Requirements for the Major

Students must complete a combination of eleven courses (eight core courses and three additional courses—see Senior Work requirements—in consultation with the advisor, in preparation for Senior 700 work) and a Crew Requirement (defined below).

Core Courses for the Double or Full Major

  • An introductory course: ARDV 0116 The Creative Process or THEA 0101 Visual Creativity for the Stage
  • A design course: THEA 0111 Scenic Design I: Beginning, THEA 0113 Lighting Design I: Beginning, or THEA 0205 Costume Design I: Beginning (or THEA 0101 Visual Creativity for the Stage, for students whose introductory course is ARDV 0116)
  • THEA 0102 Acting I 
  • THEA 0208 Theatre History 
  • THEA 0214 Directing I: Beginning 
  • A THEA dramatic literature course
  • THEA 0406 Twentieth/Twenty-First Century Performance Aesthetics 
  • THEA 0700 Senior Independent Project

Joint Majors

Students must complete a combination of nine courses (seven core courses and two additional courses—see Senior Work requirements—in consultation with the advisor, in preparation for Senior 700 work) and a Crew Requirement (defined below). 

Students wishing to undertake a joint major in ENAM and Theatre should be advised that senior work will normally consist of two full-credit classes, ENAM 0708 and THEA 0708.  We strongly recommend that these classes betaken in the same semester, with the understanding that a central goal of the joint major is the thorough integration of both aspects of the joint major. A single-credit, single-semester joint project remains an option for those who wish to pursue a joint thesis that does not include a practical component such as acting or directing.

Core Courses for the Joint Major

  • An introductory course: ARDV 0116 The Creative Process or THEA 0101 Visual Creativity for the Stage
  • A design course: THEA 0111 Scenic Design I: Beginning, THEA 0113 Lighting Design I: Beginning, or THEA 0205 Costume Design I: Beginning (or THEA 0101 Visual Creativity for the Stage, for students whose introductory course is ARDV 0116)
  • THEA 0102 Acting I
  • THEA 0208 Theatre History
  • THEA 0406 Twentieth/Twenty-First Century Performance Aesthetics
  • THEA 0214 Directing I
  • THEA 0700 Senior Independent Project

Only one Production Studio in acting course may be counted in fulfillment of the joint major.

Senior Independent Project

Students may pursue independent senior projects in acting, directing, design (set, light, or costume), playwriting, literature, applied theatre, devised theatre or an intradisciplinary project (Single or Full major only)  All senior projects will include both experiential and analytical work. Intermediate Independent Projects (THEA 0500) are not required but may be proposed in all disciplines except acting. Please visit Senior work for a guide to Senior Work Course Requirements.

Crew Requirement

Required for any theatre major or minor.

This may be fulfilled by Assistant Directing, Stage Managing or Assistant Stage Managing (AD/SM/ASM)  a Faculty Show.  For those who have not AD/SM/ASM, the Crew Requirement  should be completed by the end of the 5th semester and will normally be satisfied by undertaking a running crew assignment (lights, sound, wardrobe) on a for-credit production. This requirement may also be fulfilled by completing THEA 0119 Fall Production Studio: Design or THEA 0129 Spring Production Studio: Design.

Theatre Minor

Students must complete a combination of six courses (four core courses and two Theatre electives) and a crew requirement.

Courses

  • ARDV 0116 The Creative Process or THEA 0101 Visual Creativity for the Stage
  • THEA 0102 Acting I
  • THEA 0208 Theatre History
  • THEA literature course

Theatre Electives

Only one Production Studio course may be counted as an elective.

Crew Requirement

Same as above.

Honors

Honors, high honors, or highest honors are awarded to graduating seniors in the Theatre Program based upon their grade point average of 3.8 or better in theatre courses, and overall distinction in the department. Joint majors are only eligible for honors.