Theatre, B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre within the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at 91女神 creates exceptional learning experiences for the upcoming generation of leaders in the field. A theatre major鈥檚 education takes place in classrooms, studios, workshops and via the production of theatrical works.
In the classrooms, students examine the concepts, theories and ideas that define theatre and performance. In the studios and workshops, students observe, practice and refine techniques for performing, directing and designing theatre.
In productions, students apply their knowledge and technique to the creation of theatrical work. Each semester Theatre and Dance produces a season of theatrical productions. Mentored by our full-time faculty and staff and visiting artists, students execute a comprehensive range of roles on and off-stage.
Seasonal performances are both on-campus in our proscenium and studio theatres and off-campus in professional venues among the numerous theatres in St. Louis. Students benefit from studying in a city with a vibrant arts scene, where they can attend performances at places like the Fabulous Fox Theatre, located in the Grand Arts Center one block from campus; the newly renovated Peabody Opera House; and the Muny, America鈥檚 oldest and largest outdoor musical theater. Competitive students can pursue internships and professional positions with companies producing everything from star-studded operas to fringe festivals supporting independent artists.
Students who study theatre at 91女神 immerse themselves in creating theatre. They play lead roles in plays like Macbeth and Godspell. They call the cues for these plays in professional venues. They construct the costumes, program the lights and even design the sets. They direct each other in their own original works. They discover the meaning of theatre and performance for the world and find their roles within that meaning.
Curriculum Overview
Like all Bachelor of Arts degrees at 91女神, theatre majors receive a comprehensive and rigorous liberal arts education. Within their field, theatre majors develop academic pro铿乧iency and practical knowledge in all aspects of theatre while also completing the required University Core curriculum. The B.A. in Theatre emphasizes the collaborative process for creating theatre and the importance of shared commitment and responsibility in pursuit of a goal. The core curriculum provides students with the educational foundation for success in professional theatre or to continue their studies at the graduate level. Students also gain a wide breadth of skills transferable to many other fields, such as law, management and journalism.
The theatre major requires 36 credits of specialized classes in which students experience learning, experimenting with and applying the philosophies, techniques and practices of professional theatre artists and scholars. 听听
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Theatre and Dance stages a yearly season of main stage productions. 听Every theatre major is involved in some way with each production. Theatre majors and minors form a company of actors, designers and technicians who, with the mentorship and participation of faculty and staff, are responsible for all aspects of each work. Productions take place on-campus, in our 400-seat, proscenium theatre or our 70-seat studio theatre; or off-campus in professional venues in St. Louis鈥 Grand Center Arts District, including at the Kranzberg Arts Center and the Grandel. The Arts District is adjacent to campus.
Bene铿乼s of the theatre major also include internship and career opportunities. Students may pursue local auditions for summer theatre jobs and are encouraged to apply for internships with organizations across the country. Students find local employment and internship opportunities with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the St. Louis Black Repertory Company, Opera Theatre St. Louis, the Muny and other professional organizations.
The 91女神 theatre and dance program regularly creates work in collaboration with Prison Performing Arts (PPA). An internship is often available through this partnership. The partnership affords students an opportunity to create theatre while engaging with a diverse community and promoting social equity. Productions created in collaboration with PPA culminate with a performance inside a Missouri correctional center and ticketed performances for the public in St. Louis.
Careers
Alumni from 91女神 Theatre work in professional theatre, feature 铿乴ms, television productions, commercials, and any other milieu that employs actors, writers, directors, producers, dramaturgs, designers or theatrical craftspeople. Some become theatre educators. Theatre majors also graduate with transferable skills directly applicable to 铿乪lds such as law, journalism, sales, marketing, management, health care, entrepreneurship and any other career where creativity, communication and collaboration skills are necessary.
Admission Requirements
91女神 also accepts the Common Application.
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant鈥檚 file.
To be considered for admission to any 91女神 undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.听
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.
Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must听submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
In reviewing a transfer applicant鈥檚 file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student鈥檚 academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student鈥檚 ability to meet the academic rigors of 91女神. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at 91女神
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Tuition
Tuition | Cost Per Year |
---|---|
Undergraduate Tuition | $54,760 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a 91女神 education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
91女神 makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- Graduates will be able to characterize the social and artistic movements that have transformed theatre.
- Graduates will be able to analyze and interpret texts and performances through written and oral analysis or commentary.
- Graduates will be able to distinguish prominent developments, conventions and genres of theatre history and dramatic literature in a social and historical context.
- Graduates will be able to practice collaborative skills in various theatrical roles and assignments.
- Graduates will be able to create a personal de铿乶ition of theatre and statement of intent.
