Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Performing Arts - Theatre, B.A.


The Theatre Concentration provides students a working knowledge of Theatre in the areas of performance (acting and directing) theory/history/criticism and production experience through participation on technical crews in actual productions. Students will also learn the basic concepts of dramatic structure and may have the opportunity to write plays that are presented in a public forum. The program provides students the opportunity to combine the theatre discipline with other related studies for an Interdisciplinary Individualized major. The program prepares the student for graduate studies, and to become practicing theatre artists and life long learners in a global arts community.

Central to our program is a common core of interconnected experiences in art, music, and theatre sharing concepts across the arts such as improvisation, performance, histories, or business of the arts. Students are challenged to develop independent thinking that transcends disciplinary boundaries as they learn to engage the changing world of the arts. Project 1, where all arts majors work with faculty to pursue a topic, idea, or project, introduces first-year students to the idea of making a unique contribution to a community. In Project 2, juniors and seniors work together on a project for public presentation, largely independent from faculty. Project 3 is a major thesis paper, production, original play, or other project, which culminates the student’s undergraduate work and launches them into their career after UMF. This interdisciplinary, ideas-based program prepares students for the complex and changing world of the art ins the twenty-first century.

Requirements (44 Total Credits)


Building Towards the Project (20 Credits)


Students in the Theare Concentration of the Performing Arts major select five (5) additional THE courses, meeting the following requirements:

  • One studio course at the 200 level or above Credits: 4
  • One course in technical theatre Credits: 4
  • One course at the 300 level or above Credits: 4
  • Two THE designated electives Credits: 8

Capstone Experience (4 Credits)


World Language Requirement


For specific information about world language requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements  in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

General Education Requirements


For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements  in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 128


Learning Goals and Assessment


Learning Goals:

UMF students graduating with a concentration in theatre will demonstrate:

  • standards for evaluating the art of performance and theatre productions.
  • an understanding of dramatic script analysis and a broad-based knowledge of plays and theatre styles.
  • an appreciation for world theatre and theoretical developments.
  • a solid fundamental education in acting, directing, and technical design.
  • the ability to place theatre within different disciplinary contexts as well as consider ideas which incorporate methods of thinking
  • solid critical artistic and thinking skills.
  • the ability to write critically about their own performance work in acting and directing.
  • criteria for self-assessment in presentations and performances.
  • means for measuring improvement of skills that go beyond their undergraduate studies.
  • understanding of the critical and theoretical elements of performance.
  • understanding of the collaborative nature of performance in directed scenes.
  • understanding of the language of performance and script development.