Theatre (B.A.)
Total Semester Hours required for the Degree: 120 credit hours
Semester Hours required for the Theatre Major: 55 - 58 credit hours
The Department of Theatre offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. It concentrates on undergraduate programs that stress the interdependency of academic experiences. This liberal arts program emphasizes the importance of a broad theatre background and the mastery of theatre fundamentals in preparation for the more advanced training found in graduate schools or in professional theatre, internship/apprentice programs, or for a career in theatre education.
All students begin a major in Theatre with a core of requirements. Through advisement, the Theatre major then selects a particular emphasis that will aid in attaining career goals. Theatre majors must earn a minimum of at least a "C" (2.0) in each course used toward the major. A GPA of not less than 2.5 is required in the major.
Required Core: 25 Credit Hours
Foundation Courses: 7 Credit Hours
or
(Departmental Honors students may substitute THA 4644 for THA 4220.)
Performance Courses: 6 Credit Hours
Tech/Design Courses: 6 Credit Hours
A fee is required for shop materials.
A fee is required for shop materials.
History & Literature Courses: 6 Credit Hours
Plus One of the Following Emphases:
Generalist
Performance
Musical Theatre Performance
Tech/Design
Dramatic Writing
NOTE: Students may complete multiple emphases by completing degree requirements of each emphasis with theatre advisor.
Generalist - 30 hours
|
Performance/Tech Labs |
(6 total) |
|
Designated Performance Labs |
(1-2) |
|
Designated Technical Theatre Labs |
(4-5) |
|
(3 from THA 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, or 2008) |
|
|
Designated Performance Electives |
(6) |
|
Designated Tech/Design Electives |
(6) |
|
Designated History/Lit Electives |
(6) |
|
Additional Electives |
(6) |
Any 3000 or above THA course chosen in consultation with an advisor. May include up to 3 hours in course outside THA at 2000 or above.
Performance Emphasis - 30 hours*
|
THA 3334: Performing Voice |
(3) |
|
Designated Performance Labs |
(2) |
|
Designated Theatre Labs |
(4) |
|
(3 from THA 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, or 2008) |
|
|
THA 3344: Scene and Character Study |
(3) |
|
Designated Performance Electives |
(6) |
|
Designated Tech/Design Electives |
(3) |
|
Designated History/Lit Electives |
(3) |
|
Additional Electives |
(6) |
Any 3000 or above THA course chosen in consultation with an advisor. May include up to 3 hours in course outside THA at 2000 or above.
Musical Theatre Performance Emphasis - 33 hours*
|
THA 3334: Performing Voice |
(3) |
|
THA 3335: Musical Theatre Performance |
(3) |
|
THA 3336: Musical Theatre Dance |
(3) |
|
MUS 0541: Musical Theory Rudiments |
(3) |
|
MUS 1136: Class Instruction in Voice I |
(1) |
| or | |
| MUS 0010A: Introductory Voice I | (1) |
|
MUS 0010A: Introductory Voice I |
(2) |
|
Designated Performance Labs |
(2) |
|
Designated Technical Theatre Labs |
(4) |
|
(3 from THA 2001, 2001, 2006, 2007, or 2008) |
|
|
Designated Performance Electives |
(3) |
|
Designated Tech/Design Electives |
(3) |
|
Designated History/Lit Electives |
(3) |
|
Additional Electives |
(3) |
Any 3000 or above THA course chosen in consultation with an advisor. May include up to 3 hours in course outside THA at 2000 or above.
Tech/Design Emphasis - 30 hours*
|
Designated Tech/Design Electives |
(12) |
|
Designated Technical Theatre Labs |
(6) |
|
(4 from THA 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, or 2008) |
|
|
Designated Performance Electives |
(3) |
|
Designated History/Lit Electives |
(3) |
|
Additional Electives |
(6) |
Any 3000 or above THA course chosen in consultation with an advisor. May include up to 3 hours in course outside THA at 2000 or above.
Dramatic Writing Emphasis - 30 hours*
|
THA 3344: Scene and Character Study |
(3) |
|
ENG 2000: Intro to Creative Writing |
(3) |
|
ENG 3064: Intermediate Dramatic Writing |
(3) |
|
ENG 4764: Advanced Dramatic Writing |
(3) |
|
Designated History/Literature Lab |
(2) |
|
Designated Performance/Technical Lab |
(4) |
|
(3 from THA 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, or 2008) |
|
|
Designated History Electives |
(3) |
|
Designated Tech/Design Electives |
(3) |
|
Designated Performance Electives |
(3) |
|
Additional 3000+ Electives |
(3) |
Any 3000 or above THA course chosen in consultation with an advisor. May include up to 3 hours in course outside THA at 2000 or above.
Footnote:
* Admission to the Performance, Musical Theatre Performance and Tech/Design Emphases is subject to approval by academic advisor, program supervisor and chair. Students interested in pursuing these programs must apply after having completed a minimum of 30 semester hours, and prior to the completion of 85 semester hours.
Designated Performance Labs
Designated Tech/Design Labs
Designated History/Literature Labs
Designated Performance Electives
- THA 5585: Creative Drama/Grad Credits: 3
Designated Tech/Design Electives
Designated History/Lit Electives
**
**
Footnote:
** Will not count as Senior Seminar credit for Theatre Majors.
Information sourced from the 2025-2026 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.