THEATRE STUDIES

Fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), the Theatre Studies BA is centered on the knowledge that theatre is an art and an institution, with a history, a literature, and a vital role in culture. The purpose of the BA is to give students the artistic and intellectual foundation necessary for a successful professional life in the theatre and allied disciplines. To accomplish this, Theater Studies emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between scholarly study and practice. The Scholarly component offers serious academic rigor and features a broad-based curriculum with an interdisciplinary perspective. Students are expected to also take courses in related disciplines such as history, philosophy, anthropology, religious studies, business, political science, film, art, music, literature, and foreign languages in order to enhance the student’s diverse interests and to support the practice of critical thinking. In the area of practical training, BA students may take full advantage of the many opportunities for production-oriented experience provided by the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, the production arm of the Department of Dramatic Arts, and New Play Development Programs, such as the collaboration with the award winning Lark Play Development Theatre in New York City, NY. Theatre Studies prepares students to pursue many professional career choices within the field, including graduate study, by focusing on disciplines such as directing, dramaturgy, stage management, playwriting, theatre history and theory. When you graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies you will have a solid foundation for your life's work as an artist of the theatre.

PLEASE NOTE: The Theatre Studies major is not a BFA program in performance. Admission to the Theatre Studies program does not guarantee enrollment in advanced acting courses. Also, no student should enroll in the Theatre Studies program with the expectation of transferring into the acting program after the first year. Even if you were to audition and be admitted to the BFA at that time, you would still require four additional years to complete the Acting major.

COURSE OF STUDY

The Theatre Studies BA is similar to most of UConn's liberal arts degrees in that the student will take approximately 35% of their college credits within their major field. On the introductory, 1000 course level, BA students must take the same full range of core courses required of all Dramatic Arts majors. In addition, BA students must elect a further 18 credits of courses in dramatic arts at the 3000-4000 level. The remaining 65% of the BA's curriculum consists mainly of liberal arts courses, including the University's broad-ranging General Education Requirements and the election of 12 credits at the 3000-4000 level in a related group of courses outside the department. Although it is expected that these courses will be closely related to the student's major, BA students are encouraged not to focus on a single department.

Thanks to its special combination of academic studies in theatre and the availability of production experience with the Connecticut Repertory Theatre and New Play Development Programs, the BA in Theatre Studies provides an excellent foundation for graduate work in either theatre or other academic fields, as well as a foundation for professional careers in directing, playwriting, dramatic criticism, stage management, theatre management, and a host of other related fields within the theatre, film and television industries.

The following is a list of the dramatic arts courses you will take in order to complete your BA in Theatre Studies. “Related” course are non-Dramatic Arts courses.

Technological Requirements:

All BA students electing to take any of the Computer Drafting or Rendering classes must have a laptop that meet the department's minimum requirements. Requirements can be found here

[Laptop Requirements]

ALL of the courses from the following list:
DRAM 1206: Introduction to Design
DRAM 1208: Introduction to Design
DRAM 1282: 1 Credit Practicum
DRAM 1702: Introduction to Acting For Non-BFA Majors
DRAM 2130: History of Drama I
DRAM 2131: History of Drama II
DRAM 2141: Script Analysis
DRAM 4711W: The Director in the Theatre

Any TWO courses from the following list:
DRAM 3130: Women in Drama
DRAM 3131(W): African-American Theatre
DRAM 3142: Dramaturgy
DRAM 4135W: Period Studies in Theatre
DRAM 3138: Trends in Contemporary Theatre

An additional 18 credits in Dramatic Arts at the 3000-4000 level
These courses are individually selected in conjunction with the student's academic adviser to create a broad, liberal arts approach to the study of theatre.

An additional 12 credits at the 3000-4000 level in a related group outside the department.
These courses should be closely related to the student's major, but need not be in a single department. These courses also may be used to satisfy other University requirements, such as minors, if appropriate.

Please Note: Advanced courses within any of the departments BFA programs are open to Theatre-Studies students only through audition or by the permission of the professor.

Practical Experience Opportunities:
Theatre Studies BA students who are interested in focuses such as stage management, directing, dramaturgy, and playwriting may also put their coursework into practice through opportunities available at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre and the New Play Development Programs. Participating as members of Running Crews are requirements of all BFA and BA student's, but CRT productions also offer many opportunities for participating as stage managers, assistant directors and dramaturges. Although BFA majors (acting and design) are not the focus of BA majors, BA students are allowed to audition for all CRT productions, NPDP workshops, and to support design projects. Upon approval of the Department of Drama Chair, the Studio Theatre is available for student generated projects that offer additional opportunities for playwriting, dramaturgy, stage management, and directing. For those BA majors interested in Theatre history, theory, and criticism, the CRT season and the development of new work both offer fertile ground for in depth, critical discussion manifested in the form of panel discussions and essay work.