Theatre Arts, BA

The undergraduate program in theatre arts is based on the philosophy that the best way to develop future artists is to expose them to rigorous professional practice within the framework of a liberal arts and sciences education.

Department of Theatre Arts students take workshop courses in acting, directing, design, technical theatre, stage management, and playwriting and complement them with classes in dramatic literature, history, and criticism. Students also are encouraged to explore a range of courses throughout the university. Around 25 public productions are staged each year, providing additional opportunities to learn the theatre craft and to develop a personal artistic vision.

Student Auditions for Theatre Arts Productions

Theatre arts majors are encouraged to audition for the department's productions in general auditions at the beginning of the fall semester. Students normally present a three-minute audition consisting of two contrasting pieces. From this audition, callback lists are posted for fall productions. Additional general auditions typically are scheduled in early November and in March.

Students in other majors are welcome to audition for the department's productions, as are community members (see "Productions and Auditions" in the Department of Theatre Arts section of the catalog). For academic considerations, theatre arts majors are given first consideration for roles.

Materials and information about the general auditions are available from the Department of Theatre Arts. Notices of auditions for all subsequent productions are posted on the department's online call board.

Learning Outcomes

All theatre students have special interests they want to pursue—acting, writing, design, and more. To make this possible, the department offers beginning and advanced courses in every theatrical area.

No matter which theatre arts area is chosen, the overall experience as a theatre student will give each major the ability to:

  • apply knowledge of theatre’s role in society throughout history to creative and/or scholarly work;
  • explore and apply understanding of a dramatic script to creative and/or scholarly work;
  • collaborate with others to produce a play;
  • talk about and assess a student's work and the work of others;
  • articulate an emerging artistic vision that starts to inform a student's work and thinking about the arts; and
  • write well about theatre.