Theatre Major

Professors Denny, Kahn, Vanderbilt
Assistant Professor Smith

The goals of the Department of Theatre & Dance are to provide a liberal arts education, to provide pre-professional training in theatre and dance, to provide a cultural environment for the community, and to provide opportunities for creative and research activities. Theatre and dance are particularly related to the liberal arts because they embrace so many aspects of the human experience and comment so vividly on the human condition. Encompassed in the department’s approach to the arts of theatre and dance is concern for the education of the individual and for career-oriented training.

The department produces a balanced season of classical and contemporary plays and dance performances in the Main Theatre and Studio Theatre of the Chappelear Drama Center. Participation in these productions is open to the entire University community. Except in works where race, ethnicity, or gender is required, casting is decided on ability alone. Classes are held in the CDC, as well as the Jannuzi Dance Studio in the Simpson-Querrey Fitness Center. This state-of-the-art studio offers a large and fully sprung hardwood floor.

Courses in the department are designed to include all aspects of theatre and dance, from history and theory through all phases of performance and production. Majors are required to have an inclusive theatre and dance experience, as well as a liberal arts education.

To reinforce career-oriented training, all majors are urged to acquire an off-campus apprenticeship or study experience during the junior year or the first semester of the senior year. Those with an interest in theatre history might consider a research program or a junior year abroad in Europe. Majors with interests in acting/directing, design/production, or dance should consider the New York Arts Program or an independent off-campus apprenticeship in a regional repertory theatre or dance company. Credit for the New York Arts Program counts as general university credit, not as credits completed in the major. Credit for an independent off-campus apprenticeship does count in the major.

Theatre and dance courses fulfill University distribution requirements in Humanities (III) and Fine Arts (IV) as designated in the course descriptions below. Theatre and Dance majors must complete the following distribution requirements: two units from Group I , two units from Group II , two units from outside the Department of Theatre & Dance in Group III , and one unit from outside the Department of Theatre & Dance in Group IV .

Learning Objectives

Theatre & Dance students will be able to:

A. Analyze and interpret theatre and dance texts and practices within the context of artistic and social movements throughout time and cultures.

B. Improve and refine written, oral, and visual literacies, particularly as they pertain to the performing arts.

C. Understand the theories behind discipline-specific processes and apply them to the creation of theatre and dance performances.

D. Develop creative, collaborative, and critical thinking capabilities and apply these skills in pre-professional production environments.

E. Develop and apply knowledge and skills in a particular area(s) into a senior project aligned with those interests and demonstrating proficiency with them.

F. Prepare to apply knowledge and skills to and for jobs in theatre and dance, graduate-level study, professional internships, or positions in education or other related fields informed by the student’s additional major(s) and/or minor(s).

Major Requirements

Normally, 11 units are required, including THEA 126 - Introduction to Technical Theatre , THEA 210 - Beginning Acting , one unit from DANC (not DANC 220 ), THEA 256 - Elements of Design , THEA 341 - American Drama and Theatre , THEA 351 - Drama and Theatre to 1700 , THEA 371 - Modern Drama and Theatre , THEA 369 - Playwriting or THEA 380 - Directing for the Stage , THEA 381 - Theories of Performance , one unit of Practicum from THEA 237 /THEA 247 or THEA 337 /THEA 347 (Theatre Practicums), and at least one credit for a capstone experience, which may be earned in or outside the department.

All senior Theatre and Dance majors must complete a capstone experience for credit (Senior Project). This credit can be earned under THEA 407 - 498 - THEA 497 (Senior Production Projects), THEA 490 , THEA 491 , THEA 495 , DANC 445 , or through other internships, student teaching, or off-campus study. Students pursuing any off-campus internships must be approved by the department before applying.

Note(s):

Majors should be involved in theatre production every semester.

To qualify as a candidate for Phi Beta Kappa, students choosing the Theatre or Dance degrees must complete all additional distribution requirements.