Theater Arts, BA

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Theater Arts


Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts program in theater offers a broad liberal arts education in the art and humanity of theater, with the opportunity to pursue concentrations in acting, design/technical, directing, dramatic writing, and general theater studies. Theater education provides much-sought-after knowledge and skills such as creative problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration. Students intending to major in theater will need to complete 40 credit hours of coursework, with the opportunity to pursue double or secondary majors. Most students will opt to take many classes beyond the requirements in order to enhance their knowledge and improve their skills.  

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to demonstrate a common theater production vocabulary.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate a disciplinary knowledge of acting craft that they can apply toward their scenes analysis and/or performance.
  • Students will be able to analyze a script for the purpose of theatrical production.
  • Students will be able to recognize, identify, and utilize historical periods, styles, and artistic movements.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

The Bachelor of Arts program in theater offers courses in acting, design/technical theater, dramatic writing, history, and directing. The theater major consists of two components: a list of core classes that all majors must take as well as a concentration chosen by the student which enhances the student’s knowledge and improves their skills in a specific area. The department does offer an experiential capstone, but it is not required to complete the major.

Theater Major Core Requirements

All students intending to major in theater will need to complete forty (40) hours of coursework. Twenty-eight (28) of these hours are core classes, and the remaining twelve (12) are electives. Majors may elect to complete the twelve (12) elective credits with any additional THTR courses (so long as at least six (6) hours are at the 300-level), or they may elect to choose from one of two Theater concentrations.

Core Course Requirements
THTR 100Introduction to Acting3
THTR 110Introduction to Theater3
THTR 111Introduction to Design3
THTR 112Introduction to Dramatic Literature3
THTR 325Development of Theater: Beginnings to English Renaissance3
THTR 326Development of Theater: Renaissance to Romanticism3
THTR 330Play Directing I3
Tech credit/practicum hours7
Theater Practicum a
THTR Electives b12
Total Credit Hours40
a

Students are required to enroll in THTR 185, a one-hour practicum credit, accumulating seven (7) credits during their eight semesters at CWRU. Students will enroll in THTR 185 each semester unless otherwise directed by the Director of Undergraduate Theater Studies. Any exemptions to this requirement (receiving two (2) credit-hours in one semester or not enrolling in THTR 185 for a semester) must receive approval from the Director of Undergraduate Theater Studies.

b

Among THTR electives, students must choose at least 6 hours (two courses) at the 300-level or above. Alternatively, theater majors may satisfy their electives through one of two concentrations (Performance Concentration or Design/Tech Concentration). The requirements for each concentration are listed below.

Concentration Requirements

Performance Concentration

Two of the following three courses:6
Movement for the Actor
Acting: Scene Study
Voice
Two of the following eight courses:6
Acting: Advanced Scene Study
Acting: Classical Technique
Acting: Improvisation Technique
An Introduction to Devising Original Theater
Acting: Camera Technique
Play Directing II
Live Sound Action: Learning at the Crossroads of Theatrical Training and Spiritual Practice
Topics in Performance

Design/Tech Concentration

Two of the following four courses:6
Scenic Design
Lighting Design
Costume Design
Sound Design
Two of the following nine courses:6
Introduction to Stagecraft
Introduction to Costume Construction
Stage Makeup
Stage Management
Scene Painting
Technical CAD Drafting for Theatrical Design
Topics in Design
Professional Theatre Practices
Advanced Topics in Design/Technology

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
THTR 100 Introduction to Acting 3
THTR 110 Introduction to Theater 3
THTR 185 Theater Practicum 1
Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Quantitative Reasoning course 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
THTR 111 Introduction to Design 3
THTR 112 Introduction to Dramatic Literature 3
THTR 185 Theater Practicum 1
Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Breadth, or Elective courses a 6
 Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall
THTR 325
Development of Theater: Beginnings to English Renaissance
or Play Directing I
3
Concentration Course 1 3
THTR 185 Theater Practicum 1
Breadth, or Elective courses a 9
 Credit Hours16
Spring
THTR 326 Development of Theater: Renaissance to Romanticism 3
Concentration Course 2 3
THTR 185 Theater Practicum 1
Breadth, or Elective courses a 9
 Credit Hours16
Third Year
Fall
THTR 325
Development of Theater: Beginnings to English Renaissance
or Play Directing I
3
Concentration Course 3 3
THTR 185 Theater Practicum 1
Breadth, or Elective courses a 9
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Concentration Course 4 3
Breadth, or Elective courses a 12
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
THTR 185 Theater Practicum 1
Breadth, or Elective courses a 11
 Credit Hours12
Spring
THTR 185 Theater Practicum 1
Breadth, or Elective courses a 12
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours120
a

Unified General Education Requirement.