Theatre Arts B.A.

View information for the Department of Theatre , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

View the degree program Roadmap, which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

The Theatre Arts B.A. degree program has a general track and two optional concentrations: the Performance concentration and Technical Theatre concentration.

The general track in the Theatre B.A. trains undergraduates as general practitioners in the art of Theatre. The curriculum balances theoretical and practical work while featuring a close relationship between courses and production. The students and faculty work together on all aspects of production in a 300-seat mainstage theater and a 80-seat studio theater. Upon completion of the Theatre major, a student will have a general understanding of all areas of the theatrical process as well as having developed skills in collaboration, organization, and problem solving all in a group dynamic. Courses in the theatre curriculum also provide aesthetic and cultural enrichment for Liberal Arts students.

Theatre majors seeking a career in Theatre will have the opportunity to choose between two different pre-professional concentrations in either Performance or Technical Theatre/Design.

The Performance concentration is for students who are looking to enter the professional world of acting, and/or directing, across a variety of media, or are looking for placement in Master in Fine Arts (M.F.A.) or other professional degree programs. Students will have the opportunity, with faculty consultation, to choose from a number of performance-based courses that reflect the student’s own interest as an artist and professional.
The Technical Theatre concentration is for students who are looking to enter the professional world of Theatre as a technician/designer in a variety of disciplines including; scenic, costume, and/or lighting, or are looking for placement in MFA or other professional degree programs. Students will have the opportunity, with faculty consultation, to choose from a number of design or technical courses that reflect the student’s own interest as an artist and professional.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

Knowledge of the history and traditions of theatre.
Knowledge of techniques of script and character analysis in the context of a theatrical production/activity.
Practical and theoretical knowledge of technical theatre and design, from both a traditional and contemporary perspective.
Understanding of shop equipment, safety and techniques through elaboration of production in the scene and costume shops of the department.
The ability to perform in a variety of studio/stage settings.
The integration of learning goals through senior projects.
A strong understanding of teamwork and collaboration.

Requirements

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.

A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

Units and Residency (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
Grade Point Average (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
General Education (minimum of 49 units)
Upper Division Writing Proficiency (minimum of 3 units)
- Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
United States Constitution and California State and Local Government (minimum of 3 units)
Multicultural Requirement (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)

Subsequently all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor, department chair, and Director of Academic Advising. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

2. Complete the Major.

(53 Units)

After completing all required major core courses, students must complete one of the following:

General track electives
Performance concentration
Technical Theatre concentration

THEA 4350 Requirement

Students are required to take 6 units of THEA 4350 - Rehearsal and Performance (1 unit). Upon achievement of sophomore status in the University, students are required to take at least 1 unit of THEA 4350 each semester they are in residence in the Theatre major. Students may enroll in more than one unit of THEA 4350 in one semester by enrolling in two different sections of the course (upon approval of the instructor or Department Chair). Transfer students must be enrolled in THEA 4350 every semester they are in residence in the program and must complete 6 units of THEA 4350 to graduate.

The Major

(53 units)

Complete the major core courses and the general track or one of the two concentrations.

Core Courses

(44 units)

Complete the all of the following courses:

THEA 1500 - Introduction to Acting 3 unit(s)
THEA 2010 - Foundations in Scenography 3 unit(s)
THEA 2020 - Stagecraft I 3 unit(s)
THEA 2500 - Script Analysis 3 unit(s)
THEA 3100 - Stage Management 3 unit(s)
THEA 3210 - Makeup 3 unit(s)
THEA 3240 - Costuming 3 unit(s)
THEA 3400 - Voice and Movement I 3 unit(s)
THEA 3510 - Theatre History I 3 unit(s)
THEA 3520 - Theatre History II (WP) 3 unit(s)
THEA 3960 - Junior Year Professional Preparation 2 unit(s)
THEA 4350 - Rehearsal and Performance 1 unit(s)
THEA 4600 - Directing 3 unit(s)
THEA 4960 - Senior Seminar 3 unit(s)

Concentrations or General Track

Under the direction of your Major adviser, complete the General track or one of the two concentrations in either Performance or Technical Theatre

General Track

(9 units)

Students in the general track complete nine (9) units of electives from the following:

THEA 3020 - Children’s Theatre 3 unit(s)
THEA 3250 - Stagecraft II 3 unit(s)
THEA 3600 - Indigenous Perspectives in Theatre 3 unit(s)
THEA 4000 - Fashion and Costume Through Time 3 unit(s)
THEA 4020 - Performance for Children 4 unit(s)
THEA 4520 - Acting in the Classics 3 unit(s)
THEA 4550 - American Theatre 3 unit(s)

Performance Concentration

(9 units)

Students wishing to complete the Performance concentration must complete nine (9) units from the following courses and are also encouraged to take courses in the English and Music departments, towards the University 120-unit requirement, including ENGL 4300 .

THEA 3420 - Stage Movement II 3 unit(s)
THEA 3440 - Voice II 3 unit(s)
THEA 3700 - Acting for the Camera 3 unit(s)
THEA 4510 - Intermediate Acting 3 unit(s)
THEA 4520 - Acting in the Classics 3 unit(s)

Technical Theatre Concentration

(9 units)

Students wishing to complete the Technical emphasis must complete nine (9) units from the following courses and are also encouraged to take courses in the Art department, towards the university 120-unit requirement, including ART 1010 , ART 2515 or ART 2520 , and ART 3000 .

THEA 3250 - Stagecraft II 3 unit(s)
THEA 3260 - Fundamentals of Light Design 3 unit(s)
THEA 3300 - Fundamentals of Scenic Design 3 unit(s)
THEA 4000 - Fashion and Costume Through Time 3 unit(s)
THEA 4020 - Performance for Children 4 unit(s)

Note:

To fulfill the University 120-unit graduation requirement, students normally must complete fifteen (15) more units. With consultation from an advisor, these units can be completed outside of the department or from courses listed in any THEA concentration.