Program: Theatre, B.A. - University of Southern Maine

Apr 02, 2025

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

The Department of Theatre offers a four-year program leading to a B.A. degree in Theatre. An undergraduate degree in Theatre offers valuable preparation for careers in educational or professional theatrical activities, as well as other non related disciplines.

All students are reminded that, in addition to meeting departmental requirements for the major, they must also meet the requirements of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences as well as the Core Curriculum requirements.

Program Requirements

The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the major: 58.

All majors are required to take THE 140 Entry Year Theatre Workshop (3 credits). Theatre majors must also take .5 credits of Threatre Workshop I (THE 141 ), and/or Theatre Workshop II (THE 142 ), each semester enrolled as a theatre major (maximum of 4 credits required).

Theatre students who fail to maintain a 2.5 overall GPA may not be allowed to participate in department productions in either an acting or technical capacity (except for lab duties or requirements related to coursework). These GPA standards are required for graduation and a grade of C or better is required in all theatre courses.

Students are encouraged to meet with the faculty or staff whenever questions arise or problems occur.

The following courses are required:

Foundations Courses (40 credits total):

THE 101 - Introduction to Theatre and Text Analysis Credits: 3
THE 104 - Practicum in Costuming Credits: 1
THE 105 - Practicum in Stage Lighting Credits: 1
THE 106 - Practicum in Stagecraft Credits: 1
THE 112 - Stagecraft Fundamentals Credits: 3
THE 122 - Fundamentals of Performance Credits: 3
THE 136 - Fundamentals of Design Credits: 3
THE 140 - Entry Year Theatre Workshop Credits: 3
THE 141 - Theatre Workshop I Credits: 0.5 (0.5 credits for three semesters, total: 1.5 credits)
THE 142 - Theatre Workshop II Credits: 0.5 (0.5 credits for four semesters, total: 2 credits)
THE 201 - Cultural History of Theatre Credits: 3
THE 232 - Introduction to Stage Management Credits: 3
THE 352 - Dramatic Literature and History of Modern Theatre Credits: 3
THE 495 - Theatre Capstone Credits: 3
THE 496 - External Experience Credits: 6

Choose 6 Electives from the list below* (18 credits total):

THE 115 - Math & the Theatre Arts Credits: 3
THE 139 - Theatrical Makeup Credits: 3
THE 170 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
DAN 208 - Dance Composition Credits: 3
DAN 209 - Dance Repertory Credits: 3
THE 220 - Acting Techniques I Credits: 3
THE 225 - Voice and Movement Credits: 3
THE 250 - Playwriting Credits: 3
DAN 266 - The Art of Dance Credits: 3
DAN 305 - Dance and Health Credits: 4
THE 321 - Acting Techniques II Credits: 3
THE 325 - Directing Credits: 3
THE 330 - Dramaturgy: Creative Research, Development, and Critique Credits: 3
THE 331 - Scene Design Credits: 3
THE 334 - Costume Design Credits: 3
THE 335 - Lighting Design Credits: 3
THE 337 - Sound Design Credits: 3
ENG 360 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENG 361 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
THE 420 - Acting: Styles Credits: 3
THE 434 - Advanced Design for the Theatre Credits: 3
* 3 credit Special Topics courses are often offered, subjects include Writing Dialogue, Stage Combat, Improvisation, Audio Production, etc.

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.