Theatre (B.F.A.)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Theatre is an intensive pre-professional curriculum that combines foundational studies, rigorous training and extensive production assignments. The B.F.A. program is divided into two areas: a) performance and b) design and technical theatre including stage management.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the performance program must: 1) satisfy the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University; 2) complete a minimum of forty-five credits, including all program-specific prerequisite courses; 3) be selected for the program through an audition process. Admissions to the performance program typically take place at the end of the Fall semester of a student's sophomore year.
Students seeking admission to the design and technical theatre program must satisfy the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University and be selected for the program through an interview with the faculty.
Program Requirements
Candidates must complete a minimum of 120 credits in course work, including satisfaction of the University General Education requirements, College degree requirements, and seventy-seven credits in theatre courses including the major requirements listed below. The minimum grade for each course required in the major, which must be taken in the Department of Theatre, must be no less than a C-minus in order for the course credit to count toward completion of the degree. B.F.A students must comply with the following department policies – any student who does not meet these standards will be placed on Departmental probation and may be denied continuation in the program: the seventy-seven credits in specified Theatre courses must be completed with grades of C minus or better and a minimum of 3.0 Theatre major g.p.a must be maintained. Students must be current in their plan of work and all Basic Competency courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the Capstone course.Departmental information published in this Bulletin is intended for use in conjunction with advising, but in all cases, regardless of advice given, students are responsible for meeting and satisfying requirements as set forth in this Bulletin.
All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the University and the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees, as well as with the requirements of the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance.
General Education Course Progress
Majors must complete the Basic Composition (BC) and Quantitative Experience (QE) requirement by the time forty-five credits have been earned, the Oral Communication (OC) and Intermediate Composition (IC) requirement by the time sixty credits have been earned. Failure to meet these limits on matriculation will result in the student being placed on departmental probation: the student will be ineligible to be cast in or participate as a member of the artistic/production staff of department productions. Transfer students will be reviewed upon entry into the major for compliance with these standards and advised as needed.
B.F.A. - Performance
Freshman | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credits | |
ENG 1020 | Introductory College Writing (BC) 1 | 3 |
COM 1010 | Oral Communication: Basic Speech (OC) | 3 |
THR 1111 | Fundamentals of Theatre | 3 |
THR 1121 | Play Analysis | 3 |
THR 1411 or THR 1461 | Fundamentals of Crafts: Scenery and Costumes or Fundamentals of Crafts: Lighting and Stage Management | 3 |
THR 1451 | Principles of Makeup (or a Wayne Experience (WE) course) | 1 |
Credits | 16 | |
Winter Semester | ||
Social Inquiry (SI) | 3 | |
Cultural Inquiry (CI) | 3 | |
THR 2651 | Introduction to Life Skills for the Creative Entrepreneur (QE) 2 | 3 |
THR 1211 or THR 1211 | Acting I or Acting I | 3 |
THR 1461 or THR 1411 | Fundamentals of Crafts: Lighting and Stage Management or Fundamentals of Crafts: Scenery and Costumes | 3 |
THR 1451 | Principles of Makeup (or a Wayne Experience (WE) course) | 1 |
Credits | 16 | |
Sophomore | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Intermediate Composition (IC) | 3 | |
Natural Science Inquiry w/ Lab (NSI) | 4 | |
THR 2581 | Theatre Studio - Performance or Theatre Studio - Scenery/Lighting or Theatre Studio - Costumes or Theatre Studio - Stage Management or Theatre Studio - Theatre Management or Theatre Studio - Running Crew or Theatre Studio - Production | 1 |
THR 5841 | Theatre History I | 3 |
