The B.F.A. with a major in Theatre prepares students for a broad range of opportunities including performance, teaching, arts administration, and many non-arts based careers such as sales, training and development, and management.  The Theatre program at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø offers numerous productions throughout the year, providing students with on-stage, back stage, and front of house experiences. Theatre graduates learn a host of life skills including collaboration, working to deadlines, self-discipline, patience, perseverance, analytical skills, and critical thinking.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. 

Core Impacts (See Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Core Curriculum) .............................................................................. 42 hours

Core Field of Study ............................................................................................ 18 hours

THEA 1000 Voice and Diction (3 hours)
THEA 1100 Theatre Appreciation (3 hours)
THEA 1120 Introduction to Theatrical Design (3 hours)
THEA 2750 Basic Technical Theatre and Stage Lighting (3 hours)
THEA 1800 Acting I (3 hours)
THEA 2900 Play Analysis for Production (3 hours)

Senior College Curriculum............................................................................................ 23 hours

THEA 2730 Introduction to Theatrical Makeup, Wig, and Costume Technology (2 hours)
THEA 3740 Theatre Management (3 hours)
THEA 3750 Costume History (3 hours)
THEA 3710 Theatre Performance or THEA 3711 Laboratory Theatre Performance (1 hour)
THEA 3720 Theatre Production (1 hour)
THEA 3880 Theatre History I (3 hours)
THEA 3890 Theatre History II (3 hours)
THEA 4790 Portfolio and Resume Presentation (2 hours)

Select one of the following (2 hours):

DANC 1600 Fundamentals of Ballet
DANC 2800 Jazz Dance I 

Select one of the following (3 hours):

THEA 3760 Lighting Design
THEA 3765 Sound Design
THEA 3770 Costume Design
THEA 3780 Scene Design 

 

Production Track .......................................................................................................... 22 hours

ART 1030 Three Dimensional Design (3 hours)
THEA 2840 Stage Management (3 hours)
THEA 3300 Costume Construction (2 hours)
THEA 3725 Stage Management Practicum (1 hour)
THEA 3755 Period Decor for Theatre (3 hours)
THEA 3950 Fundamentals of Play Directing (3 hours)
THEA 4770 Scene Painting (3 hours)

 

Select 5 hours from the following:

THEA 3720 Theatre Production (1 hour)
THEA 3725 Stage Management Practicum (1 hour)

Select two of the following: 

THEA 3760 Lighting Design
THEA 3765 Sound Design
THEA 3770 Costume Design
THEA 3780 Scene Design           

Select one of the following (2 hours)

THEA 3790 Computer-Aided Drafting for the Theatre
THEA 3795 Draping and Drafting for Costumes

Total Hours in Major.................................................................................................... 72 hours

Elective Hours................................................................................................................ 6 hours

Total Hours in Program................................................................................................ 120 hours

Track Admission Requirements   

All students who intend to pursue the B.F.A. with a major in Theatre in the Production track must apply for the purpose of admission into the track no later than the student's second consecutive semester. Portfolio presentations are regularly hosted on campus and at regional recruiting events.

Students must be accepted into a track no later than their second consecutive semester in the major.

All students admitted to the production track are required to participate in theatre program productions every semester that they are enrolled in the track.  Exceptions for extenuating circumstances must be requested in writing at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Failure to meet these conditions will require students to apply for readmission to the appropriate track.

GPA Requirements

Students entering the University must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better in order to continue as Theatre and Dance majors. If in any given semester a student's overall GPA falls below 2.0, the student will have one semester (fall or spring) to bring it back up to or above 2.0. If the overall GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be required to change majors or will automatically be transferred to an undeclared major status.

Students changing majors from another program within the University must also have at least a 2.0 overall GPA to transfer to the Theatre or Dance major, and they will be subject to the same maintenance requirements already described.

Skills you will learn

As a major in the Theatre program you will:

  • develop critical thinking, problem-solving, planning and organizational skills.
  • collaboration and teamwork.
  • work within deadlines.
  • develop perseverance, self-discipline, and patience while developing physical stamina and creative skills.
  • strengthen and refine their acting, technical, management, and vocal techniques before entering the professional world. 
  • develop a broad understanding of music, literature, history, and other artistic disciplines to help connect and convey ideas in performance and production.   

Sample careers for Theatre graduates

Employment opportunities for Theatre graduates include:

  • Arts Administrator
  • Lighting Designer
  • Costume Designer 
  • Scenic Designer
  • Technical Director
  • Stage Manager
  • Actor
  • Playwright or Script Writer
  • Producer
  • Director
  • Technician
  • Event Planner
  • Project Manager
  • Puppeteer
  • Stunt Performer
  • Educator
  • Combat Choreographer