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Program of Study


All undergraduate theatre majors at the University of Georgia must complete a core of theatre courses designed to introduce the various facets of the field of theatre, in addition to UGA core and Franklin College Requirements. The major includes courses in acting, design, play analysis and theatre history. In addition, two courses at one semester hour each are “Applied Drama” courses (THEA 2040 and 2050) involving the student in the actual work of theatre in such areas as costuming, stagecraft, and box office and promotion. THEA 2500 is strongly recommended for the first semester, along with either 3500 or 3290, or THEA 3300/3330/3340/3350/3520 if possible. In planning their schedules, students should note that Acting I (THEA 3500) is a prerequisite for most upper division acting courses (which are major electives) and limited to theatre majors.

Up to date requirements for the degree can be found in the UGA Bulletin. During their first 60 credit hours, the student will work with a professional advisor in the office of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences (with few exceptions). Students may also contact the department's upper division Academic Advisor with specific questions about the major. Once they have  earned 60 total credit hours, they will be advised in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies and also be assigned a faculty mentor. Students with double majors should see their advisor in each major department every semester in order to receive complete advisement before registration.

MAJOR Courses Required for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre

Major courses in addition to Core Areas I-V, Franklin College Requirements, and University Requirements

Area VI (18 Hours)

8 hours in THEA: THEA 2500 (Theatre as Discipline and Profession), THEA 2040 (Applied Drama), THEA 2050 (Applied Drama), THEA 3290 or THEA 3291H (Script Analysis or Honors Script Analysis)

10 hours in 1000/2000/3000-level fine arts and humanities:

ARHIARTS, ARST, DANCMUSICLASCMLTENGLHISTPHILRELI.

Also allowed: ITAL 2500PTSP 2550ROML 2550SPAN 2550FILM 2120FILM(AFAM) 2130THEA 2060THEA 2110 or 2110E, THEA 2140, COMM 1110. (THEA 2000, 2100H, and 2010 may be substituted if taken before declaring a theatre major at UGA)

Note: If any of the courses in Area VI have been used to satisfy Areas II-V of the Core Curriculum, general electives may be taken here. (Refer to College-wide requirements when selecting general electives.)  

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

36-40 hours total (36 hours total for general major; areas of emphasis are 39-40 total hours).
Required Courses (21 hours)

THEA 3300 (3 hours) – Foundations of Entertainment Design

THEA 3500 (3 hours) – Foundations of Acting

THEA 4220 (3 hours) – Theatre and Society (offered in fall)

THEA 4210 (3 hours) – Theatre and Modernity (offered in spring)

THEA 5110 or THEA 5600 (3 hours) – Stage Management or Play Direction

Choose one (3 hours):

  • THEA 3330 – Costume Crafts               
  • THEA 3340 – Stagecraft
  • THEA 3350 –Lighting Technology
  • THEA 3520 – Makeup for the Performing Arts

Choose one (3 Hours):

  • THEA 4230  Theatre and Ritual
  • THEA 4280  Women in Performance
  • THEA 4300  Queer Theatre and Film
  • THEA 4400  Asian Theatre and Drama
  • THEA (AFAM) 4460   History of Dramatic Art: Special Topics (Study Abroad)
  • THEA (AFST) 4470   African Theatre
  • THEA 4480 (AFAM)  History of African-American Drama and Theatre
  • THEA 4500   The Broadway Musical and American Culture
  • THEA 4700   Dramaturgy
  • THEA 4800  Topics in History
Major Electives (15 -19 hours) Choose 5 three-hour FILM or THEA courses numbered 3000-level or above
OR Complete one of the areas of emphasis below.

Note:

  • No course will count toward the major unless it is earned with a grade of “C” or better. Note that a grade of “C-” does not satisfy this requirement.
  • Non-equivalent transfer courses will not satisfy the requirements for the major; all transfer theatre courses must be evaluated by the department if equivalent credit is to be offered. We accept no more than 15 equivalent transfer credits toward major requirements.
  • You may not count courses in electives or areas of emphasis that have been counted in the major requirements.
  • Franklin College requires in core Area IV study of a foreign language through the third semester or its equivalent.
  • STUDENTS CAN GET CREDIT FOR UNIVERSITY THEATRE SHOWS (acting, stage management, assistant directing, design, etc.) with THEA 5080. You can take up to three credit hours, and take the course twice. If you take three credit hours, that would count as a theatre major elective. You can get this credit during the semester you do the work or the semester immediately following. You can’t decide to take the credit a year later or more.
  • Once a student reaches 60 credit hours, they will need to be assigned a departmental advisor (see Dina Canup).
  • Check the UGA Bulletin http://bulletin.uga.edu for the most current UGA, Franklin College, and departmental requirements, and for most accurate course descriptions.

AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Acting (19 hours)

Required courses (15 hours):

  • THEA 5010   Scene Study (pre req 3500)

Choose four from the following:

  • THEA 5331   Shakespeare (pre req 3500, 5010)
  • THEA 5335   Shakespeare Practicum (permission of department)
  • THEA 5510   Physical Actor  (pre req 3500)
  • THEA 5530   Voice for the Actor (pre req 3500)
  • THEA 5500   Advanced Acting (pre req 3500, 5010) 
  • THEA 5550  Meisner Technique (pre req 3500 or permission of department)
  • THEA 5570   Acting on Camera (pre req 3500)
  • THEA 5080  Production Practicum (3 hours, for role in UGA Theatre production, permission of department) 
  • THEA 5880  Performance Topics (permission of department, depending on topic) may also be substituted

Elective (3 hours):  Choose one three-hour FILM or THEA course numbered 3000-level or above

Capstone Course (1 hour):

THEA 5053   Senior Seminar:  Audition preparation for graduating students for professional internship opportunities in ATL at Aurora Theatre, Actors Express, Georgia Ensemble, and more.

Design (19 hours)

Choose one of the following (3 hours):

  • THEA 5330   Costume Design
  • THEA 5351   Scenic Design
  • THEA 5352   Lighting Design

Choose four of the following (12 hours), if not taken in major requirements or above:

  • THEA 3330   Costume Crafts
  • THEA 3340   Stagecraft
  • THEA 3350   Lighting Technology
  • THEA 3520   Makeup for the Performing Arts
  • THEA 5110   Stage Management
  • THEA 5310   Technical Problems
  • THEA 5315   CAD, 2D, Drafting for Stage and Production Design
  • THEA 5320   CAD, 3D, Modeling and Visualization for Stage and Production Design
  • THEA 5330   Costume Design
  • THEA 5340   History of Costume and Adornment
  • THEA 5341   History of Architecture and Decoration
  • THEA 5351   Scenic Design
  • THEA 5352   Lighting Design
  • THEA 5372   Scenic Painting
  • THEA 5380   Design
  • THEA 5381   Entertainment Technology and Skills: Metals and Plastics
  • THEA 5382   Entertainment Technology and Skills: Rigging, Facilities, and Safety
  • THEA 5383   Management and Production for Theatre
  • THEA 5480   Topics in Design
  • THEA 5730   Advanced Costume Design
  • THEA 5732   Cutting and Draping Patterns for Costuming
  • THEA 5733   Millinery
  • THEA 5734   Stage and Screen Fabric Modification
  • THEA 5751   Advanced Scenic Design
  • THEA 5752   Advanced Lighting Design
  • THEA 5756   Automated Lighting and Visualization
  • THEA 5757   Lighting for Non-Traditional Events
  • THEA 5758   Architectural and Themed Lighting
  • THEA 5880   Sound Effects for Stage and Screen

Elective (3 hours):  Choose one three-hour FILM or THEA course numbered 3000-level or above

Capstone (1 hour): THEA 5970   Design Portfolio

Directing/Stage Management (19 hours)

Required (6 hours):

THEA 5600   Play Direction  OR  THEA 5110 Stage Management (take the course you have not already taken for the major requirement)

THEA 5080    Production Practicum (3 hours minimum credit) for assignment as AD, SM or ASM on a mainstage UGA Theatre production.  (Course repeatable for 1-6 hours, only need 3 hours to meet the requirement).

Additional courses (9 hours total):

Choose one (3 hours):

  • THEA 3340 Stagecraft (if not taken in major requirements)
  • THEA 5010   Scene Study
  • THEA 5565   Meisner
  • THEA 5570   Acting on Camera

Choose two (6 hours):

  • THEA 4700   Dramaturgy
  • THEA 5351   Scene Design
  • THEA 5610   Play Direction Lab
  • FILM 5640    Directing for the Cinema
  • THEA 5630   Producing the New Script
  • FILM 4480    Introduction to DV Production
  • THEA 5710S Community-based theatre

Elective (3 hours):  Choose one three-hour FILM or THEA course numbered 3000-level or above

Capstone (1 hour): THEA 5053   Senior Seminar:  Direction or Stage Management of a Showcase project which has an advisor in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

Dramatic Media (19 hours)

Choose five from the following courses (15 hours):

  • FILM 4680   Introduction to DV Production    
  • FILM 5640   Directing for the Cinema   
  • THEA 5310   Technical Problems (Repeatable for maximum 6 hours credit)  
  • THEA 5700   Internship in Theatre/Film/Animation  (Repeatable for maximum 6 hours credit)
  • THEA 5780   Topics in Computer Technology (Repeatable for maximum 9 hours credit) 
  • THEA 5810   Computer Animation for Dramatic Media I  
  • THEA 5820   Computer Animation for Dramatic Media II   
  • THEA 5830   Computer Animation for Dramatic Media III   
  • THEA 5840   Technical Animation with Computers  
  • THEA 5850   Motion Capture for Animation and Media