THR 2220 | Fundamentals of Voice and Movement 3 or Introduction to Design for the Theatre or Applied Theatre Studies: Community Possibilities or Applied Theatre Studies: Theatre in Education | 3 |
Credits | 14 | |
Winter Semester | ||
Civic Literacy (CIV) | 3 | |
THR 2581 | Theatre Studio - Performance 4 | 1 |
THR 1215 | Acting II | 3 |
THR 2221 | Stage Movement I | 2 |
THR 2231 | Voice Lab I | 2 |
History/Dramatic Literature Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Junior | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Natural Science Inquiry w/o Lab (NSI) | 3 | |
THR 2581 | Theatre Studio - Performance 4 | 1 |
THR 5811 | Development of the Drama I: Greek to Eighteenth Century | 3 |
THR 3211 | Acting III | 3 |
THR 3221 | Stage Movement II | 2 |
THR 3231 | Voice Lab II | 2 |
Credits | 14 | |
Winter Semester | ||
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Inquiry (DEI) | 3 | |
THR 2581 | Theatre Studio - Performance 4 | 1 |
THR 5812 | Development of the Drama II: Nineteenth Century to Modern | 3 |
THR 3215 | Acting IV | 3 |
THR 3225 | Stage Movement III | 2 |
THR 3235 | Voice Lab III | 2 |
Theatre Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Senior | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Global Learning (GL) | 3 | |
THR 3581 | Advanced Theatre Studio - Performance 4 | 1 |
THR 2582 | Theatre Studio - Scenery/Lighting or Theatre Studio - Costumes or Theatre Studio - Stage Management or Theatre Studio - Theatre Management or Theatre Studio - Running Crew or Theatre Studio - Production | 1 |
THR 4211 | Acting V | 3 |
THR 4231 | Voice Lab IV | 2 |
THR 4271 | Acting for the Camera | 3 |
General Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Winter Semester | ||
THR 3581 | Advanced Theatre Studio - Performance 4 | 1 |
THR 2582 | Theatre Studio - Scenery/Lighting or Theatre Studio - Costumes or Theatre Studio - Stage Management or Theatre Studio - Theatre Management or Theatre Studio - Running Crew or Theatre Studio - Production | 1 |
THR 4995 | Theatre Capstone: Performance | 3 |
THR 4221 | Stage Movement IV | 2 |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
- 1
Placement by test scores. Must take ENG 1010 first if: ACT English < 21, SAT EBRW < 520, or SAT Writing < 480.
- 2
See the General Education of the Undergraduate Bulletin for other QE options.
- 3
If THR 2301 isn't offered, THR 2611 or THR 5311 can be substituted in its place.
- 4
Each THR 2581-87 course can be taken a max of 3 times. Matching THR 3581-87 courses can be taken as Theatre Electives. Students must complete a minimum of 6 THR 2581-87 courses (may vary for transfer students).
Actors must complete at least 3 non-Performance Theatre Studios.
Elective Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Theatre Studio | ||
THR 2580 | Theatre Laboratory 1 | 1 |
THR 2581 | Theatre Studio - Performance | 1 |
THR 2582 | Theatre Studio - Scenery/Lighting | 1 |
THR 2583 | Theatre Studio - Costumes | 1 |
THR 2584 | Theatre Studio - Stage Management | 1 |
THR 2585 | Theatre Studio - Theatre Management | 1 |
THR 2586 | Theatre Studio - Running Crew | 1 |
THR 2587 | Theatre Studio - Production | 1 |
Dramatic/Literature Electives | ||
THR 1030 | Introduction to Black Theatre and Performance | 3 |
THR 1041 | Musical Theatre Appreciation | 3 |
THR 5821 | Black Dramatic Literature and Performance | 3 |
THR 5831 | Pioneers of the Modern Theatre | 3 |
Performance Electives | ||
THR 2251 | Musical Theatre Performance I | 3 |
THR 3561 | WSU Touring Theatre | 1 |
THR 3731 | Applied Theatre Studies: Community Possibilities | 3 |
THR 3735 | Applied Theatre Studies: Theatre in Education | 3 |
THR 3738 | Applied Theatre Practicum | 1-4 |
THR 5711 | Play Direction | 3 |
THR 5721 | Playwriting | 3 |
THR 5751 | Study Abroad: Moscow Art Theatre School | 1-3 |
Design/Tech/Management Electives | ||
THR 2301 | Introduction to Design for the Theatre | 3 |
THR 2611 | Stage Management | 3 |
THR 3322 | Introduction to Costuming | 2 |
THR 3651 | Principles of Theatre Management | 3 |
THR 3671 | Theatre Management: Marketing and Public Relations | 3 |
THR 3675 | Theatre Management: Marketing Design and Layout | 3 |
THR 3681 | Theatre Management: Patron Services and Development | 3 |
THR 5311 | Stage Design | 3 |
THR 5331 | Entertainment Design - Lighting I | 2 |
THR 5422 | Introduction to Scene Painting | 3 |
- 1
All students in THR 2580 must drop the course after casting and register for a THR 2581 - 2587 course.
- 2
All courses in the department could serve as an elective in consultation with an academic advisor.
