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Theatre and Performing Arts

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Overview

www.music.iastate.edu/theatre

The Theatre and Performing Arts program:

  • Utilizes a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum.
  • Focuses on undergraduate experiences, high impact learning, interdisciplinary and cross-community collaboration, and exceptional professional preparation and training.
  • Engages in collaborative, innovative practices in both classroom and production settings.
  • Empowers students to take an active role in an interconnected system of artistic community engagement and creative momentum.
  •  Is dedicated to individualized student-centered programming that is ambitious, relevant, and rigorous.

ISU Theatre impacts hundreds of students from majors throughout the university in our classes, productions and studios. Our students are compassionate, enthusiastic, aware, ambitious, dependable, dedicated, disciplined and generous. The Theatre and Performing Arts program offers a wide variety of courses that support the student’s individual interests and specialization. 

The major in performing arts offers the undergraduate student a cross-disciplinary core including 26 credits in three categories: Theatre, Music and Dance. Students also select a 21-22 credit emphasis in one or more of the following areas of focus:

  • Acting/Directing
  • Dance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Theatrical Design and Technology

Additional professional development occurs within two required professional internships in which students can practice the skills and passions developed throughout their individualized plans of study. Preparation for these internships include various impactful experiences in theatre and the performing arts here at Iowa State. This work is vital for students to gain a practical understanding of the rigors of the field.

ISU Theatre and Performing Arts focuses solely on the undergraduate student artist, offering students many opportunities to participate in production experiences throughout the academic year. Students implement the theories and principles explored in the classroom with experiential learning though public performances. These productions vary in scope, taking place in the 435-seat proscenium space at Fisher Theatre as well as in other intimate and “found” venues both on and off campus. Performing arts majors must maintain a 2.0 GPA to participate in production activities. Scholarships and employment opportunities are available to both incoming and current students on a yearly basis. All areas of ISU Theatre and Performing Arts, including classes and productions, are open to all students regardless of major. Visit here to learn about scholarships and all of the ways to get involved with Theatre and the Performing Arts at ISU.

In addition to building a solid foundation in theatre, Performing Arts graduates enter the world as empathetic members of their community prepared to engage in civic life and meet the challenges of the work force or graduate school with strong skills in leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should be able to:

  • Recognize the ways in which theatre and performing arts can reflect and change communities and culture.  
  • Apply collaboration principles to the creation of performing arts
  • Analyze dramatic literature and performances from dramaturgical, performative, sensory, aesthetic, and community perspectives. 
  • Organize and integrate resources - including human (self and others), technology, and systems - to solve abstract and practical problems. 
  • Compare and critique performing arts theory, practice, literature, design, performance, and one's own process and work within cultural and historical contexts.

Bachelor of Arts - Performing Arts Major (Perf)

As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated below for the major.

LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement.

Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. diversity and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.

All performing arts majors must complete both the performing arts core and at least one of the emphases listed below. A Minimum GPA of 2.00 in both the major core and the chosen emphasis is required to graduate.

The Core for the Performing Arts Major (26 credits)

MUSIC 1010Fundamentals of Music2
THTRE 1060Introduction to the Performing Arts3
or THTRE 1100 Theatre and Society
or MUSIC 1020 Introduction to Music Listening
THTRE 2500Technical Theatre Practicum2
THTRE 2510Acting Foundations3
THTRE 2550Introduction to Theatrical Production4
THTRE 2630Script Analysis3
PERF 1050Performing Arts Seminar (Six semesters required at .5 credits per semester)3
Performing Arts Internship (2 professional internships required)
Theatre Internship
PERF 4010Performing Arts Capstone Seminar2
Choose four credits of DANCE from the following:4
Modern Dance I
Ballet I
Jazz I
Tap Dance I
Ballroom Dance I
Fundamentals and Methods of Social and World Dance
Modern Dance Composition
Modern Dance II
Modern Dance III
Ballet II
Ballet III
Jazz II
Yoga Movement
Dance Appreciation
Sound and Movement
History and Philosophy of Dance
Advanced Studies in Dance
Teaching Children's Dance
Methods of Teaching Dance
Teaching Dance Technique and Composition
Total Credits26

Emphasis in Acting/Directing (22 Credits)

MUSIC 1250Class Voice (1 semester of MUSIC 1250 or 118A required)1
or MUSIC 1180A Applied Music: Non-majors: Voice
THTRE 1510Actor's Voice and Movement3
THTRE 3930 Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop
THTRE 4550Directing3
THTRE 4650Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century3
THTRE 4660Theatre History: 19th Century to Present3
Choose 6 credits from the following:6
Acting: Contemporary Scene Study
Puppetry Design and Performance
Acting for the Camera
Acting: Period Styles
Creative Writing: Playwriting
Advanced Directing
Seminar: Acting Techniques
Seminar: Acting Styles
Seminar: Arts Management
Total Credits19

Emphasis in Theatrical Design and Technology (21 credits)

THTRE 4550Directing3
THTRE 4650Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century3
THTRE 4660Theatre History: 19th Century to Present3
Choose 12 Credits from the following:12
Stage Makeup
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Design
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Scenic Design
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Lighting Design
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Sound Design
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Stagecraft
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Draping and Patterning
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Advanced Makeup
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Stage Management
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Technical Direction
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Arts Management
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Scenic Painting
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Construction
Seminar: Design and Technical Theatre
Seminar: Arts Management
Total Credits21

Emphasis in Musical Theatre (22 credits)

