Program Overview

Theatre Arts Administration Program

The Theatre Arts Administration program is intended for students who express an interest in and an inclination toward the production and managerial aspects in the arts and entertainment industry. The program is based on the philosophy that a successful career in Arts Management and Leadership requires knowledge of modern business practices coupled with a comprehensive background in arts.

Program Description

The focus of this area of concentration is directed toward the study of courses and scholarship in the arts, business, and communications. The premise of this program is to imbue in each student key characteristics that world-class arts and entertainment professionals exemplify: creativity, agility, innovation, emotional intelligence, business savvy, and fiscal responsibility. A major emphasis in this program is to ready students for an ever-changing job market and prepare them for being effective leaders in a changing society.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this area of concentration is by interview and supporting materials.

Program Expectations

The program requires the student to have a full appreciation of theory, research, heuristic approach, and practical application. Students must maintain a commitment to scholarship. Students will be required to perform at a high level in a wide range of areas related to arts management and leadership. The program produces students that have a proficiency in core competencies that are compulsory in the arts and entertainment arena.

Ideal Student

Our ideal student is:

• Innovative
• Agile Learner
• Critical Thinker
• Strategic Planner
• Team Oriented
• Fiscally Conscious and Responsible Students should exemplify:
  • Integrity
  • Accountability
  • Empathy
  • Humility
  • Resilience
  • Vision
  • Influence
  • Professional Communication

Program Structure

Approximately 35% of the required academic plan/curriculum is Business Administration & Arts Management. 57% of the required academic plan/curriculum is Business Administration, Arts Management & Production combined. The balance of the program comprises university general education requirements and additional foundational requirements for the college, department, and/or area.

Course Survey

The Theatre Arts Administration program includes the following courses:

Administration

• Human Resources Management (Lecture) - 3 credits
• Finance Management I (Lecture) - 3 credits
• Arts & Innovation (Survey Seminar) - 3 credits
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Lecture) - 3 credits
• Leading in a Changing Society (Seminar) - 3 credits

Arts Management

• Theatre Management I-II (Studio) - 3 credits
• Admin Production Labs - Lab - 6 credits
• Fundraising for the Arts I (Studio) - 3 credits
• Management and Organizational Behavior for the Arts - 3 credits
• Marketing for the Arts - 3 credits
• Entrepreneurship for the Arts - 3 credits
• Intro to Entertainment Law - 3 credits
• Production Management I (Studio) - 3 credits

Production

• Introduction to Production/Lab – 3 credits
• Producers' Workshop (Seminar) 3 credits
• Senior Seminar - (Studio) 3 credits
• Drama Internship – 3 credits
• Stage Management/Lab - 3 credits
• Stagecraft I-II/Lab (8 credits)
• Drop down (Lighting for the Dance; Theatre Tech I/II; Stage MakeUp) - 3 credits

Other Courses/Credits

The Theatre Arts Administration Academic Plan requires students to complete the full 120-credit hour program to meet graduation clearance. Additional courses such as English, Psychology, and the like are required to meet Howard University's General Education Essential Learning Outcomes.

Notable Alumni

The program has produced notable alumni, including:

• Beverly Jenkins, Stage Manager - The Wiz, The Outsiders, The Piano Lesson, Hadestown
• Tiffany Robinson, Stage Manager, Hell's Kitchen, MJ The Musical, etc.
• Denise Saunders Thompson, Asst Dean, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, Howard University
• Anthony McDonald, Executive Director, Shubert Theatre
• Tevin Giddens, DreamWorks Animation
• Symone Crews, Westbrook Studios (Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith's Media Company)
• Shayna Brown, Code x Rosella
• Melanie Coleman, Kennedy Center
• Jade Scott, WGC Productions, NAACP Image Award Nominee
• Kaihla Powell, Melissa Etheridge: My Window musical, General Management Team
• Adarra Davis, Event Manager/Production Manager
• Elbi Elm, The Culturist Union
• Raegan Henderson, Dorsey & Whitney LLP (Law Firm), Diversity & Inclusion Officer
• Maleke Glee, Director, Stable Arts
• Fallon Williams, The 92 Group/ Mike Carson TV

Program Recognition

The Theatre Arts Administration program at Howard University is the only BFA program in the country offered by an HBCU. The program's academic plan was created after benchmarking it against the top BFA arts management and theatre arts/theatre arts administration programs in the country.