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.

Student 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 an actor
  • 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 performance

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 307History of the Theatre3
THEA 308History of the Theatre3
THEA 351Rehearsal and Performance3
THEA 385Diverse Voices3
THEA 495Senior Project: Portfolio Review1
• Additional major requirements
THEA 102Introduction to Technical Theatre3
THEA 110Improvisation3
THEA 201Voice and Speech for the Actor I3
THEA 202Voice and Speech for the Actor II3
THEA 203Movement for the Actor I3
THEA 204Movement for the Actor II3
THEA 213Acting I3
THEA 214Acting II3
THEA 226Desktop Audio/Video2
THEA 301Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor I3
THEA 302Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor II3
THEA 313Actor’s Studio I3
THEA 314Actor’s Studio II3
THEA 315Audition Technique3
THEA 335Advanced Movement and Vocal Techniques3
THEA 412Acting for Camera3
THEA 413Actor's Studio III3
or THEA 375 Black Performance Techniques
or THEA 416 Solo Performance
or THEA 418 Advanced Acting for Camera
THEA 419Professional Preparation3
• Major electives
THEA courses (select from 300 or 400 level)6
Open electives8
Select any course.
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 100 Technical Production 1
THEA 102 Introduction to Technical Theatre 3
THEA 111 Fundamentals of Performance 3
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: 16
Spring semester
THEA 110 Improvisation 3
THEA 112 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design 3
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Sophomore year
Fall semester
THEA 201 Voice and Speech for the Actor I 3
THEA 203 Movement for the Actor I 3
THEA 213 Acting I 3
THEA 226 Desktop Audio/Video 2
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
 Term Hours: 14
Spring semester
THEA 202 Voice and Speech for the Actor II 3
THEA 204 Movement for the Actor II 3
THEA 214 Acting II 3
General education course 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Junior year
Fall semester
THEA 301 Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor I 3
THEA 307 History of the Theatre 3
THEA 313 Actor’s Studio I 3
THEA 335 Advanced Movement and Vocal Techniques 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
THEA 302 Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor II 3
THEA 308 History of the Theatre 3
THEA 314 Actor’s Studio II 3
THEA 315 Audition Technique 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Senior year
Fall semester
THEA 385 Diverse Voices 3
THEA 412 Acting for Camera 3
THEA 419 Professional Preparation 3
THEA elective (300 or 400 level) 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
THEA 351 Rehearsal and Performance 3
THEA 413
Actor's Studio III
or Black Performance Techniques
or Solo Performance
or Advanced Acting for Camera
3
THEA 495 Senior Project: Portfolio Review 1
THEA elective (300 or 400 level) 3
Open electives 5
 Term Hours: 15
 Total Hours: 120

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