B.F.A. - Design and Technical Theatre
Freshman | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credits | |
ENG 1020 | Introductory College Writing 1 | 3 |
COM 1010 | Oral Communication: Basic Speech | 3 |
THR 1111 | Fundamentals of Theatre | 3 |
THR 1211 or THR 1121 | Acting I or Play Analysis | 3 |
THR 1411 or THR 1461 | Fundamentals of Crafts: Scenery and Costumes or Fundamentals of Crafts: Lighting and Stage Management | 3 |
THR 1451 | Principles of Makeup (or a Wayne Experience (WE) course) | 1 |
Credits | 16 | |
Winter Semester | ||
Social Inquiry (SI) | 3 | |
Cultural Inquiry (CI) | 3 | |
THR 2651 | Introduction to Life Skills for the Creative Entrepreneur 2 | 3 |
THR 1121 or THR 1211 | Play Analysis or Acting I | 3 |
THR 1461 or THR 1411 | Fundamentals of Crafts: Lighting and Stage Management or Fundamentals of Crafts: Scenery and Costumes | 3 |
THR 1451 | Principles of Makeup (or a Wayne Experience (WE) course) | 1 |
Credits | 16 | |
Sophomore | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Intermediate Composition (IC) | 3 | |
Natural Science Inquiry w/ Lab (NSI) | 3 | |
THR 2581 | Theatre Studio - Performance or Theatre Studio - Scenery/Lighting or Theatre Studio - Costumes or Theatre Studio - Stage Management or Theatre Studio - Theatre Management or Theatre Studio - Running Crew or Theatre Studio - Production | 1 |
THR 5841 | Theatre History I | 3 |
THR 2220 | Fundamentals of Voice and Movement or Design Skills - Drafting I or Introduction to Costuming or Stage Management Studio - Principles or Applied Theatre Studies: Community Possibilities or Applied Theatre Studies: Theatre in Education | 2-3 |
General Elective 3 | 3 | |
Credits | 15-16 | |
Winter Semester | ||
Civic Literacy (CIV) | 3 | |
THR 2587 | Theatre Studio - Production | 1 |
Design Elective | 2 | |
Design/Tech Elective | 3 | |
History/Dramatic Literature Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Junior | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Natural Science Inquiry w/o Lab (NSI) | 3 | |
THR 3570 | Technical Theatre Problems | 2 |
THR 5811 | Development of the Drama I: Greek to Eighteenth Century | 3 |
Design Elective | 2 | |
Design/Tech Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Winter Semester | ||
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Inquiry (DEI) | 3 | |
THR 3570 | Technical Theatre Problems | 2 |
THR 5812 | Development of the Drama II: Nineteenth Century to Modern | 3 |
Design/Tech Elective | 3 | |
Design/Tech Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Senior | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Global Learning (GL) | 3 | |
THR 3570 | Technical Theatre Problems | 2 |
Design/Tech Elective | 3 | |
Design/Tech Elective | 3 | |
Theatre Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Winter Semester | ||
THR 3570 | Technical Theatre Problems | 2 |
THR 4996 | Theatre Capstone: Design and Technology | 3 |
Design/Tech Elective | 3 | |
Theatre Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Total Credits | 120-121 |
- 1
Placement by test scores. Must take ENG 1010 first if: ACT English < 21, SAT EBRW < 520, or SAT Writing < 480.
- 2
See the General Education of the Undergraduate Bulletin for other QE options.
- 3
Interchangeable based on load/offerings.
