Theatre Arts (B.A.)

Requirements

In addition to a solid foundation of theatre history, dramatic literature, acting, directing and technical production, majors can focus their program through selected electives including special topics such as acting Shakespeare, advanced acting, design (scenic, costume, lighting), dialects, historical interpretation, musical theatre, movement, stage combat, stage management, technical topics and voice.

• THT 010 - Theatre Hour Credits: 0 (each semester)
• THT 150 - Technical Production I Credits: 4
• THT 234 - Introduction to Theatre Credits: 4
• THT 235 - Fundamentals of Acting Credits: 4
• THT 250 - Technical Production II Credits: 4
• THT 310 - Theatre History I: Aeschylus to Zola Credits: 4
• THT 320 - Theatre History II: 20th-Century Credits: 4
• THT 410 - Directing Credits: 4
• THT 490 - Senior Seminar Credits: 4
• THT 120 - Theatre Practicum Credits: 0 or 1

•      6 semesters required; minimum of four semesters of 50 contact hours (1 credit each).
       The remaining two semesters may be done for 1 or 0 credit; additional credits earned will not be factored into the major electives requirement.

Theatre Participation

Recognizing that theatre is a highly collaborative art form that demands the skill and labor of many people and that theatre productions are the laboratory for developing and applying practical skills of the discipline, all theatre arts majors are required to complete four semesters of 50 hours plus two semesters of 20 hours supporting production work during four years (eight semesters) at Gordon College. Minors are expected to complete two semesters of 20 hours.

These hours can be fulfilled in a variety of ways including performance, stage management, electrics, carpentry, costume creation, supplying props, box office, house management, running crew or combinations of the above. Some roles in the production process fulfill the requirement automatically, such as being part of a show’s cast where dress rehearsals and performances meet the required hours. The same is true of the master electrician and stage manager positions. Those not cast in productions will need to meet this requirement as part of crews, with hours recorded on time logs signed by faculty and student supervisors. At each year-end review, students will be required to note how they met this requirement for the year.

Theatre arts majors are also required to attend the department’s monthly Theatre Hour and participate in an annual year-end review with the department faculty. Satisfactory progress in production participation and attendance at Theatre Hour is required for continuation as a theatre arts major.