Requirements

Theatre Major

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers a major with a 12-course curriculum with two major emphases (Acting and Design).  Double majors are required to take 10 classes (8 required and two electives).  Students do not need to audition to become a theatre major.  Declare a major in theatre.

Acting Emphasis Design Emphasis

Literature/History Courses		 
  • Theatre History 1
  • American Drama 1920 to present
  • Modern Drama or
    Theatre History 2
  • Theatre History 1
  • American Drama 1920 to present
  • Modern Drama or
    Theatre History 2

Performance Courses		 
  • Acting 1
  • Voice in Acting 1
  • Shakespeare through Performance
  • A dance class
  • Acting 1

Design Courses		 
  • Theatre Practicum
    (3 semesters .5 credit)
  • Design and Technical Production
  •  Theatre Practicum
    (3 semesters .5 credit)
  • Design and Technical Production
  • Scene Design
  • Lighting Design
  • Costume Design

Electives		 
  • Four additional courses to be taken in THEA . 
  • Four additional courses to be taken in either THEA (e.g. Directing, Shakespeare through Performance) or VAST/VAHI (e.g. 3-D Fundamentals, Fundamentals of Drawing, History of Architecture). All electives must be approved by the faculty director of the design emphasis.

All theatre majors are required to complete a capstone project during the senior year. The capstone requirement is filled by performing, directing, designing (sets, lights, costumes, video, sound), or stage managing a significant production. 

Electives in Dance

  • THEA 111 Dance 1
  • THEA 121 Decolonizing Dance
  • THEA 131 Balinese Dance 1-2
  • THEA 151 Ballet 1-2
  • THEA 171 Hip Hop/Breaking 1-2
  • THEA 181 Modern Dance 1-2
  • THEA 191 Afro-Haitian Dance
  • THEA 232 Balinese Dance 3-4
  • THEA 252 Ballet 3-4
  • THEA 262 Body Stories
  • THEA 272 Hip Hop/Breaking 3-4
  • THEA 282 Modern Dance 3-4
  • THEA 310 Dance Performance
     
  • Department of Theatre Electives in Performance, Literature, and History 
  • THEA 126 Asian Performance Traditions 
  • THEA 128 Political Theatre 
  • THEA 135 Comedy On Stage and Screen 
  • THEA 140 Holocaust On Stage and Screen
  • THEA 145 Queer Theatre and Film
  • THEA 160 American Film 
  • THEA 165 World Film
  • THEA 172 Modern British Drama 
  • THEA 203 Advanced Acting
  • THEA 204 Singing for the Broadway Stage
  • THEA 227 Scene Design 
  • THEA 228 Lighting Design 
  • THEA 230 Costume Design 
  • THEA 263 Selected American Film Artists
  • THEA 302 Voice in Acting 2 
  • THEA 304 Audition Techniques 
  • THEA 340 Advanced Directing 
  • THEA 361 Film as Narrative 
  • THEA 370 Performance Art
  • THEA 400 Tutorial/Theatre 
  • THEA 405 Performance Recital 
  • THEA 406 Performance for Audience

or

  • CISS 275 Create Lab 
  • CISS 299-SO2

Dance Minor

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers a minor with a six-course curriculum. Students do not need to audition to become dance minors. Declare a minor in dance.  

Required Classes
  • One introductory class (Basic Dance, Modern Dance, Ballet or Hip Hop/Breaking)
  • One advanced workshop (Dance Performance)
  • One class in choreography (Composition)
Three Electives
  • Modern Dance 1-2-3-4, Ballet 1-2-3-4, Hip Hop/Breaking 1-2-3-4
  • Acting 1
  • Design and Technical Production/Lighting Design
  • Stage Combat
  • Voice in Acting
  • Balinese Dance
  • Body Stories
  • Afro-Haitian Dance
  • Decolonizing Dance
  • Create Lab
  • Story / No Story
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Do I have to audition to become a theatre major?

No. Students may include supplementary material directly to the Admissions office with their admissions materials. These are forwarded to the department for evaluation, but are not a requirement.

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Can I also major in another discipline?

Yes. It is important to plan carefully and to let your advisor know that you are interested in being a double major. Students do not declare a major until they have been on campus for at least two semesters, so it is wise to take a theatre class or two in the freshman year to be sure that a double major is in your future.