Performing Arts: Theatre (BA)

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Offered by the Department of Performing Arts , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the major requires demonstrated talent through an audition portfolio review arranged with the department, preferably prior to beginning university studies. However, a student may enter as an intended major and have an audition or portfolio review during the first year. Students will be accepted based on programmatic approval and written declaration of major.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

51 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 27 credit hours at or above 300-level
- Students who wish to study abroad must receive prior approval from their advisor in order to ensure that appropriate courses will transfer and that scholarships and financial aid will apply

Course Requirements

Core (22 credit hours)

Production Participation (2-4 credit hours)

Complete the following to demonstrate participation in a minimum of four department productions in either a performance or technical capacity, including one production as stage manager or assistant stage manager, and one production in another technical capacity:

Stage Management

PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) : Stage Management

Technical

PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) : Sets, Lighting, and Costumes

Additional Participation

Complete two courses from the following:

PERF-065 Musical/Theatre Production (0) (repeatable)
PERF-165 Musical/Theatre Production (1) (repeatable)

Tracks (27 credit hours)

Complete one of the following:

Performance

Note: Placement audition required.

Required

Theatre Topic/Independent Study

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

PERF-450 Rotating Topics in Theatre (1-3) (3 credit hours required)
PERF-490 Independent Study Project in Performing Arts (1-6) (3 credit hours required)

Theatre Arts

Required

PERF-348 Scene Study (3)
PERF-450 Rotating Topics in Theatre (1-3) (3 credit hours required)
PERF-452 Directing Techniques (3)
PERF-457 Playwriting (3)

Performance

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Technical

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Specialty

9 credit hours in additional area of specialty courses approved by advisor

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.