Major in Theatre Arts
The Department of Theatre Arts offers a B.A./B.S. in Theatre Arts with a track in either Design and Production or Theatre Studies.
Majors should work with a faculty adviser to select courses in their focus of study. All students must attain a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher in courses applied to the major. The Pass grading option is not available for courses applied to the major. Students are expected to take lower-division prerequisites before attempting the required upper-division electives.
B.A./B.S. in Theatre Arts
Design and Production Track
The Design and Production track provides a broad foundation in all areas of theatre design and technical production, while preparing the student for graduate study or entry-level professional work in scenic, costume, lighting, or sound design, or technical direction, construction and support. Faculty mentors guide qualified students through design and production projects of increasing responsibility, culminating in mainstage designs and leadership production positions for the most advanced students.
The Design and Production Track has an excellent record of preparing students for internship, graduate programs and career opportunities.
Theatre Studies Track
The Theatre Studies track integrates academic inquiry and performance exploration through a comprehensive study of the art of theatre in relation to multiple communities, from local to global. This well-rounded curriculum will provide a strong foundation for graduate study or entry-level professional work to students with interests in areas such as directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, theatre administration or stage management. It is also an excellent choice for students who wish to apply their theatre skills to other fields such as education, law or business. The track consists of THEA 109, four courses from required categories of study and one elective in an area of individual interest.
Courses/Units in Residence
Please see the catalog pages for each program offered by the department for any specific transfer credit restrictions.
All Theatre majors are required to complete 25 units in shared major courses and 21-22 units in coursework specific to one of the two available tracks (Design and Production, or Theatre Studies) for a total of 46-47 units.
Theatre majors are required to complete a minimum of 20 units of Theatre (THEA) courses at Towson University, with at least 12 units at the upper (300-400) level.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for All Theatre Majors | ||
| THEA 109 | ACTING I FOR DESIGN/PRODUCTION AND THEATRE STUDIES | 3 |
| THEA 125 | SCRIPT ANALYSIS | 3 |
| THEA 211 | HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA I | 3 |
| THEA 212 | HISTORY OF THEATRE & DRAMA II | 3 |
| THEA 213 | HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA III | 3 |
| THEA 331 | DIRECTING I | 3 |
| THEA 497 | THEATRE PRODUCTION: RUNNING CREW | 1 |
| THEA 499 | SPECIAL PROJECT IN THEATRE RESEARCH | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| SCENIC DESIGN I | ||
| COSTUME DESIGN I | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN I | ||
| Total Units | 25 | |
Design and Production Track
In addition to the courses required of all majors, students in the Design and Production track must complete:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THEA 251 | STAGECRAFT I | 3 |
| THEA 486 | THEATRE DESIGN PORTFOLIO | 1 |
| THEA 494 | THEATRE PRODUCTION: SCENIC ELEMENTS | 1 |
| THEA 495 | THEATRE PRODUCTION: LIGHTING AND SOUND | 1 |
| THEA 496 | THEATRE PRODUCTION: COSTUME | 1 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| SCENIC DESIGN I | ||
| SOUND DESIGN | ||
| COSTUME DESIGN I | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| COSTUME DESIGN II | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN II | ||
| SCENIC DESIGN II | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| STAGE MANAGEMENT | ||
| THEATRE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION | ||
| COSTUME CONSTRUCTION FOR THEATRE | ||
| STAGECRAFT II | ||
| PRACTICAL ELECTRICS FOR THE THEATRE | ||
| COMPUTER AIDED DRAWING FOR THE THEATRE | ||
| SCENE PAINTING | ||
| Total Units | 22 | |
Theatre Studies Track
In addition to the courses required of all majors, students in the Theatre Studies track must complete:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THEA 142 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DESIGN | 3 |
| Select one of the following performance creation courses: | 3 | |
| ENSEMBLE THEATRE LABORATORY | ||
| PLAYWRITING I | ||
| Select one of the following dramaturgy and theory courses: | 3 | |
| CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN CONTEMPORARY THEATRE | ||
| THEORIES OF THEATRE | ||
| TOPICS IN DIVERSITY | ||
| PRODUCTION DRAMATURGY | ||
| Select one of the following community engagement courses: | 3 | |
| THEATRE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | ||
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN THEATRE | ||
| TOWSON THEATRE INFUSION | ||
| Select one of the following theatre organization and administration courses: | 3 | |
| STAGE MANAGEMENT | ||
| THEATRE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION | ||
| Select three of the following theatre production courses: | 3-4 | |
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ACTING | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: SCENIC ELEMENTS | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: LIGHTING AND SOUND | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: COSTUME | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ADMINISTRATION | ||
| Elective: Select one additional theatre course from student's area of interest | 3 | |
| Total Units | 21-22 | |
Design and Production Track Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 109 | 3 | THEA 201, 209, 253, or 255 | 3 |
| THEA 125 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | THEA 497 | 1 |
| Core 3 | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 5 | 3 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 201, 209, 253, or 255 | 3 | THEA 201, 209, 253, or 255 | 3 |
| THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| THEA 251 | 3 | THEA 494, 495, or 496 | 1 |
| THEA 354, 355, or 361 | 3 | Core 8 | 4 |
| THEA 494, 495, or 496 | 1 | Core 11 | 3 |
| Core 7 | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 331 | 3 | THEA 257, 306, 320, 351, 352, 356, or 445 | 3 |
| THEA 494, 495, or 496 | 1 | Core 6 | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | Core 9 | 3 |
| Core 13 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Core 14 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 257, 306, 320, 351, 352, 356, or 445 | 3 | THEA 499 | 3 |
| THEA 486 | 1 | Elective1 | 3 |
| Elective1 | 3 | Elective1 | 3 |
| Elective1 | 3 | Elective1 | 2 |
| Elective1 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 11 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
- 1
12 units are available each term for the student and adviser to create a well-rounded education based on student’s area of specialty. The senior year in Design and Production is created in consultation with the student’s mentor/adviser. Internships, special research projects, design projects, assisting a faculty member or advanced elective courses are exchanged for units.
Theatre Studies Track Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 109 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| THEA 125 | 3 | THEA 497 | 1 |
| THEA 142 (Core 4) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 5 | 3 |
| Core 3 | 3 | Core 6 | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 201, 253, or 255 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 | One Theatre Production Course (as defined by track) | 1 |
| THEA 314 or 317 (One course in Performance Creation) | 3 | Core 8 | 4 |
| One Theatre Production Course (as defined by track) | 1 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Core 7 | 4 | Core 11 | 3 |
| Core (if needed) or Elective | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Choose one course from the Dramaturgy and Theory category: | 3 | THEA 331 (or Core) | 3 |
THEA 303 (Core 13) | Select one course from Community Engagement category: | 3 | |
THEA 307 (Core 9) | THEA 310 (Core 14) | ||
THEA 380 (Core 13) | |||
| THEA 331 | 3 | Core (if needed) or Elective | 3 |
| One Theatre Production Course (as defined by track) | 1 | Core (if needed) or Elective | 3 |
| Core (if needed) or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 257 or 306 | 3 | THEA 499 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Additional THEA Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
- Demonstrate ability to present research, projects, resumes and/or portfolios according to the student’s specified course of study.
- Demonstrate ability to use appropriate information technology in historical and cultural research.
- Demonstrate ability to express through clear writing and critical thinking a unique point of view on theatre.