Mar 29, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08 [Archived Catalog]

Theater, School of


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Robert St. Lawrence, Director

The School of Theater has had a longstanding track record of success with its graduates. Alumni from our undergraduate programs have gone on to very successful careers in the professional theater, television, and film. The degree programs also give you the competitive edge to enter the best graduate schools in theater. The undergraduate theater programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater and designed for completion over a period of four years.

The undergraduate theater major at Ohio University experiences a blend of intensive training in an area of concentration with core courses in theater studies. These are coordinated with general education liberal arts courses leading to a professionally oriented Bachelor of Fine Arts degree through the College of Fine Arts.

The School of Theater advises theater majors to complete the University’s general education requirements in a manner that broadens the individual student’s perspective and worldview. Within the discipline of theater, all undergraduate students enroll in core courses that examine the literature and history of theater and the role of theater in society. They will explore all the facets that compose a theatrical production. Production activities are considered crucial to the total curriculum planning of a theater major. Majors register each quarter for a credit-bearing practicum in production. In the first year of training, this involves participation in productions through technical and management assignments. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors have the opportunity to participate as a performer, technician, designer, or stage manager. Some practicum assignments are available for the summer at Monomoy Theater in Cape Cod, which is our summer stock theater.

Your progress is evaluated quarterly by your advisor and faculty in your training area. All theater majors are required to attain a minimum grade of C in any theater course required for graduation. Unsatisfactory progress may result in academic probation, recommendation for transfer to another sequence or degree within the school, modification of the program, or denial of further enrollment as a degree candidate in the School of Theater.

A minor or second major is possible in some cases if you have used careful advising procedures and made intelligent use of the elective options and General Education requirements. Highly motivated and talented students can pursue their degree work in the School of Theater through the Honors Tutorial College, if the tutorial mode of instruction is appropriate for the particular student.

Admission Requirements

Once you have been admitted to Ohio University, you may enter the School of Theater as a general theater major. For scholarship consideration, auditions and interviews are conducted during the winter quarter of each year for students considering entrance the following fall. You are assigned an entry faculty advisor and may be reassigned to a new advisor once you are accepted into a degree concentration program.

Procedure for Admission B.F.A. Programs

At the end of the freshman year, you are expected to declare a degree program. Under normal circumstances, you must complete all the 100-level theater core requirements to be considered for entry into a degree program. Students audition, interview, or present portfolios for entry into the Bachelor of Fine Arts programs (performance, management, playwriting, or production design and technology). You may also enroll in a course of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Provisional acceptance into B.F.A. programs: End of freshman year.

After acceptance into one of these programs, retention is based on periodic review of the student’s progress, with a major review at the end of the sophomore year.

Theater Core Courses (Required of all B.F.A. majors)

THAR 090 Lunchbag Theater Seminar Series 0
THAR 101 Intro to Profession 1
THAR 110* Intro to Performance 2
THAR 111* Acting Improvisation 2
THAR 112*,
or THAR 213*
Intro to Performance. Warm-up
Acting Fundamentals II
2
THAR 130 Design Principles for the Stage 3
THAR 131A Fundamentals of Scenery and Props 3
THAR 131B Fundamentals of Lighting and Sound 3
THAR 131C Fundamentals of Costumes and Crafts 3
THAR 151 Fundamentals of Playwriting 3
THAR 171 Play Analysis 3
THAR 172 Elements of Performance 3
THAR 270, 271, 272 Theater History I, II, III 12
THAR 420 Directing
Two seminars from THAR 470 series
Two English courses at the 200 level or above
4
8
8

*For students interested in auditioning for the Performance Program the recommended Acting Course sequence is THAR 110, 111, and 112 for the 6-credit-hour requirement.  All other students can complete any combination of THAR 110, 111, 112, and 213 for the 6-credit-hour requirement.

Practicum

Sophomore Three 200-level practica
Three courses, 2 credit hours each
(fall, winter, spring)
6
Junior Two 300-level practica
Two courses, 3 credit hours each
(any quarter)
6
Senior Three 400-level practica
Three courses, 2 credit hours each
(fall, winter, spring) in area of emphasis
6

 

Minimum total practicum credits: 18

All majors are required to enroll for Lunchbag Theater Seminar (THAR 090) each quarter of residence.

Liberal Arts Requirements for Theater Majors

In addition to the Tier I, II, and III requirements, all majors in the School of Theater are required to take two English courses at the 200 level or above. Two Shakespeare courses are strongly advised and may be required in a specific program. (Tier I junior composition does not fulfill this requirement.)

Total: 78

Minimum Grade Requirement

All theater majors are required to attain a minimum grade of C in any theater course required for graduation.

Electives

Distribution of elective hours will vary depending upon degree requirements of a particular area. You are encouraged to use your elective choices in a manner that expands upon the liberal arts experience, particularly with choices in the areas of literature, philosophy, history, and psychology. If you are in acting, you also are advised to strengthen your personal talents in the areas of music, dance, and art.

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