Theater Arts Department
- Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Arts
The Theater Arts Department currently has three concentrations within the major: performance, directing/dramaturgy, and theater design/technical theater. Each concentration consists of the Theater Core Curriculum supplemented by electives specific to each concentration.
Graduation Skills for Each Concentration
The Theater Arts Department addresses the graduation skills using the embedded model. Every course within the core curriculum and most electives as part of a specific concentration require various projects that address Critical Thinking, Writing, and Speaking. The Quantitative Reasoning (QR) graduation skill can be met by completing GST 200, MAT 145, MAT 146, or PHY 119.
Transfer students must consult an adviser about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.
Theater Arts Major
Eight core courses for each concentration:
- THR 228 Introduction to Stagecraft
- THR 232 Acting
- THR 245 Introduction to Asian and Asian American Theatre
- THR 250 Script Analysis: Foundations of Theatre
- THR 328 Theatrical Design
- THR 361 Theatre History and Criticism I
- THR 362 Theatre History and Criticism II
- THR 366 Stage Direction
Performance Concentration
This concentration within the theater curriculum is designed to serve students hoping to pursue graduate studies in theater (MA/PhD and MFA) and/or professional work as performers. Students choosing this concentration will enroll in the eight core theater major courses taken by all theatre majors and will supplement the core with courses identified as concentration specific electives. Students in the performance concentration are encouraged to consult with their adviser when selecting electives. Advisers will assist students in identifying the year and semester elective courses are offered. Students are strongly encouraged to also complete a professional Internship at a local Twin Cities theater.
To fulfill this concentration:
Ten THR courses — eight required core courses and two courses chosen from THR Performance Concentration electives, plus 10 theatre practicum units taken as THP courses.
Two electives from:
- THR 226 Movement for the Theater
- THR 350 Voice for Speech, Stage, and Screen
- THR 365 Advanced Acting
- Ten production practicum units (THP)— See Practicum Units
Directing/Dramaturgy Concentration
This concentration within the theatre curriculum is designed to serve students hoping to pursue graduate studies in theatre (MA/PhD and MFA) and/or professional work as a director or dramaturg. Students choosing this concentration will enroll in the eight core theater major courses taken by all theatre majors and will supplement the core with courses identified as concentration specific electives. Students in the Directing/Dramaturgy concentration are encouraged to consult with their adviser when selecting electives. Advisors will assist students in identifying the year and semester elective courses are offered.
To fulfill this concentration:
Ten THR courses--eight required core courses and two electives chosen from two categories of courses Plus 10 theatre practicum units taken as THP.
Electives:
Select and complete one (1) of the following courses:
- ENL 330 Shakespeare
- ENL 338 Readings in British and Commonwealth Drama
- ENL 358 Readings in American Drama
- ENL 368 Readings in World Drama
- NAS 352 Modern Nordic Drama
Select and complete one (1) of the following courses:
- THR/ENL 325 Playwriting
- ENL 221 Expository Writing about the Arts and Popular Culture
Specific practicum requirements:
- Serve as stage manager on main-stage show
- Dramaturg one Main-Stage Show
Technical Design/Technology Concentration
This concentration within the theatre curriculum is designed to serve students hoping to pursue graduate studies in theater (MA/PhD and MFA) and/or professional work as a theatre designer or technician. Students choosing this concentration will enroll in the eight core theatre major classes taken by all theatre majors and will supplement the core with at least two electives from the Art Department. Students in the emphasis are strongly encouraged to also take an Independent Study in their area of focus and to do a professional internship at a local Twin Cities theatre.
To fulfill this concentration:
Ten THR courses--eight required core courses and two electives chosen from ART electives, plus 10 theatre practicum units taken as THP.
One Elective from:
- ART 107 Drawing
- THR/ART 265 Computer Drafting for Theatre and Architecture
- THR/FLM 230 Scene Painting
One Elective from:
- ART 240 Art History Survey
- ART 243 or 244 History of Architecture
Optional Supporting Courses
- THR 299 Directed Study
- THR 399 Internship
- THR 499 Independent Study in Theatre
Curricular Planning Information
First-years planning to major in theatre arts should begin with courses THR 228, 232, or 250; sophomores: THR 226, 228, 245, 361, 362; juniors: THR 325, 328, 350, 360, 361, or 365; seniors THR 365, 366.
Note: Some courses are offered alternate years only. Incoming students should meet in the fall of the first year with a theatre adviser to ensure proper sequence of classes to be taken based on odd or even year of entry.
Departmental Honors
Designed to encourage overall excellence as well as outstanding achievement on a specific project of special interest to the student. Honors majors must maintain a 3.75 GPA in the major and a 3.50 GPA overall and, as part of their major, complete a substantial independent project of honors quality (THR 499). Honors candidates should meet with their departmental adviser early spring semester of their junior year to develop a proposal for the honors project.
Transfer Students
Transfer students should meet with a transfer adviser upon acceptance to determine what credits taken at another institution will transfer into the major. The majority of theatre core classes should however be taken at Augsburg. Additionally, transfers are required to take a minimum of three upper division theatre arts courses. Ten practicum units are also required, five of which need to be completed within the department. Transfers must also complete a minimum of five THP credits within the department. No more than five units can be credits from other schools.
Theatre Arts Minor
Five courses including:
- THR 250 Script Analysis: Foundations of Theatre
- THR 228 Introduction to Stagecraft
or THR 328 Theatrical Design - THR 232 Acting
- THR 362 Theatre History Criticism II
- THR 366 Stage Direction
The theatre arts minors also must complete five practicum units. Students must take a minimum of one performance unit and a minimum of three production units. Refer to the practicum categories listed below the curriculum concentrations.
Theatre History and Criticism Dramaturgy Minor
Five courses:
- THR 250 Script Analysis: Foundations of Theatre
- THR 325 Playwriting
- THR 361 Theatre History Criticism I
- THR 362 Theatre History Criticism II
- THR 299 Directed Study in Dramaturgy
or THR 299 Directed Study in Theatre History and Critcism
