Theatre, B.F.A.

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Admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

Entrance into the program will require the following:

(1) Sophomore standing and the completion of no more than 90 hours;

(2) Minimum overall GPA of 2.5;

(3) Completion of CMTA 131, ENGL 102, a liberal studies course in oral communication, history, and art or music with a grade of “C” or better, and completion of a liberal studies science course and the core mathematics course; and

(4) Resume documenting involvement and/or training in theatre.

(5) Applicants must complete a letter of application and present an audition piece or design/tech portfolio.

Each student will be required, upon admission, to declare an area of emphasis in either Performance or Design/Tech.

Within the area of emphasis, the student will then declare a concentration:

In Performance, concentrations are Acting or Musical Theatre
In Design/Tech, concentrations are Design or Technical Production

Early admission into the program by audition is encouraged, but is provisional pending completion of the above. Complete admission procedures and retention policies are outlined in the PROCEDURAL GUIDE FOR THE BFA IN THEATRE located in the Department of Communication, Theatre, and Dance.

Major Requirements

The major requires 128 hours as follows:

Liberal Studies, 42 hours

Required Theatre Core Courses, 35 hours

Performance or Design/Tech focus 25 hours, and Concentration, 26 hours

Required Courses:

Required Theatre Core Courses for all B.F.A. students, 35 hours:

THEA 130 - Makeup Credits: (1)
THEA 131 - Introduction to Professions in Theatre Credits: (3)
THEA 140 - Acting I Credits: (3)
THEA 170 - Theatre Production Seminar Credits: (1, R4)
THEA 231 - Stagecrafts for Theatre, Motion Pictures and TV Credits: (3)
THEA 240 - Voice and Articulation Credits: (3)
THEA 302 - Dramatic Literature and Criticism Credits: (3)
THEA 332 - Introduction to Design for Stage and Screen Credits: (3)
THEA 350 - Directing I Credits: (3)
THEA 400 - History of the Theatre I Credits: (3)
THEA 401 - History of the Theatre II Credits: (3)
THEA 496 - Seminar in Professional Development Credits: (1)
THEA 499 - BFA Thesis/Senior Showcase Credits: (2)

Performance Emphasis-25 hours

DA 258 - Dance Techniques Credits: (2, R6)
DA 260 - Anatomy for Dance Credits: (1)
THEA 220 - Stage Movement Credits: (3)
THEA 340 - Acting II Credits: (3)
THEA 341 - Acting III Credits: (3)

Additional Requirements

4 hours from:

MUS 106 - Applied Minor Credits: (1, R3)
and
MUS 206 - Applied Minor Credits: (1, R3)
THEA 270 - Theatre Arts Workshops I Credits: (1-3, R6)
and
THEA 370 - Theatre Arts Workshops II Credits: (1-3, R6)
or

Additional requirements

8 hours of electives and one of the following concentrations:

Additional Requirements

Select one of the following courses:

MUS 258 - Diction for Singers I Credits: (1)
THEA 260 - Dialects Credits: (1)
or

Acting concentration-26 hours

9 hours from CMTA 345, 346, 351, 441
8 hours from DA 253, 255, 261, 264, 303, 304, 305, 306, PE 207
3 hours from ENGL 333, ENGL 431
6 hours of performance credits at the Jr/Sr level

Musical Theatre concentration-26 hours

3 hours from MUS 171 or MUS 371
3 hours from MUS 175 or MUS 370
2 hours of MUS 306
2 hours of MUS 406

MUS 108 - Aural Skills I: Fundamentals of Sight Singing Credits: (1)
MUS 118 - Music Theory I: Fundamentals Credits: (3)
MUS 148 - Piano Class I Credits: (1)
MUS 149 - Piano Class II Credits: (1)
MUS 208 - Aural Skills II: Basic Tonal Functions Credits: (1)
MUS 218 - Music Theory II: Tonal Harmony Credits: (3)
MUS 304 - Jazz Appreciation Credits: (3)
MUS 410 - History of American Musical Theatre Credits: (3)

Additional requirements

Recommend 6 hours of electives be taken in DA (Students in the Musical Theatre Concentration must achieve a level two proficiency in one of the following: Ballet, Tap or Jazz.)

Design/Tech Emphasis-25 hours

ART 131 - Introductory Drawing Credits: (3)
or higher level
HEAL 250 - First Aid and Safety Education Credits: (2)

Additional requirements:

6 hours from ART 136, 137, IDES 350, 355
6 hours from HIST 221, 222 or higher level
3 hours from ENGL 333, 431

Additional requirements

5 hours of electives and one of the following concentrations:

Design concentration-26 hours

6 hours from CMTA 333, 335, 337, 493 (with advisor approval)
6 hours from CMTA 433, 435, 437, 438
3 hours from ET 132, IDES 251, ART 132
6 hours of production credits from CMTA 370, 483, or 486
5 hrs advisor approved electives in concentration

Technical Production concentration-26 hours

6 hours from CMTA 333, 335, 337, 438
6 hours of production credits–at least 3 must be at the Jr/Sr level
5 hours of advisor approved electives in concentration

ET 132 - Engineering Graphics Credits: (3)
IDES 251 - Architectural Drafting and Design Credits: (3)
THEA 483 - Internship in Theatre Arts Credits: (3, R9)
or
THEA 486 - Theatre Production Credits: (3, R12)

Total hours required for the B.F.A.

To complete the program, a total of 128 hours are required. A student will have only one concentration in the B.F.A. degree. At least 32 hours taken at WCU must be at the junior-senior level to meet one of the general university degree requirements.

Visit the department’s website at http://www.wcu.edu/2264.asp to view the 8 semester curriculum guide.