MUSIC 1250Class Voice (4 semesters of MUSIC 1180A and/or 125 required)1
or MUSIC 1180A Applied Music: Non-majors: Voice
THTRE 3540Musical Theatre History and Performance3
THTRE 3550Musical Theatre Auditions and Performance3
THTRE 4650Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century3
or THTRE 4660 Theatre History: 19th Century to Present
Choose 9 credits from the following:9
Actor's Voice and Movement
Acting: Contemporary Scene Study
Puppetry Design and Performance
Acting for the Camera
THTRE 3930
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop
Acting: Period Styles
Directing
Advanced Directing
Seminar: Musical Theatre
Seminar: Acting Techniques
Seminar: Acting Styles
Seminar: Arts Management
Total Credits19

Emphasis in Dance (21 credits)

DANCE 3600History and Philosophy of Dance3
12 Credits of DANCE in addition to DANCE 3600 and the six taken in the PERF core. At least 6 credits must be 3000+.12
6 credits of 3000+ credits in THEATRE.6
Total Credits21

Suggested Four year plans for Performing Arts majors

Listed below are example pathways for completing the Performing Arts major. Students will work with their academic adviser to navigate their pathway through the curriculum requirements.

Performing Arts B.A. - Emphasis in Acting/Directing

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
THTRE 25103PERF 1050R 
THTRE 25504THTRE 15103 
PERF 1050RTHTRE 26303 
THTRE 10603THTRE 25001 
ENGL 15003MUSIC 10102 
LIB 16001ENGL 25003 
Dance Elective1General Education Requirement3 
 Dance Elective1 
 15 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 1050RPERF 1050RPERF 3100R
MUSIC 1180A or 12501THTRE 3510 (or other 3000+ Acting class)3 
THTRE 25001Dance Class1 
Dance Class1General Education Requirement3 
THTRE 3930 General Education Requirement3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement23000+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement3  
LAS 20301  
 12 16 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 1050RPERF 1050RPERF 3100R
THTRE 45503THTRE 46603 
THTRE 46503Dance Class Elective1 
General Education Requirement 3General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement 3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
Dance Elective13000+ Elective3 
 16 16 0
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 40102General Education Requirement 3 
THTRE 4510 (or other 3000+ acting/directing course)33000+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement 33000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective3  
 14 12
Total Credits: 117

Performing Arts - B.A. - Emphasis in Theatrical Design/Technology

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 1050RPERF 1050R 
THTRE 25103THTRE 26303 
THTRE 25504ENGL 25003 
LIB 16001MUSIC 10102 
THTRE 10603THTRE 25001 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement 3 
ENGL 15003General Education Requirement 3 
 17 15
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 1050RPERF 1050RPERF 3100R
DANCE 2700 (Or other Dance course)3DANCE 36003 
THTRE 3930 (any 3930)3THTRE 3930A (or other 3000+ THTRE Design/Tech course)3 
THTRE 25001General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement23000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective3  
LAS 20301  
 16 15 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 1050RPERF 1050RPERF 3100R
THTRE 45503THTRE 3930B (Or other 3000+ THTRE Design/Tech Class)3 
THTRE 46503THTRE 3930  
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
 15 12 0
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 401023000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective33000+ Elective3 
 14 15
Total Credits: 119

Performing Arts - B.A. - Emphasis in Musical Theatre

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
THTRE 25103PERF 1050R 
THTRE 25504THTRE 26303 
PERF 1050RTHTRE 25001 
THTRE 10603MUSIC 1180A1 
ENGL 15003MUSIC 10102 
LIB 16001ENGL 25003 
MUSIC 1180A1General Education Requirement3 
Dance Elective1Dance Elective1 
 THTRE 1510 (or other Acting/Directing course)3 
 16 17
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 1050RPERF 1050RPERF 3100R
3000+ Elective3Dance Class1 
THTRE 25001THTRE 35503 
Dance Class1MUSIC 1180A1 
THTRE 35403General Education Requirement3 
3000+ Elective3General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement23000+ Elective3 
MUSIC 1180A1  
LAS 20301  
 15 14 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 1050RPERF 1050RPERF 3100R
THTRE 4550 (or other 3000+ Acting/Directing Course)3Dance Class Elective1 
THTRE 46503THTRE 3510 (Or other 3000+ THTRE Acting/Directing Course)3 
General Education Requirement 3General Education Requirement3 
3000+ Elective3General Education Requirement 3 
Dance Elective13000+ Elective3 
 3000+ Elective3 
 13 16 0
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 40102General Education Requirement 3 
THTRE 3520 (or other THTRE 3000+ course from degree requirements)33000+ Elective3 
THTRE 4510 (or other 3000+ acting/directing course)33000+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement 33000+ Elective3 
3000+ Elective3  
3000+ Elective 3  
 17 12
Total Credits: 120

Please see the Department advisors for more information about suggested Four Year Plans for the Emphases in Dance.  Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. Diversity and a three-credit course in International Perspectives. Consult the catalogue for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how these two courses can be applied to your graduation plan.

Performing Arts Minor

To complete the minor in Performing Arts, students must take at least 15 credits of either Theatre or Performing Arts courses. Six credits must be 3000 level or higher. THTRE 2240, 2500, 2900, 3010, 4690, 4900, and 4990 do not count toward the Performing Arts minor. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college or university requirement. The following classes are required:

Performing Arts Seminar (3 semesters)
THTRE 2550Introduction to Theatrical Production4
THTRE 2630Script Analysis3