Performing Arts - Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts is intended for students who wish to pursue the study of theatre, dance, and live entertainment situated within a liberal arts tradition. The undergraduate program is committed to developing creative thinkers with artistic vision and relevant skills through a program that emphasizes the interplay between critical thinking and artistic practice.
Students select a concentration in one of the following areas:
- Theatre
- Dance
- Entertainment Design & Technology
In each concentration students consider both the theory and practice of their artforms, developing both specific artistic skills and competencies as well as an understanding of context.
Students are encouraged to combine the BA in Performing Arts with other majors, co-majors, or minors. All courses must be taken for a grade.
Program Requirements
(54 semester hours)
Students complete the Core Curriculum and at least one concentration.
Please note that courses listed in more than one category may only be used to fulfill ONE requirement. No course may fulfill a requirement in both the core and concentration.
Only four credit hours of courses taken by students enrolled in the dance minor or music theatre minor may also count toward requirements in the BA in Performing Arts.
Core Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THE 101 | Performance Analysis | 3 |
| THE 105 | Introduction to Theatre, Dance, and Entertainment Production | 1 |
| THE 152 | Backstage Magic: The Art and Craft of Production | 3 |
| THE 212 | Creative Process | 3 |
| THE 291 | Research & World Performance | 3 |
| THE 301 | Professional Practices & Business Skills for Arts & Entertainment | 3 |
| Performing Arts & Entertainment Electives | ||
| Select six credit hours | 6 | |
| Experimental Animation | ||
| 2D Digital Animation | ||
| Applied Experience Design: Walt Disney World | ||
| Introduction to Arts Management | ||
| Art and Digital Tools I | ||
| Art and Digital Tools II: Video Post Production | ||
| Foundations in Digital 3-D Modeling and Animation | ||
| Immersive & Reactive 2: Development | ||
| Invention, Innovation and Implementation in Entertainment Design | ||
| Recording and Live Sound | ||
| Principles of Acting | ||
| Integrated Wellness and Practices for Artists | ||
| Skills in Performing Arts & Entertainment (maximum 4) | ||
| Voice and Movement | ||
| Scene Study | ||
| Topics in Dance | ||
| Costume Fundamentals | ||
| Stagecraft and Theatre Technologies | ||
| Scene Painting Fundamentals | ||
| Theatre, Power, Justice & Social Change | ||
| The Musical in American Culture | ||
| World Stages | ||
| Devising | ||
| Internship | ||
| Stage Management | ||
| Scenic Design | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Topics in Intercultural Perspectives and Global Theatre and Performance | ||
| Topics in Dramatic Literature and Cultural Performance | ||
| London Theatre & Performance | ||
| Politics and Ethics of Theatre and Performance | ||
| Topics in Applied Theatre, Practice, and Pedagogy | ||
THE 439 | ||
| Advanced Lighting Design | ||
| Story Development / New Work Elective | ||
| Select three credit hours: | 3 | |
| Devising | ||
| Playwriting | ||
| Directing | ||
| Choreography | ||
| Production Practicum | ||
| Select five experiences; limit of three in any one area to count toward degree, including area assigned in THE 105. | 5 | |
| Production and Performance Practicum | ||
| Advanced Production and Performance Practicum | ||
| Emerging Technology Practicum | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Theatre Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THE 131 | Principles of Acting | 3 |
| THE 209 | Integrated Wellness and Practices for Artists | 3 |
| THE 422 | Politics and Ethics of Theatre and Performance | 3 |
| Theatre Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Select three credit hours | ||
| Dramaturgy | ||
| Topics in Intercultural Perspectives and Global Theatre and Performance | ||
| London Theatre & Performance | ||
| Topics in Dramatic Literature and Cultural Performance | ||
| Topics in Applied Theatre, Practice, and Pedagogy | ||
| Theatre Electives | 12 | |
| Select twelve credit hours | ||
| Beginning Ballet | ||
| Beginning Jazz Dance | ||
| Beginning Modern Dance | ||
| Stage Makeup | ||
| Skills in Performing Arts & Entertainment | ||
| Acting for Medical Simulation | ||
| Voice and Movement | ||
| Scene Study | ||
| Topics in Dance | ||
| Costume Fundamentals | ||
| Stagecraft and Theatre Technologies | ||
| Scene Painting Fundamentals | ||
| Intermediate Ballet | ||
| Intermediate Modern Dance | ||
| Intermediate Jazz Dance | ||
| Theatre, Power, Justice & Social Change | ||
| The Musical in American Culture | ||
| World Stages | ||
| Devising | ||
| Dramaturgy | ||
| Playwriting | ||
| Directing | ||
| Stage Management | ||
| Scenic Design | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Entertainment Design Drafting & Documentation | ||
| London Theatre & Performance | ||
| Auditions | ||
THE 439 | ||
| Production Management | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
Dance Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ballet | 4 | |
| Select four credit hours | ||
| Beginning Ballet | ||
| Intermediate Ballet | ||
| Advanced Ballet | ||
| Modern | 4 | |
| Select four credit hours | ||
| Beginning Modern Dance | ||
| Intermediate Modern Dance | ||
| Advanced Modern Dance | ||
| Jazz | 4 | |
| Select four credit hours | ||
| Beginning Jazz Dance | ||
| Intermediate Jazz Dance | ||
| Advanced Jazz Dance | ||
| THE 209 | Integrated Wellness and Practices for Artists | 3 |
| THE 250 | Topics in Dance | 2 |
| THE 351 | Dance as Culture | 3 |
| KNH 244 | Functional Anatomy | 3 |
| KNH 244L | Functional Anatomy Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
Entertainment Design & Technology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Foundations | 3 | |
| Select three credit hours | ||
| Visual Fundamentals: Design and Composition | ||
| Observational Drawing | ||
| Image Essentials for Designers | ||
| Production Design | 3 | |
| Select three credit hours | ||
| Scenic Design | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Production Digital Technology | 3 | |
| Select three credit hours | ||
| Advanced Lighting Design | ||
| Building and Designing Interactive Devices | ||
| Art and Digital Tools II: Video Post Production | ||
| THE 257 | Stagecraft and Theatre Technologies | 3 |
| THE 357 | Entertainment Design Drafting & Documentation | 3 |
| THE 456 | Production Management | 3 |
| IMS 430 | Immersive & Reactive 1: Tools | 3 |
| MUS 308 | Recording and Live Sound | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |