Major
Major requirements
The major in theatre and dance studies is administered jointly by the theatre and English departments. It includes a minimum of twelve courses: eight from theatre and four from English (or other departments offering dramatic literature courses during a given semester–see explanation below).
Three concentrations are available within the major: acting/directing, theatre design and dance. The major must include three courses at or above the 300 level.
With careful planning and appropriate approval, double majors and self-designed majors are also welcome possibilities.
Acting/Directing and Design/Tech
Acting/Directing and Design/Tech major worksheet
Required courses
Theatre
THEA 101 Beginning Acting
THEA 103 Introduction to Theatre
THEA 205 Stagecraft
THEA 275 The History of Western Theatre
THEA 276 Asian Theatre and Performance
THEA 371 Ensemble Experiments
(by department interview only)
or THEA 399 Selected Topics
THREE courses in one of the following areas as specialization:
Acting/Directing
THEA 202 Beginning Directing
THEA 211 Intermediate Acting
THEA 311 Intermediate Directing
THEA 351 Advanced Acting
Design/Tech
THEA 210 Introduction to Design
THEA 302 Introduction to Lighting Design
THEA 310 Intermediate Stage Design
Dramatic Literature
ONE course from:
ENG 309 Shakespeare and the Performance of Cultures
ENG 310 Shakespeare and the Company He Keeps
TWO of the following courses:
THEA 215 Theatre and Social Change
ENG 241 Modern Drama
ENG 246 Modern Irish Literature
ENG 252 Contemporary Drama: The Tip of the Iceberg
CLAS 254 The Drama of Fifth-Century Athens
ENG 273 Malcontents, Monarchy and Revenge in Early Modern Drama
ENG 274 Restoration Theatre and Beyond
ENG 287 Writing for Performance
ENG 288 Playwriting: Form and Craft
MUSC 292 Broadway Bound: American Musical Theatre
ENG 388 Advanced Playwriting
A second semester of Shakespeare.
Dance Track
Required Courses
THEA 103 Introduction to Theatre
THEA 275 The History of Western Theatre
THEA 276 Asian Theatre and Performance
TWO courses in Theatre/Production:
THEA 101 Beginning Acting
THEA 205 Stagecraft
THEA 210 Introduction to Design
THEA 302 Introduction to Lighting Design
TWO courses in Technique:
THEA 110 Jazz Dance
THEA 140 Ballet
MUSC 222 West African Mande Dance and Music
TWO courses in Dance History:
MUSC 262 Vernacular Dance in America
MUSC 292 Broadway Bound: American Musical Theatre
MUSC 315 Politics of Movement
ONE course in World Dance:
MUSC 211 World Music: Eurasia
MUSC 212 World Music: Africa and the Americas
MUSC 221 Music and Dance of South Asia
ONE option from the following:
THEA 320 Dance Company
THEA 399 Selected Topics
Capstone Experience
Theatre Studies and Dance Major
Requirements for students who declared their major in Theatre Studies and Dance before Fall 2009
Theatre and Dance Studies major worksheet
Required courses
English
Four courses from the English Department, including at least one course in Shakespeare (ENG 309 or ENG 310) and three courses from among the following:
ENG 241 Modern Drama
ENG 246 Modern Irish Literature
ENG 249 Hollywood Genres
ENG 258 Introduction to Film Studies
ENG 273 Malcontents, Monarchy and Revenge in Early Modern Drama
ENG 274 Restoration Theatre and Beyond
ENG 287 Writing for Performance
ENG 288 Playwriting: Form and Craft
ENG 348 Sexual Politics of Film Noir
ENG 357 Cinema and the City
ENG 388 Advanced Playwriting
With permission from English and Theatre Department chairs, dramatic literature courses offered through other departments (e.g., MUSC 292 or CLAS 254) may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Theatre
THEA 103 Introduction to Theatre
THEA 275 The History of Western Theatre
THEA 276 Asian Theatre and Performance
THEA 371 Ensemble Experiments
Concentrations
Three credits in one of the following areas of specialization:
Acting/Directing
THEA 101, THEA 202, THEA 211, THEA 311, THEA 351
Theatre Design
THEA 203, THEA 204, THEA 205, THEA 302
Dance
THEA 110 and THEA 140 or four semesters of THEA 320,
and either MUSC 262 or MUSC 292
All acting/directing and dance concentrators must take one course from theatre design. All theatre design concentrators must take one course from either acting/directing or dance.
