This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 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.
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 a scenic 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 scene 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 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 121 | Introduction to Drawing | 2 |
| THEA 209 & THEA 216 | Theatrical Rigging and Welding for Theatre | 2-3 |
| or THEA 230 | Model Building | |
| THEA 217 | Theatrical Drafting | 2 |
| THEA 218 | Introduction to Scene Painting | 3 |
| THEA 221 | Introduction to Scene Design | 3 |
| THEA 223 & THEA 224 | Practicum in Theatre Technology and Practicum in Theatre Technology | 6 |
| THEA 229 | Introduction to Lighting Design | 3 |
| THEA 251 | Rehearsal and Performance I | 3 |
| THEA 305 | Scenic Design Studio I | 3 |
| THEA 306 | Scenic Design Studio II | 3 |
| or THEA 334 | Sound Design for Theatre | |
| or THEA 347 | Props Design and Construction | |
| THEA 327 | Computer-assisted Design and Drafting for the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 351 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 373 | Photo Manipulation for Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 405 | Advanced Scene Design I | 3 |
| or THEA 326 | Audio Mixing | |
| THEA 406 | Advanced Scenic Design II | 3 |
| or THEA 333 | Sound Technology | |
| or THEA 345 | Technical Direction II | |
| THEA 408 | Advanced Scene Painting | 3 |
| THEA 451 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| SPCH 121 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 9-10 | |
| 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 100 | Technical Production | 1 |
| THEA 103 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THEA 112 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | 3 |
| THEA 121 | Introduction to Drawing | 2 |
| THEA 211 | Introduction to Drama | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| THEA 104 | Costume Construction | 3 |
| THEA 217 | Theatrical Drafting | 2 |
| THEA 223 | Practicum in Theatre Technology | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| THEA 111 | Fundamentals of Performance | 3 |
| THEA 221 | Introduction to Scene Design | 3 |
| THEA 224 | Practicum in Theatre Technology | 3 |
| THEA 327 | Computer-assisted Design and Drafting for the Theatre | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| THEA 229 | Introduction to Lighting Design | 3 |
| THEA 230 | Model Building or Theatrical Rigging and Welding for Theatre | 2-3 |
| THEA 251 | Rehearsal and Performance I | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| THEA 218 | Introduction to Scene Painting | 3 |
| THEA 305 | Scenic Design Studio I | 3 |
| THEA 307 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 373 | Photo Manipulation for Theatre | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| SPCH 121 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| THEA 306 | Scenic Design Studio II or Sound Design for Theatre or Props Design and Construction | 3 |
| THEA 308 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| THEA 351 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 385 | Diverse Voices | 3 |
| THEA 405 or THEA 326 | Advanced Scene Design I or Audio Mixing | 3 |
| THEA 408 | Advanced Scene Painting | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 18 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| THEA 406 | Advanced Scenic Design II or Sound Technology or Technical Direction II | 3 |
| THEA 451 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 495 | Senior Project: Portfolio Review | 1 |
| Open electives | 6-7 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.