Theatre and Drama majors with a primary interest in acting may audition for the Acting Option. This highly-structured program of study offers students a deeper practical knowledge and experience of the skills required to pursue professional work as an actor and/or advanced studies in theatre.  These students are highly mentored and will benefit from personalized performance reviews with the acting faculty at the end of each semester.

Admission is by audition only; auditions are announced at the midpoint of each semester. Students must have taken THEATRE 140 Voice 1: Effective Communication, THEATRE 150 Acting I: Introduction to ActingTHEATRE 367 Script Analysis and be enrolled in or have successfully completed THEATRE 250 Fundamentals of Acting before auditioning for the option. Students who qualify for the Acting Option are expected to audition for University Theatre productions and play as cast. This named option will be formally documented on the student’s official transcript. The option coursework listed here is one component of the B.S. Theatre and Drama degree requirements.

Effective Spring, 2019

Complete a minimum of 45 credits to include the following:

Required Courses
THEATRE 140 Voice 1: Effective Communication3
THEATRE 240 Intermediate Voice Training3
THEATRE 150 Acting I: Introduction to Acting3
THEATRE 250 Fundamentals of Acting3
THEATRE 350 Acting Realism3
THEATRE 162 Backstage Experience1
THEATRE/​ENGL  120 Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature3
THEATRE 631 Theories of Acting3
THEATRE 367 Script Analysis3
THEATRE 342 Fundamentals of Movement for the Stage3
Choose four of the following:12
Fundamentals of Asian Stage Discipline
Introduction to Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness
Musical Performance for the Actor
Acting Shakespeare
Auditioning for Stage and Screen
Fundamentals of Directing
Acting for the Camera
The Business of Acting
Choose one of the following:3
Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Technical Theatre Fundamentals
Collaborative Problem Solving
Producing Theatre
Makeup for the Theatre
Choose two of the following:2
Scenic Studio Practicum
Costume Studio Practicum
Lighting & Sound Studio Practicum
Performance in Practice
If needed, additional Theatre courses to meet minimum of 45 credits

Theatre and Drama Major: Acting Option

Sample Four-Year Plan

This four-year sample graduation plan is designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career; it does not establish a contractual agreement. Use it along with your DARS report, the Guide, and the Course Search and Enroll app to create a four-year plan reflecting your placement scores, incoming credits, and individual interests. Consult with an academic advisor to develop a personalized plan of study and refer to the Guide for a complete list of requirements. You will likely revise your plan several times during your academic career here, based on your activities and changing academic interests.

Admission to the Acting Option is by audition only; auditions are announced at the midpoint of each semester. Students must have taken THEATRE 140 Voice 1: Effective CommunicationTHEATRE 150 Acting I: Introduction to ActingTHEATRE 367 Script Analysis, and be enrolled in or have successfully completed THEATRE 250 Fundamentals of Acting before auditioning for the option. Students who qualify for the Acting Option are expected to audition for University Theatre productions and play as cast.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Communication A (fall or spring semester)3Communication A (fall or spring semester)3
THEATRE 1403Quantitative Reasoning A3
THEATRE 3673THEATRE 1503
Liberal Studies course work6-9One of the following:3
 
 
 
 
 
 Liberal Studies course work3-6
 15 15
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
THEATRE/​ENGL  12013-4THEATRE 2403
THEATRE 2503THEATRE 3503
THEATRE 3423THEATRE 1621
Ethnic Studies3Quantitative Reasoning B3
Liberal Studies course work2-6Liberal Studies, Theatre or General Elective course work5
 15 15
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Communication B13-4Two of the following:6
One of the following:3
Liberal Studies, Theatre or General Elective course work9
THEATRE 6313 
Liberal Studies, Theatre or General Elective course work5-9 
 15 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
One of the following:3Two of the following:2-4
Liberal Studies, Theatre or General Elective course work12-13
 
 
 
Liberal Studies, Theatre or General Elective course work12 
 15 15
Total Credits 120
1

 THEATRE/​ENGL  120 Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature is a requirement of the Theatre and Drama major: Acting Option. The 4-credit option also satisfies the General Education Communication Part B requirement. If the 4-credit option is selected, it may not be available until after the sophomore year. Either the 3 or 4 credit option of will meet the Theatre and Drama major requirement.