The Department of Theatre is a member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the requirements set forth in this catalog are in accordance with the published regulations of the association. For advising purposes, all students registering in a Theatre degree program enroll through the College of Fine Arts. Special advising check sheets, providing complete information regarding requirements and suggested electives, are available in the Department of Theatre office for each degree program and area of concentration.
PRE-BACHELOR OF ARTS THEATRE PROGRAM
Freshman and sophomores who meet university and departmental standards are admitted to the Pre-Bachelor of Arts Theatre program. Students are required to submit a letter of intent stating area of interest before being admitted to the Pre-B.A. Theater program.
Students must receive a grade of “C” or higher in all major courses and a 2.50 cumulative GPA during their first semester to continue in the pre-B.A. Theater program. Students failing to meet these requirements will have one semester of departmental probation to receive a “C” or higher in major courses and raise their cumulative GPA to 2.50. Students failing to meet the above requirements by the end of the first year (two semesters) will be asked to seek advisement regarding other majors.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
The major in Theatre consists of 54 semester hours. Specific requirements are listed below for each area of concentration. The following core of courses is required of all B.A. degree candidates:
| THE 220 | Principles of Dramatic Analysis L1 (3) |
| THE 225 | Orientation to Theatre (1) |
| THE 320 | History of the Theatre I HU, H (3) |
| THE 321 | History of the Theatre II HU, H (3) |
| THE 322 | History of the Theatre III HU, H (3) |
| THP 102 | Beginning Acting (3) |
| THP 200 | Theatre Workshop (1) |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| THP 301 | Theatre Production (2) |
| (one semester hour in two different production options) | |
| THP 315 | Fundamentals of Directing (3) |
| Total: 25 |
Two of the following three courses (six semester hours) are required:
| THP 330 | Introduction to Costuming (3) |
| THP 340 | Scene Design (3) |
| THP 345 | Lighting Design (3) |
Within the major (including related-area studies considered part of the major), only courses with a grade of “C” or higher may be applied toward graduation.
Before the junior year, students are evaluated on an audition, portfolio review, or written critical/historical essay, depending on the area of interest. Based on this evaluation, students may enter an emphasis area or remain in the general B.A. degree program.
Students may be accepted in an emphasis chosen from the following: acting, design/technical theatre, directing/ stage management, and history/theory and criticism.
Additional elective courses in General Studies and theatre are selected with an advisor to meet the total 120 semester hours required for the degree.
B.A. DEGREE
Students who wish to be considered for an emphasis are required to interview, submit a portfolio, or audition in order to be admitted. The interview or audition is conducted during the semester that students reach 55 semester hours and upon completion of the required core of lower-division theatre courses. See the section on each emphasis for a list of specific courses.
Students who transfer 55 semester hours or more are required to audition or interview before or during their first semester to be admitted to the B.A. degree in Theatre program in one of the areas of emphasis. Students may be admitted on a provisional basis to an area of emphasis for one semester, at which time they must audition or interview again. Admission and retention in all theatre areas of emphasis require a 2.50 GPA in theatre courses and a 2.00 cumulative GPA.
Electives. After satisfying all other requirements, remaining electives to total a minimum of 54 semester hours may be chosen with advisor approval from the list of approved General Studies courses or any courses in the College of Fine Arts. Lower-division courses in a foreign language may also be used as electives. See College of Fine Arts, “College Degree Requirements,” for approved areas of study and the distribution of semester hours as required by the College of Fine Arts.
Areas of Emphasis. The requirements for each area of emphasis follow.
