Theater Major
Major Requirements
Core
Complete the following courses:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| THEA 105 | Introduction to Performance Studies |
| THEA 130 | Introduction to Design |
| THEA 132 | Theater Technology |
| THEA 261 | Introduction to Acting |
Theater Practicum
Complete one credit of THEA 290 Practicum.
All theater majors are required to participate in at least one Theater department production in a non-performative capacity. This may include roles in stage management, design, technical theater, or dramaturgy. Students must also participate in a second Theater department production, which may be in another non-performance area or in a performance role.
Theory and Cultural Context
Complete one course from the following:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AFR 252 | Contemporary Issues in Dance |
| DANC 250 | Dance Histories of the United States |
| DANC 252 | Contemporary Issues in Dance |
| FYS 447 | Holocaust on Stage |
| FYS 576 | Asian American and Pacific Islander Forms of Memory |
| HIST 253 | Dance Histories of the United States |
| MUS 218 | Soundscapes: Recording and Designing Sound |
| THEA 217 | Theatrical Things: Material Culture and Performance |
| THEA 238 | Race and Ethnicity in Modern and Contemporary American Drama |
Elective
Complete one credit from the following:
- Any additional 200-level or above Theater course
- Any additional 200-level or above Dance course
- FYS 447 Holocaust on Stage
- FYS 576 Asian American and Pacific Islander Forms of Memory
- MUS 218 Soundscapes: Recording and Designing Sound
Area of Focus
All students must complete one of the following Areas of Focus:
Acting
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Complete the following courses: | |
| THEA 202 | Devising Performance |
| THEA 263 | Introduction to Voice and Speech |
| THEA 362 | Advanced Acting |
Design, management, technical theater
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Complete three courses from the following: | |
| THEA 170 | Introduction to Digital Media |
| THEA 231 | Scene Design |
| THEA 232 | Lighting Design |
| THEA 233 | Costume Design |
| THEA 235 | Fashion: A Survey of Western Culture |
| THEA 295 | Stage Management for the Performing Arts |
| THEA 299 | Process & Production |
| THEA 360 | Independent Study |
| THEA S27 | Scenic Painting |
| THEA S50 | Independent Study |
Directing
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Complete the following courses: | |
| THEA 202 | Devising Performance |
| THEA 250 | Introduction to Directing |
| THEA 350 | Advanced Directing |
theater studies, dramaturgy
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Complete the following courses: | |
| THEA 223 | Dramaturgy: An Introduction |
| THEA 360 | Independent Study |
| Complete one credit from the following: | |
Any 200-level or above course in Theater, History, or English | |
playwriting
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Complete the following courses: | |
| THEA 223 | Dramaturgy: An Introduction |
| THEA 240 | Introduction to Playwriting |
| THEA 339 | Advanced Playwriting |
Senior Thesis
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Complete one course from the following: | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Senior Thesis | |
All production/performance thesis projects are subject to departmental discretion. To be eligible for a production/performance thesis, students must have completed at least eight of the ten required courses, including the requirements above specific to the particular focus of study (e.g., Acting, Design, Directing, Theater Studies/Dramaturgy, Playwriting, Stage Management, Technical Theater). Topics for a production/performance thesis should involve a substantial artistic project in acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, stage management, playwriting, or technical theater. The thesis features a written component or a portfolio/website examining the theoretical basis and the process/product of the research. Projects are always subject to departmental approval and resources. Students who are solely a Theater major must complete a written component.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates
With prior permission of the department, students may apply Study Abroad credit towards the Elective requirement.
Pass/Fail
Students may apply one course taken as Pass/Fail to the Elective requirement.
Restricted Declarations
Students who have declared the Theater major may not declare the following:
- Theater minor
- Theater Arts (C028) GEC
Other Considerations
Students may apply up to two Short Term courses toward the major.
Students should be aware that although a single course may fulfill multiple requirements, it can only be counted once toward the major.