Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Department of Theatre

Undergraduate Programs
Theatre - Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre is designed for students wishing to prepare for a professional career in theatre. Admission to the program is by audition and portfolio review, which occurs during the spring semester of each year. In addition to required theatre education courses, students choose an area of concentration in acting, design, or stage management. The concentration provides highly focused course work devoted to professional and practical skill development and production process and collaboration.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre

  1. The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Theatre major is met by completing Theatre 492. This course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Students may earn a maximum of 70 credits in Theatre (THR) and Dance (DAN) courses.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses. A minimum grade of 2.0 in each course is required (27 credits):
    101 Acting I 3
    110 Theatrical Play Analysis 3
    111 Introduction to Technical Theatre 3
    111L Introduction to Technical Theatre Laboratory 1
    292 Sophomore Seminar 2
    300A 300A Theatre Practicum – Production Emphasis 2
    300C 300C Theatre Practicum – Area Emphasis 2
    331 Contemporary Theatre in Historical Context 3
    341 Beginning Play Directing 3
    431 Studies in Theatre History 3
    492 Senior Seminar (W) 2
    The completion of Theatre 492 satisfies the department’s capstone requirement.
    b. One of the following courses. A minimum grade of 2.0 in each course is required (3 credits):
    THR 211 Introduction to Lighting Design 3
    THR 212 Introduction to Costume Design 3
    THR 214 Introduction to Scene Design 3
    THR 216 Introduction to Sound Design 3
    THR 219 Introduction to Projection Design for the Stage 3
    c. One of the following concentrations.  A minimum grade of 2.0 in each course is required (30 credits):
    Acting for Stage, Screen, and New Media
    (1) All of the following courses (10 credits):
    THR 201 Acting II 3
    THR 202 Voice Studio I 2
    THR 207 Movement Studio I 2
    THR 301 Acting III 3
    (2) At least 20 credits from the following courses (20 credits):
    THR 204 Topics in Acting/Directing I 1 to 6
    THR 205 Media Acting I 2
    THR 206 Musical Theatre I 2
    THR 304 Topics in Acting/Directing II 1 to 6
    THR 305 Media Acting II 2
    THR 306 Musical Theatre II 2
    THR 401 Acting IV 3
    THR 402 Voice Studio II 2
    THR 404 Topics in Acting Directing III 1 to 6
    THR 405 Media Acting III 2
    THR 406 Musical Theatre III 2
    THR 407 Movement Studio II 2
    THR 409 Auditioning 2
    THR 413 Stage Make-up 3
    THR 441 Advanced Play Directing 3
    THR 491 Practicum: Acting 1
    THR 493 Internship in Theatre 1 to 3
    Design
    (1) Three of the following courses not taken to satisfy requirement 3. b. above (12 credits):
    THR 211 Introduction to Lighting Design 3
    THR 212 Introduction to Costume Design  3
    THR 214 Introduction to Scene Design 3
    THR 216 Introduction to Sound Design 3
    THR 219 Introduction to Projection Design for the Stage 3
    (2) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    THR 411 Stage Lighting Design 3
    THR 412 Stage Costume Design 3
    THR 413 Stage Make-up 3
    THR 414 Stage Scene Design 3
    THR 416 Stage Sound Design 3
    THR 419 Projection Design for Live Performance 3
    (3) At least 18 credits from the following courses (18 credits):
    THR 314 Stagecraft 3
    THR 361 Topics in Lighting Technology 1 to 6
    THR 362 Topics in Costume Technology 1 to 6
    THR 364 Topics in Scenery Technology 1 to 6
    THR 369 Topics in Digital Technology 1 to 6
    THR 411 Stage Lighting Design 3
    THR 412 Stage Costume Design 3
    THR 413 Stage Make-up 3
    THR 414 Stage Scene Design 3
    THR 416 Stage Sound Design 3
    THR 419 Digital Design for Live Performance 3
    THR 493 Internship in Theatre 1 to 3
    Stage Management
    (1) All of the following courses (9 credits):
    THR  316 Stage Management  3
    THR  466 Advanced Stage Management  3
    THR  467 Production Management  3
    (2) Two of the following courses not taken to satisfy requirement 3. b. above (6 credits):
    THR  211 Introduction to Lighting Design  3
    THR  212 Introduction to Costume Design  3
    THR  214 Introduction to Scene Design  3
    THR  216 Introduction to Sound Design  3
    THR  219 Introduction to Projection Design for the Stage 3
    (3) At least 15 credits from the following courses (15 credits):
    ACM  271 Introduction to Arts and Cultural Management   3
    ACM  461 Financial Management and Planning of Arts, Cultural and Museum Management 3
    ACM  463 Event Production and Planning for Arts and Culture  3
    THR  201 Acting II 3
    THR  204 Topics in Acting/Directing I  1 to 6
    THR  304 Topics in Acting/Directing II  1 to 6
    THR  361 Topics in Lighting Technology  1 to 6
    THR  362 Topics in Costume Technology  1 to 6
    THR  364 Topics in Scenery Technology  1 to 6
    THR  369 Topics in Digital Technology  1 to 6
    THR  404 Topics in Acting/Directing III  1 to 6
    THR  411 Stage Lighting Design  3
    THR  412 Stage Costume Design  3
    THR  413 Stage Make-up  3
    THR  414 Stage Scene Design  3
    THR  416 Stage Sound Design  3
    THR  419 Projection Design for Live Performance  3
    THR  441 Advanced Play Directing  3
    THR  493 Internship in Theatre  1 to 3