Theatre Arts Degree (B.A.), Design/Technology Track

Overview

A degree in Theatre Arts fosters a wide range of practical job skills that are highly valued in a broad variety of professions. These skills include critical thinking, creative process, problem solving, time management, effective written and oral communication, active listening, collaboration, portfolio development, team work, production management, self-confidence, and empathy.

Differentiators 

  • Student passion for subject matter; leadership roles
  • Small studio classes for more personal mentoring from faculty 
  • Individualized, guided educational experience
  • Faculty involvement with student clubs 
  • Faculty actively working as artists in New York City and across New England 

Topics Covered

  • Performance and Directing Techniques 
  • Design Techniques 
  • Theatre History 
  • Script Analysis 
  • Emerging Theatre Technologies 

Career Preparation 

  • Internship support 
  • Practical production experience 
  • Faculty guidance on applications, letters, and portfolios 
  • Guest speakers showcasing professionals working from a Theatre background 
  • Acceptance in MA/Ph.D., MFA Acting, MFA Design, MFA Theatre for Youth 

Opportunities 

  • High-quality theatrical productions 
  • Strong opportunities for involvement from the first semester 
  • Students present work at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival 
  • Strong creative/collaborative environment

Internship Opportunities

  • Actors Theatre of Louisville 
  • Berkshire Theatre Group 
  • Westport County Playhouse 
  • Hartford Stage Company 
  • Barrington Stage Company 
  • Chester Theatre Company 
  • Circus Smirkus 
  • Bay Street Theatre Company 
  • St. Michael’s Playhouse 

  • TWO Student Directed, Designed &
    Produced productions each year 

  • ALL Students from disciplines
    can participate in productions 

  • Focused MENTORING

Requirements

Requirements for the Theatre Arts Major - 42 Credits

The major in Theatre Arts is designed to provide students with a fundamentally sound and well-rounded bachelor of arts education and training in theatre and in its related arts of performance and design. It is the objective of the Theatre Arts Program to instill in students an abiding respect for theatre as an historical and cultural institution; to enhance their appreciation of theatre's significant role in a society's social, political, and cultural life; and to prepare students for the world of professional theatre and for graduate study. The bachelor of arts in Theatre Arts degree requires 40 credit hours of study, which includes 12 credit hours in one of three tracks of study: Performance, Design/Technology, or Theatre Studies. Students will be automatically enrolled in the Theatre Studies track of the major, with placement in the Performance or Design/Tech tracks granted at the discretion of the Theatre Arts Faculty following an audition or interview process.

Theatre Arts Core Curriculum - 30 Credits

The following courses are required of all Theatre Arts majors (27 credits):

Diversity in Drama

Select one course (to reach 30 credits total):

Design/Technology Track - 12 Credits
Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

  • Hone skills in oral, written, physical, and visual communication
  • Develop personal creative expressiveness 
  • Team building and collaboration
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Engaging with complex philosophical and social issues that explore the nature of humanity in a community setting
Theatre Arts students in a production of Jose Rivera's Marisol

Related Clubs & Organizations

Musical Theatre Guild
MTG offers interested students an opportunity to participate in musical theatre in any capacity on or off the stage.

Advisor

Musical Theatre Guild
Musical Theatre Guild Constitution
Student Theatre Association (STA)

The purpose of STA is to create a learning environment for students interested in theatre. STA will strive to provide its members with a variety of theatrical opportunities that will explore all aspects of theatre

Advisor

Student Theatre Association (STA)

My time in the WSU theater program taught me truly invaluable life skills through a variety of rewarding opportunities. The small size of the program allowed for me to feel incredibly supported by the amazing faculty to explore and develop my creativity and hone my craft. I can’t imagine a program that would have been better suited to me as a young artist!

Kasey Sheehan

Class of 2011

Notable Faculty & Alumni

  • James Jackson, Jr., Obie Award Winning Actor and Singer 
  • Alyssa Wright, CEO and Founder of Wright Consulting Group 
  • Philanthropy & Fund-Raising Consultant and contributing writer at Forbes 
  • Barrett Leddy, Voice Actor 
  • Bridget Collins, Lighting Supervisor, The Huntington Theatre Company 
  • Madeleine Hebert, National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Award for Excellence in Lighting Design. Accepted MFA Candidate at Carnegie Mellon, Cal Arts, New York University and The University of Ohio 
  • Stuart Holland, Event Audio Technician/Sound Designer, Roger Williams Zoo 

Still have questions?

Please contact us with any questions you may have!

Contact us

Professor James McNamara
Chair - Theatre Arts Department
Ely Building 211