Theatre Studies Major
John Zerbe, Professor, Chair
David Hammond, Professor
Christopher Brink, Visiting Assistant Professor
Chad Phillips, Visiting Assistant Professor
Marc Williams, Visiting Instructor
The Department of Theatre Studies cultivates the capacity of students to create and appreciate theatre that explores and illuminates the human condition. The course of study seeks to produce creative artists with intellectual acuity, refined craft and a heightened appreciation for theatre as an instrument of social change. We nurture individuals who want to make a difference in the world by taking constructive action through the art form of theatre.
The program offers both majors and non-majors the chance to experience the collaborative process by which actors, designers, directors, scholars and technicians interpret a playscript and translate a shared vision of its meaning into the medium of theatrical production. Classes develop the skills essential to that process: critical thinking, research methods, intuitive reasoning, communication, project planning and time management, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership.
The integration of theory and practice is fundamental to the program, as it is to successful theatre, and the conceptual learning of formal course work is therefore augmented by laboratory work in the form of theatrical productions. Productions are chosen with attention to the developmental needs of the current student population. In a four-year period, students will experience a broad range of styles and periods of dramatic literature in performance.
Faculty members and staff have worked as practicing theatre artists in the professional theatre as actors, directors, designers or technicians.
Recognizing that guest artists are essential to the vitality of any theatre program, the department brings practicing theatre artists of high caliber to the campus to work with students.
Distinguished guests have included playwrights Edward Albee, Simon Bent, Tony Kushner, and Maria Irene Fornes; actors Tandy Cronyn, Sidney Poitier, Anna Deavere Smith, and Jack Wetherall, designers Burke Brown, Badger Koon, Robbie MacLean, Robin Vest, and John Wolf, directors Mark Rucker and Danny Scheie. Visits like these deepen student learning and help build a bridge from academia to the profession. Indeed, several alumni have won prestigious national internships, employment opportunities and entrance into graduate programs in part because of the relationships forged during such residencies.
Degrees Offered
The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Theatre Studies.
Major Requirements
Every student majoring in Theatre Studies will fulfill the core requirements and one of the three possible tracks. The major requires a minimum of 45-46 credit hours (12 courses).
Procedure for Entering the Design/Tech, History/Literature, or Performance Tracks:
Students must have completed no less than 4 credits at the 200-level in their desired area before they can qualify for entry into any track other than the Generalist. Once qualified, the student must petition the department chair for acceptance into the track. Following a consultation with department faculty, the department chair notifies the student of acceptance. In order to persist in the track, students are required to demonstrate ongoing engagement in their track with no more than one semester off, allowed only for study abroad. Thus, actors must audition for all productions and act in one production every four semesters. Design/tech students must work behind the scenes in some capacity every semester during which they are on campus. Finally, history/literature students must be consistently enrolled in courses that require the formal study of dramatic literature. Anyone in these tracks who fails to meet the above criteria after entering the track, will return to the Theatre Generalist track.
Structure and Core Requirements of all Theatre Studies majors
- THEA 111 Backstage Production – 4 credits
- THEA 125 Acting 1: Basic Tools or THEA 126 Acting 1: Acting in Song - 4 credits
- HTHEA 130 Theatre and Culture I – 4 credits
- THEA 131 Theatre and Culture II – 4 credits
- THEA 171 Introduction to Theatrical Design – 4 credits
- THEA 215/ENGL 215 Play Analysis or THEA 273 Lighting Design – 4 credits
- THEA 295 Practicums: (options include Stage Management, Assistant Stage Management, Properties Management, Costuming, Lighting, Publicity, Sound, Box Office, House Management, Makeup and Scenic Art). Assigned after consultations with students. - 8 credits
- THEA 494 Senior Company I – 4 credits
- THEA 495 Senior Company II – 4 credits
Total credits required for Structure and Core requirements – 36 credits
Additional courses required for students selecting a Generalist Track
- Two courses or the equivalent credits at the 200-level – 8 credits
- One course or the equivalent credits at the 300-level – 4 credits
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in Theatre Studies: Generalist Track – 48 credits
Additional courses required for students selecting a Design/Tech Track
- Two courses from the following intermediate options: (7-8 credits)
- THEA 272 Sound Design
- THEA 370/THEA 376 Stage Lighting (3 credits/ available only at UNCG)
- One course from the following: (4 credits)
- THEA 295 Any four additional practicum credits chosen in consultation with major advisor and department production manager.
- THEA 360 Independent Study: Design Studio
- THEA 381 Play Direction
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in Theatre Studies: Design/Tech Track – 47-48 credits
Additional courses required for students selecting a History/Literature Track
- Two courses from the following: (8 credits)
- ENGL 200 Introduction to Literary Studies
- ENGL 210/THEA 244 Playwriting Workshop
- ENGL 223 Shakespeare or ENGL 288 Shakespeare and Contemporary Film
- Any course on a playwright or drama taught in a foreign language: (4 credits)
- THEA 360 Independent Study as a playwright or genre
- THEA 381 Play Direction
- THEA 460 Independent Study as a dramaturg on a production
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in Theatre Studies: History/Literature Track – 48 credits
Additional courses required for students selecting a Performance Track
- Two intermediate acting courses at the 200 level from the following: (8 credits)
- THEA 227 Acting 2:Playing the Action
- THEA 228 Acting 2:Creating the World
- THEA 229 Acting 2:Voice and Diction
- One advanced acting course at the 300 level: (4 credits)
- THEA 320 Acting 3:Shakespeare
- THEA 325 Acting 3:Modern Realism
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in Theatre Studies: Performance - 48 credits
