Department of Theatre

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Jocelyn Buckner, Ph.D., 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 at Chapman University is to provide programs that empower young and aspiring artists to excel in professional career paths appropriate to their abilities in a rigorous, intellectual liberal arts environment. We provide disciplined theatre training within a climate of scholastic and artistic freedom that encourages the lifelong growth of skills, tools, and techniques needed to strive for excellence and success as a working theatre professional.

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 theatre productions of various styles each semester.
• Student designed and directed One-Act plays.
• Location film work and television productions.
• Internships with Southern California film 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 Entertainment Design and 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 - Production Process: The Art of Collaboration
• TH 201 - Stagecraft
• TH 204 - Costume Construction
• TH 205 - Drawing and Rendering
• TH 206 - Projection Design
• TH 207 - Lighting for the Stage
• TH 208 - Scenic Design
• TH 209 - Stage Management I
• TH 211 - Movement for the Performer
• TH 213 - Tai-Chi for Theatre
• TH 216 - Fundamentals of Character Building
• TH 218 - Character Building for Performance
• TH 220 - Basic Makeup for the Performing Artist
• TH 221 - Introduction to Theatrical Makeup
• TH 230 - Screen Acting I
• TH 230A - Acting for Screen
• TH 270 - Script Analysis
• TH 283 - Voice Production and Techniques I
• TH 290 - Independent Internship
• TH 301 - Drafting for the Entertainment Industry
• TH 302 - Advanced Stagecraft
• TH 303 - Decorative Arts
• TH 304 - Costume Design
• TH 305 - Theatre Production
• TH 306 - Advanced Theatrical Make-up
• TH 309 - Scene Painting
• TH 313 - Theatre Performance
• TH 314 - Stage Management II
• TH 315 - Acting Styles
• TH 320 - Improvisation
• TH 321 - Meisner Technique
• TH 322 - Acting Shakespeare I
• TH 322A - Performing Shakespeare
• TH 329 - Experimental Course
• TH 330 - Screen Acting II
• TH 333 - Acting for Television Workshop
• TH 335 - Actors and Filmmakers Workshop
• TH 340 - Production Collaboration for Directors and Designers
• TH 345 - Musical Theatre
• TH 350 - London Theatre Tour
• TH 352 - New York Theatre Study Tour
• TH 369 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism
• 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 - Arts Leadership
• TH 377 - Playwriting
• TH 378 - Methods of Teaching Drama
• TH 379 - Text Analysis and Scene Study for Performance
• TH 388 - Directing for the Theatre I
• TH 389 - Directing II - One Act Play Production
• TH 399 - Individual Study
• TH 406 - Study in Theatrical Design
• TH 409 - Advanced Stage Management
• TH 410 - Acting Shakespeare II
• TH 411 - Voice Production and Techniques II
• TH 419 - The Actor Process: From Rehearsal to Performance
• TH 429 - Experimental Course
• TH 455 - Topics in Theatre
• TH 473 - Advanced Dramaturgy
• 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 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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