The study of theatre provides you with opportunities to explore personal values, develop personal skills, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning — all within a distinctive philosophical and artistic environment.
When you major or minor in Theatre, you will be exposed to a sizable body of dramatic literature, theory, and historical study, leading to the development of an informed perspective of the role of theatre as a social, spiritual, and artistic institution. The experience is a liberalizing one, designed to allow you to explore and develop yourself as both an individual and an artist.
Find out more about this department’s mission, vision, and learning outcomes.
The Theatre major provides you with opportunities to explore personal values, develop personal skills, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning — all within a distinctive philosophical and artistic environment.
- A minimum of 79–112 credits are required for this major and its emphases, including 30–75 upper-division credits.
- This major includes three emphases: Performance, Production, and Teaching.
- Any number of credits of Practica offerings may be applied toward your BA in Theatre degree.
- Many of the courses focus on skills associated with performance, playwriting, directing, designing, and technical theatre crafts.
- An extensive production program is maintained.
- You must demonstrate a growing ability in theatrical criticism, artistic awareness, and personal theatrical skills.
- You must complete a Senior Project in acting, directing, design, technical direction, or playwriting. Your project must include both an approved prospectus and some form of public demonstration made during your senior year.
Senior Project
Your Senior Project will be developed with faculty advisor consultation and approved by the theatre faculty. It is expected to be the independent work of a mature student artist.
This project is considered the culmination of your undergraduate training and must be of substantial merit, reflecting an informed artistic sensitivity and philosophy. You may accumulate up to 3 credits of TRE 4961 “Special Projects” in the completion of this requirement.
The major in Costume Design and Production takes advantage of the resources of the Department of Theatre and the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Through studying general theatre, fashion design, clothing construction, theatre history, clothing history, and other areas, we prepare students who want to become costumers, wardrobe managers, and costume designers in professional theatre, film, or other performance genres.
- A minimum 84 credits are required for this major, including 31 upper-division credits.
- Core courses from the Family and Consumer Sciences Department include “History of Costume, “Textiles,” and “Flat Pattern Design.”
- Core courses from the Theatre Department include “Stagecraft,” “Playscript Analysis,” and “Production Practicum.”
Apply for the major or minor
Apply for a major using the . You must complete the major requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.
- If you were an incoming freshman, you may apply for a Theatre major at the end of your first quarter of your sophomore year.
- If you were a transfer student, you may apply to the major in your second quarter of residence.
- You are required to have completed 12 credits of work with a minimum 2.5 GPA in Theatre, which must include TRE 1720 “Stagecraft” and TRE 1310 “The Actor's Art” or TRE 1340 “Acting I: Fundamentals.”
- The theatre faculty must approve your application for admission to the Theatre major or minor programs.
Certification with elementary education endorsement
- If you plan to teach in an elementary school and are interested in theatre, you must major in the Integrated Studies major with a concentration in the Arts.
- The concentration consists of courses in art, music, and theatre.
- The faculty advisor for the Arts Concentration, Dr. Andrew Ryder (aryder@spu.edu).
- Further information about the Elementary Certification Program is available in the School of Education.
Certification with secondary education endorsement
If you plan to obtain Residency Teacher Certification with endorsement in Theatre, you should pursue a BA in Theatre Education, and you must also complete requirements for a Secondary Education Endorsement through the School of Education.
If you plan to become a teacher, visit the School of Education for complete information.