Students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree must be formally admitted to the program following the completion of the Sophomore Review. This admittance is based upon an audition or portfolio review in the student’s area of emphasis and an interview with the area faculty. This audition or portfolio review may occur at any time, but typically takes place during the second semester of the student’s sophomore year. Theatre majors returning after having not enrolled in theatre study for two or more consecutive semesters must re-audition/interview before permission to continue in the major will be granted. Students should consult the theatre program website for specific audition/portfolio requirements.

Majors must also satisfy the following program requirements:

1. B.F.A. Theatre majors must complete seventy-three (73) credit hours of coursework in theatre and related disciplines in addition to the general distributional requirements and free electives. The theatre courses are divided into the theatre core curriculum of forty-six (46) hours and the student’s choice of areas of emphasis (performance or production) with twenty-seven (27) hours.
2. Theatre majors must complete all work in the major with a minimum grade of C. A student who receives a D or an F in a theatre course must repeat it and earn at least a C before graduation or before using that course as a prerequisite.
3. B.F.A. Theatre majors must enroll in Theatre Internship (THE 490 Professional Theatre Residency) for a total of four (4) credit hours and successfully complete an approved internship prior to initiating the senior capstone (THE 499 Senior Capstone Project) experience. Internships are approved by the faculty advisor and the school director. Typically, internships take place during the summer months and demonstrate the individual’s ability to participate on a regional or national level. Successful completion of an internship requires the student to prepare a resume and audition or portfolio, and through that preparation acquire a position with a theatre-related, professional organization. Summer employment with professional organizations (out-of-state or in-state organizations) holding auditions or interviews at S.E.T.C. or similar regional or national conventions are considered appropriate internships. Substantial skills workshops and studies abroad in theatre (where the application involves competition) may also be considered appropriate internships. Students must make arrangements with the producing organization to provide an evaluation of their work.
4. All students must have completed a minimum of ninety (90) hours of coursework before enrolling in the senior capstone (THE 499 Senior Capstone Project) experience. Students who are juniors must discuss the capstone experience with their advisors prior to the second semester of their junior year.
5. Forty (40) credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
6. No course in the major requirements for graduation may be taken Credit/Non-Credit unless the course is so specified.
7. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for the degree. 

In addition to formal coursework, the theatre program provides laboratory experience through productions during the academic year.

Students majoring in theatre will have laboratory/production responsibilities with significant time requirements and commitments outside of class throughout their undergraduate degree program. These responsibilities may impact on the time a student has available for non-academic activities.

Area of Emphasis