School of Theater
Welcome to the School of Theater's catalog section. The School of Theater has had a longstanding track record of success with its graduates. Alumni from our undergraduate programs have gone on to very successful careers in the professional theater, television, and film. The degree programs also give you the competitive edge to enter the best graduate schools in theater. The undergraduate theater programs are NAST approved and designed for completion over a period of four years.
The undergraduate theater major at Ohio University experiences a blend of intensive training in a selected area of concentration with core courses in theater studies. These are coordinated with general education liberal arts courses leading to a professionally oriented Bachelor of Fine Arts degree through the College of Arts and Sciences.
The School of Theater advises theater majors to complete the University's general education requirements in a manner that broadens the individual student's perspective and worldview. Within the discipline of theater, all undergraduate students enroll in core courses that examine the literature and history of theater, all undergraduate students enroll in core courses that examine the literature and history of theater, all undergraduate students enroll in core courses that examine the literature and history of theater, the role of theater in society, and the relationship of theater to other disciplines in the arts.
Production activities are considered crucial to the total curriculum planning of a theater major. Majors register each quarter for a credit-bearing practicum in production. In the first year of training, this involves participation in productions through technical and management assignments. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors have the opportunity to participate as a performer, technician in lighting or sound, designer, or in theater or stage management. Some practicum assignments are available for the summer at Monomoy Theater in Cape Cod, which is affiliated with Ohio University.
Your progress is evaluated quarterly by your advisor and faculty in your training area. You are required to earn a grade of C or better in each theater class of your major. Unsatisfactory progress may result in academic probation, recommendation for transfer to another sequence or degree within the school, modification of the program, or denial of further enrollment as a degree candidate in the School of Theater.
A minor or second major is possible in some cases if you have used careful advising procedures and made intelligent use of the elective options and General Education requirements. Highly motivated and talented students can pursue their degree work in the School of Theater through the Honors Tutorial College, if the tutorial mode of instruction is appropriate for the particular student.
Provisional acceptance into BFA programs: End of freshman year.
Final acceptance into BFA programs: End of fall quarter, sophomore year.
After acceptance into one of these programs, retention is based on periodic review of the student's progress, with a major review at the end of the sophomore year.
THAR 090 Lunchbag Theater
Seminar Series 0
THAR 101 Intro to Profession 1
THAR 110 Intro to Performance 2
THAR 111 (*) Improvisation I 2
THAR 112 (*) Intro to Perf. Warm-up 2
or THAR 213 Acting Fundamentals I
THAR 120 Fundamentals of Directing 3
THAR 130 Intro to Design 3
THAR 131 Intro to Stagecraft 3
THAR 151 Fundamentals of Playwriting 3
THAR 172 Elements of Performance 3
THAR 220 Directing I 3
THAR 270, 271, 272 Theater History I, II, III 12
Two seminars from 470 series 8
*For students interested in auditioning for the performance program. Students may fulfill the acting component of the theater core by completing 110, 111, and 112 or completing 110 and 213.
Freshman Two 100-level practica
Two courses, 3 credit hours each
(winter, spring) 6
Sophomore Three 200-level practica
Three courses, 2 credit hours each
(fall, winter , spring) 6
Junior Two 300-level practica 6
Two courses, 3 credit hours each
(any quarters)
Senior Three 400-level practica
Three courses, 2 credit hours each
(fall, winter, spring) in
area of emphasis 6
Minimum total practicum credits: 24
All majors are required to enroll for Lunchbag Theater Seminar each quarter of residence.
Total: 69
The B.F.A. in theater performance is a rigorous program fostering creative, cognitive, and artistic skills. It is intended to advance the education and training of motivated, curious, self-reliant, adaptable theater artists capable of dealing with all aspects of theater and contributing to the relationship between theater and society. Theater and performance serve as the basis of the undergraduate fine arts education. Theater is approached technically as craft and art, but also as a way of looking at, interpreting, organizing, and expressing one's ideas and thoughts. We seek serious, disciplined students interested in demanding technical training, who want the art of theater and performance to be at the core of their education.
Formal application and audition into the Theater Performance Program (TPP) takes place during the freshmen year. Transfer students from other programs and institutions are accepted provided they can meet the requirements of the program, the school, and University General Education.
In addition to the University and theater core requirements, you are required to include additional electives from a broad range of areas and to maintain minimum academic and artistic standards. Tier II classes can be counted toward meeting these requirements. The B.F.A. in performance fosters diversification within the theater curriculum and in disciplines essential to a liberal education. Careful and consistent faculty supervision and advising are an integral part of the program.
During the freshmen and and sophomore years, you will complete most of the Tier I and II University requirements as well as the freshman and sophomore components of the theater core. After your freshman year (or first quarter of residency in the case of a transfer student), you are eligible to audition for all school productions. Required coursework in acting is available to theater majors who do not join the performance program.
