Theatre Studies Major

John Zerbe, Professor, Chair
David Hammond, Professor
Daniel Thobias, Assistant Professor
Timothy Hanna, Visiting Assistant Professor
Tad Feekes, Technical Director 

The Theatre Studies Department 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
  • team work
  • 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 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. During the fall of 2003, we hosted Edward Albee, Ken Burns, and Sidney Poitier for part of a celebration called, "The Year of the Arts." Each gave public lectures and met students in small groups. In the spring of 2001, we held a panel discussion called "Theatre That Makes a Difference" that explored theatre's power to effect positive social and political change in a multicultural world. Participants included Tony Kushner, Maria Irene Fornes, Gerald Freedman, David Hammond, and others. We've also hosted Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak, Director of the Asian theatre program at the University of Hawaii, as she gave a series of lectures and workshops on jingju (Beijing Opera). Other guests have included actors, designers, directors, and writers with national profiles. Visits like these deepen student learning and allow and help build a bridge from academia to the profession. Indeed, several recent 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

The major requirements foster a holistic vision of theatre's component parts while giving students an opportunity to develop their own areas of talent and expertise through the selection of elective courses.

The requirements (46 credit hours) include the following:

History (8 credits)

  • THEA 130: Theatre and Culture I
  • THEA 131: Theatre and Culture II

Interpretation (4 credits)

  • THEA 243: Plays and Meaning

Dramatic Literature (4 credits from any ONE of the following)

  • ENGL 151/THEA 151: Birth of the Avant-Garde
  • ENGL 223: Shakespeare  
  • THEA 320: Acting in Shakespeare 

Performance (4 credits)

  • THEA 125: Fundamentals of Acting

Technical Production and Design (8 credits)

  • THEA 110: Play Production
  • THEA 171: Introduction to Theatrical Design

Two Electives (8 credits intended to establish an area of emphasis)

  • Any two four-credit theatre courses (or the equivalent in two-credit offerings) that the student and the advisor deem appropriate to the student's interest. 

Production Work (6 credits of Practicum)

  • Options include Stage Management, Properties Management, Costuming, Lighting, Publicity, Sound, Box Office, House Management, Make-up, and Scenic Art. Assigned by faculty after consultations with students.

Senior Capstone (4 credits)

  • THEA 495: Senior Company

Summer internships in professional theatre are strongly encouraged as an integral part of a theatre education. Where appropriate, such internships may be used to fulfill part of the practicum requirement.