including Dance Studies, Musical Theatre Studies, and Shakespeare Studies

Theatre 108
541-552-6346
Director of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University:  David R. Humphrey, MUS 142

Chair of Theatre Arts Program (Academic):  Eric Levin

The Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University and the Theatre Arts program offers educational and practical experience in all areas of theatre, including acting, directing, costuming, stage scenery, lighting, sound, makeup, management, dramatic literature, and theatre history. Theatre arts majors participate in the department’s active and ambitious production program and experience the close working relationships that develop between faculty and students as they produce live theatre together.

Through its presentation of classic and contemporary dramatic works, the Theatre Arts program contributes significantly to the social and cultural enrichment of SOU and southern Oregon communities. Dedicated to creating opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in practical ways, the program not only supplies performance opportunities for students, but it also mounts productions that are often designed and predominantly executed by students.

The Theatre Arts program maintains a positive formal relationship with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). Adjunct faculty, guest artists, and lecturers from OSF enhance the program’s curriculum. Students of merit may be recommended for internship positions during their junior and senior years.

As an Oregon University System designated Center of Excellence in the Fine and Performing Arts, SOU aims to provide high-quality education within a framework of an intensive program of preprofessional training. Fundamental to this mission is making the living art of theatre an essential element of theatre students’ training. Learning in this program is a collaborative experience that encourages professional standards in the studio, the classroom, and the production experience.

Admission to the Theatre Program

The Theatre Arts Program has a limited annual enrollment based on a departmental application process. All students accepted into the major are selected by the Theatre faculty after the student has applied via the program’s online application. Only students who have completed the required essays, and provided other materials required by the application process are eligible for evaluation by the faculty. The faculty will select each year’s incoming class of freshmen and transfer students from the online applicants based on an evaluation of the student’s submitted materials. Successful applicants will be admitted as Theatre Majors. Applicants not selected to enter the major may still enroll in theatre courses open to non-majors and audition for departmental productions but will not be able to pursue a Theatre Degree or enroll in classes limited to Theatre Majors. However, applicants  not admitted as a theatre major may reapply for the following year without a delay in graduation.

Admission to the BFA Program

All students admitted to the BFA major must first be accepted as a BA or BS theatre major. Admission to the BFA program is by audition, interview, and/or resumé-portfolio presentation. Students may apply for admission to the BFA no earlier than the end of their sophomore year.  Students must consult their program advisor prior to applying for admission to the BFA program. For more information about audition/interview guidelines and dates, please contact the Theatre Arts office.

Shakespeare Studies Minor

A minor in Shakespeare Studies is offered. 

Teacher Licensing

Students who would like to teach theatre arts at the middle school or high school level in Oregon public schools must complete a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts before applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at SOU. Interested students should consult the Director of Theatre Education (Eric Levin) and the Education program regarding admission requirements for the MAT program.

Students must prepare in advance to increase their chances of acceptance into this competitive program. Practica, internships, and volunteer experiences working with children in the public schools prior to application to the MAT program are required.

Program Requirements

Programs

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

• •  Theatre Arts, BA or BS

Bachelor of Fine Arts

• •  Theatre Arts, BFA

Master of Theatre Studies

• •  Master of Theatre Studies in Production and Design

Minor

• •  Shakespeare Studies Minor

Courses

Theatre Arts

• •  TA 371 - Playwriting
• •  TA 381 - Acting IV: American Drama
• •  TA 382 - Acting V: Shakespeare
• •  TA 383 - Acting VI: Contemporary Performance
• •  TA 399 - Special Studies
• •  TA 400A - Theatre Capstone Workshop
• •  TA 400B - Capstone Experience
• •  TA 401 - Research
• •  TA 403 - Thesis
• •  TA 405 - Reading and Conference
• •  TA 407 - Seminar
• •  TA 408 - Workshop
• •  TA 409 - Practicum/Teaching Assistant
• •  TA 421 - Auditioning I
• •  TA 422 - Auditioning II
• •  TA 424 - Film Acting
• •  TA 425 - Advanced Film Acting
• •  TA 430 - The Art of Storytelling
• •  TA 434 - Theatre Business Management
• •  TA 436 - Topics in Shakespeare
• •  TA 439 - Oregon Shakespeare Festival Plays in Production
• •  TA 442 - Theatre Sound Design
• •  TA 443 - Scene Design Studio
• •  TA 444 - Advanced Stagecraft
• •  TA 445 - Lighting Design: Creating the Aesthetic
• •  TA 446 - Lighting Design: Technique and Implementation
• •  TA 453 - Topics in World Drama
• •  TA 454 - Advanced Directing
• •  TA 455 - Theatre Practice
• •  TA 458 - Topics in Drama
• •  TA 459 - Forms and Meaning of Drama
• •  TA 462 - Costume Design IV
• •  TA 463 - Costume Design V
• •  TA 484 - Computer Aided Design for Theatre
• •  TA 501 - Research
• •  TA 503 - Thesis
• •  TA 505 - Reading and Conference
• •  TA 507 - Seminar
• •  TA 508 - Workshop
• •  TA 509 - Practicum
• •  TA 521 - Principles of Production Analysis-Representational Theatre
• •  TA 522 - Principles of Production Analysis-Presentational Theatre
• •  TA 523 - Principles of Production Analysis-Musical Theatre
• •  TA 526 - Design Elements-Representational Theatre
• •  TA 527 - Design Elements-Presentational Theatre
• •  TA 528 - Design Elements-Musical Theatre
• •  TA 531 - Production Implementation-Representational Theatre
• •  TA 532 - Production Implementation-Presentational Theatre
• •  TA 533 - Production Implementation-Musical Theatre
• •  TA 534 - Theatre Business Management
• •  TA 536 - Topics in Shakespeare
• •  TA 541 - Practicum: Applied Technology-Representational Theatre
• •  TA 542 - Practicum: Applied Technology-Presentational Theatre
• •  TA 543 - Practicum: Applied Technology-Musical Theatre
• •  TA 545 - Lighting Design: Creating the Aesthetic
• •  TA 546 - Lighting Design: Technique and Implementation
• •  TA 558 - Topics in Drama
• •  TA 559 - Forms and Meaning of Drama