Acting
Admission is by audition at the end of the sophomore year and with the completion of the following required theatre performance courses in addition to the core:
| THP 272 | Introduction to Stage Movement (3) |
| THP 277 | Introduction to Stage Speech (3) |
| THP 285 | Acting: Beginning Scene Study (3) |
| or THP 207 Introduction to Acting: The Creative Imagination (3) | |
| THP 370 | Intermediate Voice and Movement for the Stage (2) |
| THP 377 | Stage Speech (2) |
| THP 385 | Acting: Intermediate Scene Study (3) |
| THP 472 | Advanced Movement for the Stage (3) |
| THP 477 | Advanced Voice for the Stage (3) |
| THP 485 | Acting: Advanced Classical Scene Study (3) |
| Total: 25 |
In addition, students intending to audition for the acting emphasis are strongly encouraged to take THP 113 Techniques of Theatrical Makeup (three semester hours).
Students admitted to the acting emphasis are required to audition for designated subscription series productions.
Design/Technical Theatre
Students are admitted to the design/technical theatre emphasis after the submission of a portfolio at the end of the sophomore year and with the completion of the following required theatre core courses:
| THE 220 | Principles of Dramatic Analysis L1 (3) |
| THE 225 | Orientation to Theatre (1) |
| THP 101 | Introduction to the Art of Acting (3) |
| or THP 102 Beginning Acting (3) | |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| Total: 10 |
One of the following courses, which must be the course not selected as part of the core, is required:
| THP 330 | Introduction to Costuming (3) |
| THP 340 | Scene Design (3) |
| THP 345 | Lighting Design (3) |
Three additional semester hours of THP 301 Theatre Production (one hour each in carpentry, stitching, and electrics) are required as well as THP 401 Theatre Practicum (two semester hours) and THP 442 Drawing.
Also required are 14 semester hours selected from the following courses:
| THE 430 | History of Costume: Western Tradition (3) |
| THP 317 | Stage Management (3) |
| THP 331 | Costume Construction (3) |
| THP 350 | Sound Design (3) |
| THP 401 | Theatre Practicum (1–3) |
| THP 406 | Scenography (3) |
| THP 430 | Costume Design (3) |
| THP 431 | Advanced Costume Construction (3) |
| THP 435 | Advanced Technical Theatre (3) |
| THP 440 | Advanced Scene Design (3) |
| THP 441 | Scene Painting (3) |
| THP 444 | Drafting for the Stage (3) |
| THP 445 | Advanced Lighting Design (3) |
| THP 494 | Special Topics (1–4) |
| THP 498 | Pro-Seminar (1–6) |
Assignments on ASU Theatre productions in various technical and design support areas provide practical training. Students who demonstrate consistent interest and abilities are typically awarded a final design or technical direction project of a fully mounted Lyceum production.
Directing/Stage Management
Students are admitted to the directing and stage management emphasis after having an interview, receiving a grade of “B” or higher in THP 315 Fundamentals of Directing (or its equivalent), and completing the following required lower-division theatre core courses:
| THE 220 | Principles of Dramatic Analysis L1 (3) |
| THE 225 | Orientation to Theatre (1) |
| THP 102 | Beginning Acting (3) |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| Total: 10 |
The following courses are also required:
| THP 285 | Acting: Beginning Scene Study (3) |
| THP 317 | Stage Management (3) |
| THP 419 | Preproduction Workshop: Director/Designer Collaboration (3) |
| Total: 9 |
Also required is the introductory design course not selected as part of the theatre core: THP 330 Introduction to Costuming, or THP 340 Scene Design, or THP 345 Lighting Design.
In addition, 12 semester hours selected with advisor approval from the following courses are required:
| THE 424 | Trends in Theatre for Youth (3) |
| THP 272 | Introduction to Stage Movement (3) |
| THP 277 | Introduction to Stage Speech (3) |
| THP 301 | Theatre Production (1–4) |
| THP 385 | Acting: Intermediate Scene Study (2) |
| THP 401 | Theatre Production (1–3) |
| THP 414 | Directing: The Production Concept (2) |
| THP 415 | Directing the Actor (3) |
| THP 450 | Theatre Organization and Management (3) |
| THP 484 | Internship (1–4) |
| THP 498 | Pro-Seminar (Directing, Stage Management, Theatre in Education, Theatre for Youth Tour) (1–6) |
Exceptional students may be admitted to the directing and stage management emphasis on a provisional basis if they have not taken THP 315 Fundamentals of Directing (or its equivalent). Special application to the department is required.
In addition to the above emphasis area courses, advisor approval is required for General Studies and elective courses. Students are encouraged to apply for directing/stage management assignments in the scholarship series.
History/Theory and Criticism
Students are admitted to the history/theory and criticism emphasis after having an interview, submitting a written critical or historical essay at the end of the sophomore year, and completing the following required lower-division theatre core courses:
| THE 220 | Principles of Dramatic Analysis L1 (3) |
| THE 225 | Orientation to Theatre (1) |
| THP 102 | Beginning Acting (3) |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| Total: 10 |
Two of the following three courses are required:
| THE 420 | History of the American Theatre HU, H (3) |
| THE 421 | History of the English Theatre L2/HU (3) |
| THE 425 | History of Asian Theatre L2/HU (3) |
Also required are six semester hours of upper-division dramatic literature in theatre, English, or a foreign language and three semester hours of playwriting (THP 294 Special Topics or 460 Playwrights Workshop). Six semester hours selected from the following courses are required:
| ENG 360 | History of Film HU (4) |
| ENG 361 | Silent Film HU (4) |
| ENG 362 | Sound Film Genres HU (4) |
| THE 401 | Focus on Multiethnic Film HU, C (3) |
| THP 414 | Directing: The Production Concept (2) |
| THP 415 | Directing the Actor (3) |
| THP 419 | Preproduction Workshop: Director/Designer Collaboration (3) |
THP 498 Senior Project is also required.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to fulfilling the major requirements, students must meet all university graduation requirements. See “University Graduation Requirements.”
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS DEGREE
Theatre Education
For students seeking secondary school certification by the State of Arizona, the B.F.A. degree offers a teacher certification track. This track certifies a teacher for the instruction of theatre to students in grades 7–12 (and an endorsement for K–12 “dramatic arts”) in the Arizona public schools. Although the B.F.A. theatre education student is officially enrolled in the College of Fine Arts, all professional education courses and recommendation for certification are provided by the College of Education Professional Teacher Preparation Program (PTPP).
A minor teaching field of 24 to 30 semester hours in such areas as English or communication is not required for the degree but is highly recommended. The minor teaching field’s department specifies which courses can be applied toward the minor teaching field. The Arizona Department of Education mandates the minimum number of semester hours required for major areas, approved areas, and endorsements in certification.
The following theatre courses are required:
| THE 220 | Principles of Dramatic Analysis L1 (3) |
| THE 225 | Orientation to Theatre (1) |
| THE 320 | History of the Theatre HU, H (3) |
| THE 321 | History of the Theatre HU, H (3) |
| THP 102 | Beginning Acting (3) |
| THP 185 | Acting: Beginning Scene Study (3) |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| THP 272 | Introduction to Stage Movement (3) |
| THP 277 | Introduction to Stage Speech (3) |
| THP 301 | Theatre Production (2) |
| THP 315 | Fundamentals of Directing (3) |
| THP 330 | Introduction to Costuming (3) |
| THP 345 | Lighting Design (3) |
| THP 414 | Directing: The Production Concept (2) |
| Total: 38 |
The following theatre education courses are required for the theatre education concentration:
| THE 325 | Play Reading (1) |
| THE 480 | Methods of Teaching Theatre (4) |
| THP 311 | Improvisation with Youth (3) |
| THP 411 | Methods of Teaching Drama (3) |
| THP 481 | Secondary School Play Production (3) |
| Total: 14 |
Students are strongly encouraged to voluntarily enroll in additional course work in the practice in the art of theatre. Recommended courses include:
| THE 322 | History of Theatre HU, H (3) |
| THP 113 | Techniques of Theatrical Makeup (3) |
| THP 340 | Scene Design (3) |
| THP 415 | Directing the Actor (3) |
The PTPP, in cooperation with the theatre education coordinator, establishes professional education course work.
