Theater Highlights

About the Program

Are you ready to step into the dynamic world of theater? The Theater Arts BA will take you on a journey across the many aspects of the theater world. Our program aims to give you an in-depth preparation to enter a robust profession with many possibilities. Our program is ideal for future Directors, Actors, Musical Theater professionals, Theater Studies enthusiasts, Theater Design and Technical Theater specialists. Our community brings in students and faculty as well as many visiting artists together in pursuit of imagination, craft, and curiosity. In this program, you will have an opportunity to chose your path forward all the wile receiving support from our renowned faculty while learning about the history, artistic importance, and craft of the big world of theater. 

About the Major and Concentrations

Each of the below concentrations aims to give you the maximum flexibility to explore and build your artistry. The Major Electives for each concentration ensure that you are in control of your development. In addition, the General Education curriculum ensures that you can select courses that fit your interests and pursuits while gaining a comprehensive basis for the rest of your education. In conjunction, the Theater Arts major gives you the power to build an individualized educational and professional experience.

A Note on Minors and Free Electives

6 Credits from a MINOR may be applied towards Gen. Ed. Take 16-18 credits of free electives to reach the 120 credits required for graduation, along with all General Education (42 credits) and Major requirements. No more than 45 credits in your major discipline may be counted toward graduation requirements.

 

Student Perspectives

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of theatrical history through the examination of American, European and World theatrical literature.
  • Master the basic skills of theatrical performance and communication through public speaking, creative presentation, acting and/or directing.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of theatre production techniques, theatre design and basic stagecraft.
  • Demonstrate audition, interview and professional career development skills.

Professional Competencies

As a result of completing this major, you will gain a myriad of skills and competencies. Below is a short list of what you will hone in through your journey at FDU:

Procedural 

  • Gaining experience with the inner-workings of the theater world
  • Understand the processes involved in various aspects of theatrical productions 

Communication

  • Communicating visually, verbally, and in writing
  • Providing and reacting to feedback as well as critique

Critical Thinking

  • Making choices to adapt to changing circumstances
  • Understanding and adapting large quantities of information

Habits of Mind

  • Working under pressure and meeting deadlines
  • Problem-solving and adapting strategies to fulfill a specific goal

Possible Career Paths

The world of Theater Arts offers a versitile field with many careers in a vast and ever-changing industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points to several possible career paths graduates of this degree can pursue:

  • Professional acting
  • Directing
  • Theater history and criticism
  • Playwriting
  • Design
  • Theater design
  • Theater management
  • Voice acting
  • Theater studies and education
  • Drama therapy

 

Degree Plans

Each Theater Arts student will have an opportunity to select a specialty through enrolling in a concentration of their choosing. 

Acting concentration

Major Requirements (45 credits plus 12 cognate credits)

Major Required Course (36 credits)

Note: (2.0 GPA Required)

Major Elective Courses (9 Credits)

Select courses from those listed below

Cognate Requirements (12 Credits)

Design and Technical Theater Concentration

Major Requirements (45 credits plus 6 cognate credits)

Major Required Course (36 credits)

(2.0 GPA Required)

OR

  • THEA1010 VectorWorks for Entertainment (3)
  • THEAH2255 Playwriting & Dramatic Structure (3)
  • THEA3337 Night at the Theater (3)

OR

  • THEAH3339 London Theater Experience (3)
  • THEA3361 Stage Production and Crew (1)
  • THEA3362 Stage Production and Crew II (1)
  • THEA3363 Stage Production and Crew III (1)
  • THEA3364 Stage Production and Crew IV (1)
  • THEA3365 Stage Production and Crew V (1)
  • THEA3366 Stage Production and Crew VI (1)

Major Elective Courses (9 Credits)

Select courses from those listed below

Cognate Requirements (6 Credits)

  • SOAC3001 Career Path to the Arts (3) 
  • SOAC4006 Professional Practice: Theater (3)

Directing Concentration

Major Requirements (45 credits plus 6 cognate credits)

Major Required Course (39 credits)

(2.0 GPA Required)

Major Elective Courses (6 Credits)

Select courses from those listed below

Cognate Requirements (6 Credits)

  • SOAC3001 Career Path to the Arts (3) 
  • SOAC4006 Professional Practice: Theater (3)

Musical Theater Concentration

Major Requirements (42 credits plus 12 cognate credits)

Major Required Course (33 credits)

(2.0 GPA Required)

Major Elective Courses (9 Credits)

Select courses from those listed below

Cognate Requirements (12 Credits)

Theater Studies Concentration

Major Requirements (45 credits plus 6 cognate credits)

Major Required Course (29 credits)

(2.0 GPA Required)

Major Elective Courses (16 Credits)

Select courses from those listed below

Cognate Requirements (6 Credits)

  • SOAC3001 Career Path to the Arts (3) 
  • SOAC4006 Professional Practice: Theater (3)