Theatre
Contact Information
Phone: 325-674-2021
Majors:Theatre (BA)
| Faculty Adam Hester, Professor
Course Descriptions |
The Department of Theatre offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre. The department works with the Department of Teacher Education to offer teacher certification in theatre arts. A minor in theatre may be added to other majors.
Introduction
The Abilene Christian University Department of Theatre is committed to providing quality training and opportunity for the disciplined theatre artist in a nurturing environment that models Christian values.
The Department of Theatre accepts up to 12 freshmen each year through interviews. In addition, actors are required to audition while designers/technicians present their portfolios. Transfers or current students wishing to change to a major in theatre must also audition/interview. Those students are accepted as space becomes available. The department has capped the number of majors in the program. The freshman year is considered a probationary year. Students are evaluated at the end of the year and must complete barriers to continue in the major. Contact the department directly for audition/interview dates.
This ACU program is highly competitive with larger universities because it offers its students greater opportunities in securing a wide variety of roles or design opportunities resulting in an impressive résumé upon graduation. Emphasis is placed on the Christian viewpoint as it relates to contemporary theatre. ACU Theatre graduates compete well in national auditions for graduate schools and professional theatres.
Students may focus in the following tracks: acting, directing, musical theatre, design/technical, educational theatre or theatre ministry. The technical curriculum provides hands-on experience in all phases of backstage work. The practicum program offers a well-rounded knowledge of theatre crafts.
The ACU Theatre makes use of several performance spaces. The Williams Performing Arts Center (WPAC) employs state-of-the-art equipment in lighting, sound and staging. The WPAC has two performance areas: the Fulks Theatre, a 300-seat thrust theatre, and the Culp Theatre, an intimate multi-form space. The ACU Theatre also produces large-scale musicals in the Abilene Civic Center, a 2200-seat proscenium theatre. The Abilene Shakespeare Festival produces two plays in repertory each summer.
Departmental guidelines, expectations and barriers are listed in the ACU Theatre Online Student Handbook.
Study Abroad Expectations
All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre offers two tracks – general theatre track and theatre ministry track.
The general theatre track is suitable for the student who wants a general theatre degree, who anticipates pursuing the MA/Ph.D. in theatre, or who is planning to double major. Students in this track should be equipped for careers where a broad background in theatre is needed including careers of service in education; leadership in areas of arts administration, directing, designing and/or acting; and impacting the culture in areas of playwriting or dramaturgy.
Students in the theatre ministry track should be equipped for outreach in inner-city ministries or in drama ministries. Careers are available as resource persons for children’s and youth ministry, worship teams and special church productions, or with teams interested in planting new churches.
Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to this program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog and complete an audition and interview.
THEATRE (BA)
Majors in theatre may concentrate in one of two program tracks. The following schedules include only required theatre or theatre-related courses. All majors are required to audition for the season and to complete eight practicum units of crew work cycling students through various crew responsibilities.
