Theatre

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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: Theatre majors must receive a grade of C or better in all theatre courses required for the major. If a student receives a grade of C- or lower they must repeat the course and raise the grade to receive degree credit.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C”) in the major.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: THE 415

Contact Information: Dr. Tom Mikotowicz, Department Chair, Class of ‘44 Hall Room 208, 581-1965, miko@maine.edu

The Division of Theatre and Dance offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. Within the context of a liberal arts education, the B.A. in Theatre provides students an opportunity to study acting, directing, design and technology, as well as theatre history, performance studies, and literature. Students with other majors may minor in theatre, and they can also minor in dance as part of their educational experience.

The B.A. in Theatre includes coursework in the social and behavioral sciences, arts and humanities, natural sciences, and mathematics as well as in the performing arts. In addition, students are required to complete one semester of any language.

Study in theatre includes 27 credits in required theatre courses and 6 credits in theatre electives, totaling 33 credits to receive the B.A. degree. The program focus is on learning through active participation in all aspects of performance and production. Many classes culminate in production and performance experiences, including acting, dancing, directing of original scripts, or staging of choreography. A Readers’ Theatre series, the Underdog and Upperdog directing workshops, the occasional Summer Music Theatre program, and the annual Maine Masque production give students additional opportunities to test their skills in acting and directing. Furthermore, majors are required to actively participate in all facets of theatre/dance production program and are encouraged to become involved in student-directed shows.

Undergraduate study in Theatre prepares students for graduate work in theatre and dance or in related fields of study. It also prepares students for theatre-related careers on and off stage. Graduates go on to careers as teachers, actors, designers, dancers, directors, technicians, and stage managers.

The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences page of the catalog.

Basic Courses

Every major must take the following 27 credit hours of theatre courses:

THE 202 - Script Analysis Credits: 3
or
THE 112 - Survey of Dramatic Literature Credits: 3
THE 117 - Fundamentals of Acting Credits: 3
THE 120 - Introduction to Stagecraft Credits: 3
THE 121 - Introduction to Stagecraft Laboratory I Credits: 1
THE 122 - Introduction to Stagecraft Laboratory II Credits: 1
THE 200 - Design for Performance Credits: 3
THE 216 - Play Production Credits: 3
THE 300 - Introduction to Performance Studies Credits: 3
THE 402 - Movement Training for Actors Credits: 3
THE 415 - Capstone Experience in Theatre Credits: 1
THE 460 - Theatre History Credits: 3

Theatre Electives

Majors must select 6 credits hours of electives from the following courses:

THE 111 - Introduction to Theatre Credits: 3
THE 118 - Stage Makeup Credits: 3
THE 130 - Introduction to Costume Construction Credits: 3
THE 131 - Introduction to Costume Construction Laboratory Credits: 1
THE 201 - Fundamentals of Characterization Credits: 3
THE 268 - Theatre Practicum, Technical Credits: 1-3
THE 269 - Theatre Practicum in Acting Credits: 1-3
THE 310 - Topics in Theatre Technology Credits: 3
THE 320 - Topics in Theatre Design Credits: 3
THE 340 - Playwriting, Directing and Performing Laboratory Credits: 3
THE 400 - Voice and Speech for the Actor Credits: 3
THE 403 - Styles and Techniques of Comedy Credits: 3
THE 466 - Stage Directing Credits: 3
THE 480 - Topics in Theatre Credits: 3
THE 497 - Independent Study in Theatre I Credits: 1-3
THE 498 - Independent Study in Theatre II Credits: 1-3

Graduate Level

The following courses are offered on the graduate level to students pursuing graduate degrees from other programs, as well as to advanced senior level students:

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.A. in Theatre*

First Year - First Semester - 16 Credits*

ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
THE 117 - Fundamentals of Acting Credits: 3
(Gen Ed. Creative & Artistic Expression)
THE 120 - Introduction to Stagecraft Credits: 3
THE 121 - Introduction to Stagecraft Laboratory I Credits: 1
General Education Requirement: Mathematics Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

First Year - Second Semester - 16 Credits

DAN 101 - Beginner Modern Dance I Credits: 2
THE 112 - Survey of Dramatic Literature Credits: 3
or
THE 202 - Script Analysis Credits: 3
(Gen Ed. Western Cultural Tradition)
THE 122 - Introduction to Stagecraft Laboratory II Credits: 1
General Education Requirement: Science with Lab Credits: 4
College Requirement Credits: 3
General Education Requirement: Mathematics Credits: 3

Second Year - First Semester - 15 Credits

DAN 101 - Beginner Modern Dance I Credits: 2
or
DAN 102 - Beginner Ballet I Credits: 2
or
DAN 103 - Beginner Jazz I Credits: 2
THE 121 - Introduction to Stagecraft Laboratory I Credits: 1
THE 216 - Play Production Credits: 3
General Education Requirement: Social Contexts and Institutions Credits: 3
College Requirement or Elective Credits: 3

Second Year - Second Semester - 15 Credits

DAN 105 - Beginner Tap Credits: 2
General Education Requirement: Population and the Environmental Credits: 3
General Education Requirement: Science Credits: 3
College Requirement Credits: 3
Language Requirement Credits: 4

Third Year - First Semester - 14 Credits

THE 460 - Theatre History Credits: 3
Theatre Elective Credits: 3
College Requirement or Elective Credits: 3
General Education Requirement: Ethics Credits: 3
Elective or Additional Theatre Course Credits: 2

Third Year - Second Semester - 14 Credits

THE 300 - Introduction to Performance Studies Credits: 3
(Gen Ed Cultural Diversity and International Perspecitve, and Writing Competency)
THE 402 - Movement Training for Actors Credits: 3
Elective or Additional Theatre Course Credits: 3
College Requirement or Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 2

Fourth Year - First Semester - 15 Credits

THE 460 - Theatre History Credits: 3
(Gen Ed Cultural Diversity & International Perspective, and Writing Competency)
Elective or Additional Theatre Course Credits: 3
College Requirement Credits: 3
Elective Credits:3
Elective Credits: 3

Fourth Year - Second Semester - 15 Credits

THE 402 - Movement Training for Actors Credits: 3
THE 415 - Capstone Experience in Theatre Credits: 1
Theatre elective Credits: 3
Elective or Additional Theatre Course Credits: 3
Elective, College Requirement or Additional Theatre Course Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 2

Note:

Some Core Theatre courses count toward the Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives, Artistic and Creative Expression, and Writing Intensive and Writing in the Major. So, the student may just take Elective courses in place of these requirements.

Up to five theatre courses (15 credits) can be taken in addition to the major requirement of 33 credits and have them count as part of the 120 credits needed to graduate.

Students, who want to minor in dance, may substitute the equivalent credits of non-theatre electives for Dance credits. DAN courses count as credits outside the major and can be used for electives.

Also, Elective Credits in this four-year plan may be applied to the College of Liberal Arts and Humanities requirement of a second major or a minor in another discipline.