Performance (Theatre), Emphasis
B.F.A. in Theatre with an Emphasis in Performance
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”.
Distinctive Features of the Program
Students who graduate with their degree in Theatre Performance are career ready with a number of skills and credentials at their fingertips, including:
- acting techniques such as Stanislavski, Meisner, Physical Theatre, and others; audition techniques for stage, film, and musical theatre; IPA; dialects; vocal health; movement for the actor; character development; cold reading; improvisation; Shakespeare & classical performance; on-camera acting; monologue and scene study; stage combat; devising and ensemble creation; professional portfolio development; resume and reel creation; and industry networking skills
- emotional availability and authenticity; ensemble building; discipline and work ethic; risk taking and creative courage; resilience and rejection management; collaboration; personal branding; self-motivation; adaptability under pressure; and professionalism.
Students gain expertise in QLab (performance integration); Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro (demo reels); Backstage/Actors Access/Casting Networks; Zoom; DSLR and mirrorless cameras; ring lights; microphones; and self-taping equipment.
Professional Residency/Internship
B.F.A. Theatre majors gain professional experience through THE 490 Professional Theatre Residency. Typically, internships take place during the summer months and demonstrate the individual’s ability to participate on a regional or national level. The student prepares a resume and audition or portfolio, and through that preparation acquires 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 make arrangements with the producing organization to provide an evaluation of their work.
Admission Requirements
Students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree must be formally admitted to the program following the completion of 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. Students should consult the theatre program website for specific audition/portfolio requirements.
Readmission After Absence of Two or More Semesters
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.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Grade Standard
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Theatre are required to st complete all work in the major with a minimum grade of C. Course grades of D and F are not counted toward graduation requirements and must be replaced with a grade of C or better before graduation or before using that course as a prerequisite.
Candidates for graduation must have a Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher in all work attempted at Marshall University.
Upper Division Credit Hours
A minimum of thirty-nine (39) credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
Minimum Credit Hours
Students must earn at least 120 credit hours. No courses in the college and major requirements for graduation may be taken Credit/Non-Credit unless the course is so specified.
Course Requirements
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/.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking (MTH 121 Concepts and Applications (CT)) | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Natural/Physical Science | 4 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Multicultural/International | 3 | |
| Capstone (THE 499 Senior Capstone Project) | 3 | |
BFA in Theatre Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theatre Core | ||
| THE 101 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THE 201 | Crit Analysis Theatre Lit | 3 |
| THE 240 | Stage Lighting I | 4 |
| THE 245 & THE 151 | Intro to Technical Theatre and Tech Theatre Lab | 4 |
| THE 250 & THE 152 | Introduction to Costuming and Tech Theatre Lab | 4 |
| Six (6) credits of Practicum: | 6 | |
| Theatre Practicum | ||
| 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 2 | 3 |
| Total Theatre Core Credit Hours | 37 | |
| Performance Area of Emphasis Requirements | ||
| THE 220 | Stage Movement I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 221 | Stage Voice I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 222 | Acting I: Foundations | 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 |
| THE Electives | 15 | |
| Total Performance Area of Emphasis Credit Hours | 36 | |
| Electives Outside of the Major | 13 | |
A minimum of 120 credit hours are required for this major.
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
Semester Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| THE 101 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THE 151 or THE 152 | Tech Theatre Lab or Tech Theatre Lab | 1 |
| THE 221 | Stage Voice I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 245 or THE 250 | Intro to Technical Theatre or Introduction to Costuming | 3 |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class (Recommended) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| THE 151 or THE 152 | Tech Theatre Lab or Tech Theatre Lab | 1 |
| THE 220 | Stage Movement I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 245 or THE 250 | Intro to Technical Theatre or Introduction to Costuming | 3 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| THE 201 | Crit Analysis Theatre Lit | 3 |
| THE 222 | Acting I: Foundations | 3 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Non-THE Elective | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THE 230 | Auditioning Techniques | 3 |
| THE 240 | Stage Lighting I | 4 |
| THE 322 or THE 423 | Stage Voice II: Dialects or Acting Styles | 3 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science (CT, MC/I) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| THE 320 | Acting II: Scene Study | 3 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 440 | Theatre History To 1660 | 3 |
| THE 490 | Professional Theatre Residency 1 | 4 |
| THE Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THE 322 or THE 423 | Stage Voice II: Dialects or Acting Styles | 3 |
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Non-THE Elective | 4 | |
| THE Elective | 3 | |
| THE Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| THE 370 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THE 441 | Theatre Hist Since 1660 | 3 |
| Non-THE Elective | 3 | |
| Non-THE Elective | 3 | |
| THE Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THE 499 | Senior Capstone Project 2 | 3 |
| Core II Natural/Physical Science | 4 | |
| THE Elective | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121 | |
- 1
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.
- 2
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.