Theatre, B.A.
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre combines a liberal arts education with professionally-focused training.
We believe that theatre artists are makers, creators, devisers, designers, writers, leaders, activists and entertainers. So, at the heart of our program is the belief that every student should be given the training and resources they need to realize a unique vision for their life, education, and creative work.
Our major is the place to train intensively as an actor; join an entirely student-produced, designed, and directed Studio Theatre; write, devise, and produce your own work; train as a designer using state-of-the-art technology; and develop a scholarly understanding of culture and art. Students are admitted to the major based on an audition or interview, or what we call our “gateway” process; and graduates enjoy an excellent record of placement in jobs at professional theatres on Broadway and off-Broadway, in film and television, and as teachers, theatre makers, and leaders in the arts.
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.
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 to meet the visual and performing arts requirements. Dance majors cannot take DANC 215 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 the Theatre, B.A.
Degree Requirements
| Degree Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education 1 | 41 |
| Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 2 | 0-12 |
| Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) | 3 |
| Theatre major requirements 3 | 45-48 |
| University electives | 16-31 |
| Total | 120 |
- 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| STAD 171 | Performance Production | 3 |
| STAD 273 | Design Aspects of Performance | 3 |
| Dance Requirement | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 2 | |
| Elementary Modern Dance (0,4) | ||
| Elementary Ballet (0, 4) | ||
| International Folk Dance (0, 4) | ||
| Ballroom Dance (0, 4) | ||
| Jazz Dance (0, 4) | ||
| Tap Dance (0, 4) | ||
| Dance Improvisation (0, 4) | ||
| Subtotal | 8 | |
| Theatre and Performance | ||
| THEA 211 | Performance Analysis | 3 |
| THEA 251 | Acting I: Basic Acting | 3 |
| THEA 315 | World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances I | 3 |
| THEA 316 | World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances II | 3 |
| THEA 317 | World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances III | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Theatre Practica | ||
| Students may apply 4 credit hours from the following courses towards the major requirements. Students may only apply one credit hour from any given area (scenery, lights, costumes, management, performance and sound) towards the major requirements. Students may only enroll in one 200-level and one 300-level course each semester. | 4 | |
| Theatre Practicum: Scenery [Block] | ||
or THEA 304 | Theatre Practicum: Scenery | |
| Theatre Practicum: Lights [Block] | ||
or THEA 305 | Theatre Practicum: Lights | |
| Theatre Practicum: Costumes [Block] | ||
or THEA 306 | Theatre Practicum: Costumes | |
| Theatre Practicum: Management [Block] | ||
or THEA 307 | Theatre Practicum: Management | |
| Theatre Practicum: Performance [Block] | ||
or THEA 308 | Theatre Practicum: Performance | |
| Theatre Practicum: Sound [Block] | ||
or THEA 312 | Theatre Practicum: Sound | |
| Theatre Education Practicum | ||
| Subtotal | 4 | |
| Professional Requirement | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Issues in Education | ||
| Professional Issues for Designers and Technicians | ||
| Professional Pathways | ||
| Senior Seminar in Theatre and Honors in Theatre | ||
| Auditioning and Professional Issues | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Performance Requirement | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Acting II: Intermediate Acting | ||
| Directing for the Theatre 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Design/Technology Requirement | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Stage Management | ||
| Technical Theatre | ||
| Technical Costuming | ||
| Costume and Fashion History | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Stage Lighting | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Scene Design | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Electives or Concentration | ||
| Students select 9 credits of THEA electives not already applied to the major, or choose one of the following concentrations: | 9-12 | |
Design/Technology Concentration | ||
New Work Concentration | ||
Performance Concentration | ||
Theatre Education and Teaching Artistry Concentration | ||
| Subtotal | 9-12 | |
| Total Credits | 45-48 | |
- 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose two of the following not already applied to the major: | 6 | |
| Costume Design | ||
| Stage Lighting | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Scene Design | ||
| Choose one of the following not already applied to the major: | 3 | |
| Technical Theatre | ||
| Technical Costuming | ||
| Costume and Fashion History | ||
| History, Theory and Practice of Stage Makeup | ||
| Advanced Design | ||
| Advanced Technical Theatre | ||
| Stage Management | ||
| Directed Projects 1 | ||
or THEA 490 | Special Studies in Theatre | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 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.
New Work Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| THEA 347 | Playwriting | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Topics in Theatre | ||
| Directing for the Theatre | ||
| Dramaturgy | ||
| Advanced Playwriting | ||
| Alternative Performance | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Performance Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 296 | Studio Production for Performance Concentrators | 1 |
| or THEA 396 | Studio Directing, Design and Collaboration for Performance Concentrators | |
| THEA 452 | Acting III: Contemporary Scene Study | 3 |
| THEA 453 | Acting IV: Approach to Heightened Language | 3 |
| THEA 460 | Auditioning and Professional Issues | 3 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAD 322 | Equity, Inclusion and Access in Education and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 319 | Theatre Teaching Methods | 3 |
| THEA 323 | Youth Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 325 | Professional Issues in Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| STAD 171 | Performance Production | 3 |
| THEA 211 | Performance Analysis | 3 |
| THEA 251 | Acting I: Basic Acting | 3 |
| Practicum (Students will take 1 credit of practicum this year) 1 | 1 | |
| Dance Requirement | 2 | |
| General Education (beginning with Madison Foundations) and B.A. language requirements | 18 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Second Year | ||
| STAD 273 | Design Aspects of Performance | 3 |
| THEA 315 | World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances I | 3 |
| THEA 316 | World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances II | 3 |
| THEA 355 | Directing for the Theatre | 3 |
| Practicum (Students will take 2 credits of practicum this year) 1 | 2 | |
| Choose one Design / Technology Course | 3 | |
| General Education and/or B.A. Philosophy/Language Requirement | 12 | |
| Credits | 29 | |
| Third Year | ||
| THEA 317 | World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances III | 3 |
| Theatre Electives | 6 | |
| General Education, Concentration or University Electives | 21 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Issues in Education | ||
| Professional Issues for Designers and Technicians | ||
| Professional Pathways | ||
| Senior Seminar in Theatre and Honors in Theatre |
||
| Auditioning and Professional Issues | ||
| Practicum (Students will take 1 credit of practicum this year) 1 | 1 | |
| Theatre Major Requirements | 9 | |
| Electives or General Education | 18 | |
| Credits | 31 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |