COURSE CURRICULUM

This theatre option at the University of New Hampshire is structured for students who want a strong blend of performance knowledge and behind-the-scenes production skills, with a focus on theatre design and technical work. It begins with foundational theatre training that all majors share, including History of Theatre, Stagecraft, Elements of Design, Acting I, and an introductory movement or dance course such as Ballet I or Theatre Dance I. Students are also required to complete practicums, which provide real production experience in university theatre shows, and a senior capstone project that demonstrates their overall skills and creative development. A major part of the program is built around specialized design and technology coursework, where students explore areas such as costume design, lighting design, scene design, stage management, and related production fields. Another group of required or elective courses strengthens technical and creative abilities, including costume construction, stage makeup, computer-aided design for theatre, arts administration, and directing. Students also take supporting courses from art and design disciplines like drawing, painting, and design principles, which help them build visual communication and artistic understanding useful in theatre production. The curriculum is flexible enough to allow students to tailor their studies toward specific interests such as costumes, lighting, stage management, or scenic design while still maintaining a broad foundation in theatre arts. Students gain hands-on experience through repeated involvement in live productions, learning how to collaborate with directors, performers, and other designers in a professional environment. Additional opportunities include independent study, research experiences, and specialized programs like study abroad theatre experiences. Overall, this option prepares students for careers in theatre production, stage and production management, scenic and lighting design, costume and makeup design, arts administration, and other technical roles in live entertainment, while also building a strong foundation for graduate study in theatre or design-related fields.