Application and Admission. After being formally accepted into the Department of Theatre, a student must meet with the theatre education coordinator to discuss application procedures for the B.F.A. degree in Theatre with a concentration in theatre education.
Acceptance into the program is by interview only. The student must meet with the theatre education faculty to discuss career goals and interests in teaching. The student should also provide a letter of intent and at least two letters of recommendation from ASU Department of Theatre faculty or other former teachers or employers. If distance prohibits coming to campus, the student may be admitted into the program upon submission of three letters of recommendation and a letter of interest to the theatre education faculty.
Application is normally made at the beginning of the sophomore year; applications for early admission of ASU freshmen are accepted toward the end of the second semester of full-time study. Strict deadlines are set for application to the PTPP. Students who express an interest in the theatre education concentration are advised to apply no later than the beginning of the sophomore year. The student is also required to meet admission standards mandated by the PTPP and the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification (see College of Education, “Admission”).
Although the Department of Theatre may admit a student into the program, the College of Education may reject a student’s application for admission into the PTPP, thus removing a student from the B.F.A. degree program. Appeal and reapplication procedures are established by the PTPP.
For retention in the program, a GPA of 3.00 in the major and an overall GPA of 2.50 are required. Retention standards established by the PTPP must also be maintained for students in the teacher certification track.
DEPARTMENTAL MINOR
The department offers a minor in Theatre consisting of 22 semester hours of course work. The following courses are required:
| THE 100 | Introduction to Theatre HU (3) |
| THP 101 | Introduction to the Art of Acting (3) |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| THP 301 | Theatre Production (1) |
| Total: 10 |
Two of the following three courses are also required:
| THE 320 | History of the Theatre I HU, H (3) |
| THE 321 | History of the Theatre II HU, H (3) |
| THE 322 | History of theTheatre III HU, H (3) |
Also required are two three-hour courses in the same area of emphasis. Contact the department for area options and course requirements.
Courses ordinarily limited to majors only are available to minors on a second-priority basis; that is, minors may not preregister for these courses, but are allowed to register after all majors’ needs have been met. All prerequisites for the minor courses must be met (see course listings).
Departmental Academic Specialization
Elementary Education. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in Elementary Education may select theatre as an academic specialization, consisting of 18 semester hours from the following courses:
| THE 100 | Introduction to Theatre HU (3) |
| THE 424 | Trends in Theatre for Youth (3) |
| THP 101 | Introduction to the Art of Acting (3) |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| THP 311 | Improvisation with Youth (3) |
| THP 312 | Puppetry with Children (3) |
| THP 315 | Fundamentals of Directing (3) |
| THP 330 | Introduction to Costuming (3) |
THP 411 Methods of Teaching Drama (3) is required.
Secondary Education. Students pursuing the B.A. in Education degree in Secondary Education may select theatre as a second teaching field. The second teaching field consists of 30 semester hours including the following courses:
| THE 220 | Principles of Dramatic Analysis L1 (3) |
| THE 325 | Play Reading (1) |
| THE 480 | Methods of Teaching Theatre (4) |
| THP 101 | Introduction to the Art of Acting (3) |
| THP 213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre (3) |
| THP 301 | Theatre Production (1) |
| THP 311 | Improvisation with Youth (3) |
| THP 315 | Fundamentals of Directing (3) |
| THP 481 | Secondary School Play Production (3) |
| Total: 24 |
Two of the following three courses are also required:
| THP 330 | Introduction to Costuming (3) |
| THP 345 | Lighting Design (3) |
| THP 411 | Methods of Teaching Drama (3) |
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
The faculty in the Department of Theatre offer programs leading to the M.A. degree in Theatre; the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre with concentrations in acting, scenography, and theatre for youth; the Ph.D. degree in Theatre with a concentration in theatre for youth; and, in conjunction with the Department of English, an interdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing (playwriting option). Consult the Graduate Catalog for details.
Omnibus Courses: See omnibus courses that may be offered.
1998–99 General Catalog Table of Contents
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