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 36–38 credits (14 courses) 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 |
| or THE-221 | Gender and Sexuality in Performance | |
| THE-218 | Stage Management | 2 |
| THE-246 | Theatre and Community Engagement | 3 |
| THE-364 | Directing | 3 |
| THE-384 | Dramatic Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| THE-399 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| 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 concentrations or special topics | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36-38 | |
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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| THE-115 | Auditioning | 1 |
| THE-317 | Realism in Acting | 3 |
| DNC-124 | Dance for the Musical Theatre | 2 |
| DNC-231 | Rhythm-Generated Jazz Styles and Techniques | 2 |
| MSC-211 | Musicianship I | 3 |
| MSC-244 | Choral and Vocal Methods | 2 |
| One additional dance studio course or two semesters of vocal or piano lessons | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Degree Plan for Theatre Arts (B.A.)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| FYT-101 | First Year Studio | 1 |
| UNV-101 | University Seminar | 3 |
| THE-102 | Foundations of Acting | 3 |
| THE-135 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNV-102 | University Seminar II | 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 | ||
| GST-098 | Sophomore Studio 1 | 1 |
| RTS-225 or PHL-225 |
The Quest for the Ultimate: Dialogue with Global Religious Traditions 2 or Quest for the Good Life |
3 |
| THE-246 | Theatre and Community Engagement | 3 |
| THE-220 or THE-221 |
African American Drama or Gender and Sexuality in Performance |
3 |
| THE Workshop | 1 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| RTS-225 or PHL-225 |
The Quest for the Ultimate: Dialogue with Global Religious Traditions 2 or Quest for the Good Life |
3 |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 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 | 1 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| THE-399 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| THE Workshop | 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
This weekend workshop may be taken in either the fall or spring semester of sophomore year.
- 2
One each semester.
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.