The study of theatre provides you with opportunities to explore personal values, develop personal skills, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning 鈥� 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鈥檚 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 鈥� all within a distinctive philosophical and artistic environment.
- A minimum of 79鈥�112 credits are required for this major and its emphases, including 30鈥�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 鈥淪pecial Projects鈥� 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 the combined study of theatre, apparel design, clothing construction, clothing history, and theatre history, we prepare students who want to become costumers, wardrobe managers, and costume designers in professional theatre, film, or other performance genres.
*This major and minor are found in TRE and FCS. Please be advised that these programs are identical in scope and requirement. If you are taking a major in one department, and would like to add a minor, it must be in the other department. For example, if you are majoring in FCS Apparel Merchandising and would like to minor in Costume Design and Production, you would need to take that minor as a TRE.
- A minimum 86 credits are required for this major, including 31 upper-division credits.
- A minimum 30 credits are required for this minor, including 15 upper-division credits.
- Core courses from the Family and Consumer Sciences Department include 鈥淗istory of Costume,鈥� 鈥淭extiles,鈥� and 鈥淔lat Pattern Design.鈥�
- Core courses from the Theatre Department include 鈥淪tagecraft,鈥� 鈥淧layscript Analysis,鈥� and 鈥淧roduction Practicum.鈥�
- You are required to have successfully completed three courses from the core requirements, which must include FCS 1840 鈥淏asic Clothing Construction.鈥�
Apply for the major or minor
Apply for a major using the online . You must complete the major requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.
- You should apply for a major or minor by your junior year.
- If you were an incoming freshman, you may apply for the 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.
- Your application is due on or before the first Friday of Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarter.
- Faculty must approve all admission to the majors and minors.
- Your overall GPA must be a minimum of 2.5 for admission to the major for Costume Design and Production.
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.