Department of Theatre

www.theatre.uiuc.edu/

4-122 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2371

The curricular options in the Department of Theatre provide intensive and extensive preparation for the rigorous demands of a professional career in the theatre. A strong commitment to work in the theatre and a realistic understanding of its intellectual, aesthetic, and physical demands are therefore necessary in students who enter the department.

Before acceptance in the undergraduate programs in theatre, applicants must participate in auditions or interviews, which take place at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts five or more weekends each year, and at selected regional locations (normally Chicago and New York). In these auditions, applicants who ultimately plan to pursue the curriculum in acting should present a three-minute audition, comprising two contrasting works from dramatic literature. Applicants who wish to pursue a curriculum in design, technology, or management should present a portfolio of previous theatre work. Applicants who intend to pursue the theatre studies curriculum should also bring evidence of their previous theatre work and a 500-word essay addressing the aspects of the theatre studies program that interest them most and why they want to pursue those aspects. Information on these auditions and interviews will be sent to applicants once their admissibility to the University has been determined by the Office of Admissions and Records.

Three curricula are offered in theatre: (1) the Professional Studio in Acting, (2) the Theatre Studies Curriculum, and (3) the Division of Design, Technology and Management, which has specialized options in scene design, costume design and construction, stage management, theatre technology and lighting.. Students are formally admitted to these curricula only after an evaluation by the faculty during the students' first or second year. The programs in acting and theatre design, technology, and management are intended for students who, in the judgment of the faculty, are ready to concentrate in these specialties in an intensive undergraduate professional training curriculum. The theatre studies curriculum is intended for students who plan to pursue advanced training and/or careers in directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, theatre management, theatre for social change, theatre for youth, and theatre history and criticism.

As one of the resident producing organizations of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the Department of Theatre produces six or seven fully mounted productions each academic year and three each summer. The theatres and workshops of the Krannert Center serve as laboratories for theatre students, who have the opportunity to learn and to work alongside an outstanding staff of resident theatre professionals and visiting artists, preparing performances in theatre, opera, and dance. In addition, the department sponsors a small experimental theatre space for student-directed productions.

All theatre majors must successfully complete five production crew assignments at the Krannert Center under THEA 100-Practicum I. Acting and theatre studies students cast in Krannert Center productions or assigned to assist in Krannert Center productions must also take THEA 400-Practicum, II. Design, technology, and management students are required to work on Krannert Center productions as assigned for THEA 400-Practicum, II, credit. Students seeking credit for practical theatre work outside the Krannert Center must secure the approval and supervision of theatre faculty in the form of an Individual Project ( THEA 391 or THEA 392) or as a Professional Internship (THEA 490).

Curricula in Theatre

For the Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

A minimum of 128 hours of credit is required for the degree.

First-year courses for all theatre curricula

Hours	Required Courses
3	THEA 101—Introduction to Theatre Arts
2	THEA 104—Introduction to Scenecraft
2	THEA 105—Intro to Costume Technology
2	THEA 106—Intro to Lighting Technology
2	THEA 107—Introduction to Stage Makeup
3	THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis
3	THEA 170—Fundamentals of Acting, I
3	THEA 175—Fundamentals of Acting, II, or THEA 125—Graphic Skills
20	Total

Professional Studio in Acting

The acting program provides intensive training in a wide variety of performing media. In the first and second years, students take introductory courses in movement, voice, and acting. In their second year of study in the department, students must audition for acceptance into the professional studio in acting. In addition to successful completion of all classes in their first and second years, acceptance will be based on an evaluation of each student's potential for professional-caliber performance, commitment to theatre, and the necessary discipline for intensive study. Third- and fourth-year students meet in daily four-hour sessions, each of which includes sections in dynamics, voice and speech, movement, and acting. Semester-long acting sections include advanced scene study, musical theatre, Shakespeare, and acting for the camera. Students in the professional studio in acting must audition for department productions and perform as cast.

