Theatre Arts (BA)
In addition to the regular requirements for admission to Plymouth State University, applicants must audition or present a portfolio to be accepted into the major (all options). Requirements vary according to Option; therefore, prospective students should contact the Director of Theatre or Department Chair to receive audition guidelines and to schedule an audition.
Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.
To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years. For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester. Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| TH 1600 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| TH 2100 | Technology for Theatre Professionals (TECO) | 3 |
| TH 2500 | Stagecraft Fundamentals (QRCO) | 3 |
| TH 2540 | Introduction to Theatre Design | 3 |
| TH 2600 | Fundamentals of Costume Construction | 3 |
| TH 2820 | Acting I (WECO) | 3 |
| TH 3210 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| TH 3430 | American Theatre (DICO,WRCO) | 4 |
| TH 4610 | Directing for the Stage (INCO) | 3 |
| Theatre History Elective | ||
| TH 4510 | Theatre History I | 3 |
| or TH 4520 | Theatre History II | |
| Pathways-HoME General Education | ||
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| Writing Foundation Course: | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| Quantitative Foundation: | ||
| MA | MA 1500 or higher, or equivalency | 3-4 |
| Foreign Language 1 | 6-8 | |
| Pathway Certificate * | 15-16 | |
| Additional Pathway Credits (0 if in major) | 0-9 | |
| IS 4220 | Signature Project (INCO,INCP) | 4 |
| Option Requirements | ||
| Complete one from the following required options: | 54-55 | |
Acting Option | ||
Contract Option | ||
Dramatic Writing Option | ||
Music Theatre Performance Option | ||
Theatrical Design/Tech Option | ||
| Total Credits | 121-135 | |
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The foreign language requirement for all BA degrees calls for 0-8 credits: one year of one language (6-8 credits); or one 3000/4000 level world language course (3 credits); or being a native speaker of a language other than English (zero credit). American Sign Language I and II fulfill this requirement; however, American Sign Language does not satisfy the Global Awareness Connection.
- *
To complete the Pathways HoME General Education program, a student must complete 24 credits of Pathways courses, including those that lead to a Pathways Certificate. 15-16 credits of a Pathway Certificate must be in a single Pathway skill and must include at-least 8 credits of upper-division courses. Students may complete the remaining 8-9 credits with Pathway classes taken inside the major (double-counting) or outside of it. Students in this major may earn multiple Pathway Certificates; one must be a Pathway other than Aesthetic Expression, Communicating Strategically, and Quantitative Inquiry.
Acting Option of BA Theatre Arts
The Acting Option provides students with an aptitude for acting, a coherent program of study that will prepare them for a career in this field or for further study at the graduate level. The development of the student actor within the context of the greater liberal arts framework is emphasized. Students wishing to declare this Option may only do so after successfully auditioning for the Theatre faculty.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| TH 1650 | Practicum in Production (1 credit repeated 3 times) | 3 |
| TH 2200 | Stage Management/Arts Management | 3 |
| TH 2240 | Acting Company (Required to take this twice for a total 4) | 4 |
| TH 2260 | Voice and Diction I | 3 |
| TH 3160 | Stage Movement | 2 |
| TH 3270 | Voice and Diction II | 3 |
| TH 3670 | Advanced Practicum in Production | 2 |
| TH 3900 | Acting II | 3 |
| TH 4810 | Acting III | 3 |
| Group A | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Audition Techniques | ||
| Acting: Topics | ||
| Electives | 25-26 | |
| Total Credits | 54-55 | |
Contract Option of BA Theatre Arts
The Contract Option provides students with the opportunity to design a program of study that will lead them toward a life and/or career path that differs from those that are available through the other options. The program of study in this Option will be developed with the guidance and approval of a member of the Theatre faculty.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| TH 1650 | Practicum in Production (1 credit repeated 4 times) | 4 |
| TH 3670 | Advanced Practicum in Production (Repeated for a total of 4 credits) | 4 |
| TH | Contract courses (not THDI) 1 | 6 |
| TH | 3000/4000 level Contract courses (not THDI) 1 | 6 |
| Electives | 34-35 | |
| Total Credits | 54-55 | |
- 1
At least six credits of Contract courses must be 3000/4000 level.
