Designed for creative artists both in performance and in production, and provides training for increased professional competencies in the specialized areas of theatre performance and design. This is a highly specialized degree path and provides intensive training in the art and craft of theatre making. The department offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to balance students' practical training with historical and socio-political context to prepare them as creative and scholarly practitioners in the performing arts. Students' ability to think critically and act globally equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter professional lives as performers, choreographers, technicians, designers, arts administrators, arts advocates, and leaders in the arts. As a result, students emerge from the program with greater global, historical, racial, cultural, gender, and justice literacy in their fields. BFA students receive accelerated training in their area of specialization. Students are required to participate in realized projects within their area of specialty and specificity in the classes they are required to take. The BFA program produces highly trained specialists in one area of theatre (acting, musical theatre, or an area of design).
Program Requirements
Required General Education
Survey of theatre arts; lectures, with lab experience available. Note: Students may not take both THEA 115 and this class.
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-06
Major Common Core
Introduction to the theory and practice of directing for the theatre.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100 and THEA 101 or THEA 110
A survey of literature, artists and performances with specific regard to the theatre of diversity including, but not restricted to: Feminist Theatre, Gay and Lesbian Theatre, African-American Theatre, Asian American Theatre, Hispanic Theatre, etc.
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-06, GE-7A
Diverse Cultures:
Purple
The study and application of various analytical approaches to play texts in preparation for production.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
Survey of theatrical history from its origins to 1700.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
This course examines how all global performance styles and techniques influence each other. Focusing on the last 250 years, students will examine how performance practices from all around the world have merged (sometimes in a celebratory way, sometimes due to appropriation) to become the performing arts of today.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
Diverse Cultures:
Purple
Major Restricted Electives
Theatre Activity - Choose 5 Credit(s). From at least 3 different areas
Acting in a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Goal Areas:
GE-11
Work on stage or house management, or public relations. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Goal Areas:
GE-11
Serve as Dance Captain, to assist the Choreographer, for a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Work on stage crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Goal Areas:
GE-11
Work on costumes or wardrobe crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Goal Areas:
GE-11
Work on lighting crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Goal Areas:
GE-11
Work on sound crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Goal Areas:
GE-11
Emphasis Common Core
* Must have 3 credits of THEA 300.
Introduction to the concepts, process, and practices of theatrical scenic, lighting, and costume design including script analysis and historical overviews.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
Introduction to theory and practice of construction techniques used in the theatre.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
Theory and techniques in stage costume construction.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
The study of lighting technology and its effect on lighting design.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
The study of sound technology and its affect on sound design.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100
Technical work and/or acting in summer theatre productions. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Exploring the techniques of building a working design/technology portfolio and resume.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Enhances the advanced theatre student's ability to show complex elements of a theatrical design in a clear manner using accepted theatrical drafting methods.
Prerequisites:
Consent
This class teaches how to access historical information and present it to directors, actors, or designers in a way that will help them make informed and practical artistic choices.
Prerequisites:
THEA 100 and consent
Emphasis Restricted Electives
History/Management - Choose 3 Credit(s).
Exposes students to the functions of theatre managers through case studies, discussions, practical application and readings.
Prerequisites:
THEA 235
A visual appreciation of assorted cultures through the study of their architecture, decoration, furniture, utensils, etc.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Survey of costume history from ancient Egypt to 1900.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Design I - Choose 9 Credit(s).
Development of techniques and skills in the creation of scenery.
Prerequisites:
THEA 240 or consent
Theory and techniques in costume design and execution.
Prerequisites:
THEA 240 or consent
The study of lighting equipment, usage, techniques and stage lighting design.
Prerequisites:
THEA 270
Production and sound effects, electronic sound reinforcement of live performance, choice and operation of sound equipment, as well as basic music styles and terminology.
Prerequisites:
consent
Design II - Choose 6 Credit(s).
Refinement of model building and drawing skills in theatrical design.
Prerequisites:
THEA 440
Advanced costume design theory and techniques.
Prerequisites:
THEA 460
Solving particular lighting design challenges.
Prerequisites:
THEA 470
Integrated sound design to support and enhance theatrical production.
Prerequisites:
THEA 475
Practicum - Choose 4 Credit(s). Courses may be repeated
Special assignments in stage management, house, and/or concessions management, public relations or related areas. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Preparation and execution of a major scene design assignment. Requires a design and construction schedule, preliminary and final design concepts, and necessary drafting details. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
A considerable production responsibility dealing with some technical aspects including technical drawings, budget management, or construction techniques. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Full and assistant costume design assignments for theatre productions. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
The construction of costumes for theatre productions. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Preparation and execution of a major lighting design assignment. Requires a design with appropriate schedules, supervision of hanging, focusing and cues. May be repeated.
Prerequisites:
Consent
Acting Foundations - Choose 3 Credit(s).
Performance scenes and exercises for the beginner.
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-06, GE-11
Performance scenes and acting exercises for the beginning theatre major.
