Theatre Arts department web site
The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2024-2025 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The theatre program provides students with comprehensive training in preparation for a career in the professional theatre. Students take classes in movement, speaking voice, singing (both musical theatre and classical), dance (jazz, tap, ballet, modern and musical theatre dance), piano, music theory, and various acting styles. Students then hone their craft and apply the techniques they have learned in classroom and studio work, recitals and Main Stage theatre productions.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre is designed specifically to provide students with a broad knowledge base in multiple aspects of the Theatre Arts. It is intended to be combined with either an academic minor(s) or in conjunction with an additional academic major outside the Department of Theatre Arts.
| Course | Credits |
| THEA 003 - Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 005 - Readings in Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 012 - Voice & Movement for the Actor | 3 |
| THEA 030 - Stagecraft (including lab) | 4 |
| THEA 031 - Costuming (including lab) | 4 |
| THEA 032 - Stage Makeup | 3 |
| THEA 103 - Directing I | 3 |
| THEA 120 - Theatre History I | 3 |
| THEA 121 - Theatre History II | 3 |
| THEA 124 - Technical Practicum | 1 |
| THEA 160 - Stage Management | 3 |
| Theatre electives | 15 |
| TOTAL | 48 |
*Second academic major or minor: 34 credits. Students are strongly advised to include a second academic major or minor outside theatre. With a second major, you must have an academic advisor in that area. The total number of credits required will be determined by that department. If the major or minor requires less than 34 credits, additional credits may be applied as general electives.
Students are given the opportunity to complete a wide range of theatre electives. With these electives, students can emphasize one particular area of theatre or create their own mixture of theatre classes. This degree also is designed to work well with a double major or dual degree.
For students seeking a degree in another area who wish to minor in Theatre, the following courses are suggested by the department:
| Course | Credits |
| THEA 003 - Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 004 - Acting II | 3 |
| THEA 012 - Voice & Movement for the Actor | 3 |
| THEA 030 - Stagecraft (including lab) | 4 |
| THEA 031 - Costuming (including lab) | 4 |
| THEA 032 - Stage Makeup | 3 |
|
THEA 076 - Introduction to the Theatre (THEA 005 may be substituted . |
3 |
| THEA 120 - Theatre History I | 3 |
| TOTAL | 26 |
NOTE: Substitutions or other alterations to these requirements can be made with prior approval from a theatre advisor.
The Minor in Directing degree is only available to students in conjunction with either the B.A. or a B.F.A. degree from the Department of Theatre Arts.
Please note: if Directing II is not offered, students may substitute an additional course in English or one of the other disciplines listed above. Students may also substitute an additional Project in Theatre related specifically to directing or dramaturgy.
No other work may be substituted for the Directing I requirement. This includes any courses completed at other colleges or universities as well as NTI. THEA 103 must be completed on campus at Drake.
Unless specified above, any other substitutions or other alterations to these requirements can only be made with prior approval from your theatre advisor.
| Course | Credits |
| THEA 003 - Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 063 - Introduction to Design for Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 103 - Directing I | 3 |
| THEA 104 - Directing II | 3 |
| THEA 130 - Directed Independent Study (two times at one credit each) | 2 |
| THEA 165 - Project in Theatre [Directing] | 3 |
| Select one course from the following | |
| ENG 054 - Reading Drama | 3 |
| ENG 047 - Reading Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG 090 - Reading/Writing Drama | 3 |
| ENG 128 - Advanced Topics in Drama | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following disciplines | 6 |
| Art Appreciation | |
| History (non-theatre) | |
| Music Appreciation | |
| Philosophy | |
| Psychology | |
| Sociology | |
| TOTAL | 26 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.