Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (Acting and Directing)

Website: https://twu.edu/theatre/undergraduate-programs/

The B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting/Directing prepares graduates to function creatively and skillfully in a variety of theatre professions with a focus on the skills needed for a career in creating performances both for the theatre and other related arts and entertainment fields. The emphasis also prepares students for further graduate work in their chosen field should they choose.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, subordinates, and people outside of the organization using clear spoken communication and active listening. 
  2. Monitor and organize processes, materials, and surroundings including the ability to review information relevant to a goal and to develop and prioritize the steps needed to achieve a goal. 
  3. Work directly and effectively with the public using skills such as oral expression, written expression, and improvisatory problem-solving. 
  4. Collaborate in a team-driven atmosphere by establishing and fostering personal relationships and developing constructive and cooperative working relationships in a time-sensitive environment in both face-to-face and digital communication environments. 

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120   

Major: 78 SCH

Program Code: THEATRE.BA.ACT-DRCT;   CIP Code: 50.0501.00

Theatre Major Rehearsal and Production Requirement

Theatre majors must enroll in THEA 1312 or THEA 2312 or THEA 3312 or THEA 4412 each semester of full-time enrollment. Each of these courses corresponds to the student's class status. For example, a First Year student should enroll in THEA 1312, a Sophomore student should enroll in THEA 2312, and so on.  Transfer students should enroll in THEA 3312 or THEA 4412 after consulting with a program advisor.

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

Theatre Core Courses
THEA 1312Rehearsal and Production I (take two times)4
THEA 1321Script Reading (take two times)2
THEA 2113Stagecraft I3
THEA 2213Performance I3
THEA 2312Rehearsal and Performance II (take two times)4
THEA 2433Theatrical Makeup3
THEA 3312Rehearsal and Performance III (take two times)4
THEA 3473The Theatre and Its Drama: Before 17153
THEA 3483The Theatre and Its Drama: Since 17153
THEA 3523Play Directing3
THEA 4412Rehearsal and Production IV (take two times)4
THEA 4603Summer Stock (take two times)6
Emphasis Area
THEA 2223Performance II3
THEA 2473Movement for the Performer I3
THEA 3603Advanced Acting and Scene Work3
THEA 3493Theatre Speech3
THEA 4403Scenic Design3
or THEA 4413 Costume Design
or THEA 4423 Stage Lighting
THEA 4553Playwriting3
Electives (3 SCH global perspectives)12
Take twelve SCH of Theatre or related studies
Foreign Languages6
Total SCHs78

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
THEA 1312Rehearsal and Production I DRAM 11202
THEA 1321Script Reading 1
THEA 2213Performance I DRAM 13513
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: The First Year Experience EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
Creative Arts Core3
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
THEA 1312Rehearsal and Production I DRAM 11202
THEA 1321Script Reading 1
THEA 2223Performance II DRAM 13523
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
Wellness/Mathematics CAO Core2
 SCHs 14
Second Year
FallTCCN
THEA 2312Rehearsal and Performance II DRAM 21212
THEA 2113Stagecraft I DRAM 13303
THEA 2433Theatrical Makeup DRAM 13413
THEA 2473Movement for the Performer I DRAM 13223
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
 SCHs 14
SpringTCCN
THEA 2312Rehearsal and Performance II DRAM 21212
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Social/Behavioral Science Core3
Mathematics Core3
Language, Philosophy, and Culture 3
 SCHs 14
SummerTCCN
THEA 4603Summer Stock 3
 SCHs 3
Third Year
FallTCCN
THEA 3312Rehearsal and Performance III 2
THEA 3473The Theatre and Its Drama: Before 1715 3
THEA 3603Advanced Acting and Scene Work 3
Multicultural Women's Studies CAO Core3
Life/Physical Science3
 SCHs 14
SpringTCCN
THEA 3312Rehearsal and Performance III 2
THEA 3483The Theatre and Its Drama: Since 1715 3
THEA 3493Theatre Speech 3
THEA 4403, 4413
,or 4423		Scenic Design
or Costume Design
or Stage Lighting		 3
Life/Physical Science3
 SCHs 14
SummerTCCN
THEA 4603Summer Stock 3
 SCHs 3
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
THEA 4412Rehearsal and Production IV 2
THEA 4553Playwriting 3
THEA Elective3
THEA Elective (upper level)3
Related Studies: Foreign Language3
 SCHs 14
SpringTCCN
THEA 4412Rehearsal and Production IV 2
THEA 3523Play Directing 3
THEA Elective3
THEA Elective3
Related Studies: Foreign Language3
 SCHs 14
 Total SCHs:  120