Performance (Theatre), Emphasis

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

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

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
Critical Thinking3
Critical Thinking3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication3
Core II Mathematics3
Core II Phys./Natural Science4
Core II Humanities3
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
THE 499 Bison image Senior Capstone Project (Writing Intensive)3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural/International3
THE 499 Bison image Senior Capstone Project3
Major Requirements
THE 101 Cap graduation image Introduction to Theatre3
THE 245Intro to Technical Theatre4
THE 240Stage Lighting I4
THE 250Introduction to Costuming4
THE 220 Cap graduation image Stage Movement I: Foundations3
THE 221Stage Voice I: Foundations3
THE 222 Cap graduation image Acting I: Foundations3
THE 201Crit Analysis Theatre Lit3
THE 440 Cap graduation image Theatre History To 16603
THE 441 Cap graduation image Theatre Hist Since 16603
THE 490Professional Theatre Residency1-4
THE 499 Bison image Senior Capstone Project3
THE 230 Cap graduation image Auditioning Techniques3
THE 320Acting II: Scene Study3
THE 322Stage Voice II: Dialects3
THE 423Acting Styles3
Elective In Major3
Elective In Major3
Elective In Major3
Elective In Major3
Elective In Major3
THE 270Theatre Practicum1
THE 270Theatre Practicum1
THE 270Theatre Practicum1
THE 370 Cap graduation image Theatre Practicum1
THE 370 Cap graduation image Theatre Practicum1
THE 370Theatre Practicum1
Elective Outside of Major3
Elective Outside of Major3
Elective Outside of Major3
Elective Outside of Major3

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.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

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 creden-tials, Marshall University Theatre students are given careful, individual attention as well as shared insight and mentorship in the practical side of the “business”.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition 3
THE 101 Cap graduation image Introduction to Theatre 3
THE 245
Intro to Technical Theatre
or Introduction to Costuming
4
THE 221 Stage Voice I: Foundations 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
Core II Mathematics 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication 3
THE 245
Intro to Technical Theatre
or Introduction to Costuming
4
THE 220 Cap graduation image Stage Movement I: Foundations 3
THE 270 Theatre Practicum 1
 Credit Hours17
Second Year
First Semester
Writing Intensive 3
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition 3
THE 222 Cap graduation image Acting I: Foundations 3
THE 270 Theatre Practicum 1
THE 201 Crit Analysis Theatre Lit 3
Elective Outside of Major 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
Core II Humanities (CT/WI) 3
Core II Social Science (CT, MC/I) 3
THE 230 Cap graduation image Auditioning Techniques 3
THE 240 Stage Lighting I 4
Elective in Major 3
THE 270 Theatre Practicum 1
 Credit Hours17
Third Year
First Semester
THE 440 Cap graduation image Theatre History To 1660 3
THE 320 Acting II: Scene Study 3
THE 490 Professional Theatre Residency 3
Elective in Major 3
THE 370 Cap graduation image Theatre Practicum 1
 Credit Hours13
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 Cap graduation image Theatre Practicum 1
 Credit Hours14
Fourth Year
First Semester
THE 441 Cap graduation image Theatre Hist Since 1660 3
THE 499 Bison image Senior Capstone Project 3
Elective Outside of Major 3
Elective in Major 3
THE 370 Theatre Practicum 1
 Credit Hours13
Second Semester
THE 423 Acting Styles 3
Elective Outside of Major 3
Elective in Major 3
Core II Physical/Natural Science 4
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours120