Theatre Arts Programs
Theatre Arts Programs Overview
The Theatre Arts program at Bowie State University offers the Bachelor of Science degree, with a choice of studies in Acting/Directing or Dance and Movement Studies; for non-majors, the program offers a minor in theatre arts or dance.
The rigorous program is designed to offer historical, theoretical and experiential studies in acting, directing, stagecraft, dance, children’s theatre, and the fundamentals of theatre research and scholarship, as students train in the traditional skills necessary for successfully entering professional theatre and for succeeding in graduate studies. The program includes continuous assessment and evaluation throughout a student’s matriculation, incorporated through auditioning for seasonal productions, receiving performance reviews in classes and related to production work, and ending with a capstone seminar course that requires the submission of a cumulative portfolio and performance related activities. A mid-point evaluation of potential success in the program is also included and usually occurs when approximately sixty credits are acquired. Taking advantage of the University’s location and the abundance of community and professional theatre in surrounding areas, the faculty encourages students to participate in off-campus as well as on-campus auditions, productions and applied theatre. Doing so is developing their personal visions of theatre and dance as dynamic and diverse cultural elements of any society.
Mission
The purpose of the Theatre Arts program is to offer a liberal study of the discipline and prepare students for successful entrance into various types of theatre or dance employment, as well as advanced academic study. Through mentorship, practical training, and academic rigor, the program produces graduates with a unique artistic vision, a strong work ethic, and an appreciation for theatre as a dynamic cultural force.
Program Goals
- Cultivate innovators and social justice practitioners in the performing arts through progressive academic theatre and dance studies.
- Build community connections and partnerships that support the program.
- Fostering artistic growth through academic rigor and the provision of professional opportunities.
- Develop students into artistic and civic leaders on and off campus in theatre, art and society.
Expected Student Outcomes and Competencies
Throughout the program of study and upon graduation, student should demonstrate the ability to
- analyze a variety of performance and dramatic texts
- synthesize and clearly articulate the collaborative work of theatre arts by connecting its
- history
- theories
- performance elements
- production processes
- dramatic literature
- technical areas (i.e., design, build, lighting, sound, dramaturgy)
- use of technology
- effectively utilize voice and body as an instrument of performance
- market self in the business of theatre and dance
- communicate orally, kinesthetically, and graphically the universality of theater and dance as global and cultural expressions of humans
Program Requirements
To successfully matriculate through and graduate from Theatre Arts, majors must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the basic requirements of the University, as published in its various documents, and demonstrate satisfactory growth within the program.
- Earn a minimum grade of “C” in courses taken in theatre and dance; otherwise, courses in question must be repeated.
- Throughout matriculation, develop a comprehensive portfolio, which will be evaluated at the end of 60 credits and again in the senior capstone seminar. You must pass the portfolio review to graduate.
- Fulfill all performance and crew assignments each semester, except where specific exemptions have been approved in advance (i.e., poor grades, lengthy illnesses, emergencies).
- During matriculation in the program, accrue a minimum of 120 hours (30 hours per semester for 4 semesters) in performance and technical crew work.
- Participate in at least three off-campus and four on campus auditions each year (winter and summer included).
- Annually attend departmental and outside events in the areas of visual art, music and dance. Evidence of such attendance and/or participation will be required in the portfolio.
- Take additional course or laboratory work in any area of study or competency where fundamental weaknesses may be found.
- Complete a Senior Capstone Project
Portfolio Reviews and Senior Capstone
- Sophomore/Junior Portfolio Assessment
This assessment is completed with an advisor at the midway point to graduation to ensure that a student is appropriately gathering evidence of participation in BSU Theatre auditions, involvement in BSU Theatre productions (120 hours of involvement is required before graduation), attendance and critical responses to theatrical/dance performances on and off campus, recorded performances and clips, photography from performances, creative and scholarly writing for theatre arts, generating theatrical/dance works; students must additionally show that they are building professional and auditioning materials such as headshots, resumes, and artist statements.
- Senior Portfolio Assessment
This assessment is incorporated within the Senior Seminar course required of Theatre Arts students and shall confirm complete evidence of the areas initially assessed at the Sophomore/Junior level. Materials in the portfolio should be organized for review and evaluation. We recommend that materials be gathered into a web-based format, such as a professional website, to make them useful for graduating students in their transition to their professional careers beyond the purposes of a cumulative review.
This project is incorporated within the Senior Seminar course required of Theatre Arts students and shall demonstrate a student’s mastery of completing a significant creative, performative, or scholarly project in Theatre Arts. Capstone projects require participating in proposal, planning, researching, and execution activities, which may vary depending on a student’s specific project, but which must meet the guidelines and expectations established in the Senior Seminar course.
Theatre Arts Program General Education and Institutional Requirements
Theatre Arts Core Requirements (36 Credits)
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