BA: THEATRE DEGREE PLAN (THEA) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ Advanced Bible (recommend student chooses a BIBM course listed in the | 3 3 3 3
3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Sophomore Literature ......................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
Choose from (must include two different fields): biology, chemistry, geology, physics, AENV 130, ANSC 111, ANSC 235, ENVR 112, NUTR 120 ....................... | 6 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 120, MATH 123, MATW 120/020 or higher (except MATH 147) ......................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BA DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
ENGL 112 Composition and Literature ................................................................... Sophomore Literature ......................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
| Choose from: anthropology, economics (also AGRB 261), geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology (also EDUC 221), sociology (maximum one course per area) ..................................................................... |
9 |
| Foreign Language | |
| FLFR, FLGE, FLLA or FLSP 221, 222 ........................................................................ | 6 |
| Fine Arts | |
| THEA 220 Introduction to Theatre ......................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BA CORE ..................................................................................................... | 24 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Theatre | |
THEA 137 Theatre Workshop: Technical (8 units) ................................................... THEA 226 Beginning Acting .................................................................................. THEA 227 Introduction to Technical Theatre ........................................................... THEA 230 Fashion History .................................................................................... THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage .............................................................. THEA 454 Beginning Directing .............................................................................. THEA 495 History of Theatre I .............................................................................. THEA 496 History of Theatre II (writing-intensive course) ....................................... | 8 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 29 |
| TRACKS | |
| General Theatre (THEA, 9 hours) | |
Choose from: THEA 321, 325, 327, 330,332, 350, 353, 360, 430, 455, 456, 457, 460, 461, 463, 466, 467, 469, 470, 480 ................................................................... |
9 |
| Theatre Ministry (THMN, 15 hours) | |
THEA 325 Intermediate Acting .............................................................................. THEA 327 Improvisational Acting .......................................................................... THEA 457 Playwriting ........................................................................................... THEA 467 Theatre Lighting ................................................................................... THEA 470 Advanced Directing .............................................................................. | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| TOTAL MAJOR + TRACK REQUIREMENTS ................................................................ | 38-44 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR | |
| General Theatre .................................................................................................. | 0 |
| Theatre Ministry (8 hours) | |
MPVN 211/411 or THEA 211/411 (2 hour voice) .............................................. Choose from: BIBM 312, 340, 341, 403, 405, 406, 413, 434, 435 ............................ THEA or BIBM 480 Arts and Culture: A Christian Aesthetic ...................................... | 2 3 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 0-8 |
| ELECTIVES | |
General Theatre .................................................................................................. Theatre Ministry .................................................................................................. Minimum ............................................................................................................ | ≥25 ≥11 11-25 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum GPA in major and supplement (all THEA courses are included) ................... Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | 2.50 2.25 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA)
The BFA is a studio-intense course of study designed for students with a strong commitment to a professional future in theatre. The student will be admitted to a major concentration from the following tracks: acting, design and technical theatre, directing, musical theatre, or educational theatre. Those who are admitted to the BFA degree plan are expected to exhibit a high level of competence and motivation. Professional employment or graduate study should be a part of the future plans of the student pursuing a career in theatre. Students in the educational theatre track will be certified to teach upon graduation.
THEATRE (BFA)
Majors in theatre may concentrate in one of five program tracks. The following schedules include only required theatre or theatre-related courses. All majors are required to audition for the season and to complete eight practicum units of crew work cycling students through various crew responsibilities.
BFA: THEATRE DEGREE PLAN (THEA) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ Advanced Bible ................................................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Sophomore Literature........................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication (Design/Technical Track) or THEA 325 Intermediate Acting (Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre Tracks) ................ |
3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
Choose from (must include two different fields): biology, chemistry, geology, physics, AENV 130, ANSC 111, ANSC 235, ENVR 112, NUTR 120 ....................... | 6 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 120, MATH 123, MATW 120/020 or higher (except MATH 147) ......................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities (one activity may be satisfied by one of the following for theatre majors: THEA 221, 222, 223, 224) ........................................................ |
4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BFA DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
ENGL 112 Composition and Literature ................................................................... Sophomore Literature........................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| History* | |
THEA 496 History of Theatre II (writing-intensive course) ....................................... | 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
| Choose from: anthropology, economics (also AGRB 261), geography, philosophy, political science, psychology (also EDUC 221), sociology (maximum one course per area) ..................................................................... |
6 |
| Fine Arts | |
| THEA 220 Introduction to Theatre ......................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BFA CORE ................................................................................................... | 18 |
*All theatre majors are required to take 6 hours of Theatre History (THEA 495,496) | |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Theatre Core | |
THEA 137 Theatre Workshop: Technical (8 units) ................................................... THEA 226 Beginning Acting .................................................................................. THEA 227 Introduction to Technical Theatre ........................................................... THEA 230 Fashion History .................................................................................... THEA 454 Beginning Directing .............................................................................. THEA 469 Stage Makeup ...................................................................................... THEA 495 History of Theatre I .............................................................................. | 8 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
| TOTAL ................................................................................................................... | 26 |
| TRACK REQUIREMENTS | |
| Acting (THAC, 26 hours) | |
THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage ............................................................. THEA 321 Movement for the Stage ....................................................................... THEA 327 Improvisational Acting .......................................................................... THEA 350 Acting in Period Styles .......................................................................... THEA 353 Stanislavski/Method Acting .................................................................... THEA 455 Advanced Acting .................................................................................. THEA 456 Auditioning .......................................................................................... Choose from: THEA 360, 460, 461, 463, 467, 470 .................................................. Voice: MPVN 211/411 or THEA 211/411.................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 |
| Design/Technical (THDT, 24 hours) | |
THEA 330 Theatre Management............................................................................. THEA 332 Costume Design .................................................................................. THEA 466 Scene Design ...................................................................................... THEA 467 Theatre Lighting ................................................................................... Art History ......................................................................................................... Choose from: ART, DSGN and THEA 430 ............................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| Directing (THDI, 27 hours) | |
THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage ............................................................. THEA 321 Movement for the Stage ....................................................................... THEA 330 Theatre Management............................................................................. THEA 353 Stanislavski/Method Acting .................................................................... THEA 457 Playwriting .......................................................................................... THEA 460 Musical Theatre Directing Workshop ....................................................... THEA 467 Theatre Lighting ................................................................................... THEA 470 Advanced Directing .............................................................................. Choose from: THEA 327, 332, 350, 360, 455, 456, 461, 463, 466 ............................ | 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
| Musical Theatre (THMT, 31 hours) | |
THEA 221, 222, 223, 224 Theatrical Choreography THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage ............................................................. THEA 321 Movement for the Stage ....................................................................... THEA 327 Improvisational Acting .......................................................................... THEA 350 Acting in Period Styles or THEA 455 Advanced Acting ............................................................................. THEA 353 Stanislavski/Method Acting .................................................................... THEA 360 Musical Theatre Directing Workshop ....................................................... THEA 456 Auditioning .......................................................................................... MUST 111 Elementary Theory: Sight Singing and Ear Training ................................. MUST 120 Music Fundamentals ............................................................................. Voice: MPVN 211/411 or THEA 211/411 ................................................................... |
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3 1 2 4 |
| Theatre for Teacher Certification (minimum GPA 2.70) | |
THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage ............................................................. THEA 321 Movement for the Stage ....................................................................... THEA 327 Improvisational Acting .......................................................................... THEA 461 Children's Theatre ............................................................. THEA 463 Educational Theatre ....................................................................... THEA 467 Theatre Lighting .......................................................................... Professional Education Requirements EDUC 211 Educational Foundations and Multi-cultural Perspective ............................ EDUC 221 Educational Psychology ........................................................................ EDUC 413 Professional Practice .......................................................... EDUC 432 Secondary Management and Methods .................................................... EDUC 490 Student Teaching ...................................................................................... READ 433 Introduction to the Reading Process ....................................................... SPED 371 Teaching Students with Special Needs .................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 3
3 2 2 3 6 1 3 |
| TOTAL MAJOR + TRACK REQUIREMENTS ................................................................ | 50-57 |
| ELECTIVES | |
| Areas of Emphasis | |
Acting ................................................................................................................ Design/Technical ................................................................................................ Directing ............................................................................................................ Musical Theatre .................................................................................................. Teacher Certification ......................................................................................... | ≥17 ≥19 ≥16 ≥12 >7 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum GPA in major (all THEA courses are included) .......................................... Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum GPA for Education Theatre Track ............................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | 2.50 2.50 2.70 ≥33 ≥128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
| MINOR: THEATRE (THEA) | |
|---|---|
THEA 137 Theatre Workshop: Technical (3 units) .................................... THEA 220 Introduction to Theatre ........................................... THEA 226 Beginning Acting or THEA 227 Introduction to Technical Theatre ................................... THEA 300-499 .................................................................................. | 3 3
3 9 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 18 |
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