Elective Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Theatre Studio | ||
THR 2580 | Theatre Laboratory 1 | 1 |
THR 2581 | Theatre Studio - Performance | 1 |
THR 2582 | Theatre Studio - Scenery/Lighting | 1 |
THR 2583 | Theatre Studio - Costumes | 1 |
THR 2584 | Theatre Studio - Stage Management | 1 |
THR 2585 | Theatre Studio - Theatre Management | 1 |
THR 2586 | Theatre Studio - Running Crew | 1 |
THR 2587 | Theatre Studio - Production | 1 |
Dramatic/Literature Electives | ||
THR 1030 | Introduction to Black Theatre and Performance | 3 |
THR 1041 | Musical Theatre Appreciation | 3 |
THR 5821 | Black Dramatic Literature and Performance | 3 |
THR 5831 | Pioneers of the Modern Theatre | 3 |
THR 5842 | Theatre History II | 3 |
Design Elective | ||
THR 3315 | Entertainment Design - Scenery I | 2 |
THR 3325 | Entertainment Design - Costume I | 2 |
THR 3331 | Entertainment Design - Lighting I | 2 |
THR 4311 | Entertainment Design - Scenery II | 2 |
THR 4321 | Entertainment Design - Costume II | 2 |
THR 4331 | Entertainment Design - Lighting II | 2 |
THR 3601 | Stage Management Studio - Principles | 2 |
THR 3603 | Stage Management Studio - AEA Contracts | 2 |
THR 3605 | Stage Management Studio - Health and Safety | 2 |
THR 4601 | Stage Management Studio: Event Management | 2 |
THR 4603 | Stage Management Studio - Commerce of Theatre | 2 |
THR 4605 | Stage Management Studio - Performance Management | 2 |
Theatre Electives | ||
THR 3731 | Applied Theatre Studies: Community Possibilities | 3 |
THR 3735 | Applied Theatre Studies: Theatre in Education | 3 |
THR 3738 | Applied Theatre Practicum | 1-4 |
THR 5711 | Play Direction | 3 |
THR 5721 | Playwriting | 3 |
Design/Tech/Management Electives 2 | ||
ADR 1050 | Drawing I | 3 |
ADR 1060 | Drawing II | 3 |
AFA 2410 | Textiles | 3 |
COM 1600 | Introduction to Audio-Television-Film Production | 3 |
MUT 1100 | Elementary Music Theory | 3 |
THR 3301 | Design Skills - Drafting I | 3 |
THR 3303 | Design Skills - Drafting II | 3 |
THR 3315 | Entertainment Design - Scenery I | 2 |
THR 3325 | Entertainment Design - Costume I | 2 |
THR 3331 | Entertainment Design - Lighting I | 2 |
THR 3341 | Design Skills - Digital I | 2 |
THR 3351 | Visual Communication - Scenery and Lighting | 2 |
THR 3352 | Visual Communication - Costumes | 2 |
THR 3603 | Stage Management Studio - AEA Contracts | 2 |
THR 3605 | Stage Management Studio - Health and Safety | 2 |
THR 3651 | Principles of Theatre Management | 3 |
THR 4315 | Entertainment Design - Scenery III | 2 |
THR 4342 | Design Skills - Digital II | 1 |
THR 4371 | Entertainment Design - Projection Design | 2 |
THR 4601 | Stage Management Studio: Event Management | 2 |
THR 4603 | Stage Management Studio - Commerce of Theatre | 2 |
THR 4605 | Stage Management Studio - Performance Management | 2 |
THR 5422 | Introduction to Scene Painting | 3 |
THR 5426 | Advanced Scene Painting | 3 |
- 1
All students in THR 2580 must drop the course after casting and register for a THR 2581 - 2587 course.
- 2
Additional Design/Tech/Management Electives may be taken in consultation with design area mentor.
Theatre Honors Programs (B.F.A degrees)
In order to enter the Departmental honors program students must have achieved academic excellence in previous work, such as a high school g.p.a. of 3.5 or a college or university g.p.a. of 3.3. Students must meet all regular major requirements including: the three of the following honors-option courses within their major taught by full-time faculty members (internships cannot satisfy this requirement), at least one 42XX honors seminar offered through the Honors College, a senior honors thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor in their major area (THR 4998) and maintain a minimum g.p.a. of 3.3 cumulative and in the major.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Departmental Honors in Theatre (fifteen credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select the Honors Option in three of the following: | 9 | |
Theatre History I | ||
Development of the Drama I: Greek to Eighteenth Century | ||
Theatre History II | ||
Black Dramatic Literature and Performance | ||
Makers of the Modern Theatre | ||
Development of the Drama II: Nineteenth Century to Modern | ||
Playwriting | ||
Students may select the Honors Option in one of the following B.F.A. courses (three credits) to substitute for a course in the above requirement: | ||
Introduction to Design for the Theatre | ||
Acting IV | ||
or THR 4211 | Acting V | |
Stage Design | ||
Entertainment Design - Costume I | ||
Entertainment Design - Lighting I | ||
THR 4998 | Capstone Honors Thesis | 3 |
HON 42XX Honors Seminar | 3 | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Student must maintain an overall 3.3 g.p.a.
For additional information, students should consult the Irvin D. Reid Honors College.