All students at Ithaca College are held to academic standards governed by the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance Dean’s office and the Academic Standards as found in the college catalog.
In addition, the Center for Theatre and Dance embraces professional standards in the studio, classroom and production laboratory. Below are additional policies and guidelines for specific theatre and dance majors.
The dance faculty believe wearing specific attire for a dance class is an important part of the culture of learning dance and working as a dancer in a studio. Respecting each student’s comfort, we ask for the following:
B.F.A. Performance (Acting & Musical Theatre) Attendance Policy for All Studio Classes:
The purpose of the attendance policy is to promote professionalism and to set you up for future success. Studying theatre, voice, and dance requires discipline, consistency, and commitment to a daily practice. You are expected to engage fully in each class to strengthen these values, to demonstrate growth, and to meet the learning objectives. Class activities are created with an emphasis on collaboration; partnering, group work and shared performance depend upon each student in a course being present. As a result, most classes cannot be made up at another time. The way to grow as a performer is to show up and attend to your craft. The few unexcused absences allowed per term should be regarded as an insurance policy, something to use only under extreme situations. Your commitment to your classmates’ and professor’s time and effort is of paramount importance and signals the maturity, mindset, and respect of a student eager to excel, grow, and succeed.
Excused absences are those due to:
The student is responsible for communicating with their instructors within 24 hours of the missed class, and providing documentation (e.g. doctor’s letter, Health Center receipt, court summons, obituary) unsolicited by the instructor within 48 hours of the absence if they wish it to be considered excused. Please note that it is not the instructor’s responsibility to request this material from the student.
The student is asked to notify the instructor in advance of an absence in writing whenever possible. In the case of religious observances, students should notify faculty at least 48 hours prior to an absence.
In the case of unexcused absences:
*Please note: two unexcused absences in a class that meets once per week will result in a failing grade for the course.
Lateness:
Tardiness in the theatre is unprofessional and seldom tolerated. Promptness means being in the room and ready to work by the start time of class or rehearsal.
Consequences of Lateness/Absences
Please see above for information on how unexcused absences and lateness affect your grade.
Although a certain number of excused absences do not lower your grade, the student will fail the course if they have incurred:
Consequence of Course Failure:
If a student fails any required course, the student may be discontinued from the major, as they will not be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the degree.
Please Note: We believe in your ability to succeed. If you are a person for whom lateness or absence tends to be an issue, we encourage you to speak with your instructor and/or advisor, who can help you with strategies for success.
Hardship: In cases of extreme hardship, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the entire performance faculty. If a student is experiencing such hardship, or has accrued absences beyond the limit, they should consult with their teacher immediately. If hardship has resulted in accrued absences beyond the limit, the student must petition their degree coordinator in writing with a letter that includes: an explanation of the absences and a description of how the student plans to avoid attendance challenges in the future in their studio classes. There is no guarantee that an appeal will be approved by the Department of Theatre and Dance Performance Faculty. In any case, the most important aspect regarding attendance is the student’s timely and proactive communication with the instructor.
Student Accessibility Services Attendance Accommodations: For some students who have applied for academic accommodations through the Student Accessibility Services Office, attendance may be included in the list of considerations for accommodation and a modified attendance policy may be applied. The modified attendance policy is a standard set of expectations across all studio courses in the B.F.A. performance majors. Students will be required to meet with the professors of each of their studio classes to discuss all accommodations including the modified attendance policy.
The Department of Theatre and Dance Performance B.F.A. attendance policy and modified attendance policy falls within the guidelines set by the Ithaca College attendance policy. That policy may be found in the most recentIthaca College Undergraduate Catalog.
Review Process and Criteria: B.F.A. Acting / Musical Theatre Majors
The Review Process
The review process for Department of Theatre and Dance Performance's process is a comprehensive review. It provides specific feedback for instructional purposes to encourage growth and artistic progress. Using clearly expressed criteria, faculty evaluate the work of every first and second year student each semester and then provide written feedback about areas for growth and identify areas that need attention.
Scene Review
During Review Week each semester, students present scenes for evaluation by the performance faculty. These scenes are developed in scene study class with partners and material assigned by the scene study teacher, with the students' individual training goals in mind. Scenes are most commonly drawn from contemporary or modern realist plays and are not to exceed five minutes in length.
Scene Review Schedule
Scene Review typically takes place during the second-to-last week of classes instead of regular morning studio classes. All first-year students attend an 8:00 am warm up on each day, whether presenting or not. For sophomores, only those students whose scenes are being presented attend warmup. For both classes, scenes begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. All first-year and sophomore students are expected to attend all the presentation days. The faculty observe the work in a laboratory atmosphere, and the scenes are video recorded for evaluation purposes. No students outside the cohort may attend the Review. Special guests are welcome only by invitation from the chair or area coordinators.
Comprehensive Review Feedback
After observing the scenes, faculty to share feedback and discuss individual student progress. The following week, each student will meet with their scene study teacher in a one-on-one conference to discuss the faculty's observations collated in a written report. It is expected that each student will incorporate this feedback in the preparation and performance of subsequent class and scene work. The area faculty will provide support and help identify resources for all students throughout the review process.
Review Criteria
During the student’s first four semesters in the program, progress will be assessed. Evaluation of progress is based on all facets of the student’s work: classwork, review presentations, production laboratory, and overall professionalism. In the first year of the program, while a reasonable level of artistic and technical growth is expected, particular attention will be paid to the level of professionalism with which the student addresses their work.
Criteria for Evaluating Program Level Participation:
1. Individual artistic progress;
2. Contribution as an ensemble member to the artistic progress of their his/her classmates;
3. Compatibility with the goals and methods of the training; and
4. Potential for meeting the rigorous demands of a performance career.
Criteria for First-Year Acting Competencies:
The general goals of the first year of acting training are to introduce students to the potential of their voices and bodies as expressive tools and to develop the ability to engage their imagination and intellect in both scripted and improvised work. By the end of the first year, performance students should have made progress toward:
Criteria for Second-Year Acting Competencies:
The general goals of the second year of acting training are to develop specific characterization skills, and to deepen acting, voice, speech, movement, and analytical skills. By the end of the second year, performance students should be able to:
Additional Review Criteria for Acting and Musical Theatre Students:
Review for all performance students (acting and musical theatre) includes auditioning for each semester’s productions, participating in callbacks, and performing as cast. See Casting Policy.
Showcase Agreement:
At the end of the fourth semester review, all continuing performance students sign the “Showcase Agreement” confirming their understanding of the expectations of professionalism that extend throughout their time at Ithaca College. If a student’s level of professionalism or achievement in the program fails to meet the criteria and standards set by the faculty,(see criteria described below) an acting or musical theatre major may receive a Notice of Concern at any point in their career. Additional steps (e.g. removal from casting for a semester, removal of participation in Showcase, etc.) may be implemented if a student fails to remain in good standing.
Good Standing:
To maintain good standing throughout their time at Ithaca College, B.F.A. performance majors are expected to attend responsibly to their work and adhere to department policies, observing such practices as:
Review Action Steps: B.F.A. Acting/Musical Theatre Programs
Typically, students make significant observable progress throughout their experience in the program. In some cases, individual progress does not yet meet the Review Competencies and/or or Program Level expectations for the first and/or second year.
Below please find descriptions of actions that may be taken in response to Review evaluation of student class and performance work:
Progressing: Continuation in B.F.A. Performance Programs
The student is making satisfactory or better progress, meeting or exceeding the criteria for competencies for their area and program. They are engaged, collaborative, productive, and able to demonstrate their developing skills in all aspects of their work. The student is expected to focus particular attention on any identified areas for improvement in their preparation and/or performance and make observable progress to proceed on schedule. Professionalism including crew, production lab, private lessons (including preparation), and studio attendance meets or exceeds outlined expectations.
Notice of Concern: Continuation in B.F.A. Performance Programs
A Notice of Concern will be issued if the student is not yet making satisfactory progress in meeting one or more of the area or program competencies. Persistent and/or significant problems may exist in academic and/or performance areas which may or may not include: low grades in major; demonstrated unwillingness or inability to contribute to the program by failing to fulfill obligations including crew, production lab, private lessons (including preparation), and studio attendance.
