The Department of Theatre offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts that may be entered into during the third year. All freshman and transfer students entering the department are initially classified as Theatre Foundation students. After successfully completing the first two years of core theatre courses in their foundation areas of emphasis, students apply for admission to a specific degree program (B.F.A. or B.A.). In the B.F.A. students concentrate on areas in performance, including musical theatre, and stage management, as well as three areas of design/technology: scenic, lighting and costume. (See the individual concentration pages for curricular outlines.) Note: Entry into the musical theatre foundation program requires a change of major form.

Student participation in both credit- and noncredit-bearing department activities may be required. Students matriculating in School of the Arts degree programs are bound by the policies and procedures stipulated in this bulletin and in any other current handbook or policy document adopted by the individual programs.

Because of the environment that exists in these preprofessional programs, all aspects of theatre as art, craft, business and education are experienced together. The curriculum immerses students in the practicalities of theatre. Throughout the four years, the performer works daily with voice, body and imagination, while the designer/technician is involved in studio classes and practical application.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

  • Demonstrate skills and techniques needed to enter the profession as a costume designer/technician
  • Demonstrate knowledge of history, theory and literature and their practical application
 
 

Degree requirements for Theatre, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a concentration in costume design/technical production

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.30
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
THEA 100Technical Production1
THEA 111Fundamentals of Performance3
THEA 112Fundamentals of Theatrical Design3
THEA 211Introduction to Drama3
THEA 251Rehearsal and Performance I3
THEA 307History of the Theatre3
THEA 308History of the Theatre3
THEA 385Diverse Voices3
THEA 495Senior Project: Portfolio Review1
• Additional major requirements
THEA 103Stagecraft3
THEA 104Costume Construction3
THEA 105Advanced Costume Construction3
THEA 161Figure Drawing: Superficial Anatomy2
THEA 162Figure Drawing: Draping the Human Form2
THEA 227Introduction to Theatrical Makeup3
THEA 228Introduction to Costume Design3
THEA 261Figure Drawing: Media and Technique2
THEA 262Figure Drawing: Advanced Media and Technique2
THEA 309History of Costumes3
THEA 310History of Costumes3
THEA 321Costume Design Studio I3
or THEA 439 Advanced Patterning Techniques I
THEA 322Costume Design Studio II3
or THEA 442 Advanced Patterning Techniques II
THEA 329Patternmaking for the Theatre3
THEA 332Draping for the Theatre3
THEA 351Rehearsal and Performance3
THEA 368Rendering Techniques2
THEA 421Advanced Costume Design Studio I3
or THEA 469 Advanced Patterning Techniques III
THEA 422Advanced Costume Design Studio II3
or THEA 470 Advanced Patterning Techniques IV
THEA 451Rehearsal and Performance3
Ancillary requirements
Directed design electives6
Open electives
Select any course.6
Total Hours120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
THEA 104 Costume Construction 3
THEA 112 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design 3
THEA 161 Figure Drawing: Superficial Anatomy 2
THEA 211 Introduction to Drama 3
UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 17
Spring semester
THEA 100 Technical Production 1
THEA 103 Stagecraft 3
THEA 105 Advanced Costume Construction 3
THEA 111 Fundamentals of Performance 3
THEA 162 Figure Drawing: Draping the Human Form 2
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 18
Sophomore year
Fall semester
THEA 227 Introduction to Theatrical Makeup 3
THEA 251 Rehearsal and Performance I 3
THEA 261 Figure Drawing: Media and Technique 2
THEA 309 History of Costumes 3
THEA 329 Patternmaking for the Theatre 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 17
Spring semester
THEA 228 Introduction to Costume Design 3
THEA 262 Figure Drawing: Advanced Media and Technique 2
THEA 310 History of Costumes 3
THEA 332 Draping for the Theatre 3
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 17
Junior year
Fall semester
THEA 307 History of the Theatre 3
THEA 321
Costume Design Studio I
or Advanced Patterning Techniques I
3
THEA 351 Rehearsal and Performance 3
THEA 385 Diverse Voices 3
 Term Hours: 12
Spring semester
THEA 308 History of the Theatre 3
THEA 322
Costume Design Studio II
or Advanced Patterning Techniques II
3
THEA 368 Rendering Techniques 2
Directed design elective 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 14
Senior year
Fall semester
THEA 421
Advanced Costume Design Studio I
or Advanced Patterning Techniques III
3
General education course 3
General education course 3
Open electives 3
 Term Hours: 12
Spring semester
THEA 422
Advanced Costume Design Studio II
or Advanced Patterning Techniques IV
3
THEA 451 Rehearsal and Performance 3
THEA 495 Senior Project: Portfolio Review 1
Directed design elective 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 13
 Total Hours: 120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.