Theatre

Department of Theatre
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Williams Theatre 128 ~ 260-481-6551

Degree programs offered by the Department of Theatre provide comprehensive training for the theatre profession and explore theatre’s 2,000-year history and literature. Through its programs, the department seeks to provide the finest in undergraduate education by providing a professional curriculum that embodies defined objectives and comprehensive performance/production training. Students study both content (dramatic literature, theory and criticism, and theatre history) and process (acting, directing, musical theatre, design, and production).

The department offers several degree options, including: a Bachelor of Arts in theatre with concentrations in acting, musical theatre, design/technology and directing. Each B.A. Theatre Major is required to complete one chosen concentration. Theatre Majors may elect not to complete a Concentration if they claim either a major or a minor in a department other than Theatre. If, during the course of study, this major or minor in another department is dropped, the Theatre major must then complete one of Theatre’s Concentrations.

The department also offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. This is a professional preparation degree for becoming a performing artist. The program requires an audition for admittance, which may be completed prior to freshman year. If not accepted into the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre prior to freshman year, the student may elect to complete the B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre or re-audition at the end of freshman or sophomore year for re-consideration. For those wishing to re-audition, the performance faculty will provide guidance on preparation and, if necessary, remediation of skills.

A Minor in theatre is available to students who are interested in theatre but are pursuing a PFW bachelor’s degrees in another subject.

Special Academic Regulations

Probation

You must earn a grade of C- or better in each required theatre course and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher for all courses you have completed. You are placed on academic probation if you do not meet this requirement to maintain an overall 2.0 GPA. 

Dismissal and Readmission

If you are on probation and do not correct academic deficiencies during your next semester of enrollment, you will be dismissed from the theatre program.

If you are dismissed from the theatre program, you may seek readmission under the university guidelines specified in Regulations  of this Catalog.

Time Limit

You must complete the degree requirements specified in the Catalog in effect at the time you were regularly admitted to the university. However, to ensure that you will be professionally competitive with other members of your graduating class, you may be required to satisfy the degree requirements specified in the most current Catalog if you have not completed all requirements for your degree within seven years from the date of your admission.

Degree Requirements

• You may not use a single course to fulfill more than one Department of Theatre requirement.

Department Handbook

Detailed information regarding requirements, policies, and practices of the department is included in a theatre student handbook available on the Department of Theatre’s website. All theatre majors must comply with the requirements specified in the handbook.