Theater Major
The major in theater forms an integrated study wherein students develop a broad knowledge of theater by balancing creative experience in studio work and production with the study of criticism, history of drama, and literature.
In addition to the department faculty, students have opportunities to work with guest artists in a variety of special workshops and master classes. The varied production program is designed to provide challenging and dynamic theater for the campus community while raising each student's artistic, collaborative and professional expectations and standard for success.
After officially declaring the theater major, students are required to meet with the department faculty for a major declaration interview. This interview, which typically takes place during the second semester of the sophomore year, is intended to help students design an integrated plan of study consistent with their interests and goals in theater and the wider College curriculum. Students will show representative samples of their strongest work and discuss their creative and scholarly intentions for the completion of the major, their engagement in the department, and their activity in the arts beyond the College.
The major consists of a minimum of ten courses and three production practicums, creating a breadth of study in performance, production, theater history, and literature. Students studying away at an approved theater-intensive program may apply up to two courses toward the major. These substitutions are determined in consultation with the major adviser.
Requirements
Students must take the following ten courses:
Four core courses
At least one course in performance application
At least one course in theatrical design
At least two courses in theatrical texts
Two other courses in theater at the 300 level, not including individual studies
Majors are required to participate in at least three mainstage productions, taking at least four credit hours of practicum courses in production.
Senior Capstone Projects and Honors Study
Students majoring in theater are strongly encouraged to pursue a senior capstone project that will serve as the culmination of their undergraduate study. The department encourages students to consider ways to integrate a minor or second major, if applicable, into their capstone project. Senior capstones are taken as 400-level individual studies or as a senior seminar, and are proposed and considered during the spring semester of the junior year. All students proposing capstone projects must have completed the 300-level course in their chosen field by the fall semester of their senior year.
Exceptional students who meet the College's requirements and the department's prerequisites may propose a two-semester Honors Study as their capstone. Successful proposals are undertaken with the mentorship of a faculty advisor, and typically embrace creative and/or scholarly research in complement with a performance component.
Both one-semester capstone projects and full-year Honors Studies are undertaken in addition to the major requirements. Capstone/Honors Study requires specific coursework and/or practicum study as well as a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for courses in the major taken during the sophomore or junior year. Students should discuss the relevant details with their major advisers.
The major consists of ten courses:
Four core courses:
Performance Application
At least one course in acting, directing, dramaturgy, or playwriting from among:
Theater 268 formerly 340A
Theatrical Texts:
One of the following:
And any one of the following:
Theatrical Design:
At least one course in theatrical design:
Two 300-level courses in theater
Two other courses in theater at the 300-level, which may include individual studies.
Practicum courses