2022-2023 Catalog

Major: Theatre Arts, B.A. (1007), 42 Credits

General Education: 42 Credits; Major: 42 Credits; Elective Credits: 36 Credits

Learning Goals for all the Majors in Theatre Arts (B.A. and B.F.A)

Upon completing the theatre arts major, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate comprehension of achievements in drama and theatrical production across a range of periods and cultures;
  • Demonstrate comprehension of the interdisciplinarity of theatre study and the collaborative nature of theatre production;
  • Demonstrate writing, oral communication, research, performance, and technical skills as foundations for building specific expertise in selected areas of concentration;
  • Draw on external resources for further study and work experience by utilizing museums, theatres, performing arts organizations, libraries, and other institutions in New York City and abroad.

There are five areas of concentration which develop specific expertise within the general program:

  • Directing
  • Theatre & New Media
  • Theatre History & Performance Texts
  • Theatre Performance
  • Writing for the Stage

A flexible program, the 42-credit B.A. program can be pursued full or part time and is suited to those applying for prior learning experience credit.

Theatre Core Requirements: (24 credits)

THTR 110Stagecraft

3

THTR 215Script Analysis

3

THTR 230Theatre Histories I: early evidence through 1750

3

THTR 231Theatre Histories II: 1750 through tomorrow

3

THTR 305Elements of Directing

3

THTR 311Shakespeare, the Stage, and Humanity

3

THTR 465 Advanced Studies in Drama & Theatre

3

One of the following: (3 credits)

THTR 122Acting for Majors

3

THTR 243Theatre in Education & Community

3

THTR 252Lighting Mechanics

3

THTR 253Scenery and Prop Technology

3

THTR 266Costume Construction

3

THTR 290/ART 290/DANC 290History & Mission of Arts Institutions 

3

THTR 296Introduction to Playwriting

3

THTR 238Stage Management

3

THTR 345Introduction to Dramaturgy

3

THTR 355New York City Arts Seminar

3

THTR 378/DANC 378Producing Performance

3

THTR 385Directing II

3

THTR 465 Advanced Studies in Drama & Theatre

3

Any 300-level Dramatic Literature course

3

Students must also complete one of the five following concentrations for the remaining 18 credits of the major:

Directing Concentration (18 Credits)

Required Courses: (15 credits)
THTR 211Acting: Process & Technique

3

THTR 212Acting: Beginning Scene Study

3

THTR 238Stage Management

3

THTR 343Theatre Production: Mainstage

3

THTR 320Dramatic Forms and Genres

3

THTR 385Directing II

3

THTR 238: taken in the Theatre Core

One of the following: (3 credits)
THTR 317/DANC 317Design for Directors & Choreographers 

3

MUS 216/COMM 216/DANC 216Digital Sound Workshop

3

THTR 302 Scenic Design I

3

THTR 303Costume Design I

3

THTR 304 Lighting Design I

3

Theatre and New Media Concentration (18 Credits)

Required Courses: (15 credits)
THTR 207/COMM 207Introduction to Lighting for Film and Video

3

DANC 216/COMM 216/MUS 216Digital Sound Workshop 

3

COMM 225New Media Workshop

3

COMM 233Video Field Production

3

THTR 101Theatre Games and Improvisation

3

THTR 122Acting for Majors

3

THTR 221Performing with Digital Media

3

THTR/COMM 207: substituted for THTR 110 above

THTR 122: taken in the Theatre Core

One of the following: (3 credits)
COMM 300Special Topics in Media Production

3

COMM 326Producing For Creative Media

3

COMM 347Integrated Media

3

COMM 349/MUS 349 Projects in Digital Sound

3

COMM 359Directing Video

3

THTR 412History & Theory of New Media in Performance

3

Theatre History and Performance Texts Concentration (18 Credits)

Students in this concentration work closely with their advisor and the coordinator of the concentration to select courses, independent study options, and internships that relate to their specific academic and professional interests. These may include dramaturgy, artistic/literary management, audience development & outreach, theatre history and theory, theatre criticism, or performance studies.

Required Courses: (9 credits)
THTR 250Performance Research

3

THTR 465 Advanced Studies in Drama & Theatre

3

THTR 351Dramaturgy Practicum

1-3

or

THTR 399Independent Study/Internship

1-6

or

THTR 499Independent Study/Internship

1-6

THTR 465: Students in this concentration are required to take a THTR 465 special topics course in addition to the one that fulfills the Theatre Major core requirements. With permission, students may take a third THTR 465 section. In all cases, these seminars must focus on different topics.

Three of the following: (9 credits) - at least six of these credits must be at the 300- or 400- level
AIP 302Chinese Culture through Fiction and Drama (IP)

3

AIP 316The Ethics of Performance Reenactment and Passion Playing (CP, EP)

3

AIP 341Culture and Politics of Nazi Germany (CP, IP)

3

THTR 290/ART 290/DANC 290History & Mission of Arts Institutions 

3

THTR 316British Drama and Theatre

3

THTR 319Drama & Theatre in the United States

3

THTR 320Dramatic Forms and Genres

3

THTR 327Gender in Performance: Cross-Dressing on the American Stage

3

THTR 328/ART 328/DANC 328The Arts & Social Change  

3

THTR 329Tragedy and Religion

3

THTR 345Introduction to Dramaturgy

3

THTR 355New York City Arts Seminar

3

THTR 362American Musical Theatre History

3

THTR 380Dramatic Theory and Criticism

3

THTR 381Classical Drama and Theatre

3

THTR 408Medieval Performance

3

THTR 412History & Theory of New Media in Performance

3

THTR 416Constructing America through 19th-century Performance

3

THTR 420From The Chitlin’ Circuit to The Great White Way: A History of African-Americans Onstage in the United States

3

THTR 465 Advanced Studies in Drama & Theatre

3

THTR 475/ART 475/COMM 475The Avant-Garde in Art, Film and Performance

3

THTR 465: Students in this concentration are required to take a THTR 465 special topics course in addition to the one that fulfills the Theatre Major core requirements. With permission, students may take a third THTR 465 section. In all cases, these seminars must focus on different topics.

Theatre Performance Concentration (18 Credits)

Required Courses: (18 credits)
THTR 202Voice & Speech for the Actor I

3

THTR 203Voice & Speech for the Actor II

3

THTR 211Acting: Process & Technique

3

THTR 212Acting: Beginning Scene Study

3

THTR 341Acting: Intermediate Scene Study

3

THTR 342Acting: Advanced Scene Study

3

Writing for the Stage Concentration (18 Credits)

Required Courses: (15 credits)
THTR 296Introduction to Playwriting

3

THTR 396 A-BIntermediate Playwriting Techniques I & II

3-3

THTR 496 A-BAdvanced Playwriting Techniques I & II

3-3

One of the following: (3 credits)
COMM 322Writing for Television

3

COMM 353Screenplay Writing

3

THTR 208Dramatic Storytelling

3

THTR 250Performance Research

3

THTR 345Introduction to Dramaturgy

3

THTR 394New Play Development

3

THTR 410Playwright/Director Workshop

3