Students who receive a Notice of Concern for the first time should make a detailed plan for improvement based on the written feedback. The identified areas of concern will be considered at all subsequent reviews. If the student’s previously noted areas for improvement have been strengthened, a recommendation will be made by the faculty for the student to proceed in the program.
In the circumstance the student has not made progress, a second Notice of Concern may be issued. Advice may include a recommendation to begin concurrent study in another area (e.g. selected courses required by an alternate degree program).
If a student receives a Notice of Concern for more than one semester, the student is encouraged to consider alternate majors at Ithaca College and must meet with their academic advisor, their degree coordinator, and/or the chair of the Theatre and Dance Performance department to develop a plan for changing majors if the need arises.
Students who receive a Notice of Concern may still apply for permission from the faculty and department chair to participate in extra-departmental productions but should understand that it is unlikely that permission will be granted. It is especially important that the students prioritize their class work.
Not Progressing: Discontinuation from B.F.A. Performance Programs
In rare cases, the student may be discontinued from the major after receiving one or more Notices of Concern, if persistently unable to meet one or more of the area or program competencies. Persistent and/or significant problems may exist in academic and/or performance areas which may or may not include: low grades in the major; demonstrated unwillingness or inability to make individual artistic progress, contribute as an ensemble member to the artistic progress of their classmates; incompatibility with the goals and methods of the training, inability to demonstrate potential for meeting the rigorous demands of a performance career. A change of major is therefore required.
Students discontinued from the either the acting or musical theatre majors may not audition for readmission to any major in the Center for Theatre's Department of Theatre and Dance Performance.
Self-Discontinuation from B.F.A. Performance Programs
Students have the option to self-discontinue and change their major rather than have the departmental action move forward. A student who chooses to self-discontinue from their B.F.A. degree should inform their degree coordinator in writing.
Appeal Process:
Students discontinued from a B.F.A. performance major may appeal the decision if extenuating circumstances exist that area faculty were unaware of at the time of Review. The appeal must be sent electronically to their degree coordinator and the department chair within two days of the receipt of their discontinuation letter. The appeal must be typed, double-spaced, and may not exceed two pages. Supporting documents detailing the extenuating circumstances may accompany the appeal letter. The appeal will be considered by the area faculty and the chair, whose decision shall be final.
Change of Major outside of B.F.A. Performance Majors:
A student may choose to change their major outside of the Review Process at any time. They should discuss their intentions with their advisor or degree coordinator. Some majors have specific admission requirements, and these must be followed prior to approval of the change of major. Details can be found online in student forms under Change of Major/Concentration.
IMPORTANT NOTE: For competency-based concerns and issues regarding professionalism, in most cases, students will not be discontinued from the major without receiving a Notice of Concern. For egregious behavior or unprofessionalism, in accordance with the Student Conduct Code, students may be discontinued from the major at any time.
Additional information about students' progress in music, voice, and dance classes are considered as part of the Review Process for musical theatre majors, including singing reviews in the Center for Theatre and Dance and vocal juries in the School of Music.
As a component of the Center for Theatre and Dances' Review Process, first-year musical theatre majors are required to participate in a song share at the end of their first year, and sophomore B.F.A. musical theatre majors are required to participate in a singing review near the end of the both semesters.
In addition to singing reviews in the Center for Theatre and Dance, all musical theatre majors are required to do vocal juries in the School of Music during their 8 semesters of training. Students should follow School of Music guidelines for vocal juries. Musical theatre majors must pass their vocal jury in order to pass their private voice class and move on to the next year of musical theatre training.
Singing Review Preparation and Procedures
Students should prepare two pieces that contrast in time period and style. These pieces should be chosen from the students' vocal jury repertoire and approved by each student's voice teacher. Both selections together should equal no more than three minutes of music.
Students should prepare their singing review repertoire with their voice teachers and in sessions with the Center for Theatre and Dances' faculty vocal coach. The vocal coach may make repertoire suggestions for students, but voice teachers have the final word in all selections for singing reviews and vocal juries.
Song shares and singing reviews are open to faculty, staff, and students from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. They should be thought of as opportunities for students to publicly share their work.
Performance area faculty and staff will share their singing review feedback with the voice teachers of each participating student. Voice teachers will then discuss this feedback with students during their lesson time as needed.
Areas of Assessment for Singing Review
All senior B.F.A. performance majors must be in good standing in the fall of their senior year in order to be included in the senior showcase held in New York City during the spring semester. Senior standing in either degree program DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY IMPLY INCLUSION in the senior showcase. At the end of the sophomore year, students will be asked to sign a letter of agreement outlining their responsibilities for consideration.
TPD REVIEW POLICY
Adopted Spring 2023
REVIEW POLICY
All TPD students are required to attend and engage in program review. Failure to do so will result in a lowering of the current production grade by one full letter.
All TPD Majors are required to enroll in Theatre Production every semester they are on campus. Students at the London Center are not expected to enroll in Theatre Production.
All TPD students are accepted into the program with the expectation that they will engage fully in all academic and production experiences. The faculty are here to support and guide students as they develop and thrive as theatre artists. Growth requires the process of effort, challenge, mistakes, and refinement. To that end – students receive constant feedback, both formally and informally, on their progress toward programmatic goals. Faculty will work with each individual student as they navigate the program to ensure they are meeting expectations.
If a student is not consistently meeting the expectations of the programmatic goals, they will be unable to advance in production assignment responsibilities. They will also be counseled to consider whether this program is the best choice to achieve their personal goals.
REVIEW FREQUENCY
First Year Students
Second Year Students
Third Year
Fourth Year
REVIEW STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES | PROGRAM CRITERIA
All students will receive a written report about their progress and performance against program criteria. Rating criteria are as follows:
It is expected that students are "accomplishing" or "exemplary" in all criteria to be making satisfactory progress.
FIRST YEAR PROGRAM CRITERIA
a. Craft: Student demonstrates good craft in all projects.
b. Time Management: Student demonstrates the ability to set goals, organize time, and prioritize activities.
c. Analytical Skills: Student demonstrates the ability to read a play and do appropriate research.
d. Critique: Student demonstrates the ability to take feedback and integrate it into their work.
e. Collaboration: Student contributes in crew, understands the big picture, and works well with and respects others.
f. Fundamental Knowledge: Student demonstrates fundamental knowledge of technical theatre, graphics standards, and the safe use of the tools associated with theatrical production.
g. Commitment to Breadth of Program: Student demonstrates commitment to areas outside of their primary interest.
ADDITIONAL SECOND YEAR PROGRAM CRITERIA
h. Project Management (Time): Student demonstrates the ability to assess a project and schedule appropriate time to complete it. Student demonstrates the ability to effectively manage their crew schedules and work calls.
i. Project Management (Supervisory Skills)Student demonstrates the ability to take responsibility for projects, safe practices, and the maintenance of spaces. Student demonstrates the ability to safely supervise a crew, delegate tasks appropriately, and communicate effectively throughout a project/production.
j. Research: Student engages in appropriate research in either design or technology.
k. Presentation: Student demonstrates the ability to communicate their choices (design) or technical solutions (tech), both verbally and through industry standard documentation.
l. Design Only - Story: Student demonstrates the ability to articulate story and point of view.
m. Design Only - Choices: Student demonstrates the ability to make choices that support script analysis and position their work in the historical context of the society of the time.
n. Technical Only - Advanced Skills: Student demonstrates advanced technical skills.
ADDITIONAL THIRD YEAR PROGRAM CRITERIA
o. Initiative: Student demonstrates the ability to assess and initiate the implementation of creative ideas, advanced skills, and problem-solving techniques.
p. Production (Overall): Student demonstrates the ability to successfully design/engineer/manage a theatrical production through completion.
q. Production (Documentation): Student demonstrates the ability to document their work for a theatrical production according to professional standards.
r. Technical Only – Application: Student demonstrates the ability to apply advanced technical skills in practical (lab) applications.
s. Technical Only – Problem Solving: Student demonstrates an understanding of the design, and can effectively execute appropriate technical research and/or problem solving in its realization.
