Theatre

Adam Hester, Chair    
ACU Box 27843
Abilene, Texas 79699-7843
Williams Performing Arts Center, Room 123

Phone: 325-674-2021
Fax: 325-674-6887
Email: theatre@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/theatre

Faculty
Dawne Swearingen, Assistant Professor
 Sandy Freeman, Associate Professor
Kari Hatfield, Associate Professor
 Adam Hester, Professor
Gary Varner, Professor

Majors: Theatre (BFA)
Minor: Theatre

The Department of Theatre offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre. The department works with the Department of Teacher Education to offer teacher certification within theatre education track. 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 is produced each summer through the Department of Theatre.

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.

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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.

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 career as actors, designers, directors, teachers, or in theatre ministry. The student will be admitted to a major concentration from the following tracks: acting, design and technical theatre, directing, musical theatre, educational theatre, or theatre ministry. 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 six program tracks. The following schedules include only required theatre or theatre-related courses. All majors (except those in the design/tech track) 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 REQUIREMENTS  

Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog.

 
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS  

Theatre Core

    THEA 101 The Transforming Artist: Orient. Thea. Majors

    THEA 137 Theatre Workshop: Technical (7 units)  

    THEA 220 Introduction to Theatre 

    THEA 226 Beginning Acting  

    THEA 227 Introduction to Technical Theatre    

    THEA 230 Fashion History   

    THEA 454 Beginning Directing  

    THEA 469 Stage Makeup  

    THEA 480 Arts and Culture: A Christian Aesthetic (capstone) 

    THEA 495 History of Theatre I  

    THEA 496 History of Theatre II (writing-intensive course)  

TOTAL  

1Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements 

and are not included in total major hours

 

1

7

(3)1

3

3

3

(3)1

3

3

3

3

29

TRACK REQUIREMENTS  

Acting (THAC)    

    THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage   

    THEA 321 Movement for the Stage   

    THEA 325 Intermediate Acting  

    THEA 327 Improvisational Acting  

    THEA 350 Acting in Period Styles   

    THEA 353 Stanislavski/Method Acting  

    THEA 455 Advanced Acting   

    THEA 456 Auditioning  

    Voice: MPVN 211/411 or THEA 211/411 

Total  

Design/Technical (THDT)   

    THEA 330 Theatre Management  

    THEA 332 Costume Design  

    THEA 466 Scene Design  

    THEA 467 Theatre Lighting  

    Art History (221, 222, 323, 324) 

    Choose from: ART, DSGN or spec. topic/guided study THEA 

Total  

Directing (THDI)   

    THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage  

    THEA 321 Movement for the Stage  

    THEA 325 Intermediate Acting  

    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  

Total  

Musical Theatre (THMT)   

    THEA 221, 222, 223, 224 Theatrical Choreography
         (one may be used for EXSC credit)  

    THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage    

    THEA 321 Movement for the Stage  

    THEA 325 Intermediate Acting  

    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 

Total  

Theatre Ministry (THMN)   

    THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage  

    THEA 325 Intermediate Acting  

    THEA 327 Improvisational Acting  

    THEA 330 Theatre Management  

    THEA 457 Playwriting  

    THEA 461 Children’s Theatre 

    THEA 467 Theatre Lighting  

    THEA 470 Advanced Directing  

    6 hours of Philosopy or advanced Bible courses 

Total 

Theatre for Teacher Certification (THED) (minimum GPA 2.75)      

    THEA 320 Voice and Diction for the Stage  

    THEA 325 Intermediate Acting 

    THEA 327 Improvisational Acting  

    THEA 461 Children’s Theatre 

    THEA 463 Educational Theatre 

    THEA 467 Theatre Lighting 

    THEA 460 Musical Theatre Directing Workshop or

         THEA 470 Advanced Directing 

 Professional Education Requirements

     EDUC 211 Educational Foundations and Multicultural Perspectives  

    EDUC 221 Educational Psychology 

    EDUC 413 Professional Practice  

    EDUC 490 Student Teaching 

    EDUC 433 Introduction to the Reading Process  

    SPED 371 Teaching Students with Special Needs  

Total  

1Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements 

and are not included in total major hours

 

