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Bachelor of Arts
School of Arts and Humanities

Department of Theatre and Dance
Mission Statement

The Department of Theatre and Dance is dedicated to providing a comprehensive course of study that balances theory and practice within a sound liberal arts education. Because of the collaborative nature of these disciplines, our students gain practical experience in all facets of production and critical engagement. As artists and teachers, our primary focus is to encourage and guide our students as they experience and question the world through theatre and dance.

The Theatre and Dance major gives students the opportunity to specialize in Acting, Directing, Design and Technical Theatre, and Dance. The Acting and Directing concentrations offer advanced performance work, with core course sequences and a wide variety of individual courses in specialized areas. The Design and Technical Theatre concentration allows students to study design and theatre technology within the framework of both theoretical and practical courses, using the sophisticated facilities of the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond as a laboratory. The Dance option focuses primarily on modern dance technique and theory, choreography, dance history, and performance.

The ideal graduate of the Theatre and Dance program will be well prepared for a lifetime of appreciation, participation, and further study in these Performing Arts.

INTEGRATIVE STUDIES REQUIREMENTS

40 credits minimum

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Each student must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English as specified by the Language Requirement for Students with Majors in the School of Arts and Humanities.

THEATRE AND DANCE (TAD) REQUIREMENTS

A major in Theatre and Dance must fulfill the core requirements and all of the requirements for one of the specializations within the Theatre Arts Option or the Dance Option.

Integrative Studies Opportunities for Theatre and Dance

  • IATAD 100 Theatre: The Art of Imagination
  • IATAD 102 Acting: Identity and the Creative Process
  • IATAD 113 Dance as a Way of Knowing
  • IATAD 370 Playwriting

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

51-53 credits minimum

TAD Core Courses

17 credits

IATAD 102 Acting: Identity and the Creative Process

Select one of the following:

  • TAD 112 Modern Dance/Composition I
  • IATAD 113 Dance as a Way of Knowing

TAD 121 Introduction to Technical Theatre (2 credits)
TAD 123 Theatre Lab I (1 credit)
TAD 124 Theatre Lab II (1 credit, repeatable)
TAD 162 Design for the Performing Arts
TAD 397 Production Process (1-4 credits, repeatable)

Theatre Arts Option

Acting Specialization

36 credits

TAD 231 Theatre History/Literature I
TAD 232 Theatre History/Literature II
TAD 205 Theatre Movement
TAD 206 Acting: Scene Study
TAD 282 Voice and Diction
TAD 301 Acting: Character Development
TAD 490 Special Topics
TAD 398 Performance Process (1-4 credits, depending on the depth of the students' responsibility in performance. It may be necessary for students to take this course more than once for a total of 4 credits.)
TAD 491 Advanced Acting/Directing Performance Process

Directing Specialization

36 credits

TAD 231 Theatre History/Literature I
TAD 232 Theatre History/Literature II
TAD 206 Acting: Scene Study
TAD 227 Stage Management
TAD 303 Directing I
TAD 490 Special Topics
TAD 491 Advanced Acting/Directing Performance Process
Select one of the following design courses:

  • TAD 361 Scenic Design
  • TAD 362 Lighting Design
  • TAD 363 Costume Design

Design and Technical Theatre Specialization

36 credits

TAD 231 Theatre History/Literature I
TAD 232 Theatre History/Literature II
TAD 223 Theatre Technology Workshop (repeatable)
TAD 224 Theatrical Design Studio (repeatable)
An additional 2 credits in either Technology Workshop or Design Studio

  • TAD 265 Rendering for the Theatre
  • TAD 361 Scenic Design
  • TAD 362 Lighting Design
  • TAD 363 Costume Design
  • TAD 397 Production Process (only 1 credit required)
  • TAD 398 Performance Process (only 1 credit required)
  • TAD 493 Design/Technical Portfolio

Dance Option

The requirements and number of credits needed for each of the three specializations within this option are listed separately.

Choreography and Performance Specialization

34 credits

TAD 235 Dance History
TAD 318 Research in Choreography (May be repeated once for credit.)
TAD 398 Performance Process (2 credits)
TAD 495 Modern Dance Seminar (4 credits)
Select 20 credits from the following:

  • TAD 212 Modern Dance/Composition II (May be repeated once for credit.)
  • TAD 217 Ballet/Experiential Anatomy
  • TAD 311 Modern Dance/Composition III (May be repeated once for credit.)
  • TAD 312 Modern Dance/Composition IV (May be repeated once for credit.)
  • TAD 411 Modern Dance/Composition V (May be repeated once for credit.)
  • TAD 412 Modern Dance/Composition VI (Senior majors or with permission of instructor.)

ELECTIVES

Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

120 credits

Dance Education Specialization

34 credits

This TAD major specialization is appropriate as a second major for students completing the Elementary Education or Early Childhood Development options in the Education major. However, an Education major is not required.

TAD 212 Modern Dance/Composition II (May be repeated once for credit.)
TAD 216 Jazz Dance
TAD 217 Ballet/Experiential Anatomy
TAD 235 Dance History
TAD 312 Modern Dance/Composition IV (May be repeated once for credit.)
TAD 318 Research in Choreography (May be repeated once for credit.)
TAD 398 Performance Process (2 credits)
TAD 412 Modern Dance/Composition VI (Senior majors or with permission of instructor.)
TAD 496 Dance Education Internship I (May be repeated for credit.)
TAD 497 Dance Education Internship II (May be repeated for credit.)

ELECTIVES

Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

(for a B.A.)

120 credits

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

(for a B.S., in combination with an education major)

139 credits

Dance Education Specialization/Dual Degree

36 credits

This specialization, in conjunction with Elementary Education or Early Childhood Development, leads to two degrees, a B.A. in TAD and a B.S. in Education, totaling 144 credits. In addition to certification in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Development, it also leads to certification in K-12 Dance Education, but requires three internships and may require an additional term.

TAD 212 Modern Dance/Composition II (May be repeated once for credit.)
TAD 216 Jazz Dance
TAD 217 Ballet/Experiential Anatomy
TAD 235 Dance History
TAD 312 Modern Dance/Composition IV (May be repeated once for credit.)
TAD 318 Research in Choreography (May be repeated once for credit.)
TAD 398 Performance Process (2 credits)
TAD 412 Modern Dance/Composition VI (Senior majors or with permission of instructor.)
Six credits from:

  • TAD 496 Dance Education Internship I (May be repeated for credit.)
  • TAD 497 Dance Education Internship II (May be repeated for credit.)

ELECTIVES

Select courses to reach a total of 144 credits for the degree.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

144 credits