COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Performing Arts with a concentration in Theatre at Wichita State University is a 120-credit-hour degree that combines structured academic study, performance training, and applied learning to prepare students for careers in theatre and related creative fields. Students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.000, with a 2.500 GPA required for departmental scholarship consideration, and earn a grade of C or better in all major courses, including THEA and DANC electives. The program also requires completion of at least 45 credit hours of upper-division coursework, ensuring advanced-level training in performance and theatre studies. The curriculum begins with core requirements such as THEA 180E Performing Arts Seminar, THEA 150P Production Experience, THEA 150R Production Processes, THEA 280 Inclusion in Performing Arts, THEA 368 Collaborative Community Project, THEA 370 Professional Practices for the Performing Arts, and a culminating THEA 499 Capstone Project, which integrates learning into a final academic and creative experience. Acting and performance training is developed through courses like THEA 180D Introduction to Acting Repertoire, THEA 241 Improvisation for the Actor, THEA 222 Voice and Movement for the Actor, THEA 243 Acting 1, DANC 290 Somatics, and THEA 342 Acting 2, focusing on voice, movement, and scene work. Students also complete theoretical coursework including THEA 228 Script Analysis, THEA 323 Theatre History I, THEA 324 Theatre History II, and THEA 371 Theatre Research Semester, which build critical understanding of dramatic literature and theatre evolution. Technical and design skills are developed through THEA 231 Theatre Design and Technology, THEA 272 Stage Management, and additional electives in areas such as lighting, costume, scenic design, and stagecraft. Professional preparation is further enhanced through THEA 480 Theatre Internship, which provides real-world experience in theatre environments. The remaining open electives, totaling 39–41 credit hours, allow students to customize their studies and potentially integrate other disciplines. Overall, the program balances performance, theory, and production training to prepare graduates for professional theatre careers or further advanced study.