Theatre Major (B.A.)

Assistant Professors Cuskey, Granger

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

The department produces a balanced season of classical and contemporary plays 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 specifics of race, ethnicity, or gender are required, casting is decided on ability alone. Classes are held in the CDC.

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

To reinforce career-oriented training, all majors are urged to acquire an off-campus internship 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 internship in a regional repertory theatre company. Credit for the New York Arts Program counts as general university credit, not as credits completed in the major. OWU credit for an independent off-campus internship does count in the major.

Learning Objectives

Theatre & Dance students will be able to:

A. Analyze and interpret theatre 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 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, 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

11 units are required:

THEA 126 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
THEA 160 Beginning Acting
One unit from DANC
THEA 256 - Elements of Design
THEA 341 - American Drama and Theatre
THEA 351 - Premodern Theatre in the Modern World
THEA 371 - Modern Drama and Theatre
THEA 369 - Playwriting or THEA 380 - Directing for the Stage
THEA 381 - Theories of Performance
One unit of Theatre Practicum (THEA 237 /THEA 247 /THEA 337 /THEA 347 (Theatre Practicums)
Capstone experience (at least one unit, see below)

All senior Theatre majors must complete a capstone experience for credit (Senior Project) approved by the department. This credit can be earned under THEA 407 - 498 - THEA 497 [Inactive] (Senior Production Projects), THEA 490, THEA 491, THEA 495, or through other internships (including through the New York Arts Program), 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 productions every semester.

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