2016-2017 University Catalog
School of Theater
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Performing Arts Building, Room A407
Phone: 703-993-1120
Web: theater.gmu.edu
Faculty
Ken Elston, Director
Professors: D’Andrea (Robinson Professor), Davis, Kurtz, McDonald
Associate Professors: Elston (director), Gero, Johnsen-Neshati
Assistant Professor: Casey
Administrative Faculty (Instructional): Lechter, Murray
Adjunct Faculty: Alman, Cadby, Cooke, Dunayer, Gaines, Gardner, Hurt, Kessinger, Lee, Maier, Nanni-Messegee, Wallace, Wilson
Courses
The School of Theater offers all courses designated THR in the Courses section of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
The School of Theater offers BA and BFA degrees.
The School of Theater prepares 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 school and throughout the university’s extensive offerings.
Students seeking to earn a BA or BFA as a second bachelor’s degree, either concurrently or sequentially, must complete all theater degree requirements. Students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in their major. A student must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to complete a BA with a concentration or a BFA.
Admission Requirements
Admission to George Mason University requires application through Mason’s Admissions Office. Entrance into all Theater programs is by interview and audition or portfolio review. Information about the audition, portfolio review and interview process, including dates, can be found on the College of Visual and Performing Arts web page, cvpa.gmu.edu/admissions-u.html. Please note that these are two separate processes.
Interviews will be conducted by appointment and candidates must prepare an appropriate resume.
Please contact the School of Theater at theater@gmu.edu or 703-993-1120 to schedule your interview. Students who audition or present a portfolio at theater conferences (i.e. Virginia Theatre Association, Southeastern Theater Conference, etc.) before or after applying to Mason are required to attend a separate interview on campus.
Theater BA
Theater majors organize their advanced work within the major to include classes in areas of emphasis including performance, design and technical Theater, and other theater studies.
Theater BA Concentrations
Theater majors may choose to complete their Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in one of the following areas: Design and Technical Theater, Performance (Acting and Directing), Playwriting and Dramaturgy, or Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12. Students must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to complete a BA with a concentration. There is no further audition requirement or portfolio review for theater majors electing to complete a concentration. Students may also complete the traditional Bachelor of Arts without a concentration.
Theater BFA Concentrations
In addition to the Mason Core requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students in the Theater BFA must complete a minimum of 73 credits in the major: 49 credits of required core courses and 24 credits in a concentration. Concentrations are: Design for Stage and Screen, Performance for Stage and Screen (Acting and Directing), Writing and Dramaturgy for Stage and Screen. All students pursuing a BFA in Theater must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA for graduation.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated writing-intensive in their major at the 300 level or above. Students seeking a BA or BFA in theater fulfill this requirement by successfully completing THR 350 - Script Analysis Credits: 3 or THR 482 - Advanced Screenplay Workshop Credits: 3 .
Certification for Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12
The Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 concentration is approved by the Virginia State Department of Education and administered through the College of Education and Human Development , which is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Upon degree conferral and completion of all requirements, students may be eligible to apply for Virginia State Licensure. Minimum scores on the Praxis Core and VCLA tests must be achieved before state licensure is granted.
Students must be formally accepted into the Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 concentration. See Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 concentration for a complete list of requirements.
Certification in Musical Theater
Students pursuing a certification in Musical Theater must satisfy all requirements for a BA or BFA in the School of Theater, with a concentration in performance, or a BA or BM in the School of Music, as reflected in the university catalog. Some credits required for the certificate may simultaneously fulfill the learning requirements of the certificate in Musical Theater and fulfill Mason Core requirements. Some courses require placement. Thus, depending on electives and other learning experiences, this certification requires up to 30 credits beyond the requirements to complete a major in the School of Theater. Please see the College of Visual and Performing Arts website for audition information at http://cvpa.gmu.edu/admissions-u.html
Students receiving the certificate must hold a baccalaureate degree or be earning a baccalaureate degree from Mason at the time they receive the certificate. This program of study is coordinated between units within the College of Visual and Performing Arts. See Musical Theater Certificate section for specific requirements.
