Performance (Theatre), Emphasis
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| Core II Mathematics | 3 | |
| Core II Phys./Natural Science | 4 | |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Multicultural/International | 3 | |
| THE 499 | Senior Capstone Project | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| THE 101 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THE 245 | Intro to Technical Theatre | 4 |
| THE 240 | Stage Lighting I | 4 |
| THE 250 | Introduction to Costuming | 4 |
| THE 220 | Stage Movement I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 221 | Stage Voice I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 222 | Acting I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 201 | Crit Analysis Theatre Lit | 3 |
| THE 440 | Theatre History To 1660 | 3 |
| THE 441 | Theatre Hist Since 1660 | 3 |
| THE 490 | Professional Theatre Residency | 1-4 |
| THE 499 | Senior Capstone Project | 3 |
| THE 230 | Auditioning Techniques | 3 |
| THE 320 | Acting II: Scene Study | 3 |
| THE 322 | Stage Voice II: Dialects | 3 |
| THE 423 | Acting Styles | 3 |
| Elective In Major | 3 | |
| Elective In Major | 3 | |
| Elective In Major | 3 | |
| Elective In Major | 3 | |
| Elective In Major | 3 | |
| THE 270 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 270 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 270 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Elective Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Elective Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Elective Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Elective Outside of Major | 3 | |
Major Information
- Students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree must be formally admitted to the program. This admittance is based upon an audition or portfolio review in the student’s area of emphasis and an interview with the area faculty. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. 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.
- Forty (40) credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
- No course in the major requirements for graduation may be taken Credit/Non-Credit unless the course is so specified.
Semester Plan
The Marshall University Theatre performance program (B.F.A. degree) takes the conservatory approach to actor training. Using 21st century as well as tried-and-true trends in actor training such as: The Method, The Meisner Approach, Bogart Viewpoints, Alexander Technique, Linklater, and Lessac – students in performance develop their craft according to current expectations in the American theatre, film and television industries. Guided by faculty of outstanding professional credentials, Marshall University Theatre students are given careful, individual attention as well as shared insight and mentorship in the practical side of the “business”.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| THE 101 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THE 245 or THE 250 | Intro to Technical Theatre or Introduction to Costuming | 4 |
| THE 221 | Stage Voice I: Foundations | 3 |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Core II Mathematics | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| THE 245 or THE 250 | Intro to Technical Theatre or Introduction to Costuming | 4 |
| THE 220 | Stage Movement I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 270 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| THE 222 | Acting I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 270 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 201 | Crit Analysis Theatre Lit | 3 |
| Elective Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Core II Humanities (CT/WI) | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science (CT, MC/I) | 3 | |
| THE 230 | Auditioning Techniques | 3 |
| THE 240 | Stage Lighting I | 4 |
| Elective in Major | 3 | |
| THE 270 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| THE 440 | Theatre History To 1660 | 3 |
| THE 320 | Acting II: Scene Study | 3 |
| THE 490 | Professional Theatre Residency | 1-4 |
| Elective in Major | 3 | |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 11-14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THE 423 | Acting Styles | 3 |
| THE 322 | Stage Voice II: Dialects | 3 |
| Elective Outside of Major | 4 | |
| Elective in Major | 3 | |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| THE 441 | Theatre Hist Since 1660 | 3 |
| THE 499 | Senior Capstone Project | 3 |
| Elective Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Elective in Major | 3 | |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THE 423 | Acting Styles | 3 |
| Elective Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Elective Outside of Major | 2 | |
| Elective in Major | 3 | |
| Core II Physical/Natural Science | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-123 | |