Alternately, a student may opt for the two-course sequence, completing WRT-102 in the fall and WRT-103 in the spring.
- 2
One each semester.
- 3
This weekend workshop may be taken in either the fall or spring semester of sophomore year.
- 4
Students complete two 1-credit courses as their schedules allow.
Theatre majors may add a concentration in Acting or Technical Theatre. The concentrations require 12 to 14 credits additional, and students are expected to focus their senior thesis on their area of concentration.