School of Humanities and Sciences

Department of Theatre 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 theatrical design and technical production in the areas of scenery, costumes, lighting and sound.

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.

Drama, B.A.
Acting, B.F.A.
Theatrical Production Arts, B.F.A.
Musical Theater, B.F.A.
Theater Arts Management, B.S.
Theater Minor
Dance Minor

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 THPA 36700 Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life in the course descriptions.
International Programs

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

THPA 10000

Theater Production

 3

THPA 10200

Stagecraft

 2

THPA 11200

Introduction to Theatrical Design

 3

THPA 13100-THPA 13200

Acting I and Acting II

 6

THPA 16100

Script Analysis for the Theater

 3

THPA 36100-THPA 36200

History of the Theater

 6

THPA 36400

Aesthetics and Criticism or

THPA 46400

Theories of Comedy and Tragedy or

THPA 46800

Senior Seminar

 3

THPA 37100

Directing I

 3

THPA 38100

Theater Organization and Management

 3

THPA 46100

Contemporary Developments in Theater

  3

Total, credits in the major

35
Credits outside the major

WRTG 15100

Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or

WRTG 10600

Academic Writing I or

WRTG 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

ENGL 31100-31200

Dramatic Literature

    6

ENGL 21900

Shakespeare (THPA 36700 Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life may be substituted for ENGL 31200 or ENGL 21900)

    3

Total, credits outside the major

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

THPA 10000

Theater Production

 3

THPA 10200

Stagecraft

 2

THPA 14100-THPA 14200, THPA 24100-THPA 24200

Scene Study

11

THPA 14300-THPA 14400

Voice and Movement

 4

THPA 24300-THPA 24400

Voice and Speech for the Stage

 3

THPA 24500-THPA 24600

Movement for the Stage

 3

THPA 16100

Script Analysis for the Theater

 3

THPA 34300

Advanced Voice and Speech

 3

THPA 34400

Dialects for the Stage

 3

Any dance technique classes offered in the Department of Theatre Arts, in any combination

 2

Two semesters of ballet or two semesters of modern dance must be taken concurrently with THPA 34300-THPA 34400. If this requirement has been met previously, any two semesters of theater arts dance may be substituted.

THPA 34100-THPA 34200

Styles of Acting

 6

THPA 44100

TV Acting

 3

THPA 37100

Directing

 3

THPA 36100-THPA 36200

History of the Theater

 6

THPA 38100

Theater Organization and Management

 3

THPA 36400

Aesthetics and Criticism or

THPA 46400

Theories of Comedy and Tragedy or

THPA 46800

Senior Seminar

 3

Theater arts dance (in addition to 2 credits listed above). May be replaced by PALS 01500 Fencing, PALS 09000 Personal Defense, PALS 09300 Personal Fitness I, or PALS 05900 Gymnastic Activities with permission of adviser.

 1

THPA 46100

Contemporary Developments in Theater

Electives in theater arts

13

Total, credits in the major

78
Credits outside the major

WRTG 15100

Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or

WRTG 10600

Academic Writing I or

WRTG 11000

Academic Writing II

  3

ENGL 31100

Dramatic Literature

  3

ENGL 31200

Dramatic Literature or

ENGL 21900

Shakespeare (THPA 36700
Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life may be substituted for
ENGL 21900 or ENGL 31200)

  3

Total, credits outside the major

  9

Free electives

 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

THPA 10000

Theater Production

3

THPA 10100

Basic Theater Technology

3

THPA 10400

Drafting for the Stage

3

THPA 11200

Introduction to Theatrical Design

3

THPA 11500

Basic Lighting Technology

3

THPA 13100

Acting I

3

THPA 16100

Script Analysis for the Theater

3

THPA 20000

Advanced Theatrical Production

3

THPA 21200

Scene Painting

3

THPA 22100

Costume Construction

3

Select two for a total of 6 credits

THPA 21500

Lighting Design or

THPA 21700

Scene Design or

THPA 22400

Costume Design

6

THPA 32500-THPA 32600

History of Costume and Decor

6

THPA 36100-THPA 36200

History of the Theater

6

Select one

THPA 28300

Stage Management or

THPA 38100

Theater Organization and Management

 3

Total, credits in the major

51
Credits outside the major

WRTG 15100

Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or

WRTG 10600

Academic Writing I or

WRTG 11000

Academic Writing II

3

Select two for a total of 6 credits

ENGL 31100

Dramatic Literature or

ENGL 31200

Dramatic Literature or

ENGL 21900

Shakespeare or

THPA 36700

Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life (3)

