Our curriculum is designed to provide the best possible learning and training for students majoring in Theatre Arts. The program offers a broad liberal education as well as specialized professional training that emphasizes skills as well as knowledge. The faculty works with each student to create an artistic point of view and a professional work ethic appropriate for the theatre and other endeavors.
The Theatre Arts major is time consuming and physically demanding. Participation in Mainstage and Studio productions is a part of the educational program. All majors and minors must be free to participate in theatre activities on weekends and during the evening.
All theatre students take a series of core courses in the major. In addition, students must pursue one of the three programs of study offered by the department:
Acting
includes a five level acting sequence and acting enrichment courses
Design and Theatre Production
includes courses and experiences in scenery, lighting and costume design, and theatre production
Theatre Studies
for students who wish to pursue individual programs of study through numerous aspects of theatre production and theory
All Theatre Arts majors must complete required core courses in theatre regardless of their program of study. Core courses are listed below.
The following checklists are available to help students keep a record of the classes they need to complete for graduation.
The department has a Mainstage Theatre, Studio Theatre, the Dreyer MFA lab and a state-of-the-art Studio Theatre. We produce four Mainstage and 10 to 15 Studio projects and productions each year. The undergraduate projects and productions are cast only with undergraduate students.
The department offers opportunities for undergraduates to direct and stage manage and to work in all forms of theatre, including musical theatre, feminist theatre, mime and movement theatre.
Non Majors who are interested in the "behind the scene" aspects of the theatre may inquire about working in the shops for extra curricular activity or credit. Students working in the shops must follow the same agreements made with theatre majors and show a continued interest in the program. If non-majors are not able to participate as expected, they will be asked to no longer participate. Please contact the heads of the shops for more detailed information.
Core Degree Requirements (28 units total)
for individual program (Acting; Design and Production; and Theatre Studies) requirements see the individual program pages.
THEA 125 Script Analysis
THEA 142 Introduction to Design
THEA 211 Theatre History I
THEA 212 Theatre History II
THEA 213 Theatre History III
THEA 331 Directing I
THEA 499 Special Project in Theatre Research (Thesis)
One of the following:
THEA 201 Scenic Design
THEA 255 Lighting Design
THEA 353 Costume Design
Four of the following Theatre Production (crew) courses as defined by program of study:
THEA 492 Acting Crew
THEA 494 Scene Crew
THEA 495 Lighting
Crew
THEA 496 Costume Crew
THEA 498 Administration Crew
THEA 497 Running Crew
Department of Theatre Arts
Center for the Arts, Room 3037 (map)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
