The Department of Theatre at Clarion University is an undergraduate program offering both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. The program provides classroom and practical experience that enriches the lives of students and produces live theatre that enhances the cultural life of the university and the surrounding community. Education takes place not only in the classroom but also in theatrical laboratories and the world at large. Practical experience through dynamic and ambitious theatrical productions supplements classroom training. Many graduates are currently working in professional theatres.
Minor programs in theatre with concentration areas of acting and technical theatre are available to students regardless of major. Participation in most departmental performance activities is open to all students regardless of major.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is open only to students through prepared audition or portfolio review. Dates for these auditions are scheduled each semester. Contact the Department of Theatre for more information.
THEATRE, B.A. (72 credits)
Required: (five courses to be taken from) HIST 111, 112, 113; CMST 113, 120, 121; Required courses: THE 104, 161, 253, 254, 352, 359, 360; nine credits chosen from 120, 154, 155, 201, 204, 215, 251, 301, 302, 304, 310, 311, 321, 350 or 351, 356, 361, 368, 369, 370, 461; nine credits chosen from THE 257, 260, 261, 262, 271, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 371; nine credits selected from ENG 140, 342, 343, 344, 345, 412, 413.
(1) Concentration in Acting:
Required: THE 104, 155, 161, 201, 204, 251, 253, 254, 352, 359, 360, 361, 363, 368, 369, 370, 403, 461, ENG 140; three credits selected from THE 262, 364, 367; and three credits from ENG 344, 345, 412, 413; nine credits chosen from COOP 384, 484, THE 120, 261, 262, 271, 301, 310, 311, 321, 350, or 351, 352, 356, 364, 366, 367, 371, ENG 254, 342, 343, 344, 345, 412, 413, and MUS 131. Also required are an audition, eight non-credit production labs, and an approved Graduation Project.
(2) Concentration in Musical Theatre:
Required: THE 103, 104, 201, 204, 253, 254, 301, 310, 311, 312, 350, 351, 359, 360, 361, 363, 368, 403, 461, MUS 125, 128, 129, 131, 160, 161,, 182, MUSA 126/226; a combination of four credits from the following: MUSA 130/330, 131/132 or 331 and three credits from THE 161, 261, 262, 271, 302, 304, 352, 356, 363, 366, 367, 370, 371, 490, COOP 384, 484. Also required are an audition, eight non-credit production labs, and an approved Graduation Project.
(3) Concentration in Technical Theatre:
Required: THE 104, 161, 253, 254, 261, 262, 350, 351, 352, 359, 360, 362, 363, 364, 366, 367, 371, 404, CMST 120 or 121, CMST 113; (Design Track) nine credits chosen from ART 121, 122, 125, 126, 222, THE 271, and six credits chosen from ART 211 and ART 212; (Stage Management Track) nine credits chosen from MMAJ 101, CMST 214, 216, 200, 300, 312; and six credits from ENG 207 and ACTG 201; Also required are an audition, eight non-credit production labs, and an approved Graduation Project.
(4) Selection/Retention Standards for B.F.A/theatre majors:
Students must demonstrate potential for excellence in acting or technical design by means of an audition and/or a portfolio of designs and audition for acceptance into the degree no later than the end of their second semester in the program.
After completing a total of 60 credit hours, or prior to entering their junior year, B.F.A. students must appear before the theatre staff and demonstrate the following: a minimum 2.50 QPA in at least 12 credits within the required core curriculum and a written statement of career goals. At the time of this review, the theatre staff will inform the B.F.A./theatre student of any program deficiencies and specify a time limit for removing the deficiencies. Students who fail to meet the retention standard will be dropped from the B.F.A./theatre program. Students may appeal the decision of the theatre staff through the appropriate channels: department chair, dean, and vice president for academic affairs.
All B.F.A. candidates must complete a graduation project. The project is assigned by the faculty, or approved by the faculty if it involves an off-campus internship, and must be completed during the student’s last three semesters. Students must register for THE 403, 404, or 495 and work under the supervision of a project advisor. The goal of the B.F.A. graduation project is to provide evidence of critical thinking, enthusiasm for process, and a deep understanding of the student's work in their specific area of concentration.
THEATRE: ACTING, MINOR (18 credits)
Required: THE 253, 254; nine credits selected from THE 155, 204, 251, 352, 361, and the capstone course of either THE 359 or 360. Complete two non-credit production practica.
THEATRE: TECHNICAL, MINOR (18 credits)
Required: THE 253, 262; nine credits selected from THE 261, 362, 364, 366, 367; THE 359 as the capstone course.
