Department of Theatre
4-122 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2371
For students beginning Fall 2005 and after
The curricular concentrations 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 into 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 plan to pursue the concentration in acting should present a three-minute audition, comprising two contrasting works from dramatic literature. Applicants wishing to pursue one of the concentrations in design, technology, and management should present a portfolio of previous theatre work. Applicants who intend to pursue the theatre studies concentration 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 they have applied to the University and their eligibility has been determined by the Office of Admissions and Records.
Concentrations in theatre are in Acting, Costume Design and Technology, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Scenic Technology, Sound Design and Technology, Stage Management, and Theatre Studies. Students are initially accepted as theatre majors and then formally admitted to one of these concentrations after an evaluation by the faculty during the student's first or second year. The concentrations in acting and design, technology, and management are intended for students who, in the judgement of the faculty, are ready to concentrate in these specialties in an intensive undergraduate professional training curriculum. The theatre studies concentration is intended for students who plan to pursue advanced training and/or careers in directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, theatre management, theatre for social change, and theatre history and criticism.
As one of the resident producing organizations at 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-written and student-directed productions.
All theatre majors must successfully complete 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) or Creative Project (THEA 595).
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 |
|---|---|
| 4 | THEA 102—Text to Stage |
| 1 | THEA 104—Introduction to Scenecraft |
| 1 | THEA 105—Intro to Costume Technology |
| 1 | THEA 106—Intro to Lighting Technology |
| 1 | THEA 107—Intro to Stage Makeup |
| 3 | THEA 170—Fundamentals of Acting, I |
| 3 | THEA 175—Fundamentals of Acting, II or THEA 125—Graphic Skills |
| 14 | Total |
Acting Concentration
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 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 in acting. 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 102and 261) |
6 |
Natural sciences and technology |
6 |
Social and behavioral sciences |
6 |
Cultural studies (Western and non-Western cultures) |
| 12 | General non-theatre electives |
| 10 | General and/or professional electives |
| 50-62 | Total |
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 4 | THEA 100—Practicum I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 3 | THEA 270—Relationships in Acting, I |
| 2 | THEA 271—Acting: Movement |
| 3 | THEA 275—Relationships in Acting, II |
| 2 | THEA 276—Acting: Voice |
| 8 | THEA 371—Acting Studio I: Dynamics (1 hr.); THEA 372—Acting Studio I: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 373—Acting Studio I: Movement (2 hr.);THEA 374 —Acting Studio I: Acting (3 hr.); |
| 8 | THEA 375—Acting Studio II: Dynamics (1 hr.); THEA 376—Acting Studio II: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 377—Acting Studio II: Movement (2 hr.); THEA 378—Acting Studio II: Acting (3 hr.) |
| 4 | THEA 400—Practicum, II |
| 4 | THEA 461—History of Theatre, I |
| 4 | THEA 462—History of Theatre, II |
| 8 | THEA 471—Acting Studio III: Dynamics (1 hr.); THEA 472—Acting Studio III: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 473—Acting Studio III: Movement (2 hr.); THEA 474—Acting Studio III: Acting (3 hr.); |
| 8 | THEA 475—Acting Studio IV: Dynamics (1 hr.); THEA 476—Acting Studio IV: Voice (2 hr.); THEA 477—Acting Studio IV: Movement (2 hr.); THEA 478—Acting Studio IV: Acting (3 hr.); |
| 78 | Total |
Division of Design, Technology, and Management
Students planning careers in costume design and construction, lighting design, scenic design, scenic technology, sound design and technology, and stage management are selected for the concentration 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 concentrations 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 fifteen 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 102 and 261) |
6 |
Natural sciences and technology |
6 |
Social and behavioral sciences |
6 |
Cultural studies (Western and non-Western cultures) |
| 12 | General non-theatre electives |
| 8-11 | General and/or professional electives |
| 48-63 | Total |
Costume Design and Technology Concentration
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 5 | THEA 100—Practicum I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 3 | THEA 222—Intro to Scenic Design |
| 3 | THEA 231—Intro to Stage Lighting |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 2 | THEA 391—Individual Topics |
| 2 | THEA 392—Individual Topics |
| 8 | THEA 400—Practicum II |
| 3 | THEA 426—History of Decor |
| 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 |
| 4 | THEA 447—Costume Rendering |
| 4 | THEA 449—Costume Fabrication and Crafts |
