Theatre

Professors: Ann Marie Costa; Dr. Sharon Green
Associate Professors: Mark Sutch, Anita Tripathi (Chair)
Assistant Professor: Dr. James Webb
Associate Professor of the Practice: Karli Henderson
Assistant Professor of the Practice: Abigail Akard

Major Requirements (A.B. Degree)

The theatre major consists of 10 courses, as follows:
● THE 201 OR THE 221
● THE 245 OR THE 355* (THE 355 will be revised to include core principles of acting)
● THE 235
● One course in Theatre History: THE 371 OR THE 285* (THE 285 will be revised to count as a history course starting in Fall 2026 and will no longer fill the dramatic literature category) ● One course in Dramatic Literature: THE 242, THE 250, THE 365, THE 372, and other dramatic literature courses cross-listed with Theatre.
● THE 395 OR THE 200
● 4 electives at the 200 level and above
● Students are also required to complete one production experience as detailed below. (THE 050, a non- credit lab course)
Students may petition the department to have one independent study (outside of stage management) in the area of design or production count as an elective toward the major.
It is highly recommended that students complete either THE 235 or THE 355 by the end of their junior year.

Production Requirements for Majors and Minors

THE 050: Theatre majors and minors are required to work backstage on one departmental production for a minimum of 35 hours per show in a capacity other than actor, director, playwright, or designer. At the discretion of the Producer and Chair, one production experience can be filled with a position that accrues fewer than 35 hours if the remaining hours are supplemented by additional technical and/or backstage work. This requirement is represented by one non-credit course: THE 050 Production Experience. The production experience can be any of these roles: member of lighting or sound crew, props assistant, scene shop assistant, wardrobe crew or other work approved by the Department Chair and the Producer.

Minor Requirements

The theatre minor consists of 6 courses, as follows:
a. One from: THE 201, THE 245, THE 235, and THE 355 b. One from: Dramatic Literature: THE 242, THE 250, THE 365, THE 372, and other dramatic literature courses cross-listed with Theatre.
c. One from: Theatre History: THE 371, THE 285
d. 3 electives at the 200 level or above
e. Students are also required to complete one production experience as detailed below. (THE 050 (non- credit course))

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 departmental GPA of 3.7 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 comprises eleven courses: THE 498 (which can count as an elective) and THE 499 in addition to the ten 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 two courses from other colleges and universities as credit toward the major. To be granted transfer credit toward the major, students, after receiving College credit from the Registrar, should make their requests to the Theatre Department Chair and submit all relevant course materials for evaluation.

Rationale for Course Numbering

100-level courses are introductory courses that are intended to serve students from across campus. They tend to have higher ceilings to engage more students.

200-level courses are intended for students who major and minor in theatre and those that are interested in topics within the discipline. They offer some level of specialized knowledge. These courses focus on the practice of theatre or as an introduction to literary material.

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 are for advanced study within the discipline, tailored for students who want to specialize in theatre. 400 level courses also include thesis honors.