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

2

26

 

3

3

3

3

3

9

24

 

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

27

 

 
 (1)1/5

3

3

3

3

 

3

3

3

3

1

2

4

36

 

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

6

30

 

3

3

3

3

3

3

 

3

   

3

(3)1

2

6

1

3

36

ELECTIVES  

Areas of Emphasis

    Acting  

    Design/Technical   

    Directing   

    Musical Theatre  

    Teacher Certification 

    Theatre Ministry  

 

17

19

16

7

7

13

TOTAL MAJOR HOURS 

72

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION

 

In accordance with Texas state law, the ACU Teacher Education Program has established the following criteria for admission to Teacher Education. Before taking more than 6 hours EDUC a student must first be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, a student must:

  1. Complete and submit an application for admission into the Teacher Education Program;
  2. Have completed the first 45 semester hours of credit;
  3. Successfully complete with a C or better 12 hours in the candidate’s chosen content field;
  4. Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 (2.75 or higher in the content field);
  5. complete 6 hours of University Requirements English with no grade lower than a “C” (In order to maintain admission status the candidate must earn a C or better in all university required  English courses.);
  6. Pass all three sections of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) test, with a score on the reading section of 260 or higher, a score on the math section of 230 or higher and a score on the writing section of 240 or higher; Students may retake the THEA once if the required level is not earned in the first administration. Acceptance of scores from a third administration of the THEA are subject to review by the Teacher Education Admissions Committee;
  7. Successfully complete (C or better) EDUC 211 - Educational Foundations and Multicultural Perspectives;
  8. Successfully complete the ACU Teacher Education formal writing sample administered in EDUC 211;
  9. Successfully complete first submission of the Teacher Education E-portfolio as described in the ACU Teacher Education Student Handbook;
  10. A declared major that includes certification;
  11. Receive approval from the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee. An interview with the committee may be required.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for International Students: International students with primary languages other than English must demonstrate English language proficiency by the following:

Obtain an official TOEFL score of at least 600 (computer-based score of 250, iBT of 100).

Any exemptions or modification to the above requirements due to special circumstances must be requested through the chair of the Department of Teacher Education. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee. In addition, admission to teacher education is not the final step in the process. In order to remain in the program the prospective teacher must continue to meet the GPA requirement (2.75). Approval to take Education Block classes (411/412 and 431/432) and to enroll in student teaching must be obtained from the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee before enrolling in those classes.

Additional requirements for maintaining program admission status:

  1. In order to remain in the Teacher Education Program, an overall GPA of 2.75, 2.75 in the content field, and continued approval of the Teacher Education Admissions Committee must be maintained.
  2. A grade of C or better is required for all majors courses.
  3. Junior and senior transfer students must take the THEA and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program during their first semester at Abilene Christian University to continue in professional education course work. Arrangements to take the THEA should be made as quickly as possible by contacting the Office of Career and Academic Development.

Note:

A candidate who does not have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher may be conditionally admitted to the program if all other admissions criteria are met and if all of the following are true:

  1. An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher in the last 60 hours
  2. A GPA of 2.75 in the teaching content field
  3. No university disciplinary actions filed – academic or otherwise
  4. A formal letter of request submitted to the admissions committee describing the candidate’s academic history and articulating motivations for wanting to enter the teaching profession
  5. An interview with the Teacher Education Admissions Committee
 

 

OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  

Minimum GPA in major (all THEA courses are included)  

Minimum GPA for graduation  

Minimum GPA in major in Education Theatre Track  

Minimum GPA for Education Theatre Track  

Minimum advanced hours   

Minimum total hours  

Courses numbered 0** do not count in

minimum hours required for degree.

2.50

2.50

2.75

2.75

>33

>128

 

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Minor in Theatre      

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  

TOTAL  

3

3

 

3

9

18

 

Course Descriptions

Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog. Courses offered by the Department of Theatre 
include those with the following designation: THEA.  

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