Curriculum
The Theatre department curriculum falls into two broad, though inter-related, categories: 1) practice-based courses that develop Performance and Production skills; and 2) academic courses that study Dramatic Literature, Criticism, and Theater History.
The list below includes current and recent courses arranged by major and minor requirement categories. ‘Fundamentals’ are the core of our Theatre education providing a well-rounded educational experience. ‘Performance and Production’ and ‘History, Criticism, and Dramatic Literature’ offer many options and may also be used as electives if you choose to take more than required. ‘Electives’ count only as electives but frequently serve as prerequisites to advanced classes. ‘Production Labs’ are required for everyone and are a great way to get started in Theatre.
If you are seeking additional vocal training in musical theater or opera, see these courses offered in the Music Department. ​Musical Theater Performance (MUSP2750-01)​, 51²è¹Ý Opera Workshop (MUSP2850-01)​, Individual Vocal Instruction (MUSP1900), ​Individual Vocal Instruction (MUSP1925).
A complete list of course offerings for the current semester can be found on the Office of Student Services website.
Fundamentals
Theatre Majors must take all four of these courses.
Theatre Minors must take Dramatic Structure and Theatrical Process (or Introduction to Theatre THTR1170, in special cases), Acting I, and choose either Elements of Stagecraft OR Elements of Theatrical Design.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| THTR1172 | Dramatic Structure and Theatrical Process (substitute Introduction to Theatre THTR1170, in special cases) | 3 |
| THTR1103 | Acting I: Fundamentals of Performance | 3 |
| THTR1130 | Elements of Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR1140 | Elements of Theatrical Design | 3 |
Upper Level Performance and/or Production
Theatre Majors must take 6 credits from this category.  Additional credits will count toward electives. Theatre Minors must take 3 credits from this category. Specialty courses not listed here may be offered when we have visiting artists and guest faculty. Any course that falls within this number range will count toward this category.
- THTR3300-THTR3370
- THTR4400-THTR4470
- THTR5540 & THTR5548
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| THTR3302 | Movement and Dance for Stage & Screen Performers | 3 |
| THTR3303 | Meisner Acting Technique | 3 |
| THTR3313 | The Art of the Audition | 1 |
| THTR3319 | Musical Theatre Performance | 3 |
| THTR3321 | Contemporary Dance II (Prereqquisite: THTR2221 Contemporary Dance I) | 3 |
| THTR3322 | Jazz Dance II (Prereqquisite: THTR2222 Jazz Dance I) | 3 |
| THTR3323 | Dance for Musicals II (Prereqquisite: THTR2223 Dance for Musicals I) | 3 |
| THTR3344 | Stage Design I | 3 |
| THTR3347 | Costume Design | 3 |
| THTR3349 | Lighting Design (Offered alternate years) | 3 |
| THTR3362 | Playwriting I | 3 |
| THTR3366 | Directing I | 4 |
| THTR4403 | Advanced Meisner Technique | 3 |
| THTR4462 | Playwriting II (Prereqquisite: THTR3362 Playwriting I) | 3 |
| THTR4466 | Directing II (Prereqquisite: THTR4466 Directing I) | 4 |
| THTR5546 | Theater Practicum in Performance | 3 |
- Not all classes are offered every year. Some courses are offered only by demand.
- Specialty courses in musical theatre, puppetry, event organization, and advanced acting are added depending on the expertise of our guest artists.
- The Music Department offers voice lessons, musical theater and opera classes.
Upper Level History, Criticism, and/or Dramatic Literature
Theatre Majors must take 12 credits from this category. One of the classes must be History of Theater I or II. Additional credits will count toward electives.
Theatre Minors must take 6 credits from this category. One of the classes must be History of Theater I or II. The second course must be in the 3371 or above level.
Courses between THTR3371-THTR3399 count as an upper level in this category.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| THTR2275 | History of Theater I | 3 |
| THTR2285 | History of Theater II | 3 |
| THTR3371 | Theater in Boston: the Critical Eye | 3 |
| THTR3372 | Contemporary Theater & Drama in London | 3 |
| THTR3374 | American Theater & Drama | 3 |
| THTR3375 | American Popular Entertainment | 3 |
| THTR3376 | American Musical Theatre | 3 |
| THTR3377 | Fashion & Decor: A Cultural History | 3 |
| THTR3378 | Creative Dramatics | 3 |
| THTR3382 | Contemporary American Theatre | 3 |
| THTR3385 | African American Theater & Drama | 3 |
| THTR3386 | Shakespeare on Stage | 3 |
| THTR3387 | Modern Theater and Drama | 3 |
- Not all classes are offered every year.
- Specialty courses in various topics are added depending on the expertise of our guest artists.
Electives Only
These courses only count towards electives. Upper level courses will also count toward electives if more than the required number of courses are taken.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| THTR1120 | Elements of Dance | 3 |
| THTR1125 | Beginning Ballet I | 3 |
| THTR1126 | Beginning Ballet II | 3 |
| THTR1128 | Ballroom Dance: Mid-19th Century | 1 |
| THTR2210 | Improvisation for Stage I | 1 |
| THTR2211 | Improvisation for Stage II | 1 |
| THTR2213 | The Spoken Voice: On Stage & Off | 3 |
| THTR2220 | Stage Movement for Actors | 3 |
| THTR2221 | Contemporary Dance I | 3 |
| THTR2222 | Jazz Dance I | 3 |
| THTR2223 | Dance for Musicals I | 3 |
| THTR2225 | Intermediate Ballet I | 3 |
| THTR2226 | Intermediate Ballet II | 3 |
| THTR2239 | Stage Management Basics | 1 |
| THTR2247 | Makeup Design for the Stage | 3 |
| THTR2251 | Principles of Theatre Management | 3 |
| THTR2255 | Theatre Skills: Sound Design Basics | 3 |
| THTR2268 | Theatre for Youth | 3 |
Theatre Production Labs
All are welcome, majors and non-majors alike, to sign up for a one credit lab. You will learn skills backstage building costumes, scenery, paint, props, lights or sound. Or sign up to be backstage as ‘run crew’ during a performance. No experience is necessary to sign up for a lab and the supervisor will convey specific requirements for what is expected. It is open to everyone although some areas require the permission of the instructor. One-credit production labs are graded on a pass/fail basis.
You may register anytime up through the drop/add period. It is recommended that anyone who is auditioning for a show sign up for a production lab after the auditions on the first weekend of the semester.
A theater major is required to earn six laboratory credits in order to complete the major.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| THTR1011 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB I: SCENERY RUN | 1 |
| THTR1012 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB: WARDROBE RUN | 1 |
| THTR1013 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB: ACTING PRACTICUM | 1 |
| THTR1014 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB I: ELECTRICS RUN | 1 |
| THTR1015 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB I: SOUND RUN | 1 |
| THTR1016 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB I: SPECIAL TOPICS RUN | 1 |
| THTR1021 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB II: SCENERY PREP | 1 |
| THTR1022 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB II: COSTUMES PREP | 1 |
| THTR1023 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB II: PROPS/PAINT PREP | 1 |
| THTR1024 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB II: ELECTRICS PREP | 1 |
| THTR1025 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB II: SOUND PREP | 1 |
| THTR1026 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB II: SPECIAL TOPICS PREP | 1 |
| THTR1027 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB II: DRAMATURGY | 1 |
| THTR1031 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB III:ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER | 1 |
| THTR1032 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB III:ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER | 1 |
| THTR1034 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB III:ASSISTANT LIGHT DESIGNER | 1 |
| THTR1035 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB III:ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER | 1 |
| THTR1038 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB III: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | 1 |
| THTR1039 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB III:ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGMENT | 1 |
| THTR1040 | THEATRE PRODUCTION LAB III: CHOREOGRAPHY | 1 |
| THTR1041 | ADVANCED PRODUCTION LAB: SCENIC DESIGN | 2 |
| THTR1042 | ADVANCED PRODUCTION LAB:COSTUME DESIGN | 2 |
| THTR1044 | ADVANCED PRODUCTION LAB: LIGHT DESIGN | 2 |
| THTR1045 | ADVANCED PRODUCTION LAB: SOUND DESIGN | 2 |
| THTR1049 | ADVANCED PRODUCTION LAB: STAGE MANAGER | 2 |
| THTR1051 | ADVANCED PRODUCTION LAB: TECHNICAL DIRECTOR | 2 |