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Theater
Theater | Courses | Faculty

112 Fine Arts Center

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Contact: June Gaeke

Office: 112 FAC

Phone: 545-3490

Department Co-Chairs: Professors Edward Golden and Penny Remsen. Professors Olf, Scott; Associate Professors Gaeke, McCauley, Romero, Uno; Assistant Professors Erdman, Nelson; Lecturer Higgins.

The Field

The course of study in the Department of Theater is grounded in the belief that the performing arts draw on a unique combination of intellectual and artistic skills and talents which are most fully developed when theory and practice are integrated in the learning experience. Students in the program gain expertise in all the fundamental areas of theatrical art in graduated sequences of study designed to bring into focus rigorous critical thinking, precise methods of research, and imaginative expression in performance.

A theater major is also a member of a larger community, the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. There is nothing gained by learning about the theater in isolation. Since the theater draws upon and touches many fields of study, the most meaningful study of theater is in a liberal arts context.

The Major

For the B.A. degree in Theater, majors must fulfill all University General Education requirements as well as appropriate requirements of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. In addition, theater majors must complete 14 courses, 42 credits in theater, as follows:

Dramaturgy (12 cr)

120 Play Analysis for Theatrical Production

320 Classical and Neo-Classical Repertory

321 Medieval and Renaissance Repertory

322 Modern Repertory

Dramaturgical Elective (3 cr)

333 Contemporary Repertory, or a dramatic literature/theater history course chosen from a list of approved courses posted during the pre-registration period. This course may not be applied to any other major requirement.

Design (12 cr)

160 Beginning Techniques in Design

360 Scene Design

361 Lighting Design

362 Costume Design

Performance (3 cr)

140 Beginning Techniques in Performance

Performance Electives (9 cr; choice of three)

240 Beginning Voice

340 Advanced Voice

341 Stage Movement

342 Acting

345 Directing

441 Styles of Stage Movement

442 Acting II

443 Period Acting

445 Directing II

Management (3 cr)

110 Performance Management (1 cr; must be taken for three semesters)

Note: Successful completion of THEATR 120, 320, 321, and 322 fulfills the Junior Year Writing requirement.

Any student starting work in the major after the first semester of the sophomore year may not be able to complete the major requirements within five semesters. Transfer students may also find that they are not able to finish the major without one or more extra semesters because of the sequence and scheduling necessities of the coursework.

With the exception of Introduction to Theater, Performance Management, Beginning Techniques in Performance, and the Dramaturgy courses, enrollment in theater courses is by consent of instructors only. It is imperative, therefore, that all majors, prospective majors, and nonmajors consult with a department adviser to determine eligibility for, and appropriate placement within, the various activities.

Although THEATR 120 is offered each semester, the three required 300-level dramaturgy courses are offered only once a year; therefore, the full sequence of required dramaturgy courses takes a minimum of three semesters to complete. Currently, the design sequence takes four semesters to complete. Many of the 300- and 400-level performance classes rotate and are not offered every semester. Although taking the required four courses in three semesters might be possible, it is not recommended.

Nonmajors with appropriate qualifications are welcome to participate in the activities of the department. Introduction to Theater, a general education course, is primarily for nonmajors. Enrollment of nonmajors in all upper-level courses is permitted after completing beginning techniques in the specific area(s) of interest. Department majors are given preference in placement at all levels within the program.

Career Opportunities

The theater major forms a sound basis for further professional or scholarly work in theater (for the M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. degrees). In addition to helping prepare for work in the field, theater skills regularly prove useful in a variety of related fields such as public relations, broadcasting, management, advertising and promotion, arts administration, teaching or coaching, community recreation, and social work.

Theater | Courses | Faculty

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