Theatre Arts Major (BA)
College: College of Arts & Humanities
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze text in writing and through presentation, design and performance. (Effective Communication)
- Effectively present their creative ideas in an appropriate way (Effective Communication)
- Interview and audition professionally (Effective Communication)
- Synthesize, integrate and apply their knowledge to practice situations. (Critical and Creative Thinking)
- Find innovative and/or practice ways to evaluate and solve problems. (Critical and Creative Thinking).
- Assess the relationship between a text, its historical importance and contemporary relevance, and develop their own interpretation. (Critical and Creative Thinking)
- Understand the centrality of collaboration in the creation of theatre.(Collaboration)
- Work in a variety of teams to creatively solve problems and produce quality theatre (Collaboration)
- Successfully lead a team with respective and professionalism (Collaboration)
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of theatre history and dramatic literature, as well as an understanding of contemporary theatrical practices (Knowledge across Disciplinary Areas)
- Demonstrate basic skills in technical theatre, including costumecraft, stagecraft, and basic lighting. (Knowledge across Disciplinary Areas)
- Demonstrate basic knowledge in performance and directing. (Knowledge across Disciplinary Areas)
- Integrate and apply their learning experiences and skills to professional work in theatre or other related occupations. (Professionalism)
- Develop a clear and honest assessment of their own skills and talents along with an ability to articulate those skills to employers. (Professionalism)
- Present themselves and their work outside of the university concurrent with professional standards for this art form. (Professionalism)
- Recognize the power of theatre for social change and articulate and demonstrate a sense of personal and social responsibility both to the professional and to the work at large. (Professionalism)
Requirements for the Theatre Arts Major
Once accepted as a major, students are expected to maintain a minimum 2.5 overall GPA, a minimum 2.75 GPA in the theatre arts major, and meet all departmental policies and expectations, which are outlined in the student handbook.
All theatre arts majors must complete the core curriculum and choose one of the two options of study that are available to complete the major requirements.
Option I: B.A. in theatre arts (generalist)
Option II: B.A. in theatre arts with professional training concentrations in one or more of the following areas: acting, musical theatre, design and technology, directing, or stage management.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Theatre Arts Core Curriculum | ||
| THEA 10 | Theatre Practicum I | 1 |
| THEA 12 | Theatre Practicum II | 1 |
| or THEA 10 | Theatre Practicum I | |
| THEA 14 | Performance Practicum | 1 |
| THEA 50 | Company Participation | 0 |
| THEA 100 | Theatre Arts Seminar | 1 |
| THEA 121 | Theatrical Makeup | 3 |
| THEA 125 | Acting I: Fundamentals of Acting | 3 |
| THEA 132 | Stagecraft | 4 |
| THEA 133 | Costumecraft | 4 |
| THEA 150 | Text Analysis for the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 160 | Principles of Theatrical Design | 3 |
| THEA 310 | Directing I | 3 |
| THEA 355 | Theatre History and Literature to 1660 | 3 |
| THEA 356 | Theatre History and Literature from 1660-1915 | 3 |
| THEA 357 | Theatre History and Literature from 1915 to Today | 3 |
| THEA 363 | Lighting and Projection Design I | 3 |
| or THEA 373 | Scenic Design I | |
| or THEA 383 | Costume Design I | |
| or MUSP 350 | Sound Design | |
| THEA 385 | Portfolio Development | 3 |
| or THEA 386 | Audition Techniques | |
| THEA 495 | Business of Theatre | 3 |
| Theatre Arts Core Curriculum Subtotal | 45 | |
| Theatre Arts Options | ||
| Choose one option | 9-27 | |
| Total Credits | 54-72 | |
Theatre Arts Options
Option I: Generalist Degree Option
Requirements include the completion of the 45-credit core curriculum and 9 credits of elective courses chosen from theatre arts courses numbered 300 or above.
