Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Theatre Arts B.A.Theatre Arts & Dance Dept
College of Liberal Arts
This degree program offers study of the art form in both theoretical historical context and the practice of live dramatic performance. Course offerings include theatre history and dramatic literature; acting, movement, and voice; directing; design and technology for scenery, costume, lighting, makeup, and sound; and stage and arts management.
Coursework also embraces theatre as a group art, an art in which individual excellence is often fully realized only in collaboration with other artists. The practical application of the art encourages students to test classroom experiences under the pressure of public performance in the laboratory of the University Theatre.
For students interested in a BFA program, see Acting BFA for requirements.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
The Theatre Arts B.A. consists of 25 credits of base requirements, common across all sub-plans, and a choice between specialization in one of five sub-plans: Generalist, Social Justice/Applied Drama, History/Literature, Design/Technology, or Performance Creation. Each sub-plan carries a separate set of requirements to be completed in addition to the base requirements.
Students may earn no more than one undergraduate degree from the theatre arts program: a B.A. in theatre arts, or a B.F.A. in acting, or a minor in theatre arts.
Beginning fall 2012, all incoming CLA freshmen must complete the appropriate First Year Experience course sequence. Specific information about this collegiate requirement can be found at: http://class.umn.edu/degree_requirements/index.html
Theatre Practicum
At least one credit of TH 3100 must be a production (not performance) credit.
Take 2 or more course(s) totaling 2 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3100 - Theatre Lab Practicum
(1.0 cr)
Senior Project
Students who double-major and choose to complete the senior project requirement in their other CLA major must complete two additional upper-division electives credits to make up for not taking TH 4901.
TH 4901 - Project Exploration & Development
(1.0 cr)
Upper-division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper-division Writing Intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
TH 4177W - Analysis of Dramatic Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4178W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Generalist
The Generalist sub-plan is fulfilled by completing a minimum of three courses and nine credits in addition to 25 credits of base requirements for the major.
History/Literature
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 4177W - Analysis of Dramatic Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4178W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Design/Technology
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3521 - Introduction to Scenic Design for Theatre and Performance
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3531 - Introduction to Theatrical Costume Design
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3541 - Introduction to Lighting Design for the Theatre
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3559 - Introduction to Sound Design for the Theatre
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3716 - Stage Management
(4.0 cr)
·
TH 5355 - Puppetry: Techniques and Practice in Contemporary Theater
(3.0 cr)
Performance
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3321 - Acting I
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3330 - Physical Approaches to Acting
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3332 - Circus Performance
(1.0 cr)
·
TH 3361 - Introductory Musical Theater
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3381 - Theater Storytelling and Solo Performance
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4322 - Acting for the Camera
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5117 - Performance and Social Change
(3.0 cr)
Social Justice/Applied Drama
The Social Justice/Applied Drama sub-plan is fulfilled by completing a minimum of six courses and eighteen credits in addition to the 25 credits of base requirements for the major.
Upper-division Writing Intensive Course
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 4177W - Analysis of Dramatic Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4178W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Electives
In addition to the courses listed below, select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement. Prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies is required.
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
DNCE 3487W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
DNCE 5493 - Choreographing Social Justice: Staging "Equitable" Choreographies
(3.0 cr)
·
HECU 3581 {Inactive}
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
HECU 3582 {Inactive}
[DSJ]
(4.0 cr)
·
HECU 3583 {Inactive}
[CIV]
(8.0 cr)
·
TH 3120 - Theatre: Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4380 - BA Studio Production: Creative Collaboration
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
TH 5117 - Performance and Social Change
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5183 - Critical Literacy, Storytelling, and Creative Drama
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5355 - Puppetry: Techniques and Practice in Contemporary Theater
(3.0 cr)
·
YOST 5314 - Theatre Activities in Youthwork and Education
(2.0 cr)
History/Literature
The History/Literature sub-plan is fulfilled by completing a minimum of six courses and eighteen credits in addition to 25 credits of base requirements for the major.
