Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree is a flexible program that combines academic and production work. Students explore and hone skills related to text analysis, production conceptualization, design, construction, acting, voice, dance, management and directing.
Delivery Mode
Traditional (on campus)
Accreditation and Affiliation
This program is accredited the National Association of Schools of Theatre. It has also earned Educational Affiliate status with Estill Voice International®. Students can elect to pursue their Certificate of Proficiency in EVT prior to graduation.
Curriculum
| Course | Credits |
| General Education Courses | 40 or 41 |
| Building a Sense of Community UNI 100 First-Year Seminar |
1 |
| Composition ENG 101 English Composition I |
3 |
| Public Speaking Any Public Speaking Course |
3 |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy Any Mathematics or Quantitative Literacy Course |
3 |
| Health and Wellness HSC 315 First Aid and Personal Safety (recommended) OR Any Course on Menu |
3 |
| Technological Literacy Any Technological Literacy Course |
3 |
| Humanities Any Humanities Course |
3 |
| Fine Arts Any Fine Arts Course |
3 |
| Natural Sciences Any Natural Sciences Course |
3 |
| Social Sciences Any Social Sciences Course |
3 |
General Education Options
|
12 |
| Required Core Courses | 27 |
| THE 131 Fundamentals of Acting | 3 |
| THE 141 Stagecraft I | 3 |
| THE 150 Introduction to Theatrical Design | 3 |
| THE 302 History of Theatre I | 3 |
| THE 304 World Drama OR THE 306 Modern Drama OR ENG 425 Shakespeare | 3 |
| THE 312 History of Theatre II | 3 |
| THE 320 Fundamentals of Directing | 3 |
| THE 450 Practicum: Senior Thesis | 3 |
| DAN 131 Foundations of Dance | 3 |
| Theatre Electives (select three courses) | 9 |
| Theatre Practicum Electives |
6 |
| Additional Electives/Minor | 38 |
| Total | 120 |
Additional requirements, not counted toward the General Education requirements, include:
- Special Experience Course (1 course required): Any 3-credit Special Experience Course
- Writing-Intensive Component Courses (2 courses required): THE 312 Theatre History II AND Select from: THE 304, THE 306 or ENG 425
- Laboratory Course (1 course required): Any Laboratory Course
Program Notes: Minimum GPA 2.0; Minimum credits 120. At least 42 credits (14 courses) must be advanced courses.
Additional Requirements
Theatre majors are required to take practicum credits, which give them practical experience in various areas of production: acting, dance, design, directing, dramaturgy, outreach, stage management, technical production and technical direction. As students advance in their training, they have the opportunity to be awarded significant production responsibility working alongside faculty as a member of the artistic team. Opportunities include:
- Full production direction
- Design
- Technical direction
- Choreography
- Playwriting
- Dramaturgy
Special Recommendations
A minor in art, arts administration, event planning, music, psychology, sociology or social work is recommended for those majoring in theatre.
Program Webpage
https://www.calu.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelors/theater/index.aspx