Department of Dance and Theatre
The Department of Dance and Theatre offers degree programs for majors and courses for nonmajors in the areas of dance and theatre. The dance area offers courses in ballet, modern dance and jazz dance, as well as lecture classes in dance theory. Students interested in theatre may choose courses from the full range of theatre production--acting, directing or design. Traditional lecture classes in theatre history are available, as well as special classes in puppetry. Both areas offer a variety of performance experiences for academic credit, such as theatre productions and dance concerts.
All dance and theatre classes and performances are held in the Rowe Arts Center. The facility contains two theaters, two dance studios and various specialized classroom spaces and faculty offices.
A major in dance or theatre provides the student with a basic education within a liberal arts context, as opposed to highlyspecialized conservatory training. Occasionally graduates move directly into the profession as performers, designers or teachers, but more commonly opt for advanced training in graduate programs or apprenticeships with professional organizations. Some majors use their undergraduate experience as a springboard to other areas such as arts management, law school or private business.
THEATRE. A major in theatre leading to the B.C.A. consists of 48 semester hours of theatre including two semesters of acting, two semesters of technical theatre, two semesters of theatre history, one semester of directing, and 15 hours of theatre electives. Theatre majors are required to take six semesters (unless otherwise determined by the Department Chair) of applied theatre, which involves participation in various aspects of production. Required coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION (K12) is available in both dance and theatre. Students seeking certification in addition to the B.C.A. degree should declare this intent to the appropriate certification director by the first semester of the sophomore year. A later decision to seek certification along with the B.C.A. degree may result in a graduation date delayed by one or more semesters. GPA required for admission to the student teaching is 2.75 after completion of 60 hours.
THEATRE. A minor in theatre requires 22 semester hours: six hours in theatre history, fours hours of applied theatre (involvement in theatre productions) and 12 hours of theatre electives.