This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
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 100 | Technical Production | 1 |
| THEA 111 | Fundamentals of Performance | 3 |
| THEA 112 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | 3 |
| THEA 211 | Introduction to Drama | 3 |
| THEA 251 | Rehearsal and Performance I | 3 |
| THEA 307 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 308 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 385 | Diverse Voices:____ | 3 |
| THEA 495 | Senior Project: Portfolio Review | 1 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| THEA 103 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THEA 104 | Costume Construction | 3 |
| THEA 105 | Advanced Costume Construction | 3 |
| THEA 161 | Figure Drawing: Superficial Anatomy | 2 |
| THEA 162 | Figure Drawing: Draping the Human Form | 2 |
| THEA 227 | Introduction to Theatrical Makeup | 3 |
| THEA 228 | Introduction to Costume Design | 3 |
| THEA 261 | Figure Drawing: Media and Technique | 2 |
| THEA 262 | Figure Drawing: Advanced Media and Technique | 2 |
| THEA 309 | History of Costumes | 3 |
| THEA 310 | History of Costumes | 3 |
| THEA 321 | Costume Design Studio I | 3 |
| or THEA 439 | Advanced Patterning Techniques I | |
| THEA 322 | Costume Design Studio II | 3 |
| or THEA 442 | Advanced Patterning Techniques II | |
| THEA 329 | Patternmaking for the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 332 | Draping for the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 351 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 368 | Rendering Techniques | 2 |
| THEA 421 | Advanced Costume Design Studio I | 3 |
| or THEA 469 | Advanced Patterning Techniques III | |
| THEA 422 | Advanced Costume Design Studio II | 3 |
| or THEA 470 | Advanced Patterning Techniques IV | |
| THEA 451 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Directed design electives | 6 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
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 semester | Hours | |
| 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 course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (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 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 or THEA 439 | 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 or THEA 442 | 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 or THEA 469 | 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 or THEA 470 | 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.