COURSE CURRICULUM

The Theatre Arts program requires a minimum of 41 credits, including 31 upper-division credits, and offers two main emphases: Performance and Technical Theatre. The Performance Emphasis is designed for students aiming for careers as professional actors in theater and other performance media. It begins with TA 133: Acting I and includes courses such as advanced scene study, acting styles, stage speech, movement for the stage, and theatre history. Students also select from specialized classes in production labs focusing on costumes, scenery, design and production for stage and media, as well as courses in directing and a capstone on 20th-century theatre. This emphasis nurtures both the creative and theoretical aspects of acting, preparing students to develop strong performance skills and a deep understanding of theatrical traditions.The Technical Theatre Emphasis focuses on the behind-the-scenes elements essential to any production, such as scenery, lighting, properties, costuming, hair and makeup, and sound. Like the performance track, students start with TA 133: Acting I but then concentrate on production labs covering costumes, scenery, sound/lighting, and makeup, along with advanced production labs for hands-on experience. This track also includes courses on design and production, theatre history, directing, and a 20th-century theatre capstone. The technical emphasis equips students with practical skills needed to create the setting, mood, and atmosphere that bring a production to life.Both emphases emphasize a balance of theory and practice, giving students a comprehensive education in theatre arts that prepares them for diverse roles in the field, whether on stage or behind the scenes.