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 stage manager
  • 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 stage management/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 201Voice and Speech for the Actor I3
or SPCH 121 Effective Speech
THEA 210Introduction to Stage Combat3
THEA 218Introduction to Scene Painting3
or THEA 219 Fundamentals of Entertainment Technology
or THEA 221 Introduction to Scene Design
or THEA 223 Practicum in Theatre Technology
or THEA 224 Practicum in Theatre Technology
or THEA 225 Electricity for the Stage
THEA 227Introduction to Theatrical Makeup3
THEA 235Beginning Stage Management 3
Select two from:6
Musical Theatre History
Structural Design for the Stage
Audio Mixing
Computer-assisted Design and Drafting for the Theatre
Sound Technology
Sound Design for Theatre
Introduction to Costume Crafts
Directing II
Playwriting
Photo Manipulation for Theatre
THEA 325Intermediate Stage Management3
THEA 351Rehearsal and Performance (repeat course for two semesters)6
THEA 361Directing I3
THEA 420Stage Management Seminar3
THEA 435Advanced Stage Management (taken two semesters)6
THEA 451Rehearsal and Performance3
Ancillary requirements
THEA elective (select 300 or 400 level)6
Open electives
Select any course.10
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 103 Stagecraft 3
THEA 111 Fundamentals of Performance 3
THEA 235 Beginning Stage Management 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: 15
Spring semester
THEA 100 Technical Production 1
THEA 104 Costume Construction 3
THEA 112 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design 3
THEA 325 Intermediate Stage Management 3
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: 16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
THEA 211 Introduction to Drama 3
THEA 251 Rehearsal and Performance I 3
THEA 435 Advanced Stage Management 3
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
THEA 201
Voice and Speech for the Actor I
or Effective Speech
3
THEA 227 Introduction to Theatrical Makeup 3
THEA 435 Advanced Stage Management 3
General education course 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 15
Junior year
Fall semester
THEA 218
Introduction to Scene Painting
or Fundamentals of Entertainment Technology
or Introduction to Scene Design
or Practicum in Theatre Technology
or Practicum in Theatre Technology
or Electricity for the Stage
3
THEA 307 History of the Theatre 3
THEA 351 Rehearsal and Performance 3
THEA 420 Stage Management Seminar 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
THEA 308 History of the Theatre 3
THEA 316
Musical Theatre History
or Structural Design for the Stage
or Audio Mixing
or Computer-assisted Design and Drafting for the Theatre
or Sound Technology
or Sound Design for Theatre
or Introduction to Costume Crafts
or Directing II
or Playwriting
or Photo Manipulation for Theatre
3
THEA 351 Rehearsal and Performance 3
THEA 361 Directing I 3
THEA 385 Diverse Voices 3
 Term Hours: 15
Senior year
Fall semester
THEA 451 Rehearsal and Performance 3
General education course 3
General education course 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 12
Spring semester
THEA 210 Introduction to Stage Combat 3
THEA 316
Musical Theatre History
or Structural Design for the Stage
or Audio Mixing
or Computer-assisted Design and Drafting for the Theatre
or Sound Technology
or Sound Design for Theatre
or Introduction to Costume Crafts
or Directing II
or Playwriting
or Photo Manipulation for Theatre
3
THEA 495 Senior Project: Portfolio Review 1
THEA elective (300 or 400 level) 6
Open elective 4
 Term Hours: 17
 Total Hours: 120

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