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. 

Required Courses for All Theatre Majors
THEA 109ACTING I FOR DESIGN/PRODUCTION AND THEATRE STUDIES3
THEA 125SCRIPT ANALYSIS3
THEA 211HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA I3
THEA 212HISTORY OF THEATRE & DRAMA II3
THEA 213HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA III3
THEA 331DIRECTING I3
THEA 497THEATRE PRODUCTION: RUNNING CREW1
THEA 499SPECIAL PROJECT IN THEATRE RESEARCH3
Select one of the following:3
SCENIC DESIGN I
COSTUME DESIGN I
LIGHTING DESIGN I
Total Units25

Design and Production Track

In addition to the courses required of all majors, students in the Design and Production track must complete:

Required Courses
THEA 251STAGECRAFT I3
THEA 486THEATRE DESIGN PORTFOLIO1
THEA 494THEATRE PRODUCTION: SCENIC ELEMENTS1
THEA 495THEATRE PRODUCTION: LIGHTING AND SOUND1
THEA 496THEATRE PRODUCTION: COSTUME1
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 Units22

Theatre Studies Track  

In addition to the courses required of all majors, students in the Theatre Studies track must complete:

Required Courses
THEA 142INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DESIGN3
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 interest3
Total Units21-22

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 1UnitsTerm 2Units
THEA 1093THEA 201, 209, 253, or 2553
THEA 1253THEA 211, 212, or 2133
Core 1 (or Core 2)3THEA 4971
Core 33Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 43Core 53
 15 13
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
THEA 201, 209, 253, or 2553THEA 201, 209, 253, or 2553
THEA 211, 212, or 2133THEA 211, 212, or 2133
THEA 2513THEA 494, 495, or 4961
THEA 354, 355, or 3613Core 84
THEA 494, 495, or 4961Core 113
Core 74Elective3
 17 17
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
THEA 3313THEA 257, 306, 320, 351, 352, 356, or 4453
THEA 494, 495, or 4961Core 63
Core 123Core 93
Core 133Core 103
Elective3Core 143
Elective3 
 16 15
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
THEA 257, 306, 320, 351, 352, 356, or 4453THEA 4993
THEA 4861Elective13
Elective13Elective13
Elective13Elective12
Elective13 
Elective3 
 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 1UnitsTerm 2Units
THEA 1093THEA 211, 212, or 2133
THEA 1253THEA 4971
THEA 142 (Core 4)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 53
Core 33Core 63
 Core 123
 15 16
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
THEA 201, 253, or 2553THEA 211, 212, or 2133
THEA 211, 212, or 2133One Theatre Production Course (as defined by track)1
THEA 314 or 317 (One course in Performance Creation)3Core 84
One Theatre Production Course (as defined by track)1Core 103
Core 74Core 113
Core (if needed) or Elective3 
 17 14
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Choose one course from the Dramaturgy and Theory category:3THEA 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 3313Core (if needed) or Elective3
One Theatre Production Course (as defined by track)1Core (if needed) or Elective3
Core (if needed) or Elective3Elective3
Elective3 
Elective3 
 16 15
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
THEA 257 or 3063THEA 4993
Elective3Additional THEA Course3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3 
 15 12
Total Units 120
  1. Demonstrate ability to present research, projects, resumes and/or portfolios according to the student’s specified course of study.
  2. Demonstrate ability to use appropriate information technology in historical and cultural research.
  3. Demonstrate ability to express through clear writing and critical thinking a unique point of view on theatre.