Option II: Concentration Option
Students have the option of choosing a concentration that includes a more comprehensive study in a chosen field within the theatre arts. The purpose of these varied concentrations is to further prepare students for graduate school studies or entry-level work in the professional theatre after graduation. Our concentration option is similar to B.F.A. (bachelor of fine arts) degrees at similar liberal arts institutions. Students must interview or audition into the following concentrations, and usually do so at the end of their first or second year in the program. Requirements include the completion of the 45-credit core curriculum and the required courses for the concentration chosen.
Concentration in Acting
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THEA 214 | Intermediate Performance Practicum | 1 |
| THEA 225 | Acting II: Shakespeare | 3 |
| THEA 228 | Voice and Movement I | 3 |
| THEA 250 | Stage Combat I | 3 |
| THEA 314 | Advanced Performance Practicum | 3 |
| THEA 325 | Acting III: Scene Study | 3 |
| Required Courses Subtotal | 16 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select nine credits of the following: | 9 | |
| Musical Theatre Applied Voice | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Professional Theatre Internship | ||
or THEA 494 | Professional Theatre Internship | |
| Acting for Musical Theatre | ||
| Voice and Movement II | ||
| Stage Combat II | ||
| Acting IV: Styles of Action | ||
| Total Credits | 25 | |
Concentration in Musical Theatre
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THEA 105 | Musical Theatre Class Voice | 1 |
| Take THEA 115 three times | 3 | |
| Musical Theatre Applied Voice | ||
| THEA 214 | Intermediate Performance Practicum | 1 |
| THEA 228 | Voice and Movement I | 3 |
| THEA 314 | Advanced Performance Practicum | 3 |
| THEA 325 | Acting III: Scene Study | 3 |
| THEA 326 | Acting for Musical Theatre | 3 |
| Select three credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Ballet I | ||
| Tap Dance I | ||
| Jazz Dance I | ||
| Musical Theatre Dance I | ||
| Modern Dance I | ||
| Hip-Hop Dance I | ||
| Ballet II | ||
| Tap Dance II | ||
| Jazz Dance II | ||
| Musical Theatre Dance II | ||
| Modern Dance II | ||
| Hip-Hop Dance II | ||
| Required Courses Subtotal | 20 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Aural Music Theory I | ||
| Class Piano I | ||
| Musical Theatre Appreciation | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Stage Combat I | ||
| Voice and Movement II | ||
| Stage Combat II | ||
| Acting IV: Styles of Action | ||
| Total Credits | 26 | |
Concentration in Design & Technology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ART 100 | Foundations of Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| ART 104 | Introduction to Digital Art | 3 |
| ART 122 | Introduction to Drawing | 3 |
| or ART 322 | Intermediate Drawing | |
| or ART 331 | Life Drawing | |
| THEA 212 | Intermediate Technical Production | 2-3 |
| THEA 312 | Production Design/Technology I | 3 |
| or THEA 412 | Production Design/Technology II | |
| Required Courses Subtotal | 14-15 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Drafting for Entertainment Design | ||
| Theatre Crafts | ||
| Special Topics in Theatre Arts | ||
or THEA 490 | Special Topics in Theatre Arts | |
| Professional Theatre Internship | ||
or THEA 494 | Professional Theatre Internship | |
| Lighting and Projection Design I 1, 2 | ||
or THEA 373 | Scenic Design I | |
or THEA 383 | Costume Design I | |
or MUSP 350 | Sound Design | |
| Scene Painting I | ||
| Lighting and Projection Design II | ||
or THEA 473 | Scenic Design II | |
or THEA 483 | Costume Design II | |
| Digital Fabrication I | ||
| Total Credits | 23-24 | |
- 1
The course choice must be different from the course chosen for the core or for other concentrations. The course cannot double-count between core and concentration and between concentrations.
- 2
Cannot count courses fulfilling other concentration requirements.