  • THEA 5860   Interactive Media as Drama I

  • THEA 5870   Interactive Multimedia and Live Performance  
  • THEA 5861   Interactive Media as Drama II
  • THEA 5880   Sound Effects for Stage and
  • THEA ****   Visual Narrative
  • THEA ****   Intro to 2D Animation

Elective (3 hours):  Choose one three-hour FILM or THEA course numbered 3000-level or above

Capstone course (1 Hour): THEA 5590   Special Projects in Drama.  Final Semester Project

Dramatic Writing (18 hours)

Required Courses (9 hours):

  • THEA 3020   Basic Dramatic Writing
  • THEA 4000   Dramatic Writing 1
  • THEA 4700   Dramaturgy

Choose one (3 hours):

  • THEA 5620   Dramatic Writing 2
  • THEA 5680   Topics in Dramatic Writing

Elective (3 hours):  Choose one three-hour FILM or THEA course numbered 3000-level or above

Capstone (3 hours): THEA 5630   Producing the New Script

Theatre Theory and History (18 hours)

Choose four (12 hours) not already taken, up to two of which may be FILM courses:

  • THEA 4230  Theatre and Ritual
  • THEA 4280  Women in Performance
  • THEA 4300  Queer Theatre and Film
  • THEA 4400  Asian Theatre and Drama
  • THEA (AFAM) 4460  History of Dramatic Art: Special Topics (Study Abroad)
  • THEA (AFST) 4470  African Theatre
  • THEA (AFAM) 4480  History of African American Drama and Theatre
  • THEA 4500   The Broadway Musical and American Culture
  • THEA 4700  Dramaturgy
  • THEA 4800  Topics in History
  • THEA 4***  Latin American and Caribbean Theatre
  • THEA 5710S  Community-based Theatre
  • FILM 4250  History of Cinema I
  • FILM 4260  History of Cinema II
  • FILM 4600  Women and Film
  • FILM 4620  Genre Cinema
  • FILM 4640 (+4640I)  Latin American Film and Media
  • FILM 4750  French Film History
  • FILM 4660  History of Animation
  • FILM 4670  Film Technology and Style
  • FILM 5481  Topics in Cinema 
  • FILM 5900  Film Theory

Elective (3 hours):  Choose one three-hour FILM or THEA course numbered 3000-level or above

Capstone (3 hours)  Choose one: THEA 4960 (3 credits), THEA 4970H (3 credits), THEA 4980H (3 credits)

Additional Notes

In place of graduation checks, students apply to graduate. They can do this up to two semesters ahead; for example, in spring, they can apply for fall. This triggers the graduation advising office to check to see if they have missing requirements or are on track. 

Applying for Graduation

Students should apply to graduate as soon as they are able so that they can make any schedule adjustments that seem prudent. https://osas.franklin.uga.edu/graduation-certification-office 

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THEATRE MAJORS DECLARED BEFORE FALL 2019:

Course Title Credit Hours
THEA 2000 OR 2500

Drama Appreciation (Counted in area 6) OR

Theatre as Discipline and Profession (preferred course; offered starting fall 2019; counted in area 6)

3
THEA 2040 Applied Drama Laboratory (Counted in area 6) - crew assignments for UGA Theatre shows (see Michael O'Connell in Scene Shop) 1
THEA 2050 Applied Drama Laboratory (Counted in area 6) - crew assignments for UGA Theatre shows (see Michael O'Connell in Scene Shop) 1
THEA 3300 Foundations of Performance Design 3
THEA 3500 Acting I: Foundations of Acting 3
THEA 3290 OR 3291H Script Analysis 3
THEA 4210 Theatre and Modernity 3
THEA 4220 Theatre and Society 3
THEA 4230, 4280, 4300, 4400, 4460, 4470, 4480, 4500, 4700, OR 4800  Choose One Additional Theatre History/Lit Course 3
THEA 5110 OR 5600 Stage Management OR Play Direction 3
THEA 5053 Senior Seminar 1
Choose Any five three-hour THEA courses numbered 3000-level or above 15
TOTAL HOURS (not counting Area 6) 37

Area VI Requirements

  • Five hours in THEA: THEA 2000 OR 2500, 2500, or THEA 2100H, THEA 2040, THEA 2050 (also listed above)
  • Six hours in the humanities: choose two 1000/2000-level 3-hour courses from CLAS, CMLT, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, RELI. Also allowed: ITAL 2500, PTSP 2550, ROML 2550, SPAN 2550.
  • Seven hours in 1000/2000-level fine arts: ARHI, ARST, ARTS, DANC, MUSI. Also allowed: COMM 1110, FILM 2120, FILM(AFAM) 2130, THEA 2060, THEA 2110, THEA 2140. THEA 2010 is allowable if taken before declaring the theatre major at UGA.

If any of the courses in Area VI have been used to satisfy Areas II-V of the Core Curriculum, general electives may be taken here. Refer to College-wide requirements when selecting general electives.

 

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