Theatre Major
The Theatre Major offers a 39-credit program that combines marketable, hands-on production experience with an extensive variety of coursework to prepare students for a career in live theatre production, its associated industries, or advanced graduate education. Students in the theatre program acquire essential skills and knowledge in performance, design, technology, and dramaturgy involved in the production and study of theatrical arts. An emphasis is placed on the practical techniques and the critical analysis necessary for successful productions.
As part of the new major’s coursework, 24 credits come from required courses in Acting, Design, Technology, and Dramaturgy. The remaining credits are in the form of wide-ranging electives from across theatre’s areas of study. Those studies complement required work on productions and a senior thesis project. For their capstone project, students can focus their studies on design and technology (scenic/costume/lighting/sound), dramaturgy, acting, or directing.
Fuller Theater and the scenic and costume shops serve as laboratories where students hone their skills on departmental and student productions.
The production season is chosen to provide students with exposure to a range of styles and genres, and opportunities for a diversity of students. Within this portfolio of productions, the program ensures that the work is relevant to our communities, speaks to our audiences, and is produced in styles that fire the audience’s imagination.
Graduates with a B.A. in Theatre will be able to do the following:
- Acquire the critical language for the analysis and interpretation of theatre
- Demonstrate aesthetic literacy over historical periods and cultures that pertain to the production and interpretation of theatre
- Apply theoretical knowledge and concepts to the creation and critical analysis of theatre
- Utilize critical thinking skills in the production of theatre
Worcester State University also offers a Minor in Theatre.
Requirements for a Theatre Major
Required Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TH-126 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| TH-145 | Acting I | 3 |
| TH-155 | First-Year Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| TH-175 | Introduction to Stagecraft | 3 |
| TH-235 | History of Theatre | 3 |
| TH-255 | Second-Year Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| TH-263 | Concepts of Theatre Design | 3 |
| TH-274 | Stage Management | 3 |
| TH-355 | Third-Year Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| TH-455 | Theatre Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Elective Courses - 15 credits total; 9 credits must be at the 300-level or above.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TH-191 | Introduction to the Theatre | 3 |
| TH-246 | Voice and Movement | 3 |
| TH-270 | History of American Entertainment I | 3 |
| TH-271 | History of American Entertainment II | 3 |
| TH-272 | History of Costume | 3 |
| TH-290 | Theatre for Young Audiences | 3 |
| TH-292 | Applied Theatre and Community Engagement | 3 |
| TH-321 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| TH-345 | Acting II | 3 |
| TH-348 | Stage Combat | 3 |
| TH-360 | Scenic Design for Theatre | 3 |
| TH-370 | Costume Design for Theatre | 3 |
| TH-380 | Directing | 3 |
| TH-390 | Lighting Design for Theatre | 3 |
| TH-399 | Special Topics in Theatre | 3 |
| TH-405 | Independent Study in Theatre | 1-6 |
| TH-408 | Directed Study: Theatre | 3 |
| TH-435 | Internship in Theatre | 1-12 |