Theatre The theatre department offers academic and practical courses. Students analyze plays and learn about theatre of the past and present; study acting, directing, voice, movement, and technical theatre; and bring productions to life. Wesleyan’s theatre courses are appropriate for students with professional or scholarly aspirations, as well as for students with a general interest in the field. Departmental productions focus on strong roles for women. Students gain stage experience and excel in areas traditionally dominated by men, such as directing playwriting, and technical work. The theatre department actively encourages students to learn about all aspects of theatre. Theatre majors are expected to work on productions throughout the college career. Roles and crew assignments are open to all students, regardless of major or year. Four to twelve plays are produced yearly in the 1200-seat Porter Auditorium and the intimate Grassmann-Porter Studio Theatre. The Wesleyan student who majors in theatre receives a foundation that prepares her for apprenticeship, graduate school, or work in the profession. The theatre degree enhances career paths that call for organizational ability, collaboration, effective speech, creativity, problem-solving, and analytical/critical skills. Major Requirements: Theatre. A major in Theatre requires 37 to 46 semester hours, depending upon the optional track the student may elect to choose. In addition to courses required for the Theatre Generalist curriculum, students are encouraged to choose a track to reflect a particular interest or emphasis, such as performance, management, or dramaturgy (theatre literature and history). The tracks are optional. Students who wish to add an emphasis on directing to any of the tracks may do so with the permission and guidance of the theatre faculty. Theatre majors are required to attend plays and to contribute service to the department. The productions provide a training laboratory. The theatre faculty evaluates majors each year on their practical, service, and academic work. Theatre Generalist curriculum, required of all Theatre majors (40 hours total) I. Required Courses (31 semester hours): THE 110 Criticism and Practice in Theatre THE 125 Acting I THE 210 Theatre History and Literature I THE 212 Theatre History and Literature II
3 hours 3 hours 3 hours 3 hours
THE 248 or THE 333
Stage Management and Production for the Theatre
3 hours
Acting III
3 hours
THE 250 THE 430
Practicum in Theatre Senior Integrative Seminar
3 hours 3 hours
THE 335
Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Performance
3 hours
Special Topics
3 hours
or THE 396 THE 235 THE 320
Introductory Performance and Production total of 4 hours Advanced Performance and Production total of 3 hours The seven hours of performance and production laboratory are intended to be distributed over seven semesters, unless special permission is given.
II. Additional Theatre courses (9 semester hours): 9 semester hours from all other theatre courses. These hours may be used toward pursuit of one of the three optional tracks below.
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