Production Opportunities
Participation in Theater at Mason productions is expected of all declared majors. Students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to participate in Theater at Mason productions.
Students must also earn four (4) practicum credits, one (1) credit for satisfactory completion (a minimum of 30 hours) of each of four (4) performance and production assignments in the major, including faculty or guest-directed Mason Players Mainstage, and student-directed Studio productions.
All freshmen, first year transfer, and new Theater majors must register for THR 198 - Theatrical Construction Practicum Credits: 1 and THR 199 - Production Run Crew Practicum Credits: 1 during their first academic year.
Assignments for THR 196 - Performance and Design Practicum Credits: 1 and THR 197 - Management/Literary Practicum Credits: 1 will include a presentation of portfolio documents demonstrating a practical analysis of the role, design, or support position to subject area mentors.
- THR 196 assignments include actor, designer, assistant designer, stage manager, and assistant stage manager.
- THR 197 assignments include director, assistant director, dramaturg, master electrician, technical director, playwright, house management, and publicity.
- THR 198 assignments include scenery construction and painting, costume construction, electrician, and props.
- assignments include stage crew, light board operator, sound board operator, wardrobe, and fly crew.
Unless registered for a Theater course approved as directly connected to production (i.e. THR 196 - Performance and Design Practicum Credits: 1 , THR 197 - Management/Literary Practicum Credits: 1 , THR 198 - Theatrical Construction Practicum Credits: 1 , THR 199 - Production Run Crew Practicum Credits: 1 , THR 492 - Studio Project Credits: 1-3 or THR 495 - Senior Capstone Project Credits: 3 ) all students (including non-Theater majors) electing to participate in a Theater at Mason production must register for THR 200 - Play Production Practicum Credits: 1 concurrent with participation.
Musical Theater Production Opportunities:
Participation in Theater at Mason productions is expected of all declared Musical Theater majors.
Students must also earn four (4) practicum credits: one (1) credit for satisfactory completion (a minimum of 30 hours) in each of four (4) performance and production assignments in the major, including faculty or guest-directed Mason players Mainstage and student-directed Studio productions. Musical Theater BFA students will register for these practicum credits as MUSI 221 - Applied Music I Credits: 1 . Students must see their academic advisor to identify and authorize practicum and ensemble assignments.
Theater Honors Program
Highly qualified students who have completed 75 credits may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Students apply for Honors in Theater by submitting to the Director (by November 15 or April 15) a two-page written statement outlining their reasons for pursuing advanced coursework and specific professional goals, along with the names of two Mason theater faculty members who have agreed to serve as references.
Students satisfy the honors course sequence by taking three Honors specific courses from their chosen concentration. They must also maintain an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.75 within the major.
Graduate Programs
Accelerated Master’s Program
The School of Theater offers the following accelerated Master’s option:
This program allows undergraduate students to take graduate classes that can be used towards a designated Master’s degree. Undergraduates who wish to pursue the accelerated Master’s route should talk to their academic advisor first to see if they qualify. Students must be within 75-90 credits of their Bachelor’s program to be eligible to apply; those who have earned more than 90 credits will not be considered. Students must be approved by their academic advisor and formally apply and be accepted to the Master’s program through an Accelerated Master’s application. For more information about admissions requirements and the application process, students should visit the cvpa.gmu.edu website.
Master of Fine Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
The School of Theater offers one concentration under the Master of Fine Arts, Visual and Performing Arts degree: Theater. Applicants to the program must designate which concentration they intend to apply for on the application. Each concentration has its own unique set of admissions requirements and program requirements. For specific information, please refer to the Visual and Performing Arts, MFA entry.
Academic Policies
Please see College of Visual and Performing Arts academic policies.
ProgramsUndergraduate Degree(s)Bachelor’s Level Certificate(s)Undergraduate Minor(s)Master’s Level Certificate(s)
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