Implementation Date: 2010
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
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MISSION
The Department of Theatre strives to inspire our students to expand their vision of the world and themselves through the study and practice of the craft of theatre, preparing them for leadership as practitioners, educators, and artists.
The mission is accomplished in a two-fold manner. First, we promote creativity, inquisitiveness, critical thinking, communication skills (oral and written), and cultural appreciation through the study of theatre. Second, we teach the specific craft of theatre-making through classroom experience, individual and collaborative study, and actualized stage productions, all emphasizing the particular skills necessary for the generation of high-quality stage performance. Students learn to participate in current critical discourse while engaging with the theory, history and material conditions of performance, and broaden their personal horizons as they encounter a range of ideas and issues - political, social, and aesthetic - through the unique art form which is theatre. The program thus creates a rigorous intellectual environment firmly rooted in the theatrical art form.
From this broad-based grounding in the fundamentals of the medium, students can then opt to specialize in one of the component subfields: history and theory, dramaturgy, playwriting, acting, directing, production, and design. In addition these fundamentals will also prepare students who so wish to specialize in theater education with the goal of obtaining a North Carolina teaching license. Throughout their training, students work both as faculty-mentored individuals and in collaborative groups, so that in addition to making significant contributions to the cultural life of the campus through departmental productions, they emerge ready for theatrical internships, graduate programs or for any profession which places value on independent thinking, confidence, and communication skills.
The department awards the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Theatre Education. A minor in Theatre is available, and North Carolina K-12 teacher licensure can also be earned. In conjunction with the College of Education, the Department also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching Theatre.
The department presents a season of mainstage and lab theatre (blackbox) productions as well as a second "shoestring" series of performances and events, classroom projects, student-driven works, and original collaborations. Auditions are open to all members of the University community. Productions and classes are held in Robinson Hall, which contains three performance spaces and specialized rehearsal, design, and construction laboratories, as well as additional classrooms and department offices.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE
A major in Theatre leading to the B.A. degree consists of 50 semester hours including:
32 hours in the departmental core:
- THEA 1140 The Theatre Experience
- THEA 1201 Theatre Collaboration
- THEA 1202 Introduction to Technical Theatre
- THEA 2140 Play Analysis
- THEA 2141 Dramaturgy I (W)
- THEA 2200 Introduction to Design for the Stage
- THEA 2201 Acting I (O)
- THEA 2401 Production Practicum (two of these)
- THEA 2402 Performance Practicum: Theatre OR a third THEA 2401 Production Practicum
- THEA 3130 Ancient and Medieval Theatre OR THEA 3131 Renaissance Theatre
- THEA 3132 17th to Early 20th Century Theatre OR THEA 3133 Contemporary Theatre
- THEA 3600 Junior Seminar
- THEA 4600 Senior Project
Plus 18 hours of electives (THEA XXXX). Of these electives, there must be one in each area of Performance, Theatre Studies and Design or Production. At least two of the courses must be at the 4000-level. Students may choose to follow a prescribed emphasis in Design, Production, Performance or Theatre Studies.
MINOR IN THEATRE
A minor in Theatre requires 23 semester hours including:
- THEA 1202 Introduction to Technical Theatre
- THEA 2201 Acting I (O)
- THEA 2140 Play Analysis
- THEA 2200 Introduction to Design for the Stage
- THEA 2401 Production Practicum
- Choice of: THEA 2402 Performance Practicum: Theatre OR a second THEA 2401 Production Practicum
- Choice of: THEA 3130, THEA 3131, THEA 3132, OR THEA 3133
- THEA XXXX (6 hours of theatre electives)
Students enrolled in the major or minor are required to register for THEA 1600 Majors and Minors Seminar every semester. All the above requirements must be completed with no more than one grade of D and a GPA of at least 2.5 in the major or minor.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE EDUCATION (K-12)
Admission to the Theatre Education Program. Students entering the Theatre Education Program will be admitted as Pre-Theatre Education (PTED). Students wishing to major in Theatre Education (TEDU) must be approved for admission to the major by meeting department and statewide teacher education program admission requirements. The criteria for admission include 45 earned credit hours, a GPA of 2.75 or higher, a grade of C or better in MDSK 2100, passing scores on the SAT, ACT, or Praxis I tests, and the recommendation of their Theatre Education advisor. Students should apply for admission to the Theatre Education program during their sophomore year, and they must complete the admissions process in order to enroll in any upper level education or Theatre Education courses at the 3000 level or higher. Once students are admitted to the Theatre Education Program their major designation will change from PTED to TEDU.
The major in Theatre Education consists of 87 semester hours and leads to (K-12) teacher licensure. In addition to completing the core coursework for the major in Theatre, Theatre Education majors must take a performance practicum and a total of three production practicum (one each in costumes, scenery and lighting) and complete the following professional education requirements:
- THEA 1160 Creative Drama for the Classroom Teacher
- THEA 1860 Preliminary Experience in Student Teaching
- THEA 2215 Stage Make-up
- THEA 2460 Practicum in Creative Drama: K-8
- THEA 2640 Stage Management
- THEA 3221 Directing I
- THEA 3230 Scenic Design I
- THEA 4160 Theatre for Youth
- THEA 4165 Methods of Facilitating Learning in Theatre Arts (W)
- THEA 4460 Practicum in Secondary School Play Production: 9-12
- THEA 4467 Student Teaching/Seminar: K-12 Fine and Performing Arts: Theatre (in lieu of THEA 4600 Senior Project required for the B.A. in Theatre)
- MDSK 2100 Diversity and Inclusion in Secondary Schools
- ELED 3120 The Elementary School Child
- EIST 4100 Computer Applications in Education
- EDUC 4290 Modifying Instruction for Learners with Diverse Needs
Students are required to register for THEA 1600 Majors and Minors Seminar every semester, except the semester they are student teaching. Students must complete all the above coursework with a grade of C or better and a GPA of 2.75 in the major.
Students seeking theatre licensure should plan to apply to the Theatre Education major by the end of the sophomore year. A later decision to seek licensure may result in a delayed graduation date. A GPA of 2.75 is required for admission to student teaching. Licensure applications are the responsibility of the student and the Teacher Education, Advising, and Licensure (TEAL) Office in the College of Education