Modified Major Requirements

MODIFIED MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

A student who wishes to combine the study of theater with a related field may apply to the Department for a modified major. Such a program shall contain eight courses from the Theater major and four courses beyond prerequisites in a single field (only) outside of the Theater Department. Theater modified majors must receive approval from the secondary department or program. Students are required to submit a detailed rationale that explains how the twelve (or more) courses across the two departments cohere into a unified plan of study. In rare instances, the department will consider a theater major that is modified with more than one field; proposals for such modified majors must be approved by the department faculty.

Students intending to pursue a Theater modified major must also meet with the Chair to discuss their planned course of study previous to submitting a plan in DartWorks .

In addition to coursework, modified majors are expected to be involved in department productions as described below under "production requirements." 

Requirements

Eight major courses, including those enumerated within the following categories:

1. Three courses in Theater Studies:

a. Two courses from the theater history sequence:

       THEA 15: Theater and Society I: Classical and Medieval Performance

       THEA 16: Theater and Society II: Early Modern Performance

       THEA 17: Theater and Society III: 19th and 20th Century Performance
 

b. One course from the following:

       THEA 1: Introduction to Theater*

       THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair

       THEA 12/CLST 2: The Tragedy and Comedy of Greece and Rome

       THEA 18/RUSS 18 Russian Theater

       THEA 19/COLT 34: Human Rights and Performance

       THEA 21/WGSS 59: Race, Gender, and Performance

       THEA 22/AAAS 31: Black Theater, U.S.A.

       THEA 23/AAAS 54: Postcolonial African Drama

       THEA 24/ASCL 70.07: Asian Performance Traditions

       THEA 25: Solo Performance**

       THEA 62: Plays in Performance: Perception and Analysis (FSP)

       THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair

*THEA 1 satisfies the Theater Studies course fulfillment only if it is completed before THEA 15, 16, and 17.

**Solo Performance may be used to fulfill either a theater studies or theater practice requirement, but not both.

With prior approval of the Chair, up to one course in Theater Studies from another department may be used to fulfill this category, such as:

        ENGL 15: Shakespeare I

        ENGL 34: American Drama

        ENGL 39: Modern British Drama
 

2. Three courses in Theater Practice:

a. The following course is required:

        THEA 40: Technical Production

b. Any one of the following courses in performance:

        THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair

        THEA 25: Solo Performance**

        THEA 26: Movement Fundamentals I

        THEA 27: Movement Fundamentals II

        THEA 28: Dance Composition

        THEA 29: Dance Theater Performance

        THEA 30: Acting I

        THEA 31: Acting II

        THEA 35: Acting for Musical Theater

        THEA 36: The Speaking Voice for the Stage

        THEA 50: Playwriting I

        THEA 51: Playwriting II

        THEA 54: Directing 

        THEA 60: Classical Performance I (FSP)

        THEA 61: Classical Performance II (FSP)

        THEA 65: Summer Theater Lab

        THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair

**Solo Performance may be used to fulfill either a theater studies or theater practice requirement, but not both.

c. Any one of the following courses in theater design and management:

         THEA 10: Special Topics courses, with approval of the Chair

         THEA 41: Stage Management

         THEA 42: Scene Design I

         THEA 44: Lighting Design

         THEA 48: Costume Design

         THEA 80: Independent Study, with approval of the Chair

 

3. The Culminating Experience:

In their final year, all modified majors must complete the following course to satisfy their Culminating Experience in Theater:

         THEA 90: Contemporary Practices in U.S. Theater

 

4. One additional theater course in any category with approval of the Chair

 

5. Production Requirements:

Every modified Theater major is expected to complete four production credits to demonstrate an active and sustained participation in theater production. Production credits may be completed on either Department of Theater productions or productions sponsored by the Department, and require faculty supervision. Production credits must reflect a variety of theater activity and each credit must represent a meaningful practical experience.

  • One production credit must be fulfilled by THEA 40: Technical Production.

  • One production credit must be fulfilled by serving as a stage manager or assistant stage manager for a mainstage production. Alternatively, the student may complete THEA 41: Stage Management to fulfill this requirement. With prior approval of the Director of Theater, stage management on a student production may fulfill this requirement.

  • One production credit must be fulfilled by serving on a production crew. This credit cannot be fulfilled through Stage Management or Design as it is intended to constitute a backstage experience. Categories that count as a crew credit include:

    • backstage crew

    • fly rail/crew

    • light board operator

    • sound board operator

    • audio engineer

    • projection operator 

    • assistant stage manager (if already completed stage management requirement) 

    • wardrobe/dresser

    • hair and/or make-up 

    • wardrobe supervisor 

    • follow spot operator 

    • audio assistant (A2)

  • One production credit may be fulfilled with any category of theater production. This includes, but not limited to:

    • THEA 65: Summer Theater Lab

    • Acting, directing, designing, or playwriting

    • Stage management or backstage crew (additional to the above requirements)

    • E-term production work at Northern Stage (internships or production work at other theaters will require approval from the Departmental Advisor and Production Manager beforehand and a written review from the Supervisor of that theater afterwards)