Theatre, B.A.

The BA in Theatre is designed for intellectually curious and collaborative students who are interested in understanding theatre as a cultural art form and a means of social engagement. The curriculum blends rigorous academic study with hands-on production experience, preparing students for a wide array of roles both on and off the stage. The major combines intellectual and hands-on study.

Students gain a solid foundation in core areas while having the flexibility to customize their degree with electives in specialized topics. Students study core areas of : Performance; Technical Theatre & Design; History, Theory, & Criticism.

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will demonstrate an advanced level of skill in one aspect of theatre production, performance or scholarship.
The student will demonstrate the ability to relate theatre scholarship to theatre practice.
The student will demonstrate the ability to responsibly collaborate with other theatre practitioners to produce artistic work.
The student will demonstrate a substantial knowledge of dramatic literature, history and criticism.

General Education Requirements (30-40 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 40

Basic Requirements: (28 Credits)

THEA 129 - Stagecraft Credit(s): 1
THEA 130 - Introduction to Technical Theatre Credit(s): 3
THEA 140 - Play Analysis for the Theatre Credit(s): 3
THEA 202 - History of Theatre to the 17th Century Credit(s): 3
THEA 203 - History of the Theatre Since the 17th Century Credit(s): 3
THEA 221 - Acting I Credit(s): 3
THEA 241 - Fundamentals of Design for the Theatre Credit(s): 3
THEA 260 - Theatre Practicum Credit(s): 1 (1 credit in acting and 2 credits in technical/costume assistance or 3 credits in technical/costume assistance)
THEA 305 - Topics in Theatre History: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
THEA 311 - Directing I Credit(s): 3

Elective Requirement: Select four from the following list with at least one course in a design discipline or technical theatre (12 Credits)

(Students with particular interests in design, technical theatre, acting or directing should consult their advisors for guidance in the selection of Elective Requirements).

THEA 224 - Acting Techniques: (subtitle) Credit(s): 1 (May be repeated for a total of 4 hrs)
THEA 234 - History of Western Costume Through the 18th Century Credit(s): 3
THEA 290 - London Theatre Seminar Credit(s): 3
THEA 310 - Playwriting Credit(s): 3
THEA 320 - Acting II Credit(s): 3
THEA 324 - Production Stage Management Credit(s): 3
THEA 330 - Monologue Workshop: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
THEA 333 - Technical Direction Credit(s): 3
THEA 335 - Costume Construction Credit(s): 3
THEA 336 - Scene Painting for the Theatre Credit(s): 3
THEA 342 - Scene Design I Credit(s): 3
THEA 344 - Stage Lighting Design I Credit(s): 3
THEA 346 - Costume Design Credit(s): 3
THEA 347 - Sound Design Credit(s): 3
THEA 390 - Theatre Seminar Credit(s): 3
THEA 399 - Directed Study Credit(s): As arranged
THEA 411 - Directing II Credit(s): 3
THEA 440 - Acting IV Period Styles: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
THEA 442 - Scene Design II Credit(s): 3
THEA 444 - Stage Lighting Design II Credit(s): 3

Minimum Competence Requirement

A grade of C- or better is required for each of the following courses: all required courses, whether basic, elective, or focus.

Department Writing Requirement

All theatre majors write in all theatre courses, but the style and content of the writing varies widely based upon the course topic. Examples include journals, concept statements, dramatic fiction, production analyses, character analyses, and traditional research papers, such as one might find in any other course in the humanities. In the required theatre history sequence of four courses (THEA 202 , THEA 203 , THEA 204 , THEA 305 ), students write traditional research papers combining theatrical history with the study of dramatic literature and criticism. In the process, students learn to read primary and secondary sources closely, to conduct academic research, and to write essays with a well-argued thesis and properly documented sources.

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map

First Year
- Fall - 15 Credits
  - THEA 140 - Play Analysis for the Theatre
    - Counts for Global Society: CAI and WCV
  - THEA 129 - Stagecraft
  - THEA 130 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
  - Natural Science with lab - Credit(s): 4
  - World Language 101 - Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 14 Credits
  - THEA 221 - Acting I
  - THEA 260 - Theatre Practicum
  - WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle)
  - World Language 102 - Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society: DPP - Credit(s): 3
Second Year
- Fall - 15 Credits
  - THEA 202 - History of Theatre to the 17th Century
  - THEA 241 - Fundamentals of Design for the Theatre
  - Math / Quantitative Reasoning - Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: CGC - Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: SST - Credit(s): 3
- Spring - 16 Credits
  - THEA 203 - History of the Theatre Since the 17th Century
  - THEA 260 - Theatre Practicum
  - Electives - Credit(s): 12
Third Year
- Fall - 12 Credits
  - THEA 311 - Directing I
  - THEA 260 - Theatre Practicum
  - Electives - Credit(s): 8
- Spring - 15 Credits
  - THEA 3xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
  - THEA 305 - Topics in Theatre History: (subtitle)
  - Integrative and Applied Learning - Credit(s): 3
  - Electives - Credit(s): 6
Fourth Year
- Fall - 15 Credits
  - THEA 3xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
  - THEA 3xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
  - Electives - Credit(s): 9
- Spring - 15 Credits
  - THEA 3xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
  - Electives - Credit(s): 12

Total Credit Hours: 120

Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prerequisites. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

Attributes:

Sub Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
DPP	Diversity, Pluralism, Power
WCV	World Cultures & Values
CGC	Contemporary Global Challenges
CAI	Creativity & Innovation
SST	Sustainability

Learning Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
ARTS	Arts
HUMA	Humanities
SOSC	Social Science