Majoring & Minoring

Theatre Department offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees. Students pursuing the BFA choose from the Acting, Design and Technology and Musical Theatre Emphases, requirements detailed below.  The Department also offers Minors in Theatre, Performance Studies, and Dance.

Major in Theatre (BFA)

64 semester hours (Acting or Design and Technology emphasis) or 72 semester hours (Musical Theatre emphasis). Theatre majors pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree complete the BFA Core courses as well as the Emphasis required courses and electives for Acting, Design and Technology or Musical Theatre listed below. BFA Theatre majors must also complete a Capstone Experience.

BFA Core courses: 28 semester hours, including Theatre 73-111, 121, 131, 143, 153, 163, 183; four hours from Theatre 73-211, 221, 231; Theatre 74-123, 233, 243. A Capstone Experience is also required.

Acting Emphasis

Required Courses: 18 semester hours, including Theatre 73-101 (two semesters), 193, 311, 503, 513, 813, 893.
Electives: 18 hours, chosen from Theatre 73-173, 863, 933; Theatre 74-313, 323, 673, 703, 853; no more than three hours from Theatre 73-713, 723; no more than three hours from Theatre 73/74-951, 952, 953; no more than three hours from Theatre 73-923, 74-113, 73/74-943; no more than three hours from Dance 79-203, 403, 413, 503, 603, 803.

Design and Technology Emphasis

Required Courses: 18 semester hours, including Theatre 73-241 (three semesters), 793, 803, 823, 833, 893.
Electives: 18 semester hours, chosen from Theatre 73-193, 263, 463, 843, 853, 863, 913; Theatre 74-313, 323, 673, 853; no more than three hours from Theatre 74-413, 423; no more than three hours from Theatre 73/74-301, 302, 303; no more than three hours from Theatre 74-951, 952, 953; no more than three hours from Theatre 73-923, 74-113, 73/74-943.

Musical Theatre Emphasis

Required Courses: 32 semester hours, including Theatre 73-101 (two semesters), 193, 311, 603; three from Dance 79-203, 403, 503, 603; Music Theory 76-101, 103; Applied Voice APM8B-xxx (eight semester hours), Applied Piano APM8A-xxx (two semester hours).
Electives: 12 semester hours, chosen from Theatre 73-503, 513, 713, 813; Theatre 74-293, 323, 853; no more than one from 73-793, 803, 823, 833; no more than one from Dance 79-203, 243, 403, 413, 503, 603, 803; Music Theory 76-111, 113; Ensemble 78-121, 131, 141 (one semester hour of each); Applied Piano 8A-xxx (one semester hour); Theatre 73/74-951, 952, 953; Theatre 73/74-941, 942, 943.

Major in Theatre (BA)

43 hours, including Theatre 73-111, 121, 131, 143, 153, 163, 183; four hours from Theatre 73-211, 221, 231; Theatre 74-123, 233, 243; 16 additional semester hours above the introductory level of Theatre performance, design, production, management, independent study, internship, Summer Theatre Repertory, literature or other courses approved by academic adviser. A Capstone Experience is also required.

NOTE: All Southwestern students are required to complete a Capstone requirement. Students do not have to receive credit hours to complete the Capstone. However, the Capstone requirement may be completed in conjunction with a course or project for which the student receives course credit. Academic Internships, an Advanced Production for the Theatre course project designed with the help of a faculty adviser or a University Honors Project often serve as Capstone projects.

Minor in Theatre

18 semester hours of Theatre, including two hours from Theatre 73-111, 121, 131; 16 additional hours of Theatre, 12 hours of which must be above the introductory level.

Minor in Performance Studies

18 semester hours, including Theatre 73-173, 713; four from Theatre 73-153, 183, 723, Theatre 74-243, 313, Dance 79-243.

Minor in Dance

18 semester hours of Dance, 12 hours of which must be above the introductory level.

See the Education Department for information regarding teacher certification in theatre.