Theatre Studies Major
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Studies
Every Student majoring in theatre studies will fulfill the core requirements and one of five possible tracks: Generalist, Performance, Design/Tech, or Film Studies. All tracks in major require 41-49 credit hours.
Procedure for Entering the Design/Tech, or Performance Tracks
Students must have completed no less than 4 credits at the 200-level in their desired area before they can qualify for entry into any track other than the generalist. Once qualified, the student must petition the department chair for acceptance into the track. Following a consultation with department faculty, the department chair notifies the student of acceptance. In order to persist in the track, students are required to demonstrate ongoing engagement in their track with no more than one semester off, allowed only for study abroad. Thus, actors must audition for all productions and act in one production every four semesters. Design/tech students must work behind the scenes in some capacity every semester during which they are on campus. Anyone in these tracks who fails to meet the above criteria after entering the track, will return to the theatre generalist track.
Structure and Core Requirements of all Theatre Studies Majors
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 111 | Backstage Production | 4 |
| THEA 125 | Acting 1:Basic Tools | 4 |
| THEA 130 | Theatre and Culture I 2 | 4 |
| or THEA 161 | Masterpieces of the Cinema I | |
| THEA 131 | Theatre and Culture II 2 | 4 |
| or THEA 286 | Classic American Cinema | |
| or ENGL 286 | Classic American Cinema | |
| THEA 171 | Introduction to Theatrical Design | 4 |
| THEA 295 | Practicum (one practicum assignment MUST be Stage Management or Assistant Stage Management) 1 | 4 |
| THEA 494 | Senior Company I | 2 |
| THEA 495 | Senior Company II | 2 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
- 1
One practicum assignment MUST be Stage Management or Assistant Stage Management.
- 2
THEA 161 and THEA/ENG 286 should be for film track majors only
Total credits required for Structure and Core requirements is 26-31.
Additional Requirements for Students Selecting a Generalist Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two additional intermediate THEA courses at the 200 level | 8 | |
| Two addition THEA course at the 300 level | 8 | |
| THEA 324 Advanced Mainstage Actor and/or THEA 323 Advanced Practicum | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Total credit hours required for A.B. Degree in Theatre Studies: Generalist Track is 41-49 credits
Additional Requirements for Students Selecting a Design/Tech Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two additional intermediate (200-level) design courses from the following: | 8 | |
| Digital Sound Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Digital Graphic Design (CTIS 274) | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Advanced Theatre Design | ||
| Play Direction | ||
Any other design/tech course approved by department chair | ||
| THEA 195 | Mainstage Tech | 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Total credit hours required for A.B. Degree in Theatre Studies: Design/Tech Track is 41-49 credits
Additional Requirements for Students Selecting a Performance Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two additional intermediate (200-level) acting courses from the following: | 8 | |
| Acting 2: Playing the Action 1 | ||
| Acting 2: Creating the World | ||
| Acting 2: Voice and Diction | ||
| Select two additional advanced (300-level) acting or performance course from the following: | 4 | |
| Acting 3: Shakespeare | ||
| Acting 3: Modern Realism | ||
| Play Direction | ||
| THEA 190 | Mainstage Actor | 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in Theatre Studies: performance track is 44-49 credits
NOTE: It is highly recommended that students wishing to pursue acting take all three Acting 2 courses, Voice and Diction, Playing the Action, and Creating the World
Additional Requirements for Students Selecting a Film Studies Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 265 | Artistry in Film | 4 |
| THEA 365 | Documentary Film Production | 4 |
| THEA 366 | Filmmaking Capstone | 1 |
| Two Courses from the following: | 8 | |
| Cult Movies | ||
| Shakespeare and Film | ||
| Modern China in Film | ||
| Queer Cinema | ||
| Playwriting Workshop (ENGL210) | ||
| World Cinema | ||
Total Credit Hours required for A.B degree in the film studies track 44-49
*It is highly recommended that students wishing to pursue acting take all three courses: Voice and Diction, Playing the Action, and Creating the World