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Theatre Studies

Professor William Swann, Chair, Division of Fine Arts

Professor Heather McMahon, Coordinator

The theatre program stresses the intrinsic value of a broad study of theatre within the liberal arts tradition, affording the student a sound basis in the art, history, and literature of theatre. The Major in Theatre Studies serves the aspiring theatre professional and future graduate student, providing a wide-ranging curricular experience, while the Theatre Studies: Performance Track and the Theatre Studies: Design and Technology Track allow students to specialize in a particular field of theatre while still exploring the larger context of theatre studies. The Major in Theatre for Teacher Licensure specifically prepares students to enter the teaching field.

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

  1. Identify, describe, and compare major movements of theatre history and dramatic literature.
  2. Analyze dramatic literature from the perspective of a theatre practitioner.
  3. Apply acting vocabulary and techniques in auditions, the rehearsal process, and in performance.
  4. Implement the principles of design, industry-standard construction techniques, and proper use of equipment in all areas of technical theatre.
  5. Synthesize the artistic and practical methods of stage directors with a knowledge of acting and technical theatre in order to create a fully realized production.
  6. Evaluate productions and communicate the results of those evaluations with precision and clarity.
  7. Articulate the various roles of theatre in society, as well as a variety of perspectives regarding the value of theatre in society.