Dramatic Writing Option of BA Theatre Arts
The Dramatic Writing Option provides students with an aptitude for writing for performance, a coherent program of study, which will prepare them for a career in this area or for further study at the graduate level. The development of the student writer within the context of the greater liberal arts framework is emphasized. Students wishing to declare this Option may do so after an evaluation of submitted writing samples and successfully interviewing with the Theatre faculty.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| TH 1650 | Practicum in Production (1 credit repeated 4 times) | 4 |
| TH 3670 | Advanced Practicum in Production (Repeated for a total of 4 credits) | 4 |
| Dramatic Writing Electives | ||
| Complete 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Writing for Performance (Topics) 1 | ||
| Scriptwriting | ||
| Electives | 34-35 | |
| Total Credits | 54-55 | |
- 1
The subjects covered in Topics courses vary from semester to semester. Course may be repeated as long as topic covered is different.
Music Theatre Performance Option of BA Theatre Arts
The Music Theatre Performance Option provides a program of study that prepares students for a career in this area or for further study at the graduate level. The development of the student music theatre performer within the context of the greater liberal arts framework is emphasized. Students wishing to declare this Option may only do so after successfully auditioning. Specific policies concerning Performance Study examinations (called “Jury Exams”) and Recital Attendance are fully explained in the Music Student Handbook.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| TH 1650 | Practicum in Production (two enrollments) | 2 |
| TH 2260 | Voice and Diction I | 3 |
| TH 3160 | Stage Movement | 2 |
| TH 3170 | Musical Theatre Singing Techniques | 2 |
| TH 3900 | Acting II | 3 |
| MU 1420 | Vocal Performance Lab I | 0 |
| MU 1320 | Introduction to Reading Music | 3 |
| MU 1510 | Voice Performance Studies (two enrollments) 1 | 2 |
| MU 2370 | The Music Theatre Company (two enrollments) | 2 |
| MU 2510 | Voice Performance Studies (two enrollments) 1 | 2 |
| MU 3420 | Vocal Performance Lab II (three enrollments) | 0 |
| MU 3510 | Voice Performance Studies (two enrollments) 1 | 2 |
| MU 4510 | Voice Performance Studies (two enrollments) 1 | 2 |
| Ensemble Experiences | ||
| Complete two enrollments in any combination from the following: | 2-4 | |
| Chamber Singers | ||
| University Chorale | ||
| Dance Project | ||
| Dance | ||
| One enrollment per semester- eight enrollments total. | ||
| DN 3201 | Theatrical Tap and Jazz Dance (Required each semester) | 16 |
| Electives | 10-11 | |
| Total Credits | 54-55 | |
- 1
One two-credit semester of Voice Performance Studies may not substitute for two semesters of one-credit Voice Performance Studies.
Theatrical Design/Tech Option of BA Theatre Arts
The Theatrical Design/Tech Option provides students with an aptitude for design/tech, a coherent program of study that will prepare them for a career in this area or for further study at the graduate level. The development of the student designer/technician within the context of the greater liberal arts framework is emphasized. Students wishing to declare this Option may only do so after successfully interviewing with the Theatre faculty.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| TH 1650 | Practicum in Production (1 credit repeated 4 times) | 4 |
| TH 2200 | Stage Management/Arts Management | 3 |
| TH 3670 | Advanced Practicum in Production (Repeated for a total of 4 credits) | 4 |
| Theatre Topics | ||
| Complete 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Design for the Theatre (Topics) | ||
| Theatre Technology: Topics | ||
| Electives | 34-35 | |
| Total Credits | 54-55 | |
- 1
The subjects covered in Topics courses vary from semester to semester. Course may be repeated as long as topic covered is different.