Theatre, BA

The major in Theatre offers a broad-based liberal arts degree for the theatre generalist. The Theatre major prepares the student for further, more focused training in the theatrical arts through a wide variety of courses in performance arts, technical theatre, design arts, directing, theatre history, playwriting and dramatic literature. Students may focus their programs of study to some degree toward specific interests in these areas of theatre through the use of electives within the major.

Theatre majors are strongly encouraged to complete either a minor (perhaps in English or Writing) or a second major (perhaps in English). Other combinations are possible.

Theatre majors are required to participate in University Players productions; Theatre minors are strongly encouraged to do so. All students with an interest in theatre, whatever their major, are invited to participate in University Players productions. (See also “Theatre” under Extracurricular Activities.)

Students majoring in Theatre are required to take three introductory courses in Theatre, Acting, and Technical Theatre (THTR 110 , THTR 151 , THTR 121 ), two Theatre History courses (THTR 211 , THTR 212 , Design for the Theatre THTR 213 ), Directing I (THTR 311 ), and 5 credits of Production Laboratory (THTR 280 , THTR 380 ). Four elective courses in Theatre round out the major. Two courses in Dramatic Literature are required in the student’s cognate area. Courses which would satisfy the Dramatic Literature requirement include ENLT 211 , ENLT 220 , ENLT 295 , ENLT 340 , ENLT 341 , ENLT 355 , ENLT 369 , ENLT 461 .

For more information about the English and Theatre department, visit its website.

Theatre Curriculum

	*Department and Number - Descriptive Title of Course*	Fall Cr.	Spr. Cr.
First Year
MAJOR	THTR 110 - (CL) Introduction to Theatre – THTR 151 - (CA) Introduction to Acting	3	3
MAJOR	THTR 121 - Introduction to Technical Theatre	3
COGNATE	COGNATE ELECT – Cognate Elective (Dramatic Literature)²		3
GE WRTG -SPCH	WRTG 107 - (FYW) Composition – COMM 100 - (FYOC) Public Speaking ^*	3	3
GE C/IL	C/IL 102 - Computing and Information Literacy ^*	3
GE QUAN	QUAN ELECT - Quantitative Reasoning Elective		3
GE PHIL/T/RS	PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy – T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible	3	3
GE FSEM	First Year Seminar ¹
		15	15
Second Year
MAJOR	THTR 211 - (CL) Theatre History I – THTR 212 - (CL) Theatre History II	3	3
MAJOR	THTR 213 - (CA) Design for the Theatre		3
MAJOR	THTR 280 - Production Laboratory – THTR 380 - Advanced Production Lab	1	2
COGNATE	COGNATE ELECT – Cognate Elective (Dramatic Literature)²	3
GE S/BH	S/BH ELECT – Social Behavioral Elective	3
GE PHIL–T/RS	PHIL 210 - Ethics – T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology	3	3
GE NSCI	NSCI ELECT – Natural Sciences Electives	3	3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT – Humanities Elective		3
		16	17
Third Year
MAJOR	THTR 311 - Directing I		3
MAJOR	THTR ELECT – Theatre Electives ¹	3	3
MAJOR	THTR 280 - Production Laboratory – THTR 380 - Advanced Production Lab	1	2
COGNATE	COGNATE ELECT – Cognate Electives²	6	3
GE PHIL or T/RS	PHIL ELECT – Philosophy or T/RS ELECT -T/RS Elective	3
GE S/BH	S/BH ELECT – Social/Behavioral Electives		3
GE FREE	FREE ELECT– Free Elective		3
		13	17
Fourth Year
MAJOR	THTR ELECT - Theatre Electives	3	3
MAJOR	THTR 280 - Production Laboratory – THTR 380 - Advanced Production Lab	1	2
COGNATE	COGNATE ELECT - Cognate Electives	3	6
GE FREE	FREE ELECT - Free Electives	6	6
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT - Humanities Elective	3
		16	17
	Total: 125 Credits

¹Major electives: the Theatre major must select four electives from the following: any THTR course at the 200 level or higher; WRTG 215 , WRTG 315 , and ENLT courses 200 level or higher that qualify as dramatic literature courses.

²Cognate electives must include two courses in dramatic literature.

³The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely to fulfill requirements both for the First Year Seminar and a General Education Requirement. Thus, the First Year Seminar will not add to the total credits for the semester. Talk with your advisor if you have any questions.

*The Department of English & Theatre recommends that students take WRTG 140 , a 3-credit EP foundation course satisfying both digital and oral competencies (EP-I) instead of COMM 100 and C/IL 102 . Other courses may satisfy this requirement, as well. Please consult your advisor if you have questions.

Theatre, BA

Theatre Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year