Upper-division Writing Intensive Course
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 4177W - Analysis of Dramatic Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4178W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Electives
In addition to the courses listed below, select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement. Prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies is required.
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3120 - Theatre: Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4177W - Analysis of Dramatic Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5183 - Critical Literacy, Storytelling, and Creative Drama
(3.0 cr)
Design/Technology
The Design/Technology sub-plan is fulfilled by completing a minimum of seven courses and nineteen credits in addition to 25 credits of base requirements for the major.
Upper-division Writing Intensive Course
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 4177W - Analysis of Dramatic Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4178W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Electives
In addition to the courses listed below, select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement. Prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies is required.
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3521 - Introduction to Scenic Design for Theatre and Performance
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3531 - Introduction to Theatrical Costume Design
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3541 - Introduction to Lighting Design for the Theatre
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3559 - Introduction to Sound Design for the Theatre
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3716 - Stage Management
(4.0 cr)
·
TH 4550 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4555 - Audio Technology
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4556 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5100 - Theatre Practicum
(1.0-4.0 cr)
·
TH 5355 - Puppetry: Techniques and Practice in Contemporary Theater
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5500 - Theatre Design Practicum
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
TH 5510 - Drawing, Rendering, and Painting for the Theatre Designer I
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5520 - Scene Design
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5530 - Costume Design
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5540 - Lighting Design for the Theatre
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5545 - Stage Lighting Technology
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5554 - Multimedia Production for Live Performance
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5556 - Audio Engineering
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5559 - Sound Design for Performance
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5560 - Drawing, Rendering, and Painting for the Theatre Designer II
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5570 - Properties/Scenery Technology
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
TH 5580 - Costume Technology
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5590 - Theatre Technology Practicum
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
TH 5716 - Stage Management for the Theatre
(4.0 cr)
·
TH 5760 - Advanced Stage Management
(2.0 cr)
Theatre Practicum
TH 3100 - Theatre Lab Practicum
(1.0 cr)
Performance Creation
The Performance Creation sub-plan includes specialty areas in acting, directing, music theatre, object theatre and play-writing. This sub-plan is fulfilled by completing a minimum of ten courses and eighteen credits in addition to the 25 credits of base requirements for the major.
Upper-division Writing Intensive Course
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 4177W - Analysis of Dramatic Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4178W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Electives
In addition to the courses listed below, select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement. Prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies is required.
Take 3 or more course(s) totaling 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3115 - Introduction to Playwriting
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3314 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3316 - Voice for the Actor
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3321 - Acting I
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3322 - Acting II
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3330 - Physical Approaches to Acting
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3332 - Circus Performance
(1.0 cr)
·
TH 3361 - Introductory Musical Theater
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3381 - Theater Storytelling and Solo Performance
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4115 - Intermediate Playwriting
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4321 - Career Preparation for the Theatre Artist
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4322 - Acting for the Camera
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 4532 - Makeup for the Actor
(2.0 cr)
·
TH 4711 - Intermediate Stage Direction
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5117 - Performance and Social Change
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5330 - Comedy: Advanced Physical Performance Studio
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5340 - Advanced Acting Studio: Tragedy/Poetry
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5355 - Puppetry: Techniques and Practice in Contemporary Theater
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5370 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5711 - Advanced Stage Direction
(3.0 cr)
Take 4 or more course(s) totaling 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3370 - BA Masterclass
(1.0 cr)
Take 2 or more course(s) totaling 2 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 4380 - BA Studio Production: Creative Collaboration
(1.0-3.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Th 1101W/Th 1101V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 5483/ TH 5183 |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | YoSt 4314/YoSt 5314 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 5483/ TH 5183 |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 20.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 20.0] |
Prerequisites: | Th 3521, 3531, or 3541 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | 1501 or grad |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Prerequisites: | 3521 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Prerequisites: | 3541 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 15.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 15.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 15.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |