Affiliation: School of Arts & Letters
Consistent with the liberal arts and sciences mission of the University, the objectives of the Theatre program are as follows:
- To provide a high quality, broadly-based program of study in theatre in the humanistic tradition as the focus of a liberal arts education. Such study shall generally provide the bases of intellectual training and communicative skills that may be applied to a wide area of advanced education and careers.
- To prepare the student for graduate study, advanced professional training, or entry level positions in theatre and its allied fields through instruction and practice in performances skills, theatrical design and technology, dramaturgy, and criticism.
- To offer courses in dramatic literature to enrich the educational experience of students of English and comparative literature.
- To grant opportunities for theatrical study to all students of the University as part of their general education.
- To make available to all students the possibility for extracurricular participation in theatrical productions.
- To foster cultural enrichment for all members of the University community and the general public through high quality public performances of a well-balanced program of world drama.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
The study of theatre provides a focus for a liberal arts education leading to careers and advanced education in many areas. Although the BA in Theatre is not intended to be a conservatory training program in performance or design/technical theatre, the degree program prepares students for professional theatre work, as well as graduate study in theatre and allied fields. Theatre majors will gain hands-on experience in all areas of theatre, through work on theatre productions and in classes.
THEATRE COMMUNICATION
Theatre majors will develop their skills as speakers and writers. Our students write script studies, character analyses, directorial and/or design approach papers, research papers, dramaturgical projects, journals, performance reviews, and other documents that serve to help students cultivate critical thinking and analytical skills. Both oral and written communication are developed through self-and-peer evaluations associated with: scene and monologue performances, individual and group papers and presentations, performance postmortems, and other assignments. Students are encouraged to express themselves with the aid of multi-media and computer-generated designs. Students learn early how to be receptive to feedback, and they receive and contribute to numerous critique sessions in oral, written and video formats, and in both formal and informal interview contexts.