The Theater Major offers a comprehensive study of Theater in four areas of concentration: Acting, Directing/Stage Management, Design/Technical, and Theater Studies. Courses are offered in acting (stage, film/TV), directing, stagecraft, set design, lighting design, costume design, stage management, dramatic literature, theater history, and dance. Through a high level of active participation, students gain a broad perspective in all areas of theater while developing individual talents and skills in their chosen concentration. The Theater program produces four major productions each year directed by faculty and professional guest directors. The main season is supplemented by a variety of student directed projects and guest artist workshops.

Classes and productions take place in the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for the Performing and Visual Arts. This facility offers a 338 seat proscenium theater, a flexible experimental performance space, a dance studio/rehearsal hall, and fully equipped costume and scenery shops.

Teacher certification with a Theater major certifies students to teach grades K through 12. The program requires a combined course of study in Teacher Certification and completion of the Theater major. Students should refer to the Teacher Certification Program description in this Catalog, which outlines the requirements, and should seek faculty advisement.

Graduates of the Theater Program have gone on to graduate school while others have established careers in the professional theater as actors, directors, stage managers, and designers. In order to declare a concentration, you must meet with an advisor in the Theater Program. The required auditions / interviews for majors are held twice yearly.

Students completing this program receive a B.A. degree. A minor is available.

Outcome 1: Demonstrate broad understanding of theater history, literature, and theory in diverse settings. 

Outcome 2: Critically evaluate performances and their elements in written form. 

Outcome 3: Develop artistic and/or practical skills in their particular discipline.

Outcome 4: Apply creative thinking in analyzing visual, aural, and performance material. 

Outcome 5: Synthesize practical and creative skills employing professional standards in theatrical production.

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below.  Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
2. Transfer students with 65 or more credits are required to complete only one running crew.  All students are required to take Theater Practicum.
3. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
4. Writing Intensive Requirement (six courses):  three writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: First Year Seminar, Critical Reading and Writing, and Readings in the Humanities; the other three courses are taken in the major.
5. Not all courses are offered each semester.  Please check the current Schedule of Classes for semester course offerings.

THEATER MAJOR

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

1. At least 1/2 of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A school core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

THEATER MINOR

General Education Requirements
Four Year Plan
Graduation Requirements
The Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts
Faculty Profiles
Theater Program Productions 2004 – Present