 6

Total, credits outside the major

 9

Total, required credits

60
Additional requirements for theater technology concentration

THPA 20000

Advanced Theatrical Production (in addition to the credits required above)

3

THPA 20400

Computer-Aided Drafting for the Theater

3

THPA 20100

Advanced Techniques of Stagecraft

3

Select one of the following:

THPA 30600

Sound Technology or

THPA 32100

Advanced Costume Construction

3

Select one of the following:

THPA 40200

Senior Project in Technical Production or

THPA 40800

Senior Project in Sound Design or

THPA 41600

Senior Project in Lighting Design

3

Select one of the following:

THPA 40100

Seminar in Technical Production or

THPA 40700

Advanced Project in Sound Design

3

Select one of the following:

THPA 30101

Technical Direction or

THPA 31500

Advanced Lighting Design or

THPA 30700

Sound Design or

THPA 31700

Advanced Scene Design or

THPA 32400

Advanced Costume Design

  3

Total, theater technology concentration

21

Electives

39
Additional requirements for theatrical design concentration

Required credits in theater arts

THPA 21100

Design Presentation Techniques

3

THPA 37100

Directing I

3

THPA 2xxxx

Third level-2 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:

THPA 31500

Advanced Lighting Design or

THPA 31700

Advanced Scene Design or

THPA 32400

Advanced Costume Design

6

Select one of the following:

THPA 41700

Advanced Project in Scene Design or

THPA 41500

Advanced Project in Lighting Design or

THPA 42400

Advanced Project in Costume Design

3

Select one of the following:

THPA 41800

Senior Project in Scene Design or

THPA 41600

Senior Project in Lighting Design or

THPA 42500

Senior Project in Costume Design

3

Required credits outside theater arts

ART 13000

Introduction to Drawing

  3

ART 22100

Figure Drawing

  3

ARTH xxxxx

Any course in art history

  3

ARTH xxxxx

Any course in art history

  3

Total, theatrical design concentration

 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 (theater arts)

THPA 10000

Theater Production

 2

THPA 10200

Stagecraft

 2

THPA 14100-THPA 14200, THPA 24100-THPA 24200

Scene Study

11

THPA 14300-THPA 14400

Voice and Movement

 4

THPA 15100-THPA 15200

Jazz Dance I

 2

THPA 15300-THPA 15400

Ballet I

 2

THPA 15500-THPA 15600

Modern Dance I

 2

THPA 15700-THPA 15800

Tap Dance I

 2

THPA 16100

Script Analysis for the Theater

 3

THPA 24300-THPA 24400

Voice and Speech for the Stage

 3

THPA 24500-THPA 24600

Movement for the Stage

 3

Any two semesters of THPA dance at level 2

THPA 25300, THPA 25400

Ballet II or

THPA 25100, THPA 25200

Jazz II or

THPA 25500, THPA 25600

Modern Dance II

 4

THPA 34100-THPA 34200

Styles of Acting

 6

THPA 34500, THPA 34600

Musical Theater Workshop and/or

THPA 34700, THPA 34800

Opera Workshop

 8

THPA 44500, THPA 44600

Musical Theater Workshop

THPA 44700, THPA 44800

Opera Workshop

THPA 35100, THPA 35200

Dance for the Musical Stage

 4

THPA 36100-THPA 36200

History of the Theater

 6

Total, credits in the major (theater arts)

64
Credits in the major (music)

MUTH 10100

Fundamentals of Music Theory (block course)

