Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts

The Department of Theatre & Film in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in Theatre Arts. This program allows students to create the art they are passionate about, learn artistry, professionalism, and critical thinking, and discover their place in society through culturally relevant works.

About the Program

• The integration of theatre and film in the program ensures that students have opportunities to learn skills for work on stage and on screen.
• Students gain a diverse resume of experiences and a well-rounded education in many facets of the entertainment industry.
• Theatre majors can take advantage of yearly trips to New York to network with UM alumni working in the field.
• The film production program has a new complex with multiple sound stages, a foley studio for sound recording, editing suites, and other collaborative spaces.

B.A. vs B.F.A.

• The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts focuses on critical thinking, production, and scholarship. It has a deeper and wider general education foundation and requires a minor field of study (or double major).
• The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts degree provides focused, hands-on training with emphases in Acting for Stage and Screen as well as Design and Theatre Production. Admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree requires separate, competitive application into the program prior to the freshman year.

The Value of a Theatre Arts Degree

Theatre Arts majors gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people. Through the study of theatre, students become skilled in creative expression, critical thinking, research, design, direction, and technology. The department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), ensuring a high-quality education.

Related Careers

Related careers include:

• Acting
• Playwriting
• Stage management
• Theatre management
• Education
• Direction
• Marketing
• Public relations
• Radio/TV
• Law
• Human resources
• Non-profit management

Program Information

Degree

• B.A. in Theatre Arts

Required Credit Hours

• 120

Program Type

• Major
• Minor

Program Location

• Oxford

School

• College of Liberal Arts

Duration

• 4 Years

Degree Requirements

• Find out about credit hour and course requirements from the academic catalog.

General Education Requirement

• First Year Writing I, II
• English Literature Survey
• Modern or Ancient Language
• History
• Additional Humanities
• Fine or Performing Arts Appreciation
• Mathematics
• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences

B.A. in Theatre Arts

• Students complete 41 hours of theatre arts courses.
• A grade of C or higher is required on all theatre courses applied toward the major.
• Students earning the B.A. degree complete a minor field of study (or double major).
• Required courses include:
  • Thea 120: Intro to Theatre, Film, and Dance
  • Thea 121: Creative Thinking
  • Thea 150: Intro to Design for Theatre & Film
  • Thea 238: Technology Lab I
  • Thea 239: Technology Lab II
  • One of the following: Thea 280: Lighting Design I, Thea 281: Scenic Design I, Thea 282: Costume Design I
  • Thea 321: Theatre History I
  • Thea 322: Theatre History II
  • Thea 326: Dramatic Literature I
  • Thea 327: Dramatic Literature II
  • Thea 338: Technology Lab III
  • Thea 339: Technology Lab IV
  • Thea 499: Senior Seminar
  • 10 credit hours of Thea electives

Minor in Theatre Arts

• A minor in Theatre Arts consists of 6 theatre courses (18 credit hours) with at least 6 credit hours at the 300 level or higher.
• A maximum of 4 hours of Danc courses may be applied to the minor and must be chosen from technique courses.

Department Opportunities

• Meet CLA Ambassadors
• Student Success Resources
• Undergraduate Opportunities
• Video: Get to Know the Department of Theatre & Film

Choosing Your Minor (or Double Major)

• Bachelor of Arts students must choose a minor (or double major).
• Options include:
  • Cinema Studies, Minor
  • General Business, B.B.A.
  • Art, B.A.
  • Gender Studies, Minor
  • Integrated Marketing Communications, B.S.
  • Music, B.A.
  • Spanish, B.A.
  • Banking and Finance, B.B.A.
  • Psychology, B.A.
  • Marketing, B.B.A.

What Can You Do With a Theatre Arts Degree?

• Meet Theatre Alumni
• Career paths include:
  • President/Founder, Magnolia Hill Productions
  • Co-Founder, Deer Run Media
  • Director, New Stage Theatre
  • Videographer/Editor, MS Public Broadcasting
  • Department Head, CBS
  • Voice Actress: Morla E. Gorrondona
  • Actor/Writer/Producer, Kennedy Center
  • Stage Manager, Blue Man Group
  • Actor: James Tate Ellington
  • Comedian: Jay Jurden
  • Senior Associate, Warner Brothers
  • Costume Coordinator, Disney Cruise Line
  • Faculty, Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Drama Teacher, Boca Raton High School
  • Automation Supervisor "O," Cirque du Soleil

Outline:

in Theatre Arts

• Students complete 40 hours of theatre arts courses.
• Required Courses:
• Thea 120: Intro to Theatre, Film, and Dance
• Thea 121: Creative Thinking
• Thea 321: Theatre History I
• Thea 322: Theatre History II
• Thea 326: Dramatic Literature I
• Thea 327: Dramatic Literature II
• Thea 338: Technology Lab I
• Thea 339: Technology Lab II
• Thea 499: Senior Seminar
• Two of the following technology/design courses:
• Thea 270: Basic Lighting and Sound Technology
• Thea 271: Stagecraft
• Thea 272: Introduction to Costumes for the Stage
• 10 credit hours of Thea electives

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Minor in Theatre Arts

• A minor in Theatre Arts provides students with a solid knowledge base in theatre practice and theatre studies.

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Careers:

Theatre Arts majors gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people. Through the study of theatre, students become skilled in creative expression, critical thinking, research, design, direction, and technology. Potential career paths include:

• Acting
• Playwriting
• Stage management
• Theatre management
• Education
• Direction
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Radio/television
• Law
• Marketing
• Human resources

University of Mississippi

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