Concentration in Directing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THEA 208 | Multicultural Theatre in America | 3 |
| THEA 213 | Assistant Stage Manager | 3 |
| or THEA 317 | Dramaturgy | |
| THEA 323 | Assistant Director | 3 |
| THEA 325 | Acting III: Scene Study | 3 |
| THEA 410 | Directing II | 3 |
| THEA 423 | Studio Director | 3 |
| Required Courses Subtotal | 18 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Queer Representation on Stage and Screen | ||
| Introduction to Arts Administration | ||
| Acting II: Shakespeare | ||
| Stage Combat I | ||
| Professional Theatre Internship | ||
or THEA 494 | Professional Theatre Internship | |
| Lighting and Projection Design I 1,2 | ||
or THEA 373 | Scenic Design I | |
or THEA 383 | Costume Design I | |
or MUSP 350 | Sound Design | |
| Interdisciplinary Elective Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Foundations of Art and Visual Culture | ||
| Survey of World Art | ||
| Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| History of Film from 1950 | ||
| Independence and Mystery: The Humanities from 1500 to the Present | ||
| Shakespeare (Same As ENGL 320) | ||
| Total Credits | 27 | |
- 1
The course choice must be different from the course chosen for core (a course cannot count for both core and concentration).
- 2
Cannot count courses fulfilling other concentration requirements.
Concentration in Stage Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Take THEA 213 two times | 6 | |
| Assistant Stage Manager | ||
| THEA 263 | Stage Management Workshop | 3 |
| THEA 313 | Stage Manager | 3-5 |
| THEA 323 | Assistant Director | 3 |
| Required Courses Subtotal | 15-17 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intermediate Technical Production | ||
| Introduction to Arts Administration | ||
| Professional Theatre Internship | ||
or THEA 494 | Professional Theatre Internship | |
| Lighting and Projection Design I 1,2 | ||
or THEA 373 | Scenic Design I | |
or THEA 383 | Costume Design I | |
or MUSP 350 | Sound Design | |
| Directing II | ||
| Interdisciplinary Elective Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Foundations of Art and Visual Culture | ||
| Public Speaking for the 21st Century | ||
| Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Total Credits | 24-26 | |
- 1
The course choice must be different from the course chosen for core (a course cannot count for both core and concentration).
- 2
Cannot count courses fulfilling other concentration requirements.
General University Degree Requirements (Bachelor's Degree)
In addition to individual program requirements, students must also fulfill the following requirements:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Skills | 7-8 |
| General Education | 36 |
| Foreign Language** | 6-8 |
| Ethnic Diversity | 3 |
| Total | 52-55 |
** Transfer students in sustainable management, and health information management and technology collaborative, online degree-completion programs, the business management online degree-completion program, and the flexible option degree-completion program will be exempt from the university’s foreign language requirement. See appropriate academic section for further information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| Computational Skills | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| College Mathematics with Applications | ||
| College Algebra I | ||
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum Total Credits | 120 |
| Upper Level Credits (300 level or above) | 36 |
| Residency | 30 |
Cumulative Degree GPA: 2.0 minimum
All students who wish to major in theatre arts at UW-Parkside must participate in program entry interviews and/or auditions and be accepted to the program by a committee of theatre faculty and staff. Prospective students in good academic standing (minimum 2.75 GPA, minimum 21 ACT, upper 50 percent of graduating class) who are seeking entry into the theatre arts program must contact the department to schedule an interview and/or audition time. For complete details about the audition process and requirements, visit https://www.uwp.edu/learn/departments/theatrearts/index.cfm and contact a department representative regarding program entry auditions.
Transfer students from other two-year and four-year institutions are welcomed into our program. Entrance into the theatre arts program later than the freshman year can prolong the length of time required to complete the degree. We are committed to assisting transfer students in completing our program in a reasonable period of time.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| MATH 102 | Quantitative Reasoning | 4 |
| ENGL 100 | Fundamentals of English | 3 |
| Introductory Language | 4 | |
| COMM 107 | Communication and the Human Condition | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| COMM 105 or COMM 205 |
Public Speaking for the 21st Century or Oral Interpretation |
3 |
| COMM 108 | Media and Society | 3 |
| Introductory Language | 4 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |