Theater Arts

Theater has a long and rich history—from Sophocles, Shakespeare and Moliére to Tennessee Williams and present-day Broadway phenomena Waitress and Dear Evan Hansen

To bring a moment to life onstage, many hours of rehearsal, costume design, set construction and other behind-the-scenes work must take place. Theater arts students gain an appreciation of theater history and of the various roles that bring works of theater from the script to the stage, applying their skills to the Theater Arts Department's productions.

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for a B.A. in Theater Arts

  • 1. THTR1101 Theater History and Appreciation (AI-A) OR THTR1303 History of American Musical Theater (AI-A) (VCI)
  • 2. THTR2111 Acting: Basic Techniques
  • 3. ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories, Tragedies

4. One of the following:

  • SPCH1111 Public Speaking
  • THTR1211 Dance: Barres and Ballet
  • THTR1212 Dance: Concepts and Practice
  • THTR2312/THTR2313 Advanced Performance Techniques I & II

5. One of the following:

  • THTR2112   Acting: Styles and Genres
  • THTR2113   Shakespeare: Study to Stage
  • THTR2212   The Moving Body
  • 6. THTR3122   Playwriting
  • 7. THTR3101   Dramaturgy and Play Analysis
  • 8. THTR3121   Theatrical Design and Production

9. One of the following:

  • ENGL2701    Literature and Film
  • ENGL2321    Love and Gender in British Literature and Film
  • ENGL3605    Global Literature and Film
  • ENGL3707    Film Theory

10. One of the following:

  • THTR4178    Directed Study: Student-Directed Production
  • THTR4179    Directed Study: Advanced Technical Theater Design Project
  • THTR4131    Theater Internship

Students must also be registered and receive grade of "Pass" in THTR0111: Theatrical Productions for at least four semesters OR may replace two of these with registration and grade of "Pass" in LSSN0312: Performance Techniques, THTR0313: Voice Lessons or LSSN0314: Piano.

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for a Minor in Theater Arts

6 courses (24 credits)

  • THTR1101 Theater History and Appreciation (AI-A)
  • SPCH1111 Public Speaking: Voice and Diction
  • THTR2111 Acting: Basic Techniques
  • THTR2112 Acting: Styles and Genres OR THTR2113 Playing Shakespeare: from Study to Stage
  • THTR3101 Dramaturgy and Play Analysis OR THTR3122 Playwriting
  • THTR3121 Theatrical Design and Production

Additionally:
At least three performances and/or technical work as part of a live program

At the completion of a Major in Theater Arts, the student will:

  • Develop knowledge of terminology, theory, structure and conventions of theater and drama;
  • Acquire the skills necessary to present a theatrical work through performance and/or production techniques;
  • Acquire skills and techniques that will enable them to independently and/or collaboratively create new works;
  • Develop an appreciation of the collaborative nature of theater production;
  • Develop a familiarity with a broad sampling of dramatic literature that varies in both cultural context and subject matter;
  • Develop an understanding of the key intrinsic aesthetic and humanistic values in dramatic literature and theater performance.

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Featured Faculty: Petros Vamvakas

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