Campuses:
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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.
All CLA BA degrees require 18 upper division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the theatre arts BA is TH.
The theatre arts BA consists 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 BA in theatre arts, a BFA in acting, or a minor in theatre arts.
All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First-Year Experience course sequence.
Stage Technology
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3571 - Introduction to Technology for the Theatre
(2.0 cr)
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)
Capstone
Seniors execute and document a project of their own design over the course of a year. Projects may take of the form of, but are not limited to: a research paper, an internship with an arts organization, creation of an original work – play, dance, lighting, set design, sound score, etc., advanced technical position on a production, grant writing, portfolio development and presentation, educational curriculum development, film and/or software projects. A faculty advisor will serve as a resource.
Students who double major and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major may waive the Theater Arts BA capstone, but they do need to replace the 2 credits with a theatre arts elective.
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 2 credit(s) from the following:
·
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)
or
AFRO 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
AFRO 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
Take two courses totaling at least 6 credits to complete the sub-plan. The history/literature requirement is completed by the upper division writing intensive within the major requirement in the program requirements. Students must complete at least 11 credits of upper division coursework in residence at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.
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 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
Take 5 courses totaling at least 15 credits to complete the subplan. Students must complete at least 14 credits of upper division coursework in residence at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.
Electives
Select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement with prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies.
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
DNCE 3487W {Inactive}
[WI]
(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 5117 - Performance and Social Change
(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)
History/Literature
Take five courses totaling at least 15 credits to complete the sub-plan. Students must complete at least 14 credits of upper division coursework in residence at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.
Electives
Select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement with prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies.
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 4178W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5179W - Text and Performance
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5183 - Critical Literacy, Storytelling, and Creative Drama
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3152W - Global Avant-Gardes: Theatre, Music, Modernity
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
TH 5152W {Inactive}
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
GLOS 3152W {Inactive}
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
GLOS 5152W {Inactive}
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3311 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
AAS 3311 - Asian American Theater
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5181W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
AFRO 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
AFRO 5182W - Contemporary Black Drama and Dramaturgies
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Design/Technology
Take six courses totaling at least 16 credits to complete the sub-plan, including the Theatre Practicum. Students must complete at least 15 credits of upper division coursework in residence at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.
Theatre Practicum
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 1 credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3100 - Theatre Lab Practicum
(1.0 cr)
Electives
Select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement with prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies.
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 4380 - BA Studio Production: Creative Collaboration
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
TH 4532 - Makeup for the Actor
(2.0 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)
Performance Creation
Take nine courses totaling at least 15 credits including BA mentoring and creative collaboration to complete the sub-plan. Students must complete at least 14 credits of upper division coursework in residence at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.
BA Mentoring
Take exactly 4 course(s) totaling exactly 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 3370 - BA Masterclass
(1.0 cr)
Creative Collaboration
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling 2 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
TH 4380 - BA Studio Production: Creative Collaboration
(1.0-3.0 cr)
Electives
Select topics of TH 3950 & 5950 may count toward this requirement with prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies.
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 3711 - Beginning Directing
(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 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)
·
TH 3365 - Intermediate Musical Theatre
(3.0 cr)
·
TH 3311 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
AAS 3311 - Asian American Theater
(3.0 cr)
|
|
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: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Th 1101W/Th 1101V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Th 1101W/Th 1101V |
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: | 2.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & 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 5181W/Th 5181W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
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: | 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 6.0] |
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: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | YoSt 4314/YoSt 5314 |
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: | CI 5483/ TH 5183 |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GloS 3152W/Th 3152W/Th 5152W/ |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AAS 3311/Th 3311 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5181W/Th 5181W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 5182W/Th 5182W |
Typically offered: | Every 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 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: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | 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: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 12.0] |
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: | 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 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 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 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: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AAS 3311/Th 3311 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |