Program Overview

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Theatre: Sound Design & Technology, BFA

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Sound Design & Technology is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field of sound design and technology.

Level 21: Design, Technology and Management Concentrations

Level 21 reflects the design, technology, and management disciplines in theatre arts, offering seven unique yet inter-related concentrations. Freshman and sophomore students learn the foundations of theatrical production, focusing on acquiring practical skills for application in advanced coursework and theatre productions. Junior and senior students participate in advanced study in their chosen discipline, supported by one-on-one faculty mentoring of assigned projects.

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours
• Twelve hours of 300 and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus

University Requirements

• Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level
• Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement

General Education Requirements

• Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements
• Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program

Course List

Course List Code	Title	Hours
Composition I		4-6
Advanced Composition		3
fulfilled by THEA 304
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)		6
fulfilled by THEA 122 & THEA 208
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)		6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)		6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)		3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)		6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)		0-15

Core Requirements for all Theatre Majors

Course List Code	Title	Hours
FAA 101	Arts at Illinois	1
THEA 100	Practicum I	2
THEA 200	Practicum II	2
THEA 121	Theatre Foundations: Performance	3
THEA 122	Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice	3
THEA 123	Theatre Foundations: Production	3
THEA 208	21st Century Dramaturgy	3
THEA 304	Global Theatre Performance	3
THEA 364	Topics in Theatre History	3
THEA 404	Professional Career Development	1
Total Hours		24

Sound Design & Technology Concentration

Course List Code	Title	Hours
Concentration Requirements
THEA 100	Practicum I (in addition to the THEA 100 credits required in the theatre core)	1
THEA 119	BFA Production Seminar (repeated for 4 total hours)	4
THEA 126	Stagecraft	3
THEA 151	Introduction to Digital Audio Workstations	3
THEA 153	Introduction to Theatre Sound	3
THEA 300	Practicum III (repeated for 4 total hours)	4
THEA 400	Practicum IV (repeated for 4 total hours)	4
THEA 437	Software for Lighting Design	2
THEA 451	Principles of Stage Management	3
THEA 454	Sound Design I	3
THEA 497	Audio Engineering I	3
Choose 9 credits from:		9
THEA 222	Introduction to Scenic Design
THEA 223	Introduction to Stage Rigging
THEA 231	Intro to Lighting Design
THEA 242	Introduction to Costume Production
THEA 243	Introduction to Costume Design
THEA 426	History of Decor
THEA 456	Properties Design
THEA 461	Introduction to Media Design
Choose 9 credits from:		9
THEA 455	Sound Design II (can be repeated)
THEA 498	Audio Engineering II (can be repeated)
Total Hours		51

General Non-Theatre Electives

Course List Code	Title	Hours
General Non-Theatre Electives		9

Summary of Credits for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

Course List Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements
Core Requirements for All Theatre Majors		24
Sound Design & Technology Concentration Requirements		51
General Non-Theatre Electives		9
Free Electives as needed to total 128 hours
Total Credits for BFA in Theatre, concentration in Sound Design & Technology		128

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals.

First Year

• First Semester:
  • THEA 121 | 3
  • THEA 153 | 3
  • THEA 200 | 1
  • Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4
  • General Education course | 3
  • FAA 101 | 1
  • Total Hours | 15
• Second Semester:
  • THEA 122 | 3
  • THEA 151 | 3
  • THEA 200 | 1
  • Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4
  • General Education course | 3
  • General Education course | 3
  • Total Hours | 17

Second Year

• First Semester:
  • THEA 100 | 1
  • THEA 100 | 1
  • THEA 123 | 3
  • THEA 222 (or THEA 223, THEA 231, THEA 242, THEA 243, THEA 426, THEA 456, or THEA 461) | 3
  • THEA 126 | 3
  • THEA 497 | 3
  • General Education Course | 3
  • Total Hours | 17
• Second Semester:
  • THEA 100 | 1
  • THEA 119 | 1
  • THEA 208 | 3
  • THEA 222 (or THEA 223, THEA 231, THEA 242, THEA 243, THEA 426, THEA 456, or THEA 461) | 3
  • THEA 454 | 3
  • General Education course | 3
  • General Education course | 3
  • Total Hours | 17

Third Year

• First Semester:
  • THEA 222 (or THEA 223, THEA 231, THEA 242, THEA 243, THEA 426, THEA 456, or THEA 461) | 3
  • THEA 300 | 2
  • THEA 304 | 3
  • THEA 451 | 3
  • General Education course | 3
  • Free Elective course | 2
  • Total Hours | 16
• Second Semester:
  • THEA 119 | 1
  • THEA 300 | 2
  • THEA 364 | 3
  • THEA 455 or 498 | 3
  • General Education course | 3
  • General Education course | 3
  • Total Hours | 15

Fourth Year

• First Semester:
  • THEA 119 | 1
  • THEA 437 | 2
  • THEA 400 | 2
  • THEA 404 | 1
  • THEA 455 or 498 | 3
  • General Non-Theatre Elective | 3
  • Free Elective course | 4
  • Total Hours | 16
• Second Semester:
  • THEA 119 | 1
  • THEA 400 | 2
  • THEA 455 or 498 | 3
  • General Non-Theatre Elective | 3
  • Free Elective course | 3
  • Total Hours | 15

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrates a mature, effective ability to analyze, interpret, write critically and creatively, and discuss thoughtfully in the field of theatre and performance.
2. Demonstrates ability to actively engage in the collaborative process in preparation, construction, and performance of works for the stage.
3. Demonstrates practical application of learned methodologies including the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and requirements in order to successfully fulfill a role related to sound design for a stage production.
4. Demonstrates working knowledge of professional practices across genres of theatre, musical theatre, opera, and dance.
5. Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge to acquire an entry-level position in the field of sound design and technology, including significant technical mastery, showing the capacity to produce work and solve problems independently.