Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 General Catalog 
    
2011-2012 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Theatre Arts, BFA


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Departments and Programs

Caine College of the Arts

Department of Theatre Arts

Students must complete the General Education requirements 

  • Completion of one of the following Breadth requirement courses: ,  ,  ,  , or  . These courses have been suggested because they meet more than one requirement for Theatre Arts majors, or because the content relates to courses taken later in the degree programs.

Students must also complete the University Studies requirements 

  • Students in the Theatre Education emphasis (TEE) may use   and   to fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement
  • Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from each of the following two catagories: Life and Physical Sciences (DHA) and Social Sciences (DSS)

 

Required Theatre Arts Courses (12 credits)


All Theatre Arts majors are required to complete the following core courses. (Note: Courses may not be taught during every semester listed.)

In addition, all students must complete a minimum of 6 credits of production practicum work:


Required Practicum Courses (6 credits)


Theatre Arts major and minor students are expected to work on all Utah State Theatre productions. All Theatre Arts majors are required to complete 6 credits of production practicum. Production work will be assigned based on the needs of productions and to give students a variety of practical experience.

Note: students should complete THEA 1513  and THEA 2203  before taking THEA 2555  (for lower-division students) or THEA 4750  or THEA 4850  (for upper-division students). Students will register for one production practicum each semester, except for the semesters they take THEA 1513  and THEA 5910  (Senior Project). Note: Additional production work is required for some emphasis areas.

Transfer students’ transcripts will be evaluated and a prorated production work requirement will be set at the time of admission to the program. Additional production work is required under some degree plans.

 

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree


This degree is highly recommended for those students desiring more intensive pre-professional training in their selected discipline.

Program Entrance Requirements


The prerequisites for applying to all BFA programs are: (1) successful completion of THEA 1033 , THEA 1513 , THEA 1713  and THEA 2203  (2) at least 1 credit of production practicum, and (3) timely progress toward early completion of the University Studies requirements.

Students choosing the BFA option are expected to develop personal attitudes, work standards and professionalism to move on to graduate Studies or directly into the professional world in their field of choice.

Acting Emphasis (AE) (78 Credits) (2.75 GPA)


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75, USU; 2.75, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75, major courses; 2.0, USU; 2.75, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: B in each course required for the emphasis; B- in each course required for the major

The Acting Emphasis is for students desiring to become professional performers. Coursework for this emphasis covers acting, voice, movement, and directing fundamentals, as well as an understanding of the technical and design responsibilities of the production. Students also participate in the build and running of all department productions. Students must choose from a variety of literature and dance courses to enhance their abilities and opportunities for creative expression.

Students must submit an application form, audtion for the BFA Acting faculty committee and be accepted to the BFA Degree Program and Acting Emphasis.Students accepted into the BFA Acting program are expected to audition for each mainstage production and be available to take any role. In addition, students audition and have a progress review with performance faculty each semester to determine their retention in the BFA Acting program.

Students not retained in the Acting program must apply to another Degree program, within the department or select another major.

Students must complete 5 credits of performance practicum chosen from any of the following courses:

Required Design/Technical Course (2 credits)


BFA Acting Senior Project Requirements (2 credits)


All BFA Acting Emphasis majors must complete a senior project during their final year. Project material must be submitted in a written proposal to, and be approved by, the BFA performance faculty the semester prior to the project date. Students must be enrolled in THEA 5910  for 2 credits during the semester in which the project is to be presented.

Recitals should be 30-45 minutes in duration and may be individual or combined efforts on the part of not more than two candidates (combined efforts must be approved by the BFA committee).  See Student Handbook for specific Senior Project requirement details.

Acting students are required to attend all acting senior projects.

Senior Project Requirements (2 credits)

 All students must complete a design project during their Senior year.

Students must been rolled in THEA 5910  during the semester in which the project is presented. All design project assignments will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and approved by the design faculty during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.

Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements

• Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the production. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)

• Usher at each department production unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Completion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production.)

• Attend all production strikes.

Note:  When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

   

Theatre Design and Technology Emphasis (TDE) (74-78 credits) (2.75 GPA)


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75, USU; 2.75, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75, major courses; 2.0, USU; 2.75, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: B in each course required for the emphasis; B- in each course required for the major

Other Requirements

Admission and retention in the theatre design and technology emphasis BFA requires the student to maintain B or better grades in all design/technical courses and interview and have a portfolio review annually with the BFA faculty. 

The Theatre Design and Technology Program is for students interested in the operations and physical settings of performance production.  Coursework covers makeup, stage lighting, scene design and construction, and costume design and construction, production skills, basic performance skills and literature skills.

Students in the Design/Tech area choose specific areas of emphasis they wish to pursue.  These include Costume Design, Scenic Design, Light Design, Sound Design, Stage Management or Theatre Technician.

Students must submit an application form, have a portfolio/interview with the BFA Design faculty committee and be accepted to the BFA Degree Program and Design Emphasis.  Students accepted into the BFA Design/Tech programs are expected to work on each mainstage production, either with a specific production assignment or at general work calls in their areas, and to attend all strikes.  In addition, students participate in a yearly portfolio review with all design/tech students, and meet with design/tech faculty for review and to determine their retention in the Design/Tech program.

Students not retained in the program must apply to another Degree program within the department or select another major.

  

Specialization Requirements (25-31 credits)


Note: Student transcripts will show Theatre Design and Technology Emphasis (TDE) not one of the specialized areas listed below.

Costume Design (78 credits)

Required Production Courses (9 credits)

Senior Project Requirements (2 credits)

 All students must complete a design project during their Senior year.

 Students must been rolled in THEA 5910  during the semester in which the project is presented. All design project assignments will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and approved by the design faculty during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.

Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements

• Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the production. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)

• Usher at each department production unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Completion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production.)

• Attend all production strikes.

Note:  When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

Lighting Design/Production Technician (76 credits)

Required Production Courses (8 credits)

Lighting Design Technology Elective Courses (select 6 credits minimum)

 Students choose between the following Lighting Design Electives OR the Production Technician Electives based on their degree objective and in consultation with their advisor:

Senior Project Requirements (2 credits)

 

 All students must complete a design project during their Senior year.

 Students must been rolled in THEA 5910  during the semester in which the project is presented. All design project assignments will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and approved by the design faculty during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.

Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements

• Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the production. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)

• Usher at each department production unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Completion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production.)

• Attend all production strikes.

Note:  When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

Scenic Design (77 credits)

Required Production Courses (9 credits)

Senior Project Requirements (2 credits)

 All students must complete a design project during their Senior year.

 Students must been rolled in THEA 5910  during the semester in which the project is presented. All design project assignments will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and approved by the design faculty during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.

Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements

• Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the production. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)

• Usher at each department production unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Completion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production.)

• Attend all production strikes.

Note:  When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

Stage Management (76 credits)

Required Stage Management Courses (17 credits)

Senior Project Requirements (2 credits)

 

 All students must complete a design project during their Senior year.

Students must been rolled in THEA 5910  during the semester in which the project is presented. All design project assignments will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and approved by the design faculty during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.

Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements

• Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the production. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)

• Usher at each department production unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Completion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production.)

• Attend all production strikes.

Note:  When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

Sound Design (75 credits)

Required Music Courses (6 credits)

Required Production Courses (10 credits)

Senior Project Requirements (2 credits)

 All students must complete a design project during their Senior year.

 Students must been rolled in THEA 5910  during the semester in which the project is presented. All design project assignments will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and approved by the design faculty during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.

Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements

• Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the production. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)

• Usher at each department production unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Completion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production.)

• Attend all production strikes.

Note:  When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

Theatre Education Emphasis (58-75 credits)


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75, USU; 2.75, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75, major courses; 2.0, USU; 2.75, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: B- in all required courses for major and emphasis area

Other Requirements:
The certification options require 35 credits in STEP with minimum 2.75 GPA; annual portfolio review.

The Theatre Education curriculum prepares students to pursue a wide range of careers in theatre pedagogy and applied theatre.  Upon completion of the program, students might be employed as teachers at all levels in public or private schools; teaching artists, theatre for young audiences specialists, educational administrators with theatre companies; community-based artists; or arts education advocates in the public sector. 

Students graduate with a BFA degree in Theatre Arts.  Those who pursue the certification track qualify to receive a teaching license from the Utah State Board of Education in theatre, and may also qualify for a license in a secondary teaching area if they pursue a teaching minor.

Students must submit an application form, interview with the BFA Theatre Education faculty and be accepted to the BFA Degree Program and Theatre Education Emphasis.  Students with major or minor in theatre education will be assessed regularly by the faculty in five areas: pedagogy, artistry, academics, leadership/service, and professionalism.  Students are expected to work toward excellence in each area throughout their career a USU, and must meet minimum benchmarks each year.  Prior to each review, students submit a self-assessment letter to the Director of Theatre Education, and meet individually with the theatre education faculty to discuss their progress.  The faculty will assess students’ work in each of the five areas, and will determine if students should: (A) Continue in the program.  To continue, students must have met the appropriate benchmarks (B) Be placed on programmatic probation.  If a student fails to meet all benchmarks, but in the opinion of the faculty ahs the potential to recover and meet the benchmarks within one semester’s time, they may be placed on probation. (C) Be discontinued from the program.  If a student currently on probation fails to meet benchmarks within the specified time, or if their conduct is such that the faculty do not have confidence that the student will be able to meet the benchmarks even during a probationary period, the student may be discontinued from the program.  Students dismissed from the program may apply for re-admission only with permission of the faculty at such a time that the student has demonstrated significant improvement from the time of their dismissal.

Students not retained in the program must apply to another Degree program within the department or select another major.

Students may choose either a composite certification, a non-certification option, or a teaching minor.

Theatre Education Composite Certification Program


(58 credits + 35 STEP credits)

Required Elective Theatre Courses (12 credits minimum)


These electives should be chosen in one theatre emphasis area based on the interest and talents of the student, in consultation with their Advisor.

NOTE: At least 9 of the credits must be upper division

Required Senior Courses


Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements


  • Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the productions. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)
  • Usher at each department porduction unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Competion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production)
  • Attend all production strikes  

Note: When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)

(35 credits) (2.75 GPA) 

The Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) prepares and licenses students to teach in public secondary schools.  The program consists of three successive semesters of education courses, including THEA 3300 or 4300, THEA 5370, and THEA 5390, culminating in supervised student teaching in both the major and minor subject areas. 

The STEP requires admission to the Secondary Education Program of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL), Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.  Information about the program, including admission requirements, approved minor subject areas, and the three-semester course sequence, can be found at the Secondary Education Program website: http://teal.usu.edu/htm/undergraduate-programs/seced

The three levels of the Secondary Teacher Education program for teacher licensure are offered during the Spring and Fall Semesters only, in order to provide the required clinical experiences in the public schools.  Each level must be completed before advancing to the next level.  All course must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.

Courses listed as “Special Methods” and “Clinical Experience” should be carefully planned with the help of the major and minor advisor’s.  Although some students may need to complete three or more Methods Courses, only one clinical experience will be required during each semester.

Level I Courses (10 or more credits)


Level II Courses (12 or more credits)


Level III Courses (12 credits)


Theatre Education Applied Theatre Program (Non-Certification)


(75 credits)

Rrequired Elective Theatre Courses (14 credits)


NOTE: At least 9 of the credits must be upper division

These electives should be chosen in one theatre emphasis area based on the interest and talents of the student, in consulation with their Advisor. Students may complete a Minor in a related area approved by their Advisor to meet this requirement.

Senior Project Requirements


 All students must complete a design project during their Senior year.

Students must been rolled in THEA 5910  during the semester in which the project is presented. All design project assignments will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and approved by the design faculty during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.

Theatre Arts Departmental Requirements

• Attend ALL department productions unless involved in the production. (Ticket stubs should be signed and submitted to the office following each production.)

• Usher at each department production unless involved in the production (Students take completion slips to be signed by the House Manager. Completion slips are submitted to the office following the close of the production.)

• Attend all production strikes.

Note:  When involved in a production, participation slips are submitted by the Stage Manager for that production in place of ticket stubs or usher slips.

 

Minimum University Requirements


Total Credits

120

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA

Credits of C- or better

100

Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)

40

USU Credits (10 of last 40 must be USU credits)

30

Completion of approved major program of study

See college advisor

Credits in minor (if required)

12

Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700  or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300 

3

General Education Requirements  and University Studies Depth Requirements 

 

 

 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Departments and Programs