Hours	General Requirements
4	Composition I
	Advanced Composition (fulfilled by THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre)
6	Quantitative reasoning, I and II
0-12	Foreign language
18	General education
	Humanities and the arts (fulfilled by THEA 101and 261)
6	Natural sciences and technology
6	Social and behavioral sciences
6	Cultural studies (Western and non-Western cultures)
12	General non-theatre electives
8	General and/or professional electives
48	Total

Hours	Required Theatre Courses
20	Required first-year theatre courses
5	THEA 100—Practicum I
3	THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre
3	THEA 270—Relationships in Acting, I
3	THEA 275—Relationships in Acting, II
2	THEA 276—Acting: Voice
2	THEA 271—Acting: Movement
8	THEA 371—Acting Studio I: Dynamics (2 hr.); THEA 372—Acting Studio I: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 373—Acting Studio I: Movement (2 hr.);THEA 374 —Acting Studio I: Acting (2 hr.);
8	THEA 375—Acting Studio II: Dynamics (2 hr.); THEA 376—Acting Studio II: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 377—Acting Studio II: Movement (2 hr.); THEA 378—Acting Studio II: Acting (2 hr.)
8	THEA 471—Acting Studio III: Dynamics (2 hr.); THEA 472—Acting Studio III: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 473—Acting Studio III: Movement (2 hr.); THEA 474—Acting Studio III: Acting (2 hr.);
8	THEA 475—Acting StudioIV: Dynamics (2 hr.); THEA 476—Acting StudioIV: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 477—Acting Studio IV: Movement (2 hr.); THEA 478—Acting Studio IV: Acting (2 hr.);
2	THEA 400—Practicum, II
4	THEA 461—History of Theatre, I
4	THEA 462—History of Theatre, II
80	Total

Division of Design, Technology, and Management

Students planning careers in professional theatre costume design and construction, scene design, sound design, stage management, and theatre technology and lighting are selected for the options in this division by a process of faculty evaluation at the end of their first year of study in the department. Criteria for acceptance and continuance in these options include satisfactory completion of all course work in the first and second years, potential for professional-caliber work, commitment to theatre, and the necessary discipline for intensive study and practice. Students in these options are assigned to teams that design, mount, and manage more than twenty productions annually in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

Hours	General Requirements
4	Composition I
	Advanced Composition (fulfilled by THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre)
6	Quantitative reasoning, I and II
0-12	Foreign language
18	General education
	Humanities and the arts (fulfilled by THEA 101 and 261)
headers="Hours" 6	Natural sciences and technology
6	Social and behavioral sciences
6	Cultural studies (Western and non-Western cultures)
12	General non-theatre electives
5-9	General and/or professional electives
45-49	Total

Costume Design and Construction Option

Hours	Required Theatre Courses
20	Required first-year theatre courses
5	THEA 100—Practicum I
3	THEA 231—Introduction to Stage Lighting
3	THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre
3
3	THEA 426—History of Décor
3	THEA 442—Costume Patterning
4	THEA 444—Costume Draping
4	THEA 445—Costume History and Design, I
4	THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II
3	THEA 447—Costume Rendering
4	THEA 449—Costume Fabrication
6	THEA 457—Senior Projects in Design, I
6	THEA 458—Senior Projects in Design, II
4	THEA 461—History of Theatre, I
4	THEA 462—History of Theatre, II
79	Total

Scene Design Option

Hours	Required Theatre Courses
20	Required first-year theatre courses
5	THEA 100—Practicum I
3	THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre
4	THEA 126—Stage Mechanics, I
3	THEA 222—Scenic Design, I
3	THEA 231—Introduction to Stage Lighting
3	THEA 425—Stage Drafting
4	THEA 320—Advanced Scene Design, I
4	THEA 320—Advanced Scene Design, I
4	THEA 420—Advanced Scene Design, II
4	THEA 420—Advanced Scene Design, II
3	THEA 426—History of Décor
2	THEA 427—Scene Painting
2	THEA 428—Scenic Rendering
2	THEA 456—Property Management and Design
4	THEA 445—Costume History and Design, I
4	THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II
4	THEA 461—History of Theatre, I
4	THEA 462—History of Theatre, II
82	Total

Stage Management Option

Hours	Required Theatre Courses
20	Required first-year theatre courses
5	THEA 100—Practicum I
3	THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre
3	THEA 199—Undergraduate Open Seminar: Management
3	THEA 222—Scenic Design, I
3	THEA 223—Technical Direction
3	THEA 231—Introduction to Stage Lighting
3	THEA 212—Introduction to Directing
10	THEA 400—Practicum, II
4	THEA 451—Stage Management
4	THEA 445—Costume History and Design, I
4	THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II
3	THEA 452—Theatre Management
3	THEA 465—Musical Theatre History, I
3	THEA 466—Musical Theatre History, II
4	THEA 461—History of Theatre, I
4	THEA 462—History of Theatre, II
82	Total

Theatre Technology and Lighting Option

Hours	Required Theatre Courses
20	Required first-year theatre courses
5	THEA 100—Practicum I
4	THEA 126—Stage Mechanics, I
3	THEA 222—Scenic Design, I
3	THEA 223—Technical Direction
3	THEA 231—Introduction to Stage Lighting
3	THEA 232—Advanced Lighting Design
3	THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre
4	THEA 425—Stage Drafting
2	THEA 427—Scene Painting
4	THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II
4	THEA 451—Stage Management
3	THEA 453—Theatre Sound Technology
4	THEA 461—History of Theatre, I
4	THEA 462—History of Theatre, II
13-14	All courses from one of the concentrations below:
	TECHNOLOGY CONCENTRATION
4	THEA 429—Stage Mechanics, II
4	4THEA 422—Stage Mechanics, III
3	THEA 454—Sound Design
3	THEA 456—Property Management and Design
	LIGHTING CONCENTRATION
3	THEA 431—Video Lighting and Production
3	THEA 432—Lighting for the Musical Stage
4	THEA 433—Business of Lighting Design
3	THEA 434—Sketching for Lighting Design
82-83	Total

Theatre Studies Curriculum

The theatre studies program focuses on the practical application of theatre scholarship and explores theatrical production as a collaborative art form that is grounded in theory, criticism, history, research, and writing.

The theatre studies curriculum is intended to lay the groundwork for students planning to pursue professional careers in areas of theatre for which advanced training or specialization at the graduate level is normally required. These areas include, but are not limited to, directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, theatre management, theatre for youth, theatre for social change, and theatre history and criticism.. Emphasis is given to a comprehensive study of theatre practices of the past, material participation in theatre practices of the present, and the discovery and application of theatre practices for the future.

After successful completion of the second year of study, students are admitted into the theatre studies curriculum after a review of their work by the theatre studies curriculum committee.

Hours	General Requirements
4	Composition I
	Advanced Composition (fulfilled by THEA 261)
6	Quantitative reasoning, I and II
0-12	Foreign language
18	General education
	Humanities and the arts (fulfilled by THEA 101 and 261)
6	Natural sciences and technology
6	Social and behavioral sciences
6	Cultural studies (Western and non-Western cultures)
8	General non-theatre electives
12	General or professional electives
48	Total

Hours	Required Theatre Courses
20	Required first-year theatre courses
5	THEA 100—Practicum I
3	THEA 210—Oral Interpretation
3	THEA 220—Survey of Theatrical Design
3	THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre
3	THEA 270—Relationships in Acting, I
3	THEA 211—Introduction to Playwriting
3	THEA 212—Introduction to Directing
2	THEA 391—Individual Topics
2	THEA 392—Individual Topics
1	THEA 400—Practicum, II
4	THEA 461—History of Theatre, I
4	THEA 462—History of Theatre, II
12	Advanced theatre courses to be chosen from:
	THEA 412—Rehearsal Techniques
	THEA 413—Creative Drama for Children
	THEA 414—Theatre for the Child Audience
	THEA 418—Social Issues Theatre
	THEA 451—Stage Management
	THEA 460—Multi-Ethnic Theatre
	THEA 463—American Theatre History, I
	THEA 464—American Theatre History, II
	THEA 467—Contemporary Theatrical Forms
	THEA 452—Theatre Management
12	Supporting professional electives*
80	Total

*Supporting professional electives are approved by the theatre studies curriculum committee. An up-to-date list of approved courses is on file in the Department of Theatre office.