Performing Arts: Theatre (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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 a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Tracks

Performance, Design/Production, Arts Management, or Theatre Arts

Major Requirements

51 credit hours with grades of C or better
- 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.
Participation in a minimum of four department productions in either a performance or technical capacity. One of these must be done as stage manager or assistant stage manager and one must be in another technical capacity.

Course Requirements

Core (24 credit hours)

PERF-115 Theatre: Principles, Plays, and Performance FA1 (3)
PERF-251 Fundamentals of Acting I (3)
PERF-260 Stagecraft (3)
PERF-261 Introduction to Stage Design (3)
PERF-262 Stage Management (1)
PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) (taken twice for a total of 2 credit hours)
PERF-365 Theatre History I: From the Greeks to the Eighteenth Century (3)
PERF-366 Theatre History II: From the Nineteenth Century to the Present (3)
PERF-445 Senior Capstone (3) : Theatre

One of the following tracks:

Performance (27 credit hours)

Placement audition required

PERF-252 Fundamentals of Acting II (3)
PERF-308 The Moving Body (3)
PERF-350 Fundamentals of Acting III (3)
PERF-355 Voice and Speech (3)
PERF-450 Rotating Topics in Theatre (1-3) (taken two times for a total of 6 credit hours)
or
PERF-490 Independent Study Project in Performing Arts (1-6) (3 credit hours required) (may be substituted for one PERF 450 topic)
PERF-452 Directing Techniques (3)
PERF-456 Acting IV: Audition Techniques (3)
PERF-457 Playwriting (3)

Design/Production (27 credit hours)

Required

ARTH-105 Art: The Historical Experience FA1 (3)
ARTS-100 Art: The Studio Experience FA1 (3)
PERF-362 Lighting Design (3)
PERF-364 Basics of Set and Costume Design (3)
PERF-450 Rotating Topics in Theatre (1-3) (3 credit hours required)
PERF-452 Directing Techniques (3)
PERF-457 Playwriting (3)
PERF-490 Independent Study Project in Performing Arts (1-6) (3 credit hours required)
or
PERF-491 Performing Arts: Internship (1-6) (3 credit hours required)

Specialty Course

Additional area of specialty course approved by advisor (3)

Arts Management (27 credit hours)

ACCT-240 Principles of Financial Accounting (3)
ECON-100 Macroeconomics FA4 (3)
PERF-362 Lighting Design (3)
or
PERF-364 Basics of Set and Costume Design (3)
PERF-450 Rotating Topics in Theatre (1-3) or other area of specialty course approved by advisor (for a total of 6 credit hours)
PERF-452 Directing Techniques (3)
PERF-457 Playwriting (3)
PERF-490 Independent Study Project in Performing Arts (1-6) (3 credit hours required)
or
PERF-491 Performing Arts: Internship (1-6) (3 credit hours required)
PERF-570 Survey of Arts Management (3)

Theatre Arts (27 credit hours)

Required

PERF-252 Fundamentals of Acting II (3)
PERF-308 The Moving Body (3)
or
PERF-355 Voice and Speech (3)
PERF-362 Lighting Design (3)
or
PERF-364 Basics of Set and Costume Design (3)
PERF-450 Rotating Topics in Theatre (1-3) (3 credit hours required)
PERF-452 Directing Techniques (3)
PERF-457 Playwriting (3)

Specialty Courses

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

University Honors Program

To graduate with University Honors in the major through the University Honors Program, students must meet the requirements detailed on the Honors website and have been enrolled as either a first-year student between Fall 1989 and Spring 2014, or as a transfer or self-nominated student through Spring 2015. The University Honors Program should not be confused with the AU Honors Program, which begins in Fall 2014 and has separate requirements, also detailed on the Honors website.

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 Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.