Department of Theatre

 

Professors Callaghan (Chair), Clow; Associate Professor Laeger; Assistant Professors Gill, Killian, Lane.

The Department of Theatre has a long tradition of excellence and aims to provide students with first-rate theatre training within the context of a well-rounded liberal-arts education. The Theatre Program also offers ample production opportunities in three performance spaces, which expose students to a variety of theatrical styles and genres including classical, musicals, and contemporary American and European drama.

All UM Theatre performance majors (B.A., B.S., and B.F.A.) must audition for University productions even if they are not available for casting. Two or more unexcused absences from these required auditions may result in a student’s removal from the Theatre degree program. Additionally, all Design/Tech majors must complete an interview and portfolio review each semester to be considered for design leadership assignments and opportunities.

Incoming students must audition to enter the Musical Theatre track and start voice lessons. Currently, incoming B.A. students do not need to audition. However, all students interested in B.F.A. degree programs, including the Musical Theatre emphasis, must formally audition for them during sophomore year.

Students are encouraged to audition for B.F.A. degree programs during the sophomore year so that they can pursue an appropriate degree track that will advance them toward graduation in a timely manner. Acceptance into the B.F.A. programs after the sophomore year may extend a student’s time toward graduation.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
In addition to completing the General Education core, the B.A./B.S. Theatre curriculum requires 48 credit hours of theatre courses. A total of 130 hours is required to graduate with a B.A./B.S. in Theatre.

Required Theatre Core (48 credit hours)

3 THEA 120—Introduction to Theatre
3 THEA 213—Acting I
3 THEA 217—Costume Construction
3 THEA 250—Stagecraft I
3 THEA 270—Directing I
3 THEA 300—Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism
3 THEA 313—Acting II
3 THEA 340—Voice I
3 THEA 355—Stage Lighting
3 THEA 380—Stage Movement I or
3 THEA 350—Stagecraft II or
3 THEA 419—Costume Construction II
3 THEA 390—Stage Make-Up
3 THEA 417—Costume History or
THEA 312—Audition Techniques
3 THEA 423—Theatre History I
3 THEA 424—Theatre History II
6 Six 1-hour Applied Theatre courses

All Theatre majors (B.A./B.S.) are expected to actively participate in departmental productions and must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to participate in productions that are not class assignments.

Minor in Theatre
The minor in Theatre requires 21 credit hours, including THEA 213, 250, 270, 423, 424, and electives approved by a Theatre adviser.

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Students may pursue a Theatre B.F.A. with a concentration in Acting, Design/Technology, Directing, or Musical Theatre.

Students seeking admission to the B.F.A. program must:

1. pass a screening examination by the Theatre faculty upon completion of the sophomore year or, for transfer students, after one semester at UM;
2. have completed THEA 120, 213, 250, 361, and/or 270;
3. demonstrate an aptitude in the chosen concentration area and;
4. maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in all Theatre courses.

* Students seeking the B.F.A. with a concentration in Acting are required to audition for all departmental mainstage productions.

* A Senior Project (THEA 465) is required of every candidate for the B.F.A. Theatre degree. Specific guidelines for projects are available in the Division of Theatre office.

Acting Concentration
In addition to completing the General Education core, the B.F.A. concentration in Acting requires 80 credit hours, including the following courses. A total of 130 credit hours is required to graduate.

Required Concentration Core (80 credit hours)

3 THEA 120—Introduction to Theatre
3 THEA 213—Acting I
3 THEA 217—Costume Construction
3 THEA 250—Stagecraft I
3 THEA 270—Directing I
3 THEA 300—Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism
3 THEA 312—Audition Techniques
3 THEA 313—Acting II
3 THEA 315—Acting Workshop
3 THEA 340—Voice I
3 THEA 361—Musical-Theatre Styles I
3 THEA 380—Stage Movement I
3 THEA 382—Mask Work
3 THEA 390—Stage Make-up
3 THEA 400—Stage Combat
3 THEA 401—Acting for the Camera
3 THEA 402—Acting for the Camera II
3 THEA 413—Acting III
3 THEA 414—Seminar: Career Preparation
3 THEA 423—Theatre History I
3 THEA 424—Theatre History II
3 THEA 440—Voice II
3 THEA 465—Senior Project
3 THEA 480—Stage Movement II
3 Three 1-hour Applied Theatre courses
5 THEA electives

Design/Technology Concentration
In addition to completing the General Education core, the B.F.A. concentration in Design/Technology requires 80 credit hours, including the following courses. A total of 130 credit hours is required to graduate.

Required Concentration Core (Costume Design Emphasis) (80 credit hours)

3 ART 112—Drawing I or ART 113—Drawing II
3 THEA 120—Introduction to Theatre
3 THEA 213—Acting I
3 THEA 217—Costume Construction
3 THEA 250—Stagecraft I
3 THEA 270—Directing I
3 THEA 300—Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism
3 THEA 317—Costume Crafts
3 THEA 318—Costume Design I
3 THEA 355—Stage Lighting
3 THEA 360—Scene Design I
3 THEA 390—Stage Make-up
3 THEA 414—Seminar: Career Preparation
3 THEA 417—Costume History
3 THEA 418—Costume Design II
3 THEA 419—Costume Construction II
3 THEA 423—Theatre History I
3 THEA 424—Theatre History II
3 THEA 455—Light Design
3 THEA 460—Scene Design II
3 THEA 461—Costume Construction III
3 THEA 465—Senior Project
6 Six 1-hour Applied Theatre courses
8 THEA electives

