Oct 09, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Theatre, B.A.


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Program Description


The School of Theatre and Dance  offers a B.A. in theatre. A theatre major must fulfill degree and major requirements.

Special Admission and Retention Requirements


Admission to the dance, theatre and musical theatre majors are competitive and an audition/interview is required. Please see the School of Theatre and Dance  website for more information: https://www.jmu.edu/theatredance/apply/index.shtml.

All School of Theatre and Dance  majors must complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree and must complete the General Education  program. Theatre/Musical Theatre majors cannot take THEA 210. Introduction to Theatre [C2VPA] to meet the visual and performing arts requirements. Dance majors cannot take DANC 215. The Dance Experience [C2VPA] to meet the visual and performing arts requirement. Courses from other academic units may not be counted both for the School of Theatre and Dance  majors and for another major. 

A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses that apply to a major in the School of Theatre and Dance .

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements Credit Hours
General Education  1 41
Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 2 0-14
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education  courses) 3
University electives 8-28
Major requirements 39
Major electives or concentration 3

Total

9-15

120

Footnotes


1 Some General Education  courses may be fulfilled by requirements within the major.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures’​ placement test.
3 Includes nine credit hours of theatre electives or 9-15 credit hours of concentration-specific courses.​​

Major Requirements


All students pursuing a B.A. degree in theatre must complete the core requirements.

Core Requirements Total: 8 Credit Hours

Choose four of the following: 4 Credit Hours


(One credit each from scenery, lighting, costumes, management or performance)

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours


Performance Requirements: 3 Credit Hours


(Choose one)

Design/Technology Requirements: 3 Credit Hours


(Choose one)

Major Requirements Total: 39 Credit Hours


Footnote


1 Theatre Education students must take THEA 355  to fulfill VA licensure requirements.

Concentrations


Theatre majors may fulfill the requirements for one or more concentrations or complete nine THEA credits not already applied to the major. Students may be admitted into multiple concentrations or may be admitted into the theatre major, but not admitted into a specific concentration. Concentrations are not required. Interviews and/or auditions into concentrations can happen at the same time as interviews and/or auditions into the theatre major. Alternatively, incoming students may be admitted as un-concentrated theatre majors and audition/interview for a concentration later in their first year or in a subsequent year.

Design/Technology Concentration


Choose two courses not already applied to the major:


Footnote


1 No more than four hours of practicums (THEA 390 THEA 490 THEA 499 ) may be applied to the theatre major, and no more than 10 hours of special studies (including practicums) may be applied to the theatre major.

Design/Technology Concentration Total: 9 Credit Hours


New Work Concentration


Required Course: 3 Credit Hours


Choose two of the following: 6 Credit Hours


New Work Concentration Total: 9 Credit Hours


Performance Concentration Total: 10 Credit Hours


Theatre Education and Teaching Artistry Concentration


This concentration requires 12 THEA/STAD credits. Students who complete the theatre education and teaching artistry concentration are able to apply for the PreK-12 teaching licensure in theatre program; however, they will need to complete 26 additional credits within the Theatre Teaching Licensure  program to be eligible for licensure. 

Refer to the Theatre Teaching Licensure  page for licensure requirements.

Theatre Education and Teaching Artistry Concentration Total: 12 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule for Majors


First Year


First Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Second Year


Second Year Total: 32 Credit Hours


Third Year


Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


Fourth Year Total: 28 Credit Hours


Program Total: 120 Credit Hours


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