It is strongly suggested that students meet with the program advisor in advance of the year they plan to begin the theater major so they can be aware of future production opportunities and other options.
Courses required for your specific program are listed in the Course Requirements section below. Contact your advisor with questions concerning your degree plan. 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.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College or equivalent lower-division transfers. (Minimum of 12 lower-division credits)
- THTR 1131 Introduction to Theater
- THTR 1104 Introduction to Acting or
THTR 1160 Acting in Multicultural Theater or
THTR 2105 Introduction to Acting II
- THTR 1145 Stagecraft: Scene Design and Lighting
- THTR 1161-69 Theater Topics or
any elective THEA course available at Metropolitan State University
- THTR 2150 Script Analysis
Course requirements
Requirements (120 credits)
Metropolitan State University courses (minimum 22 upper-division credits)
THEA 441 Career Portfolio (1 credit) is being offered Fall 2018 as a one time deans approval.
This course uses full length play scripts, videos of plays and film adaptations to tour the rich traditions of the theater. Students are required to demonstrate reading knowledge of all plays on their individual reading/viewing list, through on line discussions, and the focused analysis of six short questions for each play read or seen. This class can be done at home or on site at the teaching center, and may be taken for a maximum of eight credits.
Full course description for Directed Readings in Theater
Choose one of the two courses below
Actor training can be life enhancing. In this class, advanced students are guided to discover, explore and develop their emotional, physical and psychological resources using varied acting exercises and techniques. Prerequisite: Acting II (MCTC) or equivalent (Screenwriting students exempt from prerequisites).
Full course description for Acting III
Art is in the becoming." In this class students move beyond a basic understanding of acting and toward a more complete connection between the role and the actor. A continuation of THEA 345 Acting III, students work further to develop the ability to sustain focus of attention, to concentrate energy and to deepen their understanding of character motivation and subtext. Students may have the opportunity to audition for directing class projects which rehearse outside of class time. This class may be taken twice for credit.
Full course description for Advanced Acting
Two credits of off stage production support are required for the major and minor.
Students enrolled in advanced acting/directing classes or working on season productions or special performance projects under faculty guidance may receive credit for rehearsal time spent out of the regular class period. Students cast in directing class scenes may also receive credit. Note: Students may take up to eight credits over time. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission if not enrolled in directing or advanced acting class.
Full course description for Production and Performance Laboratory
This course examines the ideas, individuals, institutions, and innovations that have contributed to the development of theater, from its precursors in the ancient world to the present day. Through the reading and viewing of seminal works, the essential elements of live theater - acting, directing, dramatic texts, design elements, performance space, and the audience - are explored with a focus on staging practices, aesthetics, and theatrical convention.
Full course description for The Evolution of Western Theater
Writing for the spoken word and for acting demands different skills than writing for the page. Develop your ear, your signature of voice, your sense of subtext. Through a variety of approaches, from improvisation to creative autobiography, students explore character, conflict and drama as metaphor. Writers with material they would like to explore or adapt for the stage are welcome. Expect to complete at least one short play.
Full course description for Playwriting I
This course is designed for theater majors exploring and preparing for their post-graduation careers. It will examine specific work environments; the value of attending graduate school or conservatory programs; and the role that internships, undergraduate research, and networking play in career development. In addition, this course will assess how to organize and manage an internship and job search, as well as how to construct strong resumes, cover letters, audition materials, and professional portfolios.
Full course description for Career and Portfolio Seminar
Learn to analyze script, work with actors, construct a prompt book, and use the director's tools to elevate the written script to dramatic action. Students initially explore the possibilities of realistic drama with the option in the second half, to move on to original creations, collaborations or other styles of theater. All work is under the guidance of a director, toward the evolution of the specific theater piece. This class may be taken twice for credit.
Full course description for Directing and Creating Theater