| 4 | THEA 461—History of Theatre, I |
| 4 | THEA 462—History of Theatre, II |
| 77 | Total |
Lighting Design Concentration
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 5 | THEA 100—Practicum, I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 2 | THEA 199—Undergraduate Open Seminar: Lighting |
| 3 | THEA 222—Intro to Scenic Design |
| 4 | THEA 223—Intro to Technical Direction |
| 3 | THEA 231—Intro to Stage Lighting |
| 3 | THEA 232—Advanced Lighting Design |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 2 | THEA 391—Individual Topics |
| 8 | THEA 400—Practicum, II |
| 3 | THEA 425—Stage Drafting |
| 3 | THEA 431—Video Lighting and Production |
| 3 | THEA 432—Lighting for the Musical Stage |
| 2 | THEA 435—Professional Lighting Systems |
| 2 | THEA 437—Software for Lighting Design |
| 2 | 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 |
| 80 | Total |
Scenic Design Concentration
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 5 | THEA 100—Practicum I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 3 | THEA 222—Intro to Scenic Design |
| 4 | THEA 223—Intro to Technical Direction |
| 3 | THEA 231—Intro to Stage Lighting |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 2 | THEA 391—Individual Topics |
| 8 | THEA 400—Practicum, II |
| 4 | THEA 415—Scenic Design, I |
| 4 | THEA 416—Scenic Design, II |
| 3 | THEA 425—Stage Drafting |
| 3 | THEA 426—History of Decor |
| 2 | THEA 427—Scene Painting |
| 4 | THEA 445—Costume History and Design, I |
| 4 | THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II |
| 2 | THEA 456—Intro to Properties |
| 4 | THEA 461—History of Theatre, I |
| 4 | THEA 462—History of Theatre, II |
| 79 | Total |
Scenic Technology Concentration
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 5 | THEA 100—Practicum I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 3 | THEA 126—Stage Mechanics, I |
| 2 | THEA 199—Undergraduate Open Seminar: Scenic Technology |
| 3 | THEA 222—Intro to Scenic Design |
| 4 | THEA 223—Intro to Technical Direction |
| 3 | THEA 231—Intro to Stage Lighting |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 2 | THEA 391—Individual Topics |
| 8 | THEA 400—Practicum II |
| 3 | THEA 419—CAD Drafting for the Stage |
| 3 | THEA 425—Stage Drafting |
| 2 | THEA 427—Scene Painting |
| 3 | THEA 430—Technical Direction |
| 3 | THEA 438—Stage Mechanics, II |
| 3 | THEA 440—Stage Mechanics, III |
| 2 | THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II |
| 3 | THEA 453—Theatre Sound Technology |
| 4 | THEA 461—History of Theatre, I |
| 4 | THEA 462—History of Theatre, II |
| 80 | Total |
Sound Design and Technology Concentration
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 5 | THEA 100—Practicum I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 3 | THEA 126—Stage Mechanics, I |
| 2 | THEA 199—Undergraduate Open Seminar: Sound |
| 3 | THEA 222—Intro to Scenic Design |
| 4 | THEA 223—Intro to Technical Direction |
| 3 | THEA 231—Intro to Stage Lighting |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 2 | THEA 391—Individual Topics |
| 8 | THEA 400—Practicum II |
| 3 | THEA 425—Stage Drafting |
| 2 | THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II |
| 4 | THEA 451—Stage Management |
| 3 | THEA 453—Theatre Sound Technology |
| 3 | THEA 454—Sound Design, I |
| 2 | THEA 455—Audio Production |
| 2 | THEA 459—Sound Systems |
| 2 | THEA 456—Intro to Properties |
| 4 | THEA 461—History of Theatre, I |
| 4 | THEA 462—History of Theatre, II |
| 79 | Total |
Stage Management Concentration
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 5 | THEA 100—Practicum I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 3 | THEA 199—Undergraduate Open Seminar: Management |
| 3 | THEA 212—Intro to Directing |
| 3 | THEA 222—Intro to Scenic Design |
| 4 | THEA 223—Intro to Technical Direction |
| 3 | THEA 231—Intro to Stage Lighting |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 2 | THEA 391—Individual Topics |
| 10 | THEA 400—Practicum, II |
| 2 | THEA 446—Costume History and Design, II |
| 4 | THEA 451—Stage Management |
| 3 | THEA 452—Theatre Management |
| 3 | THEA 453—Theatre Sound Technology |
| 4 | THEA 461—History of Theatre, I |
| 4 | THEA 462—History of Theatre, II |
| 4 | THEA 465—Musical Theatre History |
| 77 | Total |
Theatre Studies Concentration
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 and 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 102 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 |
| 48-60 | Total |
| Hours | Required Theatre Courses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Required first-year theatre courses |
| 4 | THEA 100—Practicum I |
| 3 | THEA 108—Dramatic Analysis |
| 3 | THEA 210—Oral Interpretation or THEA 270—Relationships in Acting, I |
| 3 | THEA 211—Introduction to Playwriting |
| 3 | THEA 212—Introduction to Directing |
| 3 | THEA 220—Survey of Theatrical Design |
| 3 | THEA 261—Literature of Modern Theatre |
| 2 | THEA 391—Individual Topics |
| 2 | THEA 392—Individual Topics |
| 2 | THEA 400—Practicum, II |
| 4 | THEA 461—History of Theatre, I |
| 4 | THEA 462—History of Theatre, II |
| 6 | THEA 490—Professional Internship |
| 12 | Advanced theatre courses |
| 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.