Undergraduate Degree & Course Catalog
2016-17

Theatre - Degrees & Policies

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate: BA, BFA, Minor
Concentrations: Performance (BFA), Design/Technology (BFA)

Advisement

First-semester students are required to meet with the departmental academic advisor.

SUNY Seamless Transfer Path

SUNY Seamless Transfer is a SUNY-wide program intended to make transferring to UB and other SUNY Schools simple and efficient for SUNY students. SUNY has defined courses that SUNY students can take before transferring which will apply to the major at UB and ensure timely graduation.

Information about the Transfer Path for this major can be found on the SUNY Website.

Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor or department to discuss how their coursework will apply to their degree.

Theatre - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum grade of C+ in all required courses.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.

Prerequisite Courses

TH 101 Introduction to Theatre
TH 106 Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 108 Basic Acting I
TH 135 or TH 136 Practicum
TH 203 Visual Imagination

Required Courses

TH 201 Script Analysis
TH 301 Theatre History 1
TH 302 Theatre History 2
One design course:
TH 303 Scene Design, OR TH 306 Costume Design, OR TH 332 Lighting Design I
A total of 24 additional credits to include the following:
-Two dramatic literature courses (min. 6 credits)
-Courses in one area of concentration: acting, directing, dramaturgy, design/tech, or dramatic literature and writing (min. 9 credits)
-At least 15 credits should be taken at 300-level or above
-Two 200/300-level TH practicums

Undergraduate Credit Requirements Chart
Credits Required for Major 63
Additional Credits Required for UB Curriculum 40
Additional Credits Required for Electives 17
Total Credits Required for Degree 120

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (UB Curriculum) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Performance and production opportunities are available in each semester. Please note that schedule does not include performance/production credits.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge to:
  • Identify major figures and events from theatre history, theory and criticism;
  • Define and use appropriate critical vocabulary of theatre arts, including script analysis, acting, and design terminology
  • Critically read, interpret, and evaluate a range of representative plays and situate representative plays and performance events within larger cultural and historical movements
  • Construct and articulate in speech and writing a compelling thesis about theatre history, literature, or theory using acquired research skills and critical vocabulary;
  • Integrate the concerns of actors, directors, and designers into a collaborative creative process, both in the creation of extant plays and original work;
  • Demonstrate the ability to conceive and execute an original performance, either solo or in a collaborative process.

Electives and Course Groupings

TH 107 Costume Construction
TH 205 Drafting
TH 208 Method Acting
TH 212 Improv for Storytellers
TH 220 Performing America (Gen. Ed requirement- Diversity Learning)
TH 227 Voice I
TH 230 Theatre Crafts
TH 300 Stage Management
TH 303 Scene Design
TH 306 Costume Design
TH 314 Introduction to Dramaturgy
TH 315 Modern Theatre I
TH 316 Modern Theatre II
TH 325 Performance and the Critic
TH 331 Problems in Technical Theatre
TH 332 Lighting Design
TH 341 Theatre Studio
TH 342 Theatre Studio
TH 343 Theatre Studio
TH 349 Technical Studio
TH 370 Age of Shakespeare
TH 401 Directing 1
TH 402 Directing 2
TH 403 Scene Design 2
TH 406 Costume Design 2
TH 411 Theatre Workshop
TH 412 Theatre Workshop
TH 413 Theatre Workshop
TH 415 Advanced Dramaturgy
TH 421 Devised Theatre
TH 425 Media and Performance
TH 433 Lighting Design 2
TH 439 Design Seminar
TH 466 Women in Theatre
TH 468 Sources of Modern Theatre (theories of acting, directing, and design)
TH 477 Production Dramaturgy
TH 482 - TH 489 Major Figures

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

View the Curricular Plan for the Theatre BA which is a recommended sequence of courses to help achieve this degree in five years.

Theatre Performance - B.F.A.

Acceptance Criteria

Audition and acceptance into the University
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum grade of C+ in all required courses
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses
Letter of intent
Interview with program director at the end of the first year

Prerequisite Courses

TH 101 Introduction to Theatre
TH 106 Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 108 Basic Acting I
TH 109 Basic Acting II
TH 135 or TH 136 Practicum
TH 203 Visual Imagination

Required Courses

MTR 220 Beginning Musical Theatre Dance
TH 208 Method Acting I
TH 209 Method Acting II
TH 227 Voice Training I
TH 228 Voice Training II
TH 301 Theatre History 1
TH 302 Theatre History 2
TH 308 Poetic Text
TH 309 Acting Shakespeare
TH 401 Directing 1
TH 408 Audition Techniques
TH 409 Mime/Movement for Actors
THD 213 Ballet 1
THD 263 Jazz 1
THD 381 Social Dance
One design course (choose from TH 303 Scene Design I, TH 306 Costume Design I, or TH 332 Lighting Design I)

Three 200/300-level TH practicums

Two dramatic literature courses

Three studio-performance courses

Choose TWO performance-based courses from the following:
TH 411, 412, 413, 414 Theatre Workshop
TH 420 Intro to Lloyd Richards
TH 427 Voice & Movement
TH 460 Asian Performing Arts
TH 478 Arthur Miller
TH 480 Shakespeare On Stage
TH 481 Irish Dramatists
TH 482 Chekhov
TH 483 Ibsen

Undergraduate Credit Requirements Chart
Credits Required for Major 85
Additional Credits Required for UB Curriculum 40
Additional Credits Required for Electives 0
Total Credits Required for Degree 125

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (UB Curriculum) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Placement in performance courses is based on auditions.
Performance and production opportunities are available in each semester. Please note that schedule does not include performance/production credits.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge to:
  • Achieve a visceral as well as theoretical comprehension of the technical, academic and creative skill-sets requisite to securing employment at the beginning levels of the acting profession, and acceptance into recognized MFA graduate programs
  • Employ their experience in the creative research laboratory process to analyze, synthesize and evaluate the application of practical skills to conceptual theatrical phenomena
  • Collaborate successfully in the creation of innovative and interdisciplinary projects and experimental initiatives
  • Assimilate a broad knowledge of the history, and development of contemporary methodologies of acting and performance techniques
  • Utilize problem-solving skills and apply critical thinking in the exploration of analytical and experiential solutions to problems and challenges in Theatre Performance

Electives and Course Groupings

Dramatic Literature Courses
TH 220 Performing America
TH 314 Introduction to Dramaturgy
TH 315 Modern Theatre I
TH 316 Modern Theatre II
TH 325 Performance and the Critic II
TH 370 Age of Shakespeare
TH 425 Media and Performance
TH 466 Women in Theatre
TH 468 Sources of Modern Theatre
TH 482 - TH 489 Major Figures

Electives
TH 402 Directing 2
TH 485 Playwriting Workshop
THD 214 Ballet 2
THD 264 Jazz Dance 2

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

View the Finish in Four Curricular Plan for the Theatre Performance BFA which is a recommended sequence of courses to help achieve this degree in four years.

Theatre Design/Technology - B.F.A.

Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance into the University
Interview and portfolio review
Letter of Intent
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum grade of C+ in all required courses
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses

Prerequisite Courses

TH 101 Introduction to Theatre
TH 106 Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 108 Basic Acting I
TH 135 or TH 136 Practicum
TH 203 Visual Imagination

Required Courses

TH 107 Costume Construction
TH 201 Script Analysis
TH 205 Drafting
TH 230 Theatre Crafts
TH 300 Stage Management
TH 301 Theatre History 1
TH 302 Theatre History 2
TH 303 Scene Design
TH 306 Costume Design
TH 331 Problems in Tech Theatre
TH 332 Lighting Design
Four 200/300-level TH practicums

