Theater
Performing Arts Building, Room A407
Phone: 703-993-1120
Web: gmu.edu/departments/theater
Faculty
Clayton Austin, Chair
Professors: D'Andrea (Robinson professor), Davis
Associate professors: Austin, Gero, Johnsen-Neshati
Assistant professors: Elston, Kurtz
Term associate professor: McDonald
Term assistant professors: Chew
Adjuncts: Lechter, Lee, McManus, Nanni-Messegee, Mountain, Murray, Wallace
Course Work
The Theater Department offers all course work designated THR in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Program
The BA degree stresses the breadth of a liberal arts education in the belief that such study, combined with serious practical training and experience, offers the best preparation for a life in the theater. Students electing to major in theater complete the theater core, which is a group of courses providing a broad introduction to the various theater arts and striving to create a shared body of knowledge within the department's student population.
To organize their advanced work within the major, students elect a course of study that includes classes in at least two of three areas: performance, design and technical theater, and theater studies. The department aims to prepare students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training; however, students are encouraged to maintain wide-ranging interests within the department and throughout the university's extensive offerings.
Students seeking to earn a BA as a second bachelor's degree, either concurrently or sequentially, must complete all theater degree requirements including foreign language.
Students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in their major.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated writing-intensive in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students seeking a BA in theater fulfill this requirement by successfully completing THR 350 or THR 351.
Theater, BA
Degree Requirements
Foundation Requirements
Written communication: ENGL 101 and 302
Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGL 100 or 101, and 302 to fulfill degree requirements. Students are reminded that the English Department offers proficiency exams for credit and exemption from this requirement.
- Either appropriate placement score on quantitative skills and one of MATH 108, 110, 111, 113, 115, 125; or IT 250; or STAT 250; or lower placement score requiring MATH 106
* See beginning of CVPA chapter for foreign language requirement.
Students may complete an academic minor in lieu of the foreign language requirement.
(1 credit each, repeated for a total of 4)
One upper-level dramatic literature course
THR 201 Stage Management, THR 202 Literary Management, or THR 203 Production/Company Management
*THR 359 may be applied to fulfill either the global understanding or upper-level dramatic literature requirement but not both.
24 credits of 300- and 400-level courses, chosen from at least two of the following areas: performance, design and technical theater, and theater studies. These credits are in addition to upper-level credits taken to fulfill theater core requirements.
This area is designed for the serious student of acting with performance aspirations. Solid grounding in the fundamentals of analysis and basic training of the actor's instrument are complemented by intensive, individualized instruction in the various facets of the actor's craft.
This area prepares students for further study and work in the design and technical fields. Courses in this area are also strongly recommended for students interested in directing.
This area is designed to provide the theater generalist with thorough preparation for further study and work in directing, dramaturgy, theater criticism, theater scholarship, playwriting, and teaching. For specific teacher certification requirements, students are directed to the Office of Teacher Education.
THR 490 Special Topics in Drama, THR 494 Field Experience, and THR 497 Independent Study may be applied to the appropriate area.
Practicum
Students must earn a total of 4 practicum (THR 200) credits, 1 from each of the three groups below. Students will select their fourth practicum assignment from the group of their choice.
Group 1: Performance/Design (including acting, directing, design, stage management)
Group 2: Production Crew (including run crew, wardrobe, set construction, costume construction, electrics)
Group 3: Production Administration (including positions such as master electrician, company manager, publicity manager, dramaturg)
Minor in Theater
The theater minor consists of 18 credits in theater, selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and approved by the department chair.
Honors in Theater
Students wishing to pursue Honors in Theater should contact the department chair.
Production Opportunities
Participation in Theater Department productions with the GMU Players is expected of all declared majors. Up to 4 practicum credits, 1 credit per assignment can be awarded for satisfactory completion of performance and production assignments in the major, including faculty or guest-directed GMU Players main stage, studio, or Theater of the First Amendment (TFA) productions.
TFA, a professional theater in residence within CVPA, offers students the chance to work closely with professional artists. TFA productions regularly employ student assistants in stage management, directing, design, dramaturgy, technical crews, and production and company management. Students are eligible to audition for age-appropriate roles or understudy assignments in TFA productions and may participate in the Membership Candidate Program through the Actors' Equity Association.