Department of Theatre

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John B. Benitz, MFA, Chair

Admittance to the theatre program is by audition/interview only. Students wishing to apply should contact the department for supplemental application requirements.

The mission of the Department of Theatre is to provide programs that empower students to pursue appropriate career paths, value artistic collaboration and reach their full potential.

The Department of Theatre offers three degree programs. The bachelor of arts program is a broad-based program encompassing directing, performance, dramaturgy, history, theatre management, production and technology. The B.A. requires 45-47 credits, which allows students to take electives in their area of interest and makes it possible to pursue double majors or minors. The degree provides excellent preparation for those who plan to attend graduate school and/or enter the field of teaching. The bachelor of fine arts programs are professional training programs that require 78 credits and are designed for students who plan to enter the world of theatre and film/television performance.

Students pursuing a degree in the Department of Theatre must maintain at least a 2.000 GPA in the major. All courses in the major must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a “C” (not a “C-“) or higher.

Extracurricular Opportunities

• A London theatre tour, New York tour and a summer tour of Europe.
• Mainstage productions of various styles each semester.
• Student-produced and directed plays.
• Location film work and on-going television productions.
• Internships with Southern California professionals and theatre companies.
• Opportunities to act and work backstage in all aspects of production.
• The student-governed Coalition of Artistic Students in Theatre (CAST).
• A USITT student chapter.

Departmental Honors
The Department of Theatre awards departmental honors to students who have produced outstanding work in their area. Requirements for consideration are that the student have earned a departmental GPA of 3.750 or higher and an overall GPA of 3.500, exhibited a professional demeanor and made outstanding contribution of time and effort to the Department of Theatre.

Degrees

• Theatre, B.A.

• Screen Acting, B.F.A
• Theatre Performance, B.F.A.

Courses

• TH 100 - Introduction to Theatre Technology
• TH 105 - Theatre Practicum
• TH 110 - Introduction to Acting
• TH 111 - Introduction to Performing Techniques
• TH 112 - Acting Fundamentals
• TH 113 - Theatre Performance
• TH 150 - Theatre in World Cultures
• TH 170 - Creating Theatre: From Page to Stage - The Art of Collaboration
• TH 201 - Stagecraft
• TH 202 - Theatrical Makeup
• TH 203 - Basic Makeup for the Performing Artist
• TH 204 - Costume Construction
• TH 207 - Lighting for the Stage
• TH 212 - Tai-Chi for Theatre I
• TH 213 - Tai-Chi for Theatre II
• TH 216 - Fundamentals of Character Building
• TH 217 - Introduction to Acting and Movement for Singers
• TH 218 - Character Building for Performance
• TH 229 - Experimental Course
• TH 230 - Screen Acting I
• TH 283 - Voice Production and Techniques I
• TH 290 - Independent Internship
• TH 291 - Student-Faculty Research/Creative Activity
• TH 299 - Individual Study
• TH 301 - Drafting for the Entertainment Industry
• TH 302 - Advanced Stagecraft
• TH 303 - Decorative Arts
• TH 305 - Theatre Production
• TH 307 - Lighting Design and Technology
• TH 308 - Stage Management
• TH 309 - Scene Painting
• TH 313 - Theatre Performance
• TH 315 - Acting Styles
• TH 317 - Movement for the Performer
• TH 320 - Improvisation
• TH 321 - Meisner Technique
• TH 322 - Acting Shakespeare I
• TH 329 - Experimental Course
• TH 330 - Screen Acting II
• TH 333 - Acting for Television Workshop
• TH 335 - Actors and Filmmakers Workshop
• TH 345 - Musical Theatre
• TH 347 - Advanced Acting for Singers
• TH 350 - London Theatre Tour
• TH 351 - Exploring Theatre Around the World
• TH 352 - New York Theatre Study Tour
• TH 370 - Script Analysis
• TH 371 - Theatre History I - Antiquity to the Eighteenth Century
• TH 372 - Theatre History II - Eighteenth to Twentieth Centuries
• TH 373 - Dramaturgy
• TH 374 - Theatre for Social Change
• TH 375 - Theatre Management
• TH 376 - Writing the Short Play
• TH 377 - Playwriting
• TH 379 - Text Analysis and Scene Study for Performance
• TH 388 - Directing for the Theatre I
• TH 389 - Directing for the Theatre II
• TH 392 - Technology for Live Performance
• TH 399 - Individual Study
• TH 401 - Emerging Technologies for Live Entertainment
• TH 406 - Study in Theatrical Design
• TH 410 - Acting Shakespeare II
• TH 411 - Voice Production and Techniques II
• TH 415 - Advanced Acting Styles
• TH 419 - The Actor Process: From Rehearsal to Performance
• TH 429 - Experimental Course
• TH 455 - Topics in Theatre
• TH 472 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism
• TH 476 - The History of Acting in American Film from 1890 - 1970
• TH 477 - Advanced Playwriting
• TH 489 - One Act Play Production Workshop
• TH 490 - Independent Internship
• TH 491 - Student-Faculty Research/Creative Activity
• TH 497A - The Business of Acting
• TH 497B - BFA Showcase
• TH 498 - Senior Seminar
• TH 498A - Senior Seminar: Professional Development
• TH 498B - Senior Seminar: Thesis
• TH 499 - Individual Study

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