Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies

Theatre Studies Faculty

Todd Dicken, M.F.A.
Bliss Hall 1026
Phone: 330.941.1857
E-mail: twdicken@ysu.edu

Katherine Garlick, M.F.A.
Bliss Hall 1016
Phone: 330.941.1852
E-mail: kngarlick@ysu.edu


Theatre Studies

YSU’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Studies is a professional and flexible course of study that combines a major emphasis in theatre grounded in theory and practice with a traditional liberal arts education. The comprehensive curriculum offers courses in acting, directing, stage management and production, design technology, film studies, video production, and playwriting. The curriculum allows students to explore the world of professional theatre from multiple perspectives and to augment their studies with minor coursework in a field of their choice (e.g., Graphic + Interactive Design, Audio Engineering, Business). Students may pursue a multi-faceted curriculum or choose an established emphasis within the B.A. Theatre Studies, which includes Acting/Directing or Tech/Design. Or, students may choose to enroll in the separate Film/Video Studies Track.

Acting/Directing and Tech/Design are areas of emphasis within the B.A. Theatre Studies program. Students may follow an established course of study that more closely follows either one or they are able to combine interests through the flexibility that the liberal arts degree offers.

Film/Video is a Track of the B.A. in Theatre Studies with its own dedicated curriculum that prepares students for careers as film makers, video game designers, videographers, and more in a variety of industries. Students learn actively through multiple experiences with filming production and editing. These highly engaged internship opportunities augment a creative and progressive curriculum.

Our alumni may be seen regionally, nationally, and internationally across the theatre and entertainment industries. Our graduates are found on stage and screen—from Tony Award-winning Hadestown to Days of Our Lives—and receiving nominations and awards from The Tony's to The GRAMMYS®. Our dynamic programs also empower our alumni to become successful directors, designers, choreographers, and more at the national level, including the Great Lakes Theatre Festival and similar festivals. University Theatre degrees and programs will prepare you for success in the theatre industries no matter the path you choose.


University Theatre Contact Information

To learn more about our degree programs, scholarships, performances, faculty, and students, contact the University Theatre Office at 330.941.3810. To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu. We would love to learn about your interests, talk with you about our programs, and become an important part of your future. 

Dr. Joseph Carucci, Director 
jwcarucci@ysu.edu
330.941.1439

Grade of "C" or better is required for all major and minor courses. Courses cannot be taken "CR/NC".

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or SS 1500 Strong Start Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
General Education Requirements
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Mathematics Requirement3
Art and Humanities (2 courses) Included in Major0
Natural Science (2 courses, 1 with lab)7
Social Science (2 courses)6
Social and Personal Awareness (2 courses)6
Foreign Language Requirement
FNLG 1550Elementary Foreign Language4
FNLG 2600Intermediate Foreign Language4
Major Requirements
THTR 1512Survey of Broadway: The American Musical *Art and Humanities Requirement3
THTR 1559Production Design for Stage and Screen3
THTR 1560Introduction to Theatre *Art and Humanities Requirement3
THTR 1561Stagecraft3
THTR 1563Costume Construction and Craft3
THTR 1585Acting 1: Fundamentals3
THTR 2600Theatre Participation (must be repeated 3 times for a total of 3 s.h.)3
THTR 2640Theatre History3
THTR 2661Introduction to Stage Management3
THTR 3700Theatre Participation 2 (must be repeated four times for a total of 4 s.h.)4
THTR 3701Professional Preparation3
THTR 3768Script Analysis for Stage and Screen3
THTR 4898Senior Project3
Theatre Electives: Select 24 s.h. (21 s.h. must be 3700 or above)24
Movement Elective1
Select One (DNCE 1540, DNCE 1570, DNCE 1571, DNCE 1572, KSS 1514, KSS 1550, KSS 1552)
Minor (15 s.h. total, 4 s.h. of which must by 2600 or above, 6 s.h. of which must be 3700 or above)15
Total Semester Hours120-122
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
THTR 1559 Production Design for Stage and Screen 3
THTR 1560 Introduction to Theatre 3
THTR 1585 Acting 1: Fundamentals 3
THTR 2600 Theatre Participation 1
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Strong Start Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
 Semester Hours14-16
Spring
THTR 1561 Stagecraft 3
THTR 2600 Theatre Participation 1
Minor Course 3
Minor Course 3
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
Mathematics Requirement 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 2
Fall
THTR 1563 Costume Construction and Craft 3
THTR 2600 Theatre Participation 1
THTR 3768 Script Analysis for Stage and Screen 3
Minor Course 3
FNLG 1550 Elementary Foreign Language 4
Social Science GER 3
 Semester Hours17
Spring
THTR 2640 Theatre History 3
THTR 3700 Theatre Participation 2 1
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
FNLG 2600 Intermediate Foreign Language 4
 Semester Hours14
Year 3
Fall
THTR 2661 Introduction to Stage Management 3
THTR 3700 Theatre Participation 2 1
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
Minor Course 3
Social and Personal Awareness GER 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
THTR 3700 Theatre Participation 2 1
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
Natural Science with Lab GER 4
Social Science GER 3
 Semester Hours14
Year 4
Fall
THTR 1512 Survey of Broadway: The American Musical 3
THTR 3700 Theatre Participation 2 1
THTR 3701 Professional Preparation 3
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
Movement Elective 1
Natural Science GER 3
 Semester Hours14
Spring
THTR 4898 Senior Project 3
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
Select 1 Theatre Elective 3
Minor Course 3
Social and Personal Awareness GER 3
 Semester Hours15
 Total Semester Hours120-122

Learning Outcomes

  1. Public Performances – Students will competently create and present public theatre events, either as a performers, designers or technicians .
  2. Knowledge of History and Cultural Dimensions:  Students will explain the history and cultural influences of and upon the institution of theatre throughout the ages.
  3. Informed Assessments of Quality:  Students will critically evaluate works of theatre.
  4. Critical Thinking:  Students will define a desired goal in creating a work of theatre and devise a plan to achieve that goal.