Required Concentration Core (Scenic/Lighting Emphasis) (80 credit hours)

3 ART 112—Drawing I or ART 113—Drawing II
3 ART 219—History of Art II
3 THEA 120—Introduction to Theatre
3 THEA 213—Acting I
3 THEA 217—Costume Construction
3 THEA 250—Stagecraft I
3 THEA 270—Directing I
3 THEA 300—Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism
3 THEA 318—Costume Design I
3 THEA 350—Stagecraft II
3 THEA 355—Stage Lighting
3 THEA 360—Scene Design I
3 THEA 402—Acting for the Camera II
3 THEA 409—Period Play Production
3 THEA 414—Seminar: Career Preparation
3 THEA 423—Theatre History I
3 THEA 424—Theatre History II
3 THEA 450—Film Criticism
3 THEA 455—Light Design
3 THEA 460—Scene Design II
3 THEA 465—Senior Project
6 Six 1-hour Applied Theatre courses
11 hours of adviser-approved theatre/design electives

Directing Concentration
In addition to completing the General Education core, the B.F.A. concentration in Directing requires 80 credit hours, including the following courses. A total of 130 credit hours is required to graduate.

Required Concentration Core (80 credit hours)

3 THEA 120—Introduction to Theatre
3 THEA 213—Acting I
3 THEA 217—Costume Construction
3 THEA 250—Stagecraft I
3 THEA 270—Directing I
3 THEA 300—Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism
3 THEA 313—Acting II
3 THEA 340—Voice I
3 THEA 355—Stage Lighting
3 THEA 361—Musical-Theatre Styles I
3 THEA 370—Directing II
3 THEA 380—Stage Movement I
3 THEA 401—Acting for the Camera
3 THEA 402—Acting for the Camera II
3 THEA 414—Seminar: Career Preparation
3 THEA 423—Theatre History I
3 THEA 424—Theatre History II
3 THEA 425—Directing Theory/History
3 THEA 440—Voice II
3 THEA 450—Film Criticism
3 THEA 465—Senior Project
3 THEA 470—Directing III
3 THEA 480—Stage Movement II
3 Three 1-hour Applied Theatre courses
8 THEA electives

Musical Theatre Concentration
In addition to completing the General Education core, the B.F.A. concentration in Musical Theatre requires 80 credit hours, including the following courses. A total of 130 credit hours is required to graduate.

Required Concentration Core (80 credit hours)

8 THEA 102—Voice Lessons (Eight 1-hour private voice)
3 THEA 212—Musicianship for Actors/Singers
3 THEA 213—Acting I
18 THEA 215—Dance (Six 3-hour Theatre Dance courses)
3 THEA 217—Costume Construction
3 THEA 250—Stagecraft I
3 THEA 270—Directing I
3 THEA 300—Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism
3 THEA 313—Acting II
3 THEA 340—Voice I
3 THEA 361—Musical-Theatre Styles
3 THEA 380—Stage Movement I
3 THEA 401—Acting for the Camera
3 THEA 414—Seminar: Career Preparation
3 THEA 422—Musical Theatre History/Literature
3 THEA 423—Theatre History I
3 THEA 462—Musical Theatre Styles II
3 THEA 463—Musical Theatre Styles III
3 THEA 465—Senior Project
3 Three 1-hour Applied Theatre courses

Courses in Theatre

Theatre (THEA)

Course number	Course name	Credit hours
101	Freshman Applied Theatre I	1
102	Voice Lessons	1
120	Introduction to Theatre	3
121	Acting for Non-Majors	3
201	Freshman Applied Theatre II	1
212	Musicianship for Actors/Singers	3
213	Acting I	3
215	Dance	3
217	Costume Construction	3
250	Stagecraft I	3
270	Directing I	3
300	Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism	3
301	Applied Theatre—Makeup	1
302	Applied Theatre—Lighting	1
303	Applied Theatre—Costumes	1
304	Applied Theatre—Management	1
305	Applied Theatre—Acting	1
306	Applied Theatre—Stage Management	1
307	Applied Theatre—Scenery	1
308	Applied Theatre—Directing	1
309	Applied Theatre—Sound	1
310	Applied Theatre—Props	1
312	Audition Techniques	3
313	Acting II	3
315	Acting Workshop	3
317	Costume Crafts	3
318	Costume Design I	3
320	Oral Interpretation	3
340	Voice I	3
350	Stagecraft II	3
355	Stage Lighting	3
360	Scene Design I	3
361	Musical-Theatre Styles I	3
370	Directing II	3
371	Playwriting I	3
380	Stage Movement I	3
382	Mask Work	3
390	Stage Makeup	3
400	Stage Combat	3
401	Acting for the Camera	3
402	Acting for the Camera II	3
404	Theatre and Arts Management	3
409	Period Décor	3
413	Acting III	3
414	Seminar: Career Preparation	3
417	Costume History	3
418	Costume Design II	3
419	Costume Construction II	3
422	Musical Theatre History/Literature	3
423	Theatre History I	3
424	Theatre History II	3
425	Directing Theory/History	3
440	Voice II: Diction and Dialects	3
450	Special Theatre Seminar	3
452	High-School Theatre Teaching Methods	3
455	Light Design	3
457	Theatrical Computer Aided Drafting	3
460	Scene Design II	3
461	Costume Construction III	3
462	Musical Theatre Styles II	3
463	Musical Theatre Styles III	3
465	Senior Project	3
470	Directing III	3
471	Playwriting II	3
475	Internship	1–6
480	Stage Movement II	3
491	Directed Study	3