Directing

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Directing is structured to provide an intensive study of the art and discipline of directing for theatre.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a broad knowledge in and appreciation for all areas of theatre practice;
• demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practice of directing necessary for the preparation of a script, the planning and execution of rehearsals, and collaborating with actors and designers in the service of their direction of a full- length play;
• demonstrate the organizational skills necessary to mount credible productions of scripted and original material;
• demonstrate fluency in the discipline-wide study of theatrical production and design, vocal and physical training, acting skills and theatre history;
• have directed a one-act play and at least one full- length play; and
• have a completed portfolio that has charted their growth and accomplishments as directors.

Students are encouraged to select material that challenges their assumptions but engages their being. The BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Directing requires discipline-wide study in theatrical production and design, vocal and physical training, acting skills, and theatre history; and it deepens this learning through sequenced classes in directing, text analysis, and dramaturgy, as well as providing more opportunities for the student to direct full-length plays. Electives in Theatre Management, and in specific areas of theatre practice, provide breadth. Through advanced capstone classes and a reflective portfolio process, the BFA student is offered the opportunity to synthesize this learning in preparation for a career in professional theatre or study at the graduate level.

In the classroom, students work with a faculty of working professionals who bring their pragmatic approach to the art, craft, and business of theatre. In production, we stress collaboration as students work closely with their peers to rehearse and prepare plays for performance. The practical experience and responsibility of producing plays for performance is in itself a large step toward mastery; no other undergraduate program in the country that we know of offers the student more opportunities to put this work into practice.

BFA students are required to maintain a portfolio that charts their growth and accomplishments as directors. Faculty members will regularly meet with each student to discuss progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and show continued development as directors in order to continue in the program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

Program Requirements  

Transfer Students: View a Transfer Planning Tool for this Concentration  

Musical Theatre Performance

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre Performance provides a rigorous, intensive, professionally oriented education in the skills and discipline of musical theatre.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• create a psychologically and physically credible character through research, text analysis, rehearsal and exploration and synthesize characterization onstage as an actor, singer and dancer;
• employ musicianship, strong vocal technique and finesse, dance technique and ability as additional means of characterization that further the dramatic life of the scene;
• develop song interpretation and musical role preparation abilities in a wide variety of styles and formats;
• learn and practice proper dance technique and terminology in Ballet, Jazz,  Tap and Musical Theatre styles;
• have an advanced knowledge of musical theatre repertory and history; and
• cultivate successful audition technique with attention to professional practices while developing a thorough understanding of the business of performing as well as rehearsal skills and performance etiquette.

Working closely with the Music Department, we emphasize the synthesis of acting, singing, and dancing in order to prepare students for the demands of a field in which the “triple threat” performer often gets the job. Students take a sequence of courses in acting and theatre history, dance techniques and styles, and singing and musicianship, as well as courses that integrate the individual areas of study.

At every opportunity, students are encouraged to put into practice what they learn in the classroom through hands-on engagement in the preparation and presentation of performances produced in the department.

Students are required to audition for musical theatre productions and non-musical plays. In the classroom, students work with a faculty of professionals in the field, who bring their expertise to the art, craft, and business of the theatre. This pragmatic approach prepares students to face the challenging realities of making a life in the performing arts.

Students graduate with knowledge of how to seek work in the industry, employ their skills and with the understanding of the need to grow as an artist as they pursue a career in professional musical theatre.

BFA students are regularly evaluated to monitor their levels of achievement, progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major, complete the performance requirements, and demonstrate continued development in order to continue in the BFA program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

Program Requirements  

Transfer Students: View a Transfer Planning Tool for this Concentration  

Theatre Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Design is structured to provide an intensive study of the art and discipline of design for theatre.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• demonstrate and articulate a sophisticated understanding of how design works as a collaborative process that requires close co-operation between the designers, the director, technical team and performers on a theatrical production;
• demonstrate familiarity with all three design disciplines (costume, lighting or scenic design);
• demonstrate a fluent knowledge of technical theatre and theatrical drawing; including, rendering, and drafting;
• articulate knowledge of art and theatre history and dramatic theory;
• completed a professional-ready portfolio of work that can be used to seek admission to graduate school, or to seek work in the professional theatre; and
• successfully complete a capstone experience consisting of either a fully supported design opportunity or a professional internship.

Students can focus their study in the areas of costume, lighting, and scenic design, but at all times we stress the collaborative nature of the design process; and students must be familiar with all three design disciplines. The BFA in Design requires discipline-wide study in technical theatre, performance, theatre history, and text analysis; and it deepens that learning through sequenced classes in design and the collaborative process. Students may choose from a variety of electives focusing on technology, technical skills, electronic media, and the business of theatre. There are ample opportunities for design students to work on departmental productions, from the bare-bones workshop level to fully budgeted main stage shows. Through advanced capstone classes and a reflective portfolio process, the BFA student is provided with the opportunity to synthesize this learning in preparation for a career in professional theater or study at the graduate level.

In the classroom, students work with a faculty of working professionals who bring their pragmatic approach to the art, craft, and business of theatre. In fact, many of our Theatre Design students work with faculty members on projects outside the department as assistants or in a technical capacity, thus gaining valuable freelance experience in the business.

BFA students are expected to participate in departmental productions as well as Senior Showcase and must maintain a portfolio that charts their growth and accomplishments as designers. Faculty members will regularly meet with the student to discuss progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and show continued development as designers in order to continue in the program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

Program Requirements  

Transfer Students: View a Transfer Planning Tool for this Concentration