Theater Major BA
The theater program is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of and critical appreciation for the basic elements of theater, including acting, directing and playwriting. Among the hallmarks of the theater degree is an emphasis on students creating original works, allowing valuable insight into the creative process and its practical applications. Additionally, a study of the great traditions of theater and the development of skills can empower students toward their own clear and original voice, a valuable asset in any profession. The program also encourages the integration of theater skills and theory within other disciplines and individual studies.
Metropolitan State University employs a variety of resident faculty and local professional artists and organizations to offer a rich variety of perspectives. The program also encourages experiential internships with Twin Cities area theaters and offers credit for prior learning experience. A BA in theater is offered through university collaboration with the Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), where Metro's program is located, and classes are integrated from the existing curricula of the two institutions, but students may also enter Metro's upper division program with similar credits from other accredited programs.
Acceptance to the Program
To be eligible for acceptance to the Theater major, students must submit a College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form. Consult with an advisor before enrolling in courses toward the major.
Note: It is highly recommended that theater majors and minors take one of the following two courses before proceeding to the major or minor.
- THTR 1131 Introduction to Theater (MCTC) or
- THEA 321 Directed Readings in Theater (Metro)
Requirements (35-37 total credits)
Minneapolis Community and Technical College or equivalent lower-division transfers. (Maximum of 16 lower-division credits)
- THTR 1104 Introduction to Acting (3 credits) or
- THTR 1160 Multicultural Acting (3 credits) or
- THTR 2105 Introduction to Acting II (3 credits)
- THTR 2150 Theater History I (3 credits)
- THTR 1145 Stagecraft (3 credits)
- THTR 1161-69 Theater Topics (1-2 credits) or
- any THEA course available at Metropolitan State University (2-4 Metro credits)
- THTR 2145 Introduction to Directing (3 credits)
Metropolitan State University (Minimum of 22 upper-division credits)
Metropolitan State University courses are listed in suggested order.
- THEA 321 Directed Readings in Theater
- THEA 345 Acting III*
- THEA 351 Production/Performance Lab
- THEA 387 Theater History II
- THEA 400 Playwriting I
- THEA 540 Directing and Creating Theater*
*The required courses, THEA 345 and 540 include one credit of practicum each. The major and minor degree program requires a minimum of four practicum credits throughout the course of study. Students gain the additional two credits through THEA 351 Production/Performance Lab, where students work in a department shop (scenery, props, marketing, and costumes), or perform as actors, running crew, board operation, set-up strike crew, house management, etc. for the run of a production. A maximum of two of these credits may be in the area of performance/acting.
Electives
Theater majors are encouraged to enhance their degree programs by completing elective courses in some of the following areas: Shakespeare, creative writing, screenwriting, studio arts, music, experimental intermedia arts, media studies, literature and storytelling.
Recognizing that there may be transfer students from other two-year institutions, students should work with theater faculty advisors to make sure that equivalent classes can count toward the major.
