Program Overview

Theatre, BA

Introduction

The Department of Theatre and Dance strives to give students a well-rounded education. In addition to a core of practical theatre courses, students focus on one or more concentrations to hone their skills within specific areas of interest. Declared students reinforce their major studies through hands-on application of their skills. With an abundance of student programs and seasonal production opportunities, theatre students rarely find themselves without a project to do. The central goal of the degree is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of theatre, including knowledge of its history, the means by which theatre is realized, and the role of theatre in forming the past, present and future of society.

Why Consider a Theatre Major?

The major is grounded in fundamentals and a student chooses one or more areas of specialization (Education, Entertainment Design and Technology, Performance, Production, and/or Theatre Studies). In addition to preparing majors for careers in the academic or professional theatre, the lessons acquired through this course of study are readily transferable to careers in teaching, law, business and other areas where interpersonal and self-reliant skills are required.

Student Resources

• Department website: Theatre and Dance
• Department advising: Visit the Prospective Theatre Students webpage for more information.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • Actor/Actress
  • Graphic Designer
  • House Management
  • Master Electrician
  • Costume Designer
  • Advertising/Marketing Manager
  • Talent Scout
  • Lighting Designer
  • Stage Manager
  • Events Coordinator
  • Props Designer
  • Technical Director
  • Set Designer
  • Booking Agent
  • Marketing Communications Specialist

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

Contact the Theatre and Dance Program Coordinator to declare the major or visit the Theatre and Dance Office to ask questions. At the time of your declaration you will be assigned a staff advisor who will help you navigate through the Theatre major.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Requirements (63-78 credits)

Core Requirements (30-32 credits)

• THTR 101 - Introduction to the Art of the Theatre (Credits: 3)
• THTR 228 - Understanding Plays (Credits: 3)
• THTR 255 - Mainstage Season: Crew (Credits: 1-2)
• THTR 370 - Play Direction (Credits: 3)
• THTR 380 - Theatre History I (Credits: 4)
• THTR 381 - Theatre History II (Credits: 4)
• THTR 382 - Theatre History III (Credits: 4)
• THTR 384 - Introduction to Dramatic Writing (Credits: 4)
• THTR 428 - Topics in Theatre (Credits: 3-4)
• THTR 496 - Senior Capstone Thesis (Credits: 1)

Select one of the following Concentration areas

Educational Theatre (35-36 credits)

• THTR 160 - Introduction to Acting (Credits: 3)
• THTR 210 - Introduction to Theatrical Design (Credits: 3)
• THTR 212 - Introduction to Stage Technology (Credits: 4)
• THTR 314 - Stage Management (Credits: 3)
• THTR 322 - Improvisation for Teaching Artists (Credits: 3)
• THTR 350 - Theatre for Youth (Credits: 3)
• THTR 450 - Theatre for Youth II (Credits: 3)
• THTR 452 - Secondary Theatre Techniques (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • THTR 351 - Creative Pedagogy (Credits: 4)
  • ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (Credits: 3)
  • DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (Credits: 3)
  • MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (Credits: 3)
• Plus 6 credits under advisement.

Entertainment Design and Technology (28 concentration core credits, 20 elective credits)

• THTR 111 - Basic Visual Design (Credits: 3)
• THTR 210 - Introduction to Theatrical Design (Credits: 3)
• THTR 212 - Introduction to Stage Technology (Credits: 4)
• THTR 355 - Mainstage Season: Assistant Design/Stage Manager (Credits: 2-5)
• THTR 455 - Mainstage Season: Lead Design/Stage Management (Credits: 4-5)
• Must complete at least 12 credits of Art History courses.

Electives (must take at least 20 credits from the following courses)

• Costume Design:
  • THTR 215 - Theatrical Stage Makeup & Hair Styling Techniques (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 216 - Beginning Costume Design and Technology (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 218 - Costume Figure Drawing (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 316 - Intermediate Costume Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 383 - Costume History (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 385 - Topics in Intermediate Costume Technology and Construction (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 416 - Advanced Costume Design (Credits: 4)
• Lighting Design:
  • THTR 313 - Beginning Lighting Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 413 - Advanced Lighting Design (Credits: 4)
• Scenic Design:
  • THTR 311 - Beginning Scene Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 320 - Digital Drafting (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 321 - 3D Digital Modeling and Design (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 323 - Adobe Creative Suite for Entertainment Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 324 - Projection and Media Design (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 411 - Advanced Scenic Design (Credits: 4)

Performance (14-15 concentration core credits, 23 elective credits)

• THTR 160 - Introduction to Acting (Credits: 3)
• THTR 260 - Acting Studio I: Theory (Credits: 4)
• THTR 261 - Voice Studio I: Voice and Breath (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • THTR 210 - Introduction to Theatrical Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 212 - Introduction to Stage Technology (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 215 - Theatrical Stage Makeup & Hair Styling Techniques (Credits: 3)

Electives (must take at least 23 credits from the following courses)

• Acting:
  • THTR 264 - Movement Studio I: Grotowski (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 360 - Acting Studio II: Styles (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 361 - Voice Studio II: Speech and Language (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 364 - Movement Studio II: Suzuki/Viewpoints (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 460 - Acting Studio III: Audition Technique and Professional Preparation (Credits: 5)
  • THTR 461 - Voice Studio III: Shakespeare (Credits: 5)
  • THTR 464 - Movement Studio III: Advanced Suzuki/Viewpoints/Grotowski (Credits: 5)
• Musical Theatre:
  • DNC 111 - Ballet I - Level 1 (Credits: 2)
  • DNC 203 - Jazz Dance (Credits: 2)
  • MUS 101 - Fundamentals of Music (Credits: 2)
  • THTR 266 - Foundations in Singing for Theatre (Credits: 3)
  • MUS 271 - University Choir (Credits: 2)
  • THTR 366 - Musical Theatre (Credits: 3)
• General:
  • THTR 210 - Introduction to Theatrical Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 212 - Introduction to Stage Technology (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 215 - Theatrical Stage Makeup & Hair Styling Techniques (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 216 - Beginning Costume Design and Technology (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 368 - Acting for the Camera (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 397 courses
  • THTR 428 - Topics in Theatre (Credits: 3-4)
  • THTR 462 - Advanced Acting Topics (Credits: 5)
  • THTR 463 - Audition Preparation (Credits: 2)
  • THTR 465 - Summer Stock II (Credits: 1-15)
  • THTR 480 - Devising Production (Credits: 5)
  • THTR 497 courses

Production (13 concentration core credits, 20 elective credits)

• THTR 160 - Introduction to Acting (Credits: 3)
• THTR 210 - Introduction to Theatrical Design (Credits: 3)
• THTR 212 - Introduction to Stage Technology (Credits: 4)
• THTR 314 - Stage Management (Credits: 3)

Electives (must take at least 20 credits from the following courses)

• Directing:
  • THTR 371 - Directing Projects (Credits: 1-6)
  • THTR 470 - Play Direction II (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 471 - Advanced Directing Projects (Credits: 1-6)
• Dramatic Writing:
  • THTR 485 - Dramatic Writing Workshop (Credits: 4)
• Stage Management:
  • THTR 311 - Beginning Scene Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 313 - Beginning Lighting Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 320 - Digital Drafting (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 355 - Mainstage Season: Assistant Design/Stage Manager (Credits: 2-5)
  • THTR 414 - Advanced Stage Management (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 455 - Mainstage Season: Lead Design/Stage Management (Credits: 4-5)
• General:
  • THTR 216 - Beginning Costume Design and Technology (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 428 - Topics in Theatre (Credits: 3-4)

Theatre Studies (33-34 credits)

• One course from:
  • THTR 210 - Introduction to Theatrical Design (Credits: 3)
  • THTR 212 - Introduction to Stage Technology (Credits: 4)
  • THTR 215 - Theatrical Stage Makeup & Hair Styling Techniques (Credits: 3)
• THTR 428 - Topics in Theatre (Credits: 3-4)
• 25-27 credits of any Theatre course to equal a minimum of 33 total credits in Theatre Studies. 15 of these credits must be Upper Division.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement