Theatre Arts – Areas of Study

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN THEATRE ARTS (B.F.A.)

This degree offers students knowledge of and professional training in three specific areas of theatre within a liberal arts context in order to compete for employment opportunities in the entertainment industry where theatrical talent is utilized.  These three areas of concentration are: Acting, Design/Technology, and Stage Management.

Students will develop the following skills:

1. Students will demonstrate, through engaging with verbal, physical, visual, and research aspects of the craft, the value of Theatre as a profession. This will be assessed in courses like The Transition Workshop, Senior Portfolio, and through their production assignments.
2. Students will understand the value of secondary theatre disciplines as they pertain to professional collaboration in their field and potential avenues for supplemental work in the field of Theatre. This will be assessed through courses within the BFA core, as well as any courses that provide supplemental skills and training outside of the student’s chosen concentration.
3. Students will apply theoretical concepts through hands-on/practical applications of skill. This will be assessed through production assignments, casting, auditioning, and other practicum experiences.
4. Students will analyze scripts, both contemporary and classic, and evaluate their merits and contributions. This will be assessed through courses such as Play Structure and Analysis, Design Courses, Management Courses, and Acting Courses.
5. Students will create meaningful theatrical experiences as they pertain to their concentrations. Acting students will create roles, Design/Tech students will create scenery and/or realize their designs, Management students will create processes and procedures for successful rehearsal and performance of productions.  This will be assessed through courses in Acting, Design, and Management.  As well as through production assignments and casting.
6. Students will create professional portfolios and audition packages to advance their careers post-graduation.  This will be assessed through courses in Transition Workshop, Senior Portfolio, and Senior Showcase.

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN MUSICAL THEATRE (B.F.A.)

This degree offers students knowledge of and professional training in all aspects of musical theatre within a liberal arts context in order to compete for employment opportunities in the entertainment industry where musical talent is utilized.

Students will develop the following skills:

1. Vocal production and techniques for musical theatre sufficient to present complete roles in full productions.
2. Vocal interpretation and role preparation skills that enable understanding and performance of roles in a wide variety of styles and formats.
3. Musicianship, aural, keyboard, and analytic skills.
4. Theatrical skills, acting competence, script analysis, stage movement, voice and diction for the actor, auditioning techniques, and related physical skills such as ballet, jazz, modern dance, tap and dance repertoire.
5. Understanding of basic production elements such as make-up, costume, sets and props, and lighting.
6. Knowledge of the musical theatre canon, along with its history and development within the theatre.
7. Understanding of the entertainment business, its agents, and practices.
8. Portfolio preparation of musical and non-musical repertoire for professional auditions and/or advanced studies.

For further information, see the university Undergraduate Catalog.

Contact Information
Dr. Justin P. Cowan, Chair
Department of Theatre Arts
203-837-8476
cowanj@wcsu.edu