Two courses form the following: TH 403 Scene Design 2, TH 406 Costume Design 2, TH 433 Lighting Design 2, TH 440 Study in Design or Technology, TH 496 Arts Management Internship

Two Dramatic Literature Courses

Two of the Following: TH 409 Mime/Movement for Actors, THD 381 Social Dance, THD 400 Creative Movement or TH 416 Mask

TH 401 Directing 1 or TH 485 Playwriting Workshop
TH 349 Technical Studio
TH 390 Design Resources
TH 439 Studies in Design or Technology

Three courses from the same department other than Theatre & Dance

Undergraduate Credit Requirements Chart
Credits Required for Major 77
Additional Credits Required for UB Curriculum 40
Additional Credits Required for Electives 5
Total Credits Required for Degree 125

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (UB Curriculum) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

Scenographic Practice
(Theatrical Design: Costumes, light, projection, sets, and sound)
  • Visual Imagination - Simultaneity of analytical and abstract thinking used to produce art in response to a text. Fearlessness in artistic expression based on ability to clearly articulate a design concept
  • Graphic Communication Clarity of design ideas expressed through visuals: drafts, renderings, and models, light plots, etc.
  • Research Methods - Period Styles; Use of resources (print & digital) effectively to support a design idea
Theatrical Production
(Fabrication and Engineering of Elements and Systems for the Stage)
  • Materiality
  • Craftsmanship
  • Ability to move the theoretical to reality multiple solutions to a technical problem are explored
  • Identifying high and low tech solutions to design problems, and knowing the value of one over the other
  • Understandings the role of aesthetics in the engineering of clothes and scenery, appreciating the importance of function (as in physical requirements) and appearance (as to appropriately communicate a design idea to an audience)
Organization and Time Management
  • Ability to bring thought to action
  • Interpersonal dynamics: ability to listen and be heard
  • Situation assessment and ability to formulate questions
  • Supporting an ensemble and honoring the importance of the individual (essential cog in the production engine)
  • Ability to create a prompt book, show bible, working drawings, and signal paths
Collaboration
Establishing good working relationships such as:
  • Between director/choreographer and design team in the creation of an original staged work
  • Between the performer, space, sound and light in order to convey theme/story/idea
  • Between designer and technician (a shop)
  • Working outside your comfort zone; ability to dovetail your thinking to someone else's point of view
  • Visual storytelling
Production Theory & Protocol
  • Industry standards as set forth by: Actors' Equity Association, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, League of Resident Theatres, United Scenic Artists, the United States Institute for Theatre Technologies, Broadway and National Tours
  • Observation learning as industry professionals cross-pollinate with students in lab environments

Electives and Course Groupings

Dramatic Literature Courses
TH 220 Performing America (Gen. Ed requirement - Diversity Learning)
TH 314 Introduction to Dramaturgy
TH 315 Modern Theatre I
TH 316 Modern Theatre II
TH 325 Performance and the Critic
TH 370 Age of Shakespeare
TH 412 Devised Theatre Workshop
TH 415 Advanced Dramaturgy
TH 425 Media and Performance
TH 466 Women in Theatre
TH 468 Sources of Modern Theatre (theories of acting, directing, and design)
TH 477 Production Dramaturgy
TH 482 - TH 489 Major Figures

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

View the Curricular Plan for the Theatre Design/Technology BFA which is a recommended sequence of courses to help achieve this degree in four years.

Theatre - Minor

Required Courses

TH 101 Introduction to Theatre
TH 106 Introduction to Technical Theatre and TH 135 or TH 136 Practicum
TH 108 Basic Acting I
One 300/400-level theatre history and/or literature course
Minimum of 9 further credit hours at the 200/300 level, none of which may be studios or independent studies

Minor Credit Requirements Chart
Total Credits Required for Minor/Certificate 22

Minors and certificates must be completed in conjunction with a major and all university degree requirements must be met.

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

Last updated: February 22 2022 21:08:39