Major Requirements (A.B. Degree)
THE 121, THE 201, THE 221 or ENG 205 (or another pre-approved course in playwriting, devised performance or play crafting.)
THE 245, THE 335, THE 355, THE 371
Two of the following: THE 242, THE 250, THE 261, THE 285. With permission of the department, one alternate course in dramatic literature may be counted in this category.
One of the following: THE 345, THE 362, THE 410, THE 435, THE 436, THE 445, THE 455.
Two additional courses at the 300 level or above, at least one of which must be in contemporary performance theory/practice. These two courses may not include independent studies, Theatre 401 (Theatre Practicum) or 499 (Honors Thesis).
It is highly recommended that students complete either THE 335 or THE 355 by the end of their junior year.
Students are also required to complete backstage work as detailed below:
Production Requirements for Majors and Minors
Theatre majors are required to work backstage on at least TWO department productions for a minimum of 50 hours per show in a capacity other than actor, director or designer. At least one assignment must be in stage management. At least one must be completed by the end of junior year. Serving as Production Stage Manager for a mainstage show fulfills both of the backstage requirements. At the discretion of the Technical Director and Chair, one backstage assignment can be filled with a position that accrues fewer than 50 hours if the remaining hours are supplemented by additional technical and/or backstage work. These requirements are represented by two non-credit courses: THE 050, for production experience, and THE 060 for stage managment.
Capstone Experience: Completion of an advanced level course in either directing, acting, design, or history/literature/theory, combined with required production experience will serve as the culmination of the student’s learning experience in the major.
Theatre minors are required to work on one department production in a capacity other than actor or director for a minimum of thirty (30) hours (THE 050).
Production work can be in any of these roles: production stage manager, assistant stage manager, assistant to the designer, properties master, or any work approved by the department chair and the technical director.
Minor Requirements
Six courses, at least three of which must be taken at Davidson College, consisting of: Theatre 371; at least one course from Theatre 201, 245, 335, 355; at least one course from Theatre 242, 250, 261 (English 261), 285, or another approved course in dramatic literature; three additional courses at the 300 level or above; and the production requirement outlined above. Courses taken Pass/Fail may not be counted toward the minor.
Honors Requirements
A major desiring to become a candidate for honors in theatre must apply in writing to the department by May 1st of their junior year. Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.5 in all course work taken in the major. To receive honors, a student must, in addition to maintaining this level of performance, receive a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis (499), and approval from the thesis committee. The honors program is comprised of eleven courses: Theatre 499 in addition to the ten major courses required of all majors. Theatre 499 requires the writing/production and defense of a thesis before an appointed committee. In the case of an exceptional academic record, together with a thesis of the highest quality, the department may confer high honors.
Transfer Courses
The Theatre Department accepts up to five courses from other colleges and universities as credit toward the major. In no case will the department preapprove transfer credit. To be granted transfer credits to be applied to the major, students must demonstrate to the department that courses taken elsewhere are comparable to specific Davidson courses in content, contact hours, and rigor. At the conclusion of study abroad or study at another accredited U.S. institution, students should make their requests for transfer credit toward the major to the Theatre Department chair and submit for evaluation all relevant course materials.
Rationale for Course Numbering
100-level courses are open to students at all levels and are most appropriate for non-majors.
200-level courses offer more focused study of one particular aspect of theatre.
300-level courses are designed for theatre majors or high interest theatre students and involve significant independent research and creative activity; most are not recommended for first-year students. Some 300 level courses do not have specific course prerequisites, but it is expected that students have some prior coursework or experience in theatre and/or literature and/or history.
400-level courses offer advanced study in some aspect of theatre, require significant independent research and creative activity, and all have 300-level courses as prerequisites.