ADDITIONAL FOURTH YEAR PROGRAM CRITERIA
t. Portfolio Presentation: Student demonstrates the ability to present their work in a professional and compelling way.
u. Advanced Production Project: Student demonstrates the ability to successfully manage the scope and scale of mounting a production in their discipline.
The review process provides students with regular feedback from the faculty about their progress in the program and how they are performing in relationship to program criteria.
FALL SEMESTER PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION
On the last Friday of classes in the fall semester all B.F.A Theatrical Production And Design majors will display their work at a public portfolio viewing. This viewing is open to the college community and invited guests from the profession. The design and technical faculty will view students’ work in order to gauge their progress in the program. Time is very limited: a signal will indicate that it’s time for the faculty to rotate to another student. The specifics for this showing (time, table assignments, etc.) will be made available during the last week of classes in fall semesters. During this viewing it is expected that all first-, second-, and third-year students will remain at their tables to respond to questions. Fourth-years are asked to view and comment on the work of their peers. Students should have 10 copies of their resumes on their table. Requirements for student work should follow the end of semester reviews, below.
END OF SEMESTER REVIEWS
All first- and second-year students will have an individual review with the area faculty at the end of each semester. Third-year students will have one review at the end of the academic year (unless studying abroad, when their review will be at their semester on the home campus). Fourth-year students will have a review at the end of the fall semester.
Process: Reviews are 15 minutes each. Students must be ready at least 10 minutes prior to their review in case the reviews are running ahead of schedule. There will be a cart outside of the room where students will load their work so that they can enter the room quickly when called. During the review, faculty will have their laptops open in order to access students’ academic records, production evaluations and to fill out review reports. Students should not be offended when faculty are working on their laptops. Following the review students will receive a summary of the review detailing how they are progressing regarding program criteria. Students should review this report carefully and meet with their advisor to discuss items raised and plan for any necessary corrections.
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS:
First-year students should not include any high school/previous work. They should bring ALL work (including roughs and prelims) from departmental studio classes, organized in a coherent manner (by show, by class, in a binder etc.). The goal is having all current work accessible. Photos from production assignments and previous work should also be available. Students should bring 12 copies of their resume to the review and begin the review by distributing resumes to the faculty. First-year students should NOT make any investment in a portfolio case at this point.
SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS:
Second-year students should bring in an edited selection of work from both their first- (which may be electronic in format) and second-years, including representative projects from EVERY studio class (including design classes, advanced technology courses, as well as Software for the Theatre, CAD, Vectorworks, art studio courses, etc.). All work should be organized and accessible. The student should be prepared to talk about the work in an organized manner and design students should present one design from a studio class, taking no more than 2-3 minutes to present their ideas. Photos from production assignments and previous work should also be available. Students should bring 12 copies of their resume to the review. Second-year students should NOT make any investment in a portfolio case at this point.
THIRD-YEAR STUDENTS:
Third-year students should bring an edited version of their body of work (both class and production) in preparation for the design and technical seminars which will be taken in the senior year, including multiple projects from their chosen discipline(s). Students should choose one or two realized productions to present to the faculty. It is not necessary for artifacts from every class to be presented. Students should bring 12 copies of their resume to the review. Third-year students should NOT make any investment in a portfolio case at this point.
FOURTH-YEAR STUDENTS:
Fourth-year students should present their portfolios in a professional manner. Well-formatted portfolios with rehearsed presentations are expected. Students will have 10 minutes to present their portfolios. Portfolio content will be determined in Design and Technical Seminar courses.
Stage Managers/TPD Double Majors Policy
The Theatre Production and Design (TPD) major is designed to thrive with a class size of 18 students. If the incoming TPD class reaches or exceeds this number, no double majors will be considered.
If the incoming TPD class has fewer than 18 students, double major inquiries will be accepted until October 1st . All interested students will be interviewed, and during the initial meeting, the number of available TPD slots will be clearly communicated.
REVIEW OF STUDENTS – Theatre Administration
Theatre Administration may conduct one review of students each academic year. The student prepares a written self-assessment of their achievement based on the program’s student learning outcomes and faculty provides feedback. Instructions for preparing review self-assessment are located on the B.S. TA SharePoint. Due dates for review self-assessment submission are located on the B.S. TA Outlook calendar.
