The study of theatre provides you with opportunities to explore personal values, develop personal skills, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning — all within a distinctive philosophical and artistic environment.
When you major or minor in Theatre, you will be exposed to a sizable body of dramatic literature, theory, and historical study, leading to the development of an informed perspective of the role of theatre as a social, spiritual, and artistic institution. The experience is a liberalizing one, designed to allow you to explore and develop yourself as both an individual and an artist.
Find out more about this department’s mission, vision, and learning outcomes.
The Theatre major provides you with opportunities to explore personal values, develop personal skills, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning — all within a distinctive philosophical and artistic environment.
- A minimum 80 credits are required for this major and its emphases, including 30 upper-division credits.
- This major includes four emphases: Performance, Production and Design, Theatre Studies, and Teaching.
- The Teaching emphasis provides a foundation toward P-12 Certification or teaching endorsements through the School of Education.
- If you plan to pursue teacher education, maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Many of the courses focus on skills associated with performance, playwriting, directing, designing, and technical theatre crafts.
- An extensive production program is maintained.
- You must demonstrate a growing ability in theatrical criticism, artistic awareness, and personal theatrical skills.
- You must complete a Senior Project in acting, directing, design, technical direction, or playwriting. Your project must include both an approved prospectus and some form of public demonstration made during your senior year.
Senior Project
Your Senior Project will be developed with faculty advisor consultation and approved by the theatre faculty. It is expected to be the independent work of a mature student artist.
This project is considered the culmination of your undergraduate training and must be of substantial merit, reflecting an informed artistic sensitivity and philosophy. You may accumulate up to 3 credits of TRE 4961 “Special Projects” in the completion of this requirement.
The major in Costume Design and Production takes advantage of the resources of the Department of Theatre and the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Through the combined study of theatre, apparel design, clothing construction, clothing history, and theatre history, we prepare students who want to become costumers, wardrobe managers, and costume designers in professional theatre, film, or other performance genres.
*This major and minor are found in TRE and FCS. Please be advised that these programs are identical in scope and requirement. If you are taking a major in one department, and would like to add a minor, it must be in the other department. For example, if you are majoring in FCS Apparel Merchandising and would like to minor in Costume Design and Production, you would need to take that minor as a TRE.
- A minimum 88 credits are required for this major, including 36 upper-division credits.
- Core courses from the Family and Consumer Sciences Department include “History of Costume,” “Textiles,” and “Flat Pattern Design.”
- Core courses from the Theatre Department include “Stagecraft,” “Analyzing and Interpreting Theatre,” and “Production Practicum.”
entering and completing a major or minor
In order to earn a degree, you must complete an academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, and students are not required to enter a major immediately upon admission to the University. However, you should enter a major by the end of your sophomore year to help ensure your timely completion of a degree. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should identify and enter their major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you wish to enter a major or minor in this department, you may select a program by using the online Major or Minor Application form. You will receive an email notification of acceptance.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, use the online Major or Minor Application form to select your major or minor. You will receive an email notification of acceptance. Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
- Your application is due on or before the first Friday of Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarter.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
- You must complete the major or minor requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.
Certification with elementary education endorsement
- If you plan to teach in an elementary school and are interested in theatre, you must major in the Integrated Studies major with a concentration in the Arts.
- The concentration consists of courses in art, music, and theatre.
- The faculty advisor for the Arts Concentration, Dr. Andrew Ryder (aryder@ngskmc-eis.net).
- Further information about the Elementary Certification Program is available in the School of Education.
Certification with P-12 endorsement in Theatre
If you plan to obtain Residency Teacher Certification with endorsement in Theatre, you should pursue a BA in Theatre Education, and you must also complete P-12 Certification through the School of Education.
If you plan to become a teacher, visit the School of Education for complete information.