 
Theater Arts
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science
Lee Byron, Associate Professor, Chair, and Director of Theater
The Department of Theatre Arts offers curricula leading to the bachelor of arts in drama, the bachelor of science in theater arts management, and the bachelor of fine arts in acting, musical theater, or theatrical production arts (with concentrations in theatrical design or theater technology). The B.F.A. degree in musical theater is offered jointly by the Department of Theatre Arts and the School of Music. It is administered by the Department of Theatre Arts.
The bachelor of arts degree provides a liberal arts approach to theater and allows the student maximum flexibility in preparing for advanced study and exploring a wide variety of career opportunities in the theater.
The bachelor of science degree combines intensive training in all aspects of theater management with a well-rounded education in the liberal arts. This is accomplished through formal class work, internships, and required cocurricular practica. A significant part of the learning experience in this major is accomplished through supervised work in the management operations of the theater arts department. Theater arts management majors must expect to commit a minimum of 600 contact hours to these duties.
The bachelor of fine arts degree is performance-based and designed to prepare students for careers within the area of their major. This degree features highly individualized instruction and offers students the opportunity to act, sing, dance, and learn the details of set design and construction, lighting, sound, and costuming.
Admission to these degrees requires an audition or interview with members of the theater arts faculty. All B.F.A. majors participate in departmental review processes. These reviews of performance are presented to the faculty and determine the student's eligibility to continue in the program.
London Program
The Department of Theatre Arts participates in the London Center program with a 9-credit core program and additional credits available in British drama. Please refer to the "International Programs" section or see 305-36700 Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life under course descriptions for "Theater History, Theory, Playwriting."
Requirements for the Major in Drama -- B.A.
The student is admitted to the major following a successful interview with members of the theater faculty.
Credits in the major
305-10000
|
Theater Production
|
3
|
305-10200
|
Stagecraft
|
2
|
305-11200
|
Introduction to Theatrical Design
|
3
|
305-13100-305-13200
|
Acting I and Acting II
|
6
|
305-16100
|
Script Analysis for the Theater
|
3
|
305-36100-305-36200
|
History of the Theater
|
6
|
305-36400
|
Aesthetics and Criticism or
|
|
305-46400
|
Theories of Comedy and Tragedy or
|
|
305-46800
|
Senior Seminar
|
3
|
305-37100
|
Directing I
|
3
|
305-38100
|
Theater Organization and Management
|
3
|
305-46100
|
Contemporary Developments in Theater
|
|
|
|
Total
|
35
|
Credits outside the major
377-15100
|
Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or
|
|
377-10600
|
Academic Writing I or
|
|
377-11000
|
Academic Writing II
|
3
|
|
|
Intermediate foreign language (or equivalent) (4-6 credits) or
|
|
|
|
Six credits from departmentally approved courses focusing on other than the dominant U.S. culture or
|
|
|
|
Semester of study in a foreign country, other than England or the English speaking areas of Canada
|
4-6
|
307-31100-307-31200
|
Dramatic Literature
|
6
|
307-21900
|
Shakespeare (305-36700 Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life may be substituted for 307-31200 or 307-21900)
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
16-18
|
|
|
Electives
|
67-69
|
|
|
Total, B.A. in drama
|
120
|
Bachelor of Fine Arts Programs
After successful audition or interview by theater arts faculty, students may be admitted to one of the following programs for the bachelor of fine arts degree:
- B.F.A. in acting
- B.F.A. in theatrical production arts: theatrical design or theater technology
- B.F.A. in musical theater
Requirements for these programs are set out below.
Requirements for the Major in Acting -- B.F.A.
Credits in the major
305-10000
|
Theater Production
|
3
|
305-10200
|
Stagecraft
|
2
|
305-14100-305-14200 305-24100-305-24200
|
Scene Study
|
11
|
305-14300-305-14400
|
Voice and Movement
|
4
|
305-24300-305-24400
|
Voice and Speech for the Stage
|
3
|
305-24500-305-24600
|
Movement for the Stage
|
3
|
305-16100
|
Script Analysis for the Theater
|
3
|
305-34300
|
Advanced Voice and Speech
|
3
|
305-34400
|
Dialects for the Stage
|
3
|
|
|
Dance: 305-15300, 305-15400 Ballet I or 305-15500, 305-15600 Modern Dance I.
|
2
|
Two semesters of ballet or two semesters of modern dance must be taken concurrently with 305-34300-305-34400. If this requirement has been met previously, any two semesters of theater arts dance may be substituted.
305-34100-305-34200
|
Styles of Acting
|
6
|
305-44100
|
TV Acting
|
3
|
305-37100
|
Directing
|
3
|
305-36100-305-36200
|
History of the Theater
|
6
|
305-38100
|
Theater Organization and Management
|
3
|
305-36400
|
Aesthetics and Criticism or
|
|
305-46400
|
Theories of Comedy and Tragedy or
|
|
305-46800
|
Senior Seminar
|
3
|
|
|
Theater arts dance (in addition to 2 credits listed above). May be replaced by 664-01500 Fencing, 664-09000 Personal Defense, 664-09300 Personal Fitness I, or 664-05900 Gymnastic Activities with permission of adviser.
|
1
|
305-46100
|
Contemporary Developments in Theater
|
|
|
|
Electives in theater arts
|
13
|
|
|
Total
|
78
|
Credits outside the major
377-15100
|
Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or
|
|
377-10600
|
Academic Writing I or
|
|
377-11000
|
Academic Writing II
|
3
|
307-31100
|
Dramatic Literature
|
3
|
307-31200
|
Dramatic Literature or
|
|
307-21900
|
Shakespeare (305-36700 Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life may be substituted for 307-21900 or 307-31200)
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
9
|
|
|
Elective total
|
33
|
|
|
Total, B.F.A. in acting
|
120
|
Requirements for the Major in Theatrical Production Arts -- B.F.A.
Total required credits 60 (plus requirements in theater technology or theatrical design concentrations)
Credits in the major
305-10000
|
Theater Production
|
3
|
305-10100
|
Basic Theater Technology
|
3
|
305-10400
|
Drafting for the Stage
|
3
|
305-11200
|
Introduction to Theatrical Design
|
3
|
305-11500
|
Basic Lighting Technology
|
3
|
305-13100
|
Acting I
|
3
|
305-16100
|
Script Analysis for the Theater
|
3
|
305-20000
|
Advanced Theatrical Production
|
3
|
305-21200
|
Scene Painting
|
3
|
305-22100
|
Costume Construction
|
3
|
Select two for a total of 6 credits
305-21500
|
Lighting Design or
|
|
305-21700
|
Scene Design or
|
|
305-22400
|
Costume Design
|
6
|
305-32500-305-32600
|
History of Costume and Decor
|
6
|
305-36100-305-36200
|
History of the Theater
|
6
|
Select one
305-28300
|
Stage Management or
|
|
305-38100
|
Theater Organization and Management
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
51
|
Credits outside the major
377-15100
|
Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or
|
|
377-10600
|
Academic Writing I or
|
|
377-11000
|
Academic Writing II
|
3
|
Select two for a total of 6 credits
307-31100
|
Dramatic Literature or
|
|
307-31200
|
Dramatic Literature or
|
|
307-21900
|
Shakespeare or
|
|
305-36700
|
Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life (3)
|
6
|
|
|
Total
|
9
|
Additional requirements for theater technology concentration (21 credits)
305-20000
|
Advanced Theatrical Production (in addition to the credits required above
|
3
|
305-20400
|
Computer-Aided Drafting for the Theater
|
3
|
305-20100
|
Advanced Techniques of Stagecraft
|
3
|
Select one of the following:
305-30600
|
Sound Technology or
|
|
305-32100
|
Advanced Costume Construction
|
3
|
Select one of the following:
305-40200
|
Senior Project in Technical Production or
|
|
305-40800
|
Senior Project in Sound Design or
|
|
305-41600
|
Senior Project in Lighting Design
|
3
|
Select one of the following:
305-40100
|
Seminar in Technical Production or
|
|
305-40700
|
Advanced Project in Sound Design
|
3
|
Select one of the following:
305-30101
|
Technical Direction or
|
|
305-31500
|
Advanced Lighting Design or
|
|
305-30700
|
Sound Design or
|
|
305-31700
|
Advanced Scene Design or
|
|
305-32400
|
Advanced Costume Design
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
21
|
|
|
Electives
|
39
|
Additional requirements for theatrical design concentration (21 credits)
Required credits in theater arts
305-21100
|
Design Presentation Techniques
|
3
|
305-37100
|
Directing I
|
3
|
305-2xxxx
|
Third 200-level design course: scene design, lighting design, or costume design (in addition to 6 credits required above)
|
3
|
Select two for a total of 6 credits:
305-31500
|
Advanced Lighting Design or
|
|
305-31700
|
Advanced Scene Design or
|
|
305-32400
|
Advanced Costume Design
|
6
|
Select one of the following:
305-41700
|
Advanced Project in Scene Design or
|
|
305-41500
|
Advanced Project in Lighting Design or
|
|
305-42400
|
Advanced Project in Costume Design
|
3
|
Select one of the following:
305-41800
|
Senior Project in Scene Design or
|
|
305-41600
|
Senior Project in Lighting Design or
|
|
305-42500
|
Senior Project in Costume Design
|
3
|
Required credits outside theater arts
326-13000
|
Introduction to Drawing
|
3
|
326-22100
|
Figure Drawing
|
3
|
376-xxxxx
|
Any course in art history
|
3
|
376-xxxxx
|
Any course in art history
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
33
|
|
|
Electives
|
27
|
|
|
Total, B.F.A. in theatrical production arts
|
120
|
Requirements for the Major in Musical Theater -- B.F.A.
Credits in the major
305-10000
|
Theater Production
|
2
|
305-10200
|
Stagecraft
|
2
|
305-14100-305-14200, 305-24100-305-24200
|
Scene Study
|
11
|
305-14300-305-14400
|
Voice and Movement
|
4
|
305-15100-305-15200
|
Jazz Dance I
|
2
|
305-15300-305-15400
|
Ballet I
|
2
|
305-15500-305-15600
|
Modern Dance I
|
2
|
305-15700-305-15800
|
Tap Dance I
|
2
|
305-16100
|
Script Analysis for the Theater
|
3
|
305-24300-305-24400
|
Voice and Speech for the Stage
|
3
|
305-24500-305-24600
|
Movement for the Stage
|
3
|
Any two semesters of 305- dance at level 2
305-25300, 305-25400
|
Ballet II or
|
|
305-25100-305-25200
|
Jazz II or
|
|
305-25500, 305-25600
|
Modern II
|
4
|
305-34100-305-34200
|
Styles of Acting
|
6
|
305-34500, 305-34600/
|
Music Theater Workshop and/or
|
|
305-34700, 305-34800
|
Opera Workshop
|
|
305-44500, 305-44600/ 305-44700, 305-44800 305-35100, 305-35200
|
|
8
|
305-36100, 305-36200
|
Dance for the Musical Stage
|
4
|
|
|
History of the Theater
|
6
|
|
|
Total
|
64
|
Credits in the major (School of Music)
551-10100
|
Fundamentals of Music Theory (block course)
|
1
|
551-12100
|
Introduction to Musical Styles
|
2
|
555-17100-551-17200
|
Keyboard Musicianship for Musical Theater Majors
|
2
|
555-22100-555-22200
|
Musicianship for Theater I and II
|
6
|
555-35100
|
American Musical Theater
|
3
|
556-19900
|
Performance Repertoire and Pedagogy
|
4
|
556-10100, 556-20100, 556-30100, 556-40100
|
Voice I, II, III and IV
|
15
|
|
|
Total
|
33
|
Credits outside the major
307-31100
|
Dramatic Literature or
|
|
307-21900
|
Shakespeare (305-36700 Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life may be substituted for 307-31100 or 307-21900)
|
3
|
377-15100
|
Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or
|
|
377-10600
|
Academic Writing I or
|
|
377-11000
|
Academic Writing II
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
6
|
Elective credits -- general education
Area 1:
|
Self and Society
|
6
|
Area 2:
|
Science, Mathematics, and Formal Reasoning
|
6
|
Area 3:
|
Human Expression (may be taken from major courses)
|
|
General:
|
From Areas 1, 2, or 3
|
6
|
|
|
Global and Historical Perspective (courses from Areas 1, 2, or 3)
|
|
|
|
Total electives
|
18
|
|
|
Total, B.F.A. in musical theater
|
121
|
Requirements for the Major in Theater Arts Management -- B.S.
