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.
Students in Design and Production or Theatre Studies tracks must complete:
- 46 units in theatre (at least 18 units at the 300-400 level)
- 28 units of required courses of all majors
- 18 elective units
Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer students majoring in Theatre are required to complete a minimum of 20 units of theatre courses at Towson University, with at least 12 units at the upper (300–400) level. Majors need a total of 18 upper-level theatre units, including transfer courses.
Transfer students who minor in Theatre must complete at least 12 units of theatre courses at Towson University, with at least 6 at the upper level. Minors need a total of 12 upper-level theatre units, including transfer courses.
Applicability of transfer work is determined by the department chair. Prospective transfer students should schedule an appointment with the chair at their earliest opportunity.
Required Theatre Courses for all Theatre Majors
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Theatre Courses | ||
| 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 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| SCENIC DESIGN I | ||
| COSTUME DESIGN I | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN I | ||
| THEA 331 | DIRECTING I | 3 |
| THEA 497 | THEATRE PRODUCTION: RUNNING CREW | 1 |
| THEA 499 | SPECIAL PROJECT IN THEATRE RESEARCH | 3 |
| Select three of the following 1-unit courses, as defined in Track sections | 3 | |
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ACTING | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: SCENIC ELEMENTS | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: LIGHTING AND SOUND | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: COSTUME | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ADMINISTRATION | ||
| 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 109 | ACTING I FOR DESIGN/PRODUCTION AND THEATRE STUDIES | 3 |
| Select three of the following, may not use the course completed as part of required courses for all Theatre Arts Majors listed above | 9 | |
| SCENIC DESIGN I | ||
| STAGECRAFT I | ||
| COSTUME DESIGN I | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN I | ||
| THEA 486 | THEATRE DESIGN PORTFOLIO | 1 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| STAGECRAFT II | ||
| COSTUME DESIGN II | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN II | ||
| SCENIC DESIGN II | ||
| Theatre Production Courses required by Design and Production Track to Fulfill Theatre Department Course Requirements | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: SCENIC ELEMENTS | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: LIGHTING AND SOUND | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: COSTUME | ||
| Suggested enrichment courses | ||
| SOUND DESIGN | ||
| COSTUME, DRESS AND SOCIETY | ||
| MAKEUP DESIGN I | ||
| STAGE MANAGEMENT | ||
| MAKEUP DESIGN II: PROSTHETIC MAKEUP DEVELOPMENT | ||
| DRAFTING FOR THE THEATRE | ||
| PROPERTIES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION | ||
| ADVANCED STUDY IN STAGE MANAGEMENT | ||
| STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND SAFETY | ||
| SCENE PAINTING | ||
| PERIOD STYLE FOR DESIGN | ||
| ADVANCED STUDY IN THEATRE DESIGN | ||
| PROFESSIONAL THEATRE SEMINAR | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ACTING | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ADMINISTRATION | ||
| Total Units | 19 | |
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 109 | ACTING I FOR DESIGN/PRODUCTION AND THEATRE STUDIES | 3 |
| THEA 142 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DESIGN | 3 |
| Select one of the following in performance creation: | 3 | |
| ENSEMBLE THEATRE LABORATORY | ||
| PLAYWRITING | ||
| Select one of the following in dramaturgy and theory: | 3 | |
| CULTURE DIVERSITY IN CONTEMPORARY THEATRE | ||
| THEORIES OF THEATRE | ||
| TOPICS IN DIVERSITY | ||
| PRODUCTION DRAMATURGY | ||
| Select one of the following in community engagement: | 3 | |
| THEATRE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | ||
| THEATRE OF CROSSING CULTURES | ||
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN THEATRE | ||
| TOWSON THEATRE INFUSION | ||
| Select one of the following courses in theatre organization and administration: | 3 | |
| STAGE MANAGEMENT | ||
| THEATRE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION | ||
| Select three Theatre Production Courses as required by Theatre Studies Track in order to Fulfill Department Requirements | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ACTING | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: SCENIC ELEMENTS | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: LIGHTING AND SOUND | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: COSTUME | ||
| THEATRE PRODUCTION: ADMINISTRATION | ||
| Elective: One additional theatre course from student's area of interest | 3 | |
| Total Units | 21 | |
Design and Production Track Suggested Four-Year Plan
Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 109 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| THEA 125 | 3 | Select two of the following: | 6 |
| THEA 142 | 3 | ||
| TSEM 102 (Core 1) | 3 | ||
| Core | 3 | ||
| THEA 494, 495, 496, or 497 | 1 | ||
| ENGL 102 (Core 2) | 3 | ||
| Core | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 201, 251, 253, or 255 | 3 | THEA 201, 251, 253, or 255 (or Core) | 3 |
| THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| THEA 351, 354, 355, or 361 | 3 | THEA 494, 495, 496, or 497 | 1 |
| THEA 494, 495, 496, or 497 | 1 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Upper-Level Design/Tech Elective | 3 |
| Core | |||
| Core | |||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 201, 251, 253, or 255 | 3 | Upper-Level Design/Tech Elective | 3 |
| THEA 331 | 3 | Upper-Level Design/Tech Elective | 3 |
| THEA 494, 495, 496, or 497 | 1 | Core | 3 |
| Design/Tech Elective | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| 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. | 12 | 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. | 12 |
| THEA 486 | 1 | ||
| THEA 499 | 3 | ||
| 12 | 16 | ||
| Total Units 122 | |||
Theatre Studies Track Suggested Four-Year Plan
Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 109 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| THEA 125 | 3 | ENGL 102 (Core 2) | 3 |
| THEA 142 | 3 | Core | 3 |
| TSEM 102 (Core 1) | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 201, 253, or 255 (or Core) | 3 | THEA 201, 253, or 255 (or Core) | 3 |
| THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 | THEA 211, 212, or 213 | 3 |
| THEA 314 or 317 (One course in Performance Creation) | 3 | One theatre production as defined by track | 1 |
| One theatre production course as defined by track | 1 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 303, 307, 380, or 491 (One course from the Dramaturgy and Theory category) | 3 | THEA 331 (or Core) | 3 |
| THEA 331 (or Core) | 3 | THEA 310, 316, 401, or 402 (One course from Community Engagement category) | 3 |
| One theatre production course as defined by track | 1 | One theatre production course as defined by track | 1 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | ||
| 13 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| THEA 257 or 306 | 3 | THEA 499 | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Additional THEA Course | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| Core | 3 | Core | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Units 121 | |||
- 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.