Required studio performance courses are the core of the program at all three year levels. The sophomore year is dedicated to the acting foundation and the junior year to classical ensemble, leading to a senior year that emphasizes new work from original scripts to ensemble collaboration. There is programmatic interaction with the MFA programs in Directing, Playwriting, and Acting.
There is constant communication among the faculty to evaluate your progress, confirm individual progress decisions, and resolve any issues germane to your success in the program. If you are struggling academically or programmatically, you may receive a letter of concern or be placed on probation. Continued concern indicates doubt about the appropriateness of your continuation in the TPP.
Sophomore Year Acting Ensemble Foundation 20
THAR 210 Acting I 4
THAR 211 Acting II 4
THAR 212 Acting III 4
THAR 216 Intro to Movement 2
THAR 217 Intro to Voice 6
Junior Year Classical Ensemble 25
THAR 310 Audition Technique
and Practice 3
THAR 312 Scene Study 4
THAR 314 Theater Performance:
Selected Topics 3
THAR 316 Movement Theater I
(taken twice) 6
THAR 317A, B, C Voice for the Stage I, II, III 9
Senior Year Ensemble 21
THAR 410 Scene Study: Selected Topics 4
THAR 411 Acting IV 3
THAR 414 Acting V 3
THAR 415 * Acting Practicum 6
THAR 416 Movement Theater II 2
THAR 417 Advanced Voice Training 2
THAR 418 Senior Project 2
Total Minimum Requirements 67
*In additon to theater core requirements.
Additional Electives
You are required to include electives in your program plan and are encouraged to choose from the areas listed below. Your advisor will monitor the progress of this requirement.
Foreign Language/Culture
Third World Culture, International Studies
Philosophy, including, but not limited to, philosophy of art
Anthropology/ Political Science/History
Literature (nondramatic)
Music and Music History
Studio Art and Art History
(Depending on the area of emphasis, admission requirements may include an interview, writing samples, a letter of recommendation, or the successful completion of introductory courses.)
The theater arts and drama program offers a broad-based theater education that stresses theater as a collaborative art. In addition to courses within the area of emphasis, students accepted into theater arts and drama must take a wide range of courses in a variety of other areas that may include advanced acting, theatrical design, literature, English, history, and art history. This range of required courses is designed to provide a strong foundation for individualized study in the chosen area of emphasis: directing, dramaturgy, management, and playwriting. Each area of emphasis does not constitute a major. These specialized areas are more appropriately studied on an intensive basis at the graduate or professional level. Instead the emphasis offers a broad range of classes in and out of theater that provide the basis for more advanced study and practice.
During the first two years, you should complete much of the theater core and University General Education requirements to gain a broad exposure to all areas of the theater. At the end of your freshmen year, you choose an area of emphasis and then interview for entry into the theater arts and drama program. The playwriting and dramaturgy emphases require writing samples; the directing and management emphases require satisfactory completion of introductory courses in the field plus a letter of recommendation from the instructor of those courses.
Once accepted into the program, you will have the opportunity for practical theater experience in your area of emphasis while continuing broad but focused studies in other areas. Your progress toward graduation is evaluated at the end of your junior year. This evaluation plus the satisfactory completion of a senior project in your area of emphasis will demonstrate progress toward graduating and acheivement in your area of emphasis. Careful and consistent year-round faculty supervision and advising are also integral parts of the program.
Upon the fulfillment of all University, theater core, and program requirements, you will graduate with a major in theater arts and drama with an emphasis in your chosen area of concentration. This degree is designed to prepare you for further training, whether in graduate school or an entry-level position in professional theater.
In addition to University and theater core requirements, you are required to complete the following courses:
THAR 210 Acting I 4
THAR 211 Acting II 4
THAR 216 Intro to Stage Movement 2-4
THAR 217 Intro to Voice 2-6
THAR 310 Audition Technique
and Practice 3
THAR 314 Theater Performances:
Selected Topics 2-3
THAR 315 Practicum in Acting (*) 4
or 415
THAR 320 Directing I 4
THAR 418 Senior Project 2
THAR 420 Directing II 4
THAR 425 Practicum in Directing (*) 8
THAR 426 Stage Management 3
THAR 438A Historical Bases of Design I 4
or THAR 438B Historical Bases of Design II
AH 211 History of Art 4
or AH 212
or AH 213
Two English Electives 8
(200 level or above)
Directing students are also encouraged to take additional literature, history, philosophy, language, and social science classes as they consider elective hours.
*May count toward completion of Theater Core practicum requirement.
