Theatre Arts B.A. – Theatre Studies Concentration

Program Overview

College of Performing and Visual Arts

Contact: Michelle Gaza, M.F.A., Interim Director

Location: Frasier Hall 105

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: arts.unco.edu/theatre/

Advising Information:

Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.

To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.

The program consists of three parts:

1. Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
2. Required Major Credits
3. University-Wide Credits

Program Description:

A major in Theatre Arts provides pre-professional training for students who have professional theatre employment as their career goal. The program cultivates an appreciation and understanding of theatre as part of American society and culture. Our Theatre Studies Concentration is designed with coursework specific to students with interests in directing, playwriting, theatre management, entrepreneurship, and dramaturgy.

Program Admission Requirements:

Academic Good Standing

Degree Requirements — 120 Credits

1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits

To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the required major credits.

Any additional LAC coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.

Written Communication — 6 credits

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.

See Written Communication courses

Mathematics — 3 credits

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.

See Mathematics courses

Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits

To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.

THEA 296 (3) and THEA 297 (3) are recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.

See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses

Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.

See Natural & Physical Sciences courses

See Liberal Arts Curriculum

2. Required Major — 54 credits

Take all of the following courses for 38 credits:

THEA 135	Playscript Analysis	3
THEA 149	Orientation to Technology	3
THEA 150	Actor's Lab	1
THEA 160	Acting Methods	3
THEA 190	Stage Speech	2
THEA 240	Beginning Stage Directing	3
THEA 241	Seminar in Theatre Arts Management	3
THEA 275	Stage Movement I	2
THEA 296	History of Theatre ILAA1	3
THEA 297	History of Theatre IILAA1	3
THEA 324	Masterpieces in Theatrical Production	2
THEA 373	Playwriting	3
THEA 375	Stage Management for the Theatre	3
THEA 433	Dramaturgy	3
THEA 454	Theatre Studies Senior Seminar	1

Complete ten hours of Individual Performance in Theatre courses:

THEA 100	Individual Performance in Theatre	2
THEA 110	Performance in a Theatrical Production	2
THEA 308	Theatre Workshop	1- 4

THEA 110: no more than 4 hours can be used to satisfy this requirement

Choose six credits from the following courses:

ART 185	Neoclassic to Modern Art HistoryLAA1	3
ART 190	Art AppreciationLAA1	3
COMM 212	Professional Speaking	3
COMM 223	Intercultural Communication	3
DNCE 167	Ballroom Dance I	2
ENG 229	Professional Writing and Digital Video	3
ENG 243	Creative Writing: Screenwriting	3
FILM 230	Introduction to Filmmaking	3
MIND 288	Contemporary Arts Connections	3
MT 296	Musical Theatre HistoryLAA1	3
MUS 140	Exploration of Music through American IdentitiesLAA1LAMS	3
PVA 210	Introduction to Arts Entrepreneurship	3
THEA 130	Introduction to the TheatreLAA1	3
THEA 159	The Art of Acting for All MajorsLAA1	3
THEA 193	Stage Speech and Dialects	3
THEA 215	Beginning Scene Design	3
THEA 220	Beginning Costume Design	3
THEA 225	Theatre in FilmLAA1	3
THEA 230	Beginning Lighting Design	3
THEA 245	Beginning Sound Design	3
THEA 250	Stage Make Up	2
THEA 255	Creative Drama	3
THEA 276	Stage Movement II	3
THEA 308	Theatre Workshop	1- 4
THEA 340	Workshop in Directing I	3
THEA 374	Playwriting II	3
THEA 401	Practicum in Theatre	1- 4
THEA 422	Directed Research in Theatre	1- 4
THEA 440	Directing the One-Act Play	3

NOTE: No more than 2 credits may be taken in any combination of THEA 401 or THEA 422.

THEA 340 and THEA 440: Only if space is available.

3. University-Wide Credits — 35 credits*

Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this BA Theatre Arts degree that will typically be 35-41 credits.

*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements may have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.

Four Year Plan

This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor's degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance. 

Year 1 – 30 credits

Fall Semester

THEA 135	Playscript Analysis	3
THEA 149	Orientation to Technology	3
THEA 160	Acting Methods	3
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	3
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Spring Semester

THEA 100	Individual Performance in Theatre	2
	or
THEA 110	Performance in a Theatrical Production	2
THEA 150	Actor's Lab	1
	Major Elective	3
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	3
	University-Wide Elective	3
	University-Wide Elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Year 2 – 32 credits

Fall Semester

THEA 100	Individual Performance in Theatre	2
	or
THEA 110	Performance in a Theatrical Production	2
THEA 240	Beginning Stage Directing	3
	Major Elective	3
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	3
	University-Wide Elective	4
Total Credit Hours:		15

Spring Semester

THEA 100	Individual Performance in Theatre	2
	or
THEA 110	Performance in a Theatrical Production	2
THEA 241	Seminar in Theatre Arts Management	3
THEA 375	Stage Management for the Theatre	3
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	3
	University-Wide Elective	3
	University-Wide Elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		17

Year 3 – 29 credits

Fall Semester

THEA 100	Individual Performance in Theatre	2
	or
THEA 110	Performance in a Theatrical Production	2
THEA 275	Stage Movement I	2
THEA 296	History of Theatre ILAA1	3
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	3
	University-Wide Elective	4
Total Credit Hours:		14

Spring Semester

THEA 190	Stage Speech	2
THEA 297	History of Theatre IILAA1	3
THEA 373	Playwriting	3
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	3
	University-Wide Elective	4
Total Credit Hours:		15

Year 4 – 29 credits

Fall Semester

THEA 100	Individual Performance in Theatre	2
	or
THEA 110	Performance in a Theatrical Production	2
THEA 324	Masterpieces in Theatrical Production	2
	Liberal Arts Curriculum	4
	University-Wide Elective	3
	University-Wide Elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		14

Spring Semester

THEA 433	Dramaturgy	3
THEA 454	Theatre Studies Senior Seminar	1
	University-Wide Elective	3
	University-Wide Elective	3
	University-Wide Elective	3
	University-Wide Elective	2
Total Credit Hours:		15

Advising Notes –

• The Colorado Commission on Higher Education and this program require the completion of a yearly assessment process. The assessment, which includes an evaluation of your year's progress as well as a yearly audition or interview, may be the basis for your continuance in this program area.
• A teaching minor is highly recommended. Students must remember that in the public schools of the State of Colorado, more than half the teaching load must be done in the area of licensure. A student desiring licensure should be prepared for many additional requirements in content and in methods and observation in the minor field.
• Students must successfully pass program specific PRAXIS before student teaching.

Back to Top