3560 Theatre

Programs Offered:

  1. Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Theatre
  2. Minor in Theatre

The BIS in theatre focuses on the history, theory and practice of creating live theatrical performance. Theatre courses are designed to promote the artistic development of students whose interests and talents will lead them to careers in theatre or allied arts, and to help students with other vocational interests to understand and appreciate the cultural heritage represented in drama and to improve their oral communication skills. The University Theatre and the Georgia State University Players afford majors practical experience through participation in productions. Credit for special projects and internships is available so students can take advantage of the expertise in the professional sector of the metropolitan area and to tailor programs to their specific career goals.

Program Admission

A 2.0 Georgia State University GPA is required in order to apply to the program. Application materials can be obtained from the Office of Academic Assistance, 418 General Classroom Building, 404/413-5000. Students should apply to the program by the time they have earned 42 credit hours to avoid a delay in graduation. Theatre faculty in the Department of Communication are available to advise for the BIS in Theatre degree.

Program Degree Requirements

Please refer to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies section 3030.30 of this catalog for academic regulations for this program.

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see section 3030) and the University Degree Requirements (see section 1400).

Courses used to fulfill the two Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) courses for each B.I.S. program will not count towards the rules of Area G — no more than three to four 3-4 credit hour courses (12 hours) from a single discipline — nor of Area H — no more than two 3-4 credit hour courses (6-8 hours) can be taken within a single discipline.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Theatre

Area F. Courses appropriate to the major (18)

These courses are required for all Theatre students, regardless of concentration.

  1. Required Courses (12)
  2. Select two courses. (6)
    (Be sure to take prerequisites for desired Allied Field courses if not already taken for Areas A-E)

Performance Studies Concentration

Area G. Area of Concentration – Performance Studies (27-28)

No more than three to four 3-4 credit hour courses (12 hours) can be taken within a single discipline.

  1. Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (6)
  2. Required Courses (12)
  3. Select three courses. (9-10)

Area H. Allied Field – Theory and Literature (15-16)

No more than two 3-4 credit hour courses (6-8 hours) can be taken within a single discipline.

  1. Required Course (4)
    Thea 4950 Production Seminar (4) (Note: this class may be repeated, under a different topic, under the Allied Field or as an elective)
  2. In consultation with faculty adviser, choose four courses with no more than a total of two in the allied field falling under the same department heading. Students are encouraged to select courses from African-American Studies, Communications, English, Theatre and Women's Studies.

Design & Production Concentration

Area G. Area of Concentration – Design & Production (31)

No more than three to four 3-4 credit hour courses (12 hours) can be taken within a single discipline.

  1. Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (6)
  2. Required Courses (15)
  3. Choose one (3)
  4. Select one course (3)

*Note: If ID 4250 or ID 4350 is chosen to fulfill this requirement, the degree program will be one hour short of the 27 hours required in the area of concentration; students wishing to take either of those courses should add an additional course (either a two or three-hour course from this menu of options).

Area H. Allied Field – Art and Design (15-18)

No more than two 3-4 credit hour courses (6-8 hours) can be taken within a single discipline.

  1. Required Course (4)
    Thea 4950 Production Seminar (4) (Note: this class may be repeated, under a different topic, under the Allied Field or as an elective)
  2. Choose four with no more than two total in the allied field falling under the same department heading: (11-14)

Area J. Electives (12)

Students need pre-requisites for studio arts courses. Electives would normally include Thea 4980, as an option.

Minor in Theatre

Theatre is both a respected art form whose roots reach back 4,000 years and a field of academic study whose practitioners have made major contributions to our understandings of art, culture, the social sciences, political activism, multicultural awareness and gender diversity. The minor in theatre can prepare students to incorporate theatre studies and production within a wide variety of career paths in such fields as education, filmmaking, journalism, literary studies and community service. In addition, Georgia State's theatre minors have gone on to advanced studies in theatre on the graduate level and professional careers as actors, directors, writers, designers and technicians.

Program Degree Requirements

Students who wish to minor in theatre must take 15-18 hours in Theatre, including at least nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Theatre minors are held to the same course prerequisite requirements as majors. Students taking more than 15 hours of courses in the field may count the additional hours toward their electives. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses counting toward the minor.