Theater

The English Department offers a special major intended to provide institutional support and recognition to students who want to invest a significant part of their undergraduate careers in theatre and theatre related courses, and to furnish such students with credentials reflecting their work in theatre.

Major Requirements

A minimum of ten courses (amounting to at least 40 credit hours) in English and theatre courses are required.

One Survey Course

Students must take one of the following surveys:

  • ENGL 112: Classical and Scriptural Backgrounds
  • ENGL 113: British Literature I
  • ENGL 114: British Literature II
  • ENGL 115: Intro to American Literature
  • ENGL 116: Intro to African American Literature
Sixteen Credit Hours in Theater Production

Of the remaining courses, sixteen hours of credit must be in theatre production (either onstage or backstage). Each student must work on at least three productions serving in stage management or as an assistant director for at least one. Courses eligible in this section include:

  • THTR 110 (prev. ENGL 184): Theatre and Cultural Context—4 credits
  • THTR 220 (prev. ENGL 270): Advanced Production—4 credits
  • THTR 290 (prev. ENGL 292/293/294/295): Plays in Performance: Name of Play—4 credits
  • THTR 295 (prev. ENGL 296/297): Stage Management—4 credits
Eight Credit Hours in Theater Method/Performance

Students on the Theatre Track will also be required to take eight hours of credit in Theatre Method and/or Performance courses, choosing from the following:

  • THTR 100 (prev. ENGL 123): Playwriting—4 credits
  • THTR 121 (prev. ENGL 170): TechnicalTheatre—4 credits
  • THTR 123 (prev. ENGL 124): Intro to Lighting for the Stage—4 credits
  • THTR 124 (prev. ENGL 172): Intro to Sound for the Stage —4 credits
  • THTR 130 (prev. ENGL 154): Intro to Design for the Stage—2 credits
  • THTR 131-134 (prev. ENGL 178): Design for the Stage: Discipline (Scenery/Costumes/Lighting/Sound)—2 credits
  • THTR 140 (prev. ENGL 174): Acting I—4 credits
  • THTR 141 (prev. ENGL 279): Consent & Performance—2 credits
  • THTR 142 (prev. ENGL 145): Auditioning for Live Theatre and Film—2 credits 
  • THTR 143 (prev. ENGL 164): Improvisation—4 credits
  • THTR 144 (prev. ENGL 176): Movement for the Actor—4 credits
  • THTR 145 (prev. ENGL 177): The Actor’s Voice—4 credits
  • THTR 150 (prev. ENGL 142): Stage Combat—2 credits
  • THTR 151 (prev. ENGL 165): Acting Comedy—4 credits
  • THTR 152 (prev. ENGL 290): Acting for Camera—4 credits
  • THTR 153 (prev. ENGL 151): Acting with Objects: Puppetry—4 credits
  • THTR 180 (prev. ENGL 180): Directing—4 credits
  • THTR 200 (prev. ENGL 278): Advanced Playwriting--4 credits
  • THTR 221 (prev. ENGL 270): Advanced TechnicalTheatre—4 credits
  • THTR 223 (prev. ENGL 271) Advanced Lighting—4 credit
  • THTR 224 (prev. ENGL 271 Advanced Sound)—4 credit
  • THTR 240 (prev. ENGL 272): Acting II—4 credits
  • THTR 241 (prev. ENGL 273): Performing as Patients—4 credits
  • THTR 242 (prev. ENGL 291): Musical Theatre Performance—4 credits
  • THTR 260 (prev. ENGL 156): Topics in Theater—4 credits
  • THTR 270 Topics in Performance—4 credits
  • THTR 320 Consent Rocs—4 credits
  • THTR 360 (prev. ENGL 360): Special Projects: Theatre—4 credits
  • ENGL 252 Theatre in England—4 credits
Twelve Credit Hours in Literature

Finally, students on the Theatre Track must take 12 credit hours in dramatic literature, of which one of these courses must include literature before 1800*

  • ENGL 203 Medieval Drama*
  • ENGL 208 Renaissance Drama(Topics)*
  • ENGL 210 Shakespeare*
  • ENGL 217 Restoration and 18th Century Drama*
  • ENGL 235 Post 1800 Drama (Topics)

 

Other Courses

NOTES:
Other classes offered occasionally may also fulfill this requirement.

Not all classes are offered every year.

The following courses currently do not count towards the Track’s fulfillment:

  • THTR 120: Production Experience (prev. ENGL 126)
  • THTR 298: Performance Lab (prev. ENGL 298/299)
  • THTR 299: Stage Management Lab
  • THTR 392: Practicum: Advanced Stage Management (prev. ENGL 392)
  • THTR 354: Advanced Management Project

 

Additionally, students taking ENGL 394:Internships in English (with a theater focus), THTR 391: Independent Study, or ENGL 380:Advanced Seminar (Topic with a dramatic literature/theatrical focus) might also have those classes count toward the theater concentration.

Study abroad options in London and Bath that focus on dramatic or theatrical work may also count toward this concentration.

Other courses in the English department relating to drama and/or theater may be valid additions to this list. See the director of undergraduate studies for details. 

In cases where some courses are unavailable, students should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies for possible substitutions.

For further information, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies and/or the Artistic Director of the Theatre Program (nigel.maister@rochester.edu)