Theatre (BA in Theatre)
Theatre
When students decide to become theatre majors, they accept the requirements demanded by their art-self-discipline, curiosity, cooperation, and a desire for excellence. Theatre inherently embraces the liberal arts, fusing historical and theoretical studies with creative work. We expect theatre majors to become knowledgeable about all facets of theatrical practice including direction, design, technical production, and performance.
The department prepares students to continue working in theatre, to teach, to pursue graduate studies, or to apply lessons learned in other occupations. The immersion in both scholarship and performance at William and Mary provides an excellent basis for any pursuit which demands leadership ability, collaborative skill, practical expertise, and creative intelligence.
Dance
The Dance Program emphasizes the creative process within a liberal arts setting by providing an environment to stimulate inventive thinking through the language of dance. Students are provided with major opportunities to produce original choreographic work through two main stage concerts and one studio concert each year. Many students study dance for the first time at William & Mary, while others build on previous training. Students pursue studies in dance to develop artistry, performance skills, leadership ability, and critical thinking skills which are essential in many professions and provide a foundation for graduate work and careers in dance.
A Placement Evaluation to determine technique level is offered during orientation week in the fall. Students will be assigned to the technique level for which they are qualified on the basis of previous background and demonstrated technical ability.
Required Credit Hours: 36
Students considering a theatre major are advised to take THEA 200 Introduction to Theatre and Performance in their freshman year.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| THEA 200 | Introduction to Theatre and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 201 | Acting One | 4 |
| THEA 205 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THEA 300 | Fundamentals of Design for the Theatrical Arts | 3 |
| THEA 380 | Theatre Practicum (two credits, at least one must be in a technical area) | 2 |
| THEA 407 | Direction | 3 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Select two of the following: | 3 | |
| THEA 328 | World Theatre History, 500 B.C. to 1750 | 3 |
| THEA 329 | World Theatre History, 1750 to the Present | 3 |
| THEA 336 | African American Theatre History and Performance I | 3 |
| THEA 337 | African American Theatre History and Performance II | 3 |
| Choose one course in Design in addition to THEA 300 Fundamentals of Design | ||
| THEA 309 | Costume Design for the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 310 | Scenic Design | 3 |
| THEA 312 | Sound and Digital Media Design | 3 |
| THEA 314 | Stage Lighting Design | 3 |
| Choose at least one additional course in Histories, Dramaturgies, Contexts: | ||
| THEA 275 | Topics in Performance Studies | 3 |
| THEA 317 | Fundamentals of Playwriting | 3 |
| THEA 326 | Topics in Theatre History & Literature | 3 |
| THEA 328 | World Theatre History, 500 B.C. to 1750 | 3 |
| THEA 329 | World Theatre History, 1750 to the Present | 3 |
| THEA 331 | Feminist Theory and Contemporary Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 333 | South Asian Performance | 3-4 |
| THEA 336 | African American Theatre History and Performance I | 3 |
| THEA 339 | August Wilson's American Century Cycle & Wilsonian | 3 |
| THEA 415 | Shakespeare's Renaissance Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 461 | Topics in Theatre History, Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| One Dance Technique course at any level | ||
| Take additional credits as needed in THEA courses to reach 36 credits | ||