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Theatre Arts - Drama

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

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Theatre Arts - Drama


 Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre
College of Fine Arts and Communication
Department of Theatre and Dance
UW - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715) 346-4429
Email: Theatre@uwsp.edu


Theatre Department Webpage: http://www.uwsp.edu/theatre-dance/


Catalog page: http://www.uwsp.edu/news/uwspcatalog/Mdancetheatre.htm

 

You may earn a degree in:

Introduction
The UWSP Department of Theatre and Dance offers talented students with interests in performing, technical theatre, playwriting, design, dramaturgy and dramatic literature an opportunity to train in a university setting with distinguished faculty who have worked professionally as directors, playwrights, actors, and designers.

Why Study Drama at UWSP?

  • Multiple opportunities to perform, design, and tech exceptional productions
  • Opportunities to direct outside the classroom
  • Extensive use of CAD (computer-assisted design) in costume, scenery and lighting design
  • Professional, experienced, and dedicated faculty and staff
  • Regional and national reputation for quality of graduates

Admission and Scholarships
Admission to the department is by audition or interview. Prospective students must apply to the department as well as the university and be admitted to UWSP as full-time students before their assigned audition date. Auditions to determine the incoming freshman class are held in late February and early March. Requirements for the auditions or interviews along with the application can be found on-line at www.uwsp.edu/theatre-dance/ or by contacting the department office. Students pursuing a BFA in Acting or Musical Theatre will need to audition. Interviews are required for those pursuing a BFA in Design Technology or a BA/BA in Drama. Departmental scholarships are awarded on the basis of the audition or interview.

Curricular and Degree Options
As Theatre Arts - Drama majors, students pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. This 44-credit major allows the student to focus on acquiring a breadth of knowledge in theatre. Twenty-six of those credits are in general Theatre courses, including Introduction to Theatre Technology, Introduction to Acting or Fundamentals of Acting I, Introduction to Theatrical Design or Fundamentals of Acting II, Script Analysis, Theatre History, Directing, and Dance. Students who earn the BA or BS degree either directly enter the profession or pursue graduate degrees in specific areas of theatre study.

The 78-credit Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with a specialization in Acting, Design Technology, or Musical Theatre focuses student learning and knowledge in one of these three areas of study and is designed for those with specific professional theatre aspirations. The BFA is a pre-professional degree program designed to prepare students for direct entry into the professional theatre.

Performance Opportunities
Each year, the department produces five Mainstage shows (straight shows, musicals, and dance concerts) as well as a Studio Theatre season. UWSP Theatre and Dance productions offer students varied opportunities to practice skills learned in the classroom on stage as actors, designers, or technicians. Students also direct, choreograph, perform in, design and tech the shows produced by Players, the student-run theatre and dance organization. The faculty encourages new drama students to become involved in department activities from the moment they enter the program.

UWSP Theatre Arts - Drama Graduates at Work 

Production Stage Manager
York Theatre
New York

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Artistic Director
St. Croix Festival Theatre
St. Croix Falls, WI

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Co-founder of
Toy Box Theatre Co.
New York

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Playwright
20th Century Fox
Universal Studios
Disney
Touchstone Pictures
HBO

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Actor/Producer
Prairie Fire Theatre
Barrett, MN

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Associate Producer
Dream Works Interactive
Los Angeles, CA

Degree Requirements of BA/BS in Theatre Arts: Drama - 44 credits

  1. General Theatre Courses - 26 credits

    Course number and name

    Credits

    146 Intro to Theatre Technology 3
    149 or 172 Intro to Theatrical Design or Fundamentals of Acting II  3
    160 or 170 Intro to Acting or Fundamentals of Acting I 3
    162 Script Analysis 3
    351, 352, 452 Survey of Dramatic Literature and Theatre History I, II, IV 9
    375 Directing 3
    Dance One course from Dance 103 (Modern I), 105 (Ballet I), 112 (Theatre Dance & Tap I), 114 (Jazz I), or 212 (Theatre Dance & Tap II) 2

  2. Nine Credits selected from:
    241 Scene Design I
    242 Lighting Design I
    243 Costume Design I
    244 Makeup Design
    327 Fundamentals of Playwriting
    346 Stage Management
    490 Seminar in Theatre

  3. Approved Departmental Electives - 9 Credits
    Up to 3 elective credits may be from Theatre 226/426

  4. Practicum - 0/1 Credits per semester
    226-246 Practicum - Enroll in a practicum each semester. Practicum areas are scene shop, costume shop, deck run crew, costume run crew, publicity/public relations, design, performance, directing/choreography/management. Complete six different activities before repeating any.

Recommended First Year Class Schedule

First Semester Credits Second Semester Credits
English 101 or placement 3 General Degree Requirements 6
General Degree Requirements 6 Foreign Language 101 or placement 4
Theatre 146 3 Theatre 149 or 172 3
Theatre 160 or 170 3 Theatre 162 3
Theatre 226 1 Theatre 226 1
Total 16 Total 17

Foreign Language Substitution:
Students wishing to take a foreign language in their freshman year would substitute the language of choice for a Social Science or History option.

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