THAR 250 Playwriting I 4
THAR 320 Directing I 4
THAR 350 Playwriting II 4
THAR 420 Directing II 4
THAR 450 Advanced Playwriting 4
Two course selected from:
THAR 213 Acting Fundamentals II 8
or THAR 313 Acting Studies I
or THAR 413 Acting Studies II
THAR 438A or B Hist. Bases of Design I or II
One course selected from:
THAR 470 Tragedy 4
or THAR 471 Comedy
or THAR 472 Forms of Drama
or THAR 473 Seminar in Theater History and Drama
or THAR 477 American Theater and Drama
THAR 418 Senior Project 2
THAR 475P Practicum in Dramaturgy 6
AH 211 History of Art I or II or III 4
or 212
or 213
History Elective 4
English Elective
(200 level or above; Junior
Composition excluded) 4
English Elective
(300 level or above; Junior
Composition excluded) 4
Management Emphasis: 66 credits
THAR 330 Elements of Technical
Direction 4
THAR 402 Theater Management 4
THAR 405 Practicum in Mgt. 4
or THAR 427 Practicum in Stage Mgt.
THAR 409 Ind. Studies in Admin. 6
THAR 426 Stage Management I 3
THAR 440 Professional Theatre
Internship 12
Stage Management II 4
ACCT 101 Financial Accounting 4
ECON 103 Prin. of Microeconomics 4
MGT 202 Management 4
MGT 430 Management Systems--
Decision Making 4
MKT 202 Marketing Principles 4
PESS 227 First Aid 3
Two courses selected from
THAR 230 Stagecraft: Scenery 6
or THAR 231 Stagecraft: Lighting
or THAR 232 Stagecraft: Costume
Playwriting Emphasis: 59 credits
THAR 213 Acting Funadmentals II 4
THAR 250 Playwriting I 4
THAR 313 Acting Studies I 4
THAR 320 Directing II 4
THAR 350 Playwriting II 4
THAR 418 Senior Project 2
THAR 438A Historical Bases of Design I 4
or THAR 438B Historical Bases of Design II
THAR 450 Advanced Playwriting 4
THAR 451 Playwriting Workshop 3
THAR 459 Independent Studies
in Playwriting 6
THAR 470 Tragedy 4
or THAR 471 Comedy
or THAR 472 Forms of Drama
or THAR 473 Seminar in Theater History
and Drama: Selected Topics
or THAR 477 American Theater and Drama
Two English Electives(*)
(200 level or above) 8
Two English Electives(*)
(300 level or above) 8
*Can be used to fulfill Tier II requirements.
The B.F.A. in production design and technology is available with an emphasis on the environmental aspects of performance. Design and technology in scenery, costumes, lighting, properties, sound, and makeup are taught in a series of courses and special projects throughout the four-year curriculum. Productions are prepared under the close personal advisement and participation of the production faculty and staff. Qualified students are challenged with major creative responsibilities.
During the first two years, you should complete much of the theater core and general education requirements. In consultation with your advisor, you may also enroll in selected production design technology courses at the 200 level and above. At the end of your freshman year, you interview and present your portfolio for provisional acceptance into the program. At the end of your sophomore year, you will again present your portfolio and interview for continuing status in this program. Continuing in the program is contingent upon successful annual portfolio reviews.
In addition to the University and theater core requirements, you are required to complete the following:
THAR 230 Stagecraft: Scenery 3 THAR 231 Stagecraft: Lighting 3 THAR 232 Stagecraft: Costume 3 THAR 233 Theatrical Design Skills 3 THAR 33 History of Costume 4 or THAR 438A Hist. Bases of Design I or THAR 438B Hist. Bases of Design II THAR 431 Lighting Design II 4 or THAR 432 Costume Design II or THAR 434 Scene Design II At least two of the following three: THAR 331 Theory of Lighting 4 THAR 332 Costume Design I 4 THAR 334 Scene Design 4A minimum additional 15 credits selected from production design and technology classes numbered 300 and above, or areas related to production design and technology approved by your advisor.
Total: 43
Students who wish to declare a minor in Theater must consult with their major advisor, in addition to the advisor for minors in the School of Theater and receive approval from the dean's office in the College of Fine Arts to pursue the program. Any student declaring a minor in the School of Theater must maintain a 2.0 g.p.a. in the minor.
Required Core Courses: 13
THAR 110, 111 Intro to Performance 2
or THAR 113 Acting Fundamentals
THAR 170 The Theater Exper. 4
or THAR 172 Elem. of Performance or 3
Practicum 6
(minimum of 3 experiences;
at least 1 in PD&T or Mgt)
At least one course (not less than 3 credits) in each of the
following groups:
Total required groups: 11
- THAR 130, 131 (3)
- Playwriting, Directing, Acting (200 level or above) or THAR 218 A, B, C (Voice) (4)
- THAR 270, 271, 272; THAR 470 series (4)
Electives: 6 Chosen from any available courses in the School of Theater.
Mininum credit hours required for minor: 30
The B.F.A. degrees are issued by the College of Fine Arts.
The B.A. degree is issued b the College of Arts and Sciences.
University Advancement and Computer Services revised this file (https://www.ohio.edu/catalog/02-03/colleges/thear.htm) on March 3, 2002.
Please E-mail comments or suggestions to "ucat@www.ohiou.edu."