The student is admitted to the major following a successful interview with members of the theater faculty.
Credits in the major
305-10000
|
Theater Production
|
3
|
305-18000
|
Theater Management Practicum
|
3
|
305-10200
|
Stagecraft
|
2
|
305-11200
|
Introduction to Theatrical Design
|
3
|
305-16100
|
Script Analysis for the Theater
|
3
|
305-13100
|
Acting I
|
3
|
305-28400
|
Promotion and Publicity for the Performing Arts
|
3
|
305-36100-305-36200
|
History of the Theater
|
6
|
305-37100
|
Directing I
|
3
|
305-38100
|
Theater Organization and Management
|
3
|
305-38500
|
Fund-Raising for the Performing Arts
|
3
|
305-38600
|
Producing Theater
|
3
|
305-46100
|
Contemporary Developments in Theater
|
3
|
305-49100
|
Professional Internship
|
3-12
|
|
|
Total
|
44-53
|
Credits outside the major
377-10800
|
Academic Writing I (4) or
|
|
377-11100
|
Academic Writing II (3)
|
3-4
|
307-31100
|
Dramatic Literature I
|
3
|
307-31200
|
Dramatic Literature II (3) or
|
|
307-21900
|
Shakespeare (3) or
|
|
305-36700
|
Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life (3) or
|
|
305-36300
|
Drama and the London Theater (3)
|
3
|
313-10500
|
Math for Decision Making (3) or
|
|
313-10800
|
Calculus for Decision Making (4)
|
3-4
|
887-20300
|
The Legal Environment of Business
|
3
|
306-12100
|
Principles of Macroeconomics
|
3
|
306-12200
|
Principles of Microeconomics
|
3
|
221-24100
|
Advertising
|
3
|
319-11500
|
Business and Professional Communication (3) or
|
|
377-21100
|
Writing for the Workplace (3)
|
3
|
312-11000
|
Computers and Information Technologies (3) or
|
|
312-10500
|
Introduction to Web Development (3) or
|
|
312-17100
|
Principles of Computing Science I (4)
|
3-4
|
880-22500
|
Financial Accounting
|
3
|
880-22600
|
Management Accounting
|
3
|
882-20600
|
Organizational Behavior and Management
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
39-42
|
|
|
Electives
|
25-37
|
|
|
Total, B.S. in theater arts management
|
120
|
Theater Minor
The theater minor provides an option for students who may not want to be theater arts majors but wish to take theater courses, be guided in course selection, and receive recognition for their studies. Minors must be declared through consultation with the department office.
Credits in the minor
305-10000
|
Theater Production (to be taken concurrently with 305-10200)
|
1
|
305-10200
|
Stagecraft
|
2
|
305-16000
|
Introduction to the Theater
|
3
|
305-13100
|
Acting I (Students must complete 6 credits of required theater courses before taking 305-13100.)
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
9
|
Electives from the following
319-23000
|
Analysis and Performance of Literature
|
|
319-33300
|
Analysis and Performance of Prose
|
|
319-33400
|
Group Performance of Literature
|
|
319-33500
|
Analysis and Performance of Poetry
|
|
|
|
Any theater arts courses not restricted to majors only
|
|
|
|
Total
|
9
|
|
|
Total, minor in theater
|
18
|
Dance Minor
The dance minor combines technique with academic study. It is intended to supplement majors in related fields such as theater, music, or physical education. Minors must be declared through consultation with the theater department office.
Required credits in the minor
305-15300, 305-15400
|
Ballet I
|
2
|
305-25300, 305-25400
|
Ballet II
|
2
|
305-15500, 305-15600
|
Modern Dance I
|
2
|
305-25500, 305-25600
|
Modern Dance II
|
2
|
One of the following
305-35300, 305-35400
|
Ballet III or
|
|
305-45300, 305-45400
|
Ballet IV or
|
|
305-15700-305-15800
|
Tap Dance I or
|
|
305-15100-305-15200
|
Jazz Dance I or
|
|
305-35100, 305-35200
|
Dance for the Musical Stage
|
2
|
305-15000
|
Introduction to Dance
|
3
|
305-35800
|
Survey of Dance History
|
3
|
305-35500
|
Dance Composition
|
3
|
|
|
Total, dance minor
|
19
|
|
