BA Theatre
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree (BA Theatre) provides a broad liberal arts education with a concentration in theatre. The core of theatre courses includes dramatic literature, stagecraft, theatre history, construction, acting, design, stage management, and directing. Other courses are chosen by the student with input from their advisor, including classes in voice and speech, physical theatre, dramaturgy, teaching, and in-depth technology and design. The BA Theatre program provides students the opportunity to take courses outside the major, to take up a minor in a different field, or to double major. The BA is ideal for those students desiring a theatre career but whose area of strongest interest in the field is undecided. As a liberal arts degree, it may form the basis for further training on the graduate level.
Please note: all students intending to earn a BFA Theatre degree (Musical Theatre Performance, Acting for Film and Theatre, or Design and Technology) will begin their undergraduate career in the BA Theatre program. Prospective students will audition or apply (depending on their concentration) at the end of their first year of study.
Theatre Education
The BA Theatre degree program also offers an optional Concentration in Theatre Education, allowing students to pursue their love of theatre while working toward an endorsement to teach theatre in primary and secondary schools. This endorsement involves gaining admission to Teacher Education usually at the end of the second year or beginning of the third year, and for many students requires a fifth year of study to gain teacher certification. The final year of the program includes student teaching (see the College of Education's Department of Teaching and Learning).
Theatre Education majors must also complete the teaching track of a second major or minor in another teaching content area.