- Graduates will be able to formulate and apply process skills in rehearsal, production and classroom settings.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate pro铿乧iency in one or more area-speci铿乧 skills: acting, directing, design, technical theatre, management, playwriting or dramaturgy.
- Graduates will be able to experience the impact of design and production on the theatrical experience.
- Graduates will be able to identify theatre career opportunities.
Theatre majors must complete a minimum of 36 credits听for the major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
Major Requirements | ||
Theatre Core | ||
罢贬搁听1500 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
罢贬搁听2200 | Survey of Theatre Design | 3 |
罢贬搁听2510 | Acting I: Fundamentals | 3 |
罢贬搁听2520 | Introduction to Technical Production | 3 |
罢贬搁听3500 | Playscript Analysis | 3 |
罢贬搁听3550 | Theatre Practicum 1 | 0 |
罢贬搁听3600 | Career Preparation | 3 |
罢贬搁听3700 | Directing I: Theories & Method | 3 |
罢贬搁听4515 | History of Theatre and Dance Advanced Studies | 3 |
Theatre Elective Courses | 12 | |
Select 12 credits with the Theatre Elective attribute, such as: | ||
罢贬搁听2500 | Costume Construction | |
罢贬搁听2700 | Exploring U.S. Diversity in Theatre | |
罢贬搁听3510 | Musical Theatre Performance | |
罢贬搁听3620 | Stage Management | |
罢贬搁听4620 | Advanced Acting for the Camera | |
罢贬搁听4700 | Directing II | |
General Electives | 49-52 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
- 1
Majors must complete and pass 6 semesters
For incoming students who intend to major in Theatre:
- A minimum of three semesters of 罢贬搁听3550 Theatre Practicum (0 cr) is required to be successfully completed. The transfer student will be required to complete one less semester of 罢贬搁听3550 Theatre Practicum (0 cr) than the expected semesters required to complete graduation requirements. For example, if a student鈥檚 program of study requires four semesters at 91女神 prior to graduation, three semesters of 罢贬搁听3550 Theatre Practicum (0 cr) must be successfully completed. This requirement will be articulated at the time of matriculation into the program.
Continuation Standards
All Theatre major/minor courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to count for Theatre major/minor requirements and to continue in the major/minor.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
- Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
- Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
- Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through 91女神 or an approved study-abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through 91女神 or an approved study-abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment听unless otherwise noted. 听
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
罢贬搁听1500 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
罢贬搁听2510 | Acting I: Fundamentals | 3 |
罢贬搁听3550 | Theatre Practicum | 0 |
颁翱搁贰听1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at 91女神 / Cannot carry attributes) | 2-3 |
颁翱搁贰听1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at 91女神 / Cannot carry attributes) | 1 |
颁翱搁贰听1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at 91女神 / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
General Electives | 3 | |
听 | Credits | 15-16 |
Spring | ||
罢贬搁听2520 | Introduction to Technical Production | 3 |
罢贬搁听3500 | Playscript Analysis | 3 |
罢贬搁听3550 | Theatre Practicum | 0 |
CORE听3200 | Ways of Thinking: Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
CORE听1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
General Electives | 3 | |
听 | Credits | 15 |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
罢贬搁听2200 | Survey of Theatre Design | 3 |
罢贬搁听4515 | History of Theatre and Dance Advanced Studies | 3 |
罢贬搁听3550 | Theatre Practicum | 0 |
CORE听1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at 91女神 / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
CORE听1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
General Electives | 3 | |
听 | Credits | 15 |
Spring | ||
罢贬搁听3550 | Theatre Practicum | 0 |
THR Elective | This may be selected from any course with the 'Theare Elective' attribute. | 3 |
CORE听3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences | 3 |
CORE听2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
General Electives | 9 | |
听 | Credits | 15 |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
罢贬搁听3550 | Theatre Practicum | 0 |
THR Elective | This may be selected from any course with the 'Theatre Elective' attribute. | 3 |
CORE听2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2-3 |
CORE听3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
General Electives | 7 | |
听 | Credits | 15-16 |
Spring | ||
Recommended Study Aboard (CAS Core) | 听 | |
CORE听3600 | Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
CORE听4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 2-3 |
General Electives | 10 | |
听 | Credits | 15-16 |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
罢贬搁听3550 | Theatre Practicum | 0 |
罢贬搁听3700 | Directing I: Theories & Method | 3 |
THR Elective | This may be selected from any course with the 'Theare Elective' attribute. | 3 |
CORE听3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
General Electives | 8 | |
听 | Credits | 15 |
Spring | ||
罢贬搁听3600 | Career Preparation | 3 |
THR Elective | This may be selected from any course with the 'Theare Elective' attribute. | 3 |
General Electives | 9 | |
听 | Credits | 15 |
听 | Total Credits | 120-123 |
2+91女神 programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.听