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.
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 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 201 | Voice and Speech for the Actor I | 3 |
| or SPCH 121 | Effective Speech | |
| THEA 210 | Introduction to Stage Combat | 3 |
| THEA 218 | Introduction to Scene Painting | 3 |
| 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 227 | Introduction to Theatrical Makeup | 3 |
| THEA 235 | Beginning 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 325 | Intermediate Stage Management | 3 |
| THEA 351 | Rehearsal and Performance (repeat course for two semesters) | 6 |
| THEA 361 | Directing I | 3 |
| THEA 420 | Stage Management Seminar | 3 |
| THEA 435 | Advanced Stage Management (taken two semesters) | 6 |
| THEA 451 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| THEA elective (select 300 or 400 level) | 6 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 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 103 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THEA 111 | Fundamentals of Performance | 3 |
| THEA 235 | Beginning Stage Management | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play 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 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 or SPCH 121 | 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.