 1

MUTH 12100

Introduction to Musical Styles

 2

MUNM 17100-MUNM 17200

Keyboard Musicianship for Musical Theater Majors

 2

MUNM 22100-MUNM 22200

Musicianship for Theater I and II

 6

MUNM 35100

American Musical Theater

 3

PFMJ 19900

Performance Repertoire and Pedagogy

 4

PFMJ 10100, PFMJ 20100, PFMJ 30100, PFMJ 40100

Voice I, II, III, and IV

15

Total, credits in the major (music)

33
Credits outside the major

ENGL 31100

Dramatic Literature or

ENGL 21900

Shakespeare (THPA 36700 Interrelationships:
British Drama and Cultural Life may be
substituted for ENGL 31100 or ENGL 21900)

3

WRTG 15100

Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater or

WRTG 10600

Academic Writing I or

WRTG 11000

Academic Writing II

3

Total, credits outside the major

6
Electives -- 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

THPA 10000

Theater Production

     3

THPA 18000

Theater Management Practicum

     3

THPA 10200

Stagecraft

     2

THPA 11200

Introduction to Theatrical Design

     3

THPA 16100

Script Analysis for the Theater

     3

THPA 13100

Acting I

     3

THPA 28400

Promotion and Publicity for the Performing Arts

     3

THPA 36100-36200

History of the Theater

     6

THPA 37100

Directing I

     3

THPA 38100

Theater Organization and Management

     3

THPA 38500

Fund-Raising for the Performing Arts

     3

THPA 38600

Producing Theater

     3

THPA 46100

Contemporary Developments in Theater

     3

THPA 49100

Professional Internship

 3-12

Total, credits in the major

44-53
Credits outside the major

WRTG 10800

Academic Writing I (4) or

WRTG 11100

Academic Writing II (3)

   3-4

ENGL 31100

Dramatic Literature I

      3

ENGL 31200

Dramatic Literature II (3) or

ENGL 21900

Shakespeare (3) or

THPA 36700

Interrelationships: British Drama and Cultural Life (3) or

THPA 36300

Drama and the London Theater (3)

      3

MATH 10500

Math for Decision Making (3) or

MATH 10800

Calculus for Decision Making (4)

   3-4

GBUS 20300

The Legal Environment of Business I

      3

ECON 12100

Principles of Macroeconomics

      3

ECON 12200

Principles of Microeconomics

      3

TVR 24100

Advertising

      3

SPCM 11500

Business and Professional Communication (3) or

WRTG 21100

Writing for the Workplace (3)

      3

COMP 11000

Computers and Information Technologies (3) or

COMP 10500

Introduction to Web Development (3) or

COMP 17100

Principles of Computing Science I (4)

   3-4

ACCT 22500

Financial Accounting

      3

ACCT 22600

Management Accounting

      3

MGMT 20600

Organizational Behavior and Management

      3

Total, credits outside the major

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

THPA 10000

Theater Production (to be taken concurrently with THPA 10200)

1

THPA 10200

Stagecraft

2

THPA 16000

Introduction to the Theater

3

THPA 13100

Acting I (students must complete 6 credits of required theater courses
before taking THPA 13100)

3

Total

9
Electives from the following

SPCM 23000

Analysis and Performance of Literature

SPCM 33300

Analysis and Performance of Prose

SPCM 33400

Group Performance of Literature

SPCM 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

THPA 15300, THPA 15400

Ballet I

2

THPA 25300, THPA 25400

Ballet II

2

THPA 15500, THPA 15600

Modern Dance I

2

THPA 25500, THPA 25600

Modern Dance II

2

One of the following

THPA 35300, THPA 35400

Ballet III or

THPA 45300, THPA 45400

Ballet IV or

THPA 15700- THPA 15800

Tap Dance I or

THPA 15100- THPA 15200

Jazz Dance I or

THPA 35100, THPA 35200

Dance for the Musical Stage

  2

THPA 15000

Introduction to Dance

  3

THPA 35800

Survey of Dance History

  3

THPA 35500

Dance Composition

  3

Total, dance minor

19