Theatre Arts (BA)

The Theatre Arts BA is designed for theatre practitioners who want a general, well rounded competency in all areas of theatre performance and production. The BA degree requires eight credits of a world language. The department offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to balance students' practical training with historical and socio-political context to prepare them as creative and scholarly practitioners in the performing arts. Students’ ability to think critically and act globally equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter professional lives as performers, choreographers, technicians, designers, arts administrators, arts advocates, and leaders in the arts. As a result, they emerge from the program with greater global, historical, racial, cultural, gender, and justice literacy in their fields.

Current Catalog Year
2024-2025
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Major / Total Credits
59 / 120
Locations
Mankato

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Program Requirements

Required General Education

Survey of theatre arts; lectures, with lab experience available. Note: Students may not take both THEA 115 and this class.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Major Common Core

Introduction to the theory and practice of directing for the theatre.

Prerequisites: THEA 100 and THEA 101 or THEA 110

A survey of literature, artists and performances with specific regard to the theatre of diversity including, but not restricted to: Feminist Theatre, Gay and Lesbian Theatre, African-American Theatre, Asian American Theatre, Hispanic Theatre, etc.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The study and application of various analytical approaches to play texts in preparation for production.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Survey of theatrical history from its origins to 1700.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

This course examines how all global performance styles and techniques influence each other. Focusing on the last 250 years, students will examine how performance practices from all around the world have merged (sometimes in a celebratory way, sometimes due to appropriation) to become the performing arts of today.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Theatre Activity - Choose 5 Credit(s). Choose from at least three different areas

Acting in a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Consent

Goal Areas: GE-11

Work on stage or house management, or public relations. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Consent

Goal Areas: GE-11

Serve as Dance Captain, to assist the Choreographer, for a mainstage or approved production. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Consent

Work on stage crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Consent

Goal Areas: GE-11

Work on costumes or wardrobe crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Consent

Goal Areas: GE-11

Work on lighting crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Consent

Goal Areas: GE-11

Work on sound crew in a mainstage production. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Consent

Goal Areas: GE-11

Major Restricted Electives

Professional Prep - Choose 1 Credit(s).

Introduction to the various career opportunities directly in or appertaining to theatrical arts performance.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Exploring the techniques of building a working design/technology portfolio and resume.

Prerequisites: Consent

Theatre Technology - Choose 3 Credit(s). Courses may not be repeated in the program

Fundamental concepts of technical theatre; an overview of basic stagecraft, costuming, lighting, and sound in the contemporary theatre.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Introduction to theory and practice of construction techniques used in the theatre.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Theory and techniques in stage costume construction.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

The study of lighting technology and its effect on lighting design.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

The study of sound technology and its affect on sound design.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Foundations - Choose 9 Credit(s). May also choose any 2-credit Dance class

Instructs the student through a series of movement exercises in body alignment, breathing, flexibility, strength and coordination.

Prerequisites: Consent

Goal Areas: GE-11

The process of character structuring through script analysis and scene work.

Prerequisites: THEA 110 or consent

Study and exercise to prepare actors to sing for the musical theatre with the focus on competence and musicianship.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

The development of a repertoire of audition pieces to increase the ability to perform with confidence on short notice.

Prerequisites: THEA 110 or consent

Exploration of all aspects of theatrical stage management activities through specific theoretical and practical study.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to the concepts, process, and practices of theatrical scenic, lighting, and costume design including script analysis and historical overviews.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Fundamental concepts of technical theatre; an overview of basic stagecraft, costuming, lighting, and sound in the contemporary theatre.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Introduction to theory and practice of construction techniques used in the theatre.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Theory and techniques in stage costume construction.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Theory and practical laboratory work in stage makeup applications.

Prerequisites: Consent

The study of lighting technology and its effect on lighting design.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

The study of sound technology and its affect on sound design.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Advanced - Choose 15 Credit(s).

Exploration of a variety of improvisational techniques for beginning Dance Majors and Minors. May be repeated. Consent of instructor is required.

Prerequisites: Consent

Expanding knowledge and skill in dance partnering, with the emphasis on styles used in performance of theatre and musical theatre. May be repeated. Consent of instructor is required.

Prerequisites: Consent

Introduction to musical theatre performance techniques for the American Musical Theatre actor.

Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent

Study and exercises in vocal development emphasizing the demands of stage speech.

Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent

A study and practice of vocal dialects most often used in performance.

Prerequisites: THEA 413

Advanced scene studies with a focus on analysis and the varied approaches to developing motivations.

Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent

The development of individual performance craft and advanced acting methodologies.

Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent

Advanced scene studies in classical and stylized dramatic literature.

Prerequisites: THEA 210 or consent

Development of performance craft for the media.

Prerequisites: THEA 210 and consent

Exposes students to the functions of theatre managers through case studies, discussions, practical application and readings.

Prerequisites: THEA 235

Advanced studies in script analysis, actor psychology and staging techniques culminating in performance projects with critical analysis.

Prerequisites: THEA 235 and consent

Development of techniques and skills in the creation of scenery.

Prerequisites: THEA 240 or consent

Enhances the advanced theatre student's ability to show complex elements of a theatrical design in a clear manner using accepted theatrical drafting methods.

Prerequisites: Consent

Explores all facets of technical direction, construction techniques, and project management.

Prerequisites: THEA 255

Theory and techniques in costume design and execution.

Prerequisites: THEA 240 or consent

The study of lighting equipment, usage, techniques and stage lighting design.

Prerequisites: THEA 270

Production and sound effects, electronic sound reinforcement of live performance, choice and operation of sound equipment, as well as basic music styles and terminology.

Prerequisites: consent

Survey of the history of the American Musical Theatre from its origins to the present.

Prerequisites: THEA 100 and consent

This class teaches how to access historical information and present it to directors, actors, or designers in a way that will help them make informed and practical artistic choices.

Prerequisites: THEA 100 and consent

Writing the short and long play.

Prerequisites: THEA 100. Permission of instructor.

Acting Foundations - Choose 3 Credit(s). Choose Either Course

Performance scenes and exercises for the beginner.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Performance scenes and acting exercises for the beginning theatre major.

Prerequisites: Consent

Other Graduation Requirements

Choose 8 credit(s): take one series Language

Transfer Pathways

A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.

Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.

More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://mnsu.edu/pathways/about/

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Introduction to the theory and practice of directing for the theatre.

Prerequisites: THEA 100 and THEA 101 or THEA 110

Spring - 14 Credits

Survey of theatrical history from its origins to 1700.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Fourth Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Spring - 14 Credits

This course examines how all global performance styles and techniques influence each other. Focusing on the last 250 years, students will examine how performance practices from all around the world have merged (sometimes in a celebratory way, sometimes due to appropriation) to become the performing arts of today.

Prerequisites: THEA 100

Diverse Cultures: Purple

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