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Academic Programs
Whether you want to major, minor, or just take a few classes, the Department of Theatre & Dance is here to help you learn and grow.
Majors & Minors
A total of ten courses are required for the Theatre major:
- 101 – Drama, Stage and Society I
- 102 – Drama Stage and Society II
- 211 – Introduction to Acting
- 221 – Introduction to Directing
- 231 – Stagecraft
- 241 – Introduction to Theatrical Design
- 381 – Junior Seminar
- One course in theatre literature/history/theory
- Two departmental electives
Experiential Learning:
Theatre majors must engage in a range of experiential learning, including items from
four of the categories below, at least one of which must be a THE/DAN practicum course:
- Performance
- Movement
- Design
- Dramaturgy
- Directing
- Event Management
- Backstage Production
- FOH & Publicity
- Leadership & Administration
For more details, consult the Theatre major checklist and/or contact the department chair.
A total of five courses are required for the Theatre minor:
- 101/102 – Drama, Stage and Society I or II
- 211/221 – Introduction to Acting or Directing
- 231/241 – Stagecraft or Introduction to Theatrical Design
- Two departmental electives
Experiential Learning:
Theatre minors must engage in a range of experiential learning, including items from
three of the categories below, at least one of which must be a THE/DAN practicum course:
- Performance
- Movement
- Design
- Dramaturgy
- Directing
- Event Management
- Backstage Production
- FOH & Publicity
- Leadership & Administration
For more details, consult the Theatre minor checklist and/or contact the department chair.
A total of six courses are required for the Dance minor:
- 101 – Dance in Culture and Society
- 233 – Dance Composition
- 305 – Teaching Dance
- Two courses in technique, at least one of which must be at the intermediate level:
227 – Beginning Modern Dance
327 – Intermediate Modern Dance
212 – Beginning Ballet
312 – Intermediate Ballet
- One course (or 4 credits) of electives
- 381 – Dance Portfolio (1 credit)
Experiential Learning:
Dance minors must engage in a range of experiential learning, including items from
four of the categories below, at least one of which must be a THE/DAN practicum course:
- Performance
- Movement
- Design
- Dramaturgy
- Directing
- Event Management
- Backstage Production
- FOH & Publicity
- Leadership & Administration
For more details, consult the Dance minor checklist and/or contact the department chair.
For more info, visit the AME page.
Students who major in theatre and minor in secondary education are eligible to apply for the Teacher Certification Program—which enjoyed a 100% full-time employment rate in 2018 & 2019. For more information, visit the Secondary Education page.
Distribution in Theatre & Dance
Students electing Theatre & Dance as part of their Fine Arts distribution requirement may choose any course except the Theatre/Dance Practicum sequence (THE 181-187, 281-287) and THE/DAN 275 (Arts Administration).
Your Four Years as a Theatre Major
Departmental Learning Goals
Students who graduate with a major in theatre will be able to demonstrate:
Vocabulary
Fluency in the vocabulary of the various disciplines (including acting, directing, design, playwriting, dramaturgy) within the field of theatre
History
Knowledge of the major trends, works and individuals in the history of the theatre
Context
Ability to contextualize theatre trends, works and individuals in historic, geographic, artistic, political and social terms
Critique
Ability to critique and analyze their work and the work of others in a productive and supportive way
Communication
Clear and persuasive communication skills: oral, written, and visual
Analysis
Critical thinking through synthesis of textual and performance analysis and research
Teamwork
Skills in leadership, management, and collaboration
Creativity
The importance of creativity in all aspects of their lives
Self-Awareness
